Green Runner

From Runners World (nov2008)

Here is a list of 30 things even a busy, sane person can do, i know i do a few of these but i after looking at this list i can easily change a few things i do to become a Greener Runner.

There are 10 categories and there is 3 options for both in terms of Good, Better, Best.

Get to Workouts

1. Bike to all group runs and track workouts

2. Run to a local farmers Market to buy produce.

3. Start all your runs from home

Race

4. Participate in Eco-conscious races(green-team.com)

5. Carpool or public transit to events

6. Race in your hometown as much as possible

Hydrate

7. Buy powdered drinks and mix yourself

8.Wave away plastic race cubs carrying your own water (fuel belt)

9. Use reusable bottles instead of throwaway plastic water bottles

Buy New Shoes

10. If you run on trails only occasionally, buy one pair of shoes that can handle light off road use.

11. Pick shoes that are made with few nasty solvents and recycled components.

12. Buy brooks trance 8. Its mid sole is made of BioMOgo, a material that reportedly decomposes 50 times faster than conventional mid soles.

Buy Apparel

13. Buy shirts, and socks made with merino wool, a natural and reusable resource.

14. Buys Clothes made from recycled post consumer polyester like Patagonia's Capilene 1 T-shir. And when your done with it, Patagonia will recycle it into other apparel.

15. Hold off on new purchases and wear your existing apparel as long as you can.

Make a Difference

16. Donate to the Rails to Trails Conservancy, local parks boards, or other organizations that create and promote new trails or running paths.

17. Volunteer to clean up a local trail, or adopt a road you like to run on.

18. Organize a recycling drive at a local race where participants can bring old gear.

Care for your Gear

19. Restore the breathability and repellency of your water proof gear by washing it with Mcneett's Reviex

20. Reduce your consumption of plastic and water by switching to super efficient concentrated forms of laundry detergents.

21. Wash your apparel in cold water and hang dry.

Fuel up

22. Recycle energy-bar wrappers with energy Bar Brigade, which up-cycles them into other products. For each wrapper you save, sponsor gives 2cents to a charity you pick.

23. Make your own energy bars.

24. Eat one less serving per week of meat, which requires significantly more fuel and water to produce than other sources of protein.

Cross Train

25. Run outside whenever you can(rather than inside on a treadmill)

26. If you need snowshoes, a bicycle, or a set of weights, purchase gently used equipment rather than new gear. Check out craigslist.

27. Leave your Car in the driveway and bike or run to the gym once a week.

Deal with Old Shoes

28. Wear them casually afterwards. They may lack cushioning for the long run, but they're fine to walk the dog.

29. Donate them to Nike's Reuse-A-Shoe program, which recycles the shoes to help surface new tracks and for other uses.

30. Donate them to Soles4Souls, Shoe4Africa or One World Running outfits that give shoes to needy people. Check out runnersworld.com/donate.