SubscribeWhat is Eco-Running?
Have you seen one of them yet?
A runner cruises by you out on the trail, on the beach, in the park, or along the roadsides carrying something unusual. What is it? It's a trash bag! Even more amazing: the runner, often without stopping, bends down and picks up trash and puts it in the bag!
What a simple but powerful idea.
Okay, so I haven't seen an Eco-Runner yet myself. But they're a growing movement of cool people, so soon we'll likely be seeing more and more of them.
If you're interested in finding out more about how you can help the environment when you exercise, you may want to check out the Eco-Runner. There you can find simple instructions, links, pictures, and plenty of encouragement.
And by simple, the Eco-Runner means simple. His instructions are pretty much: take a trash bag with you sometimes when you run. See trash? Put the trash in your bag. That's it.
Of course eco-running isn't practical for every run or for every runner. Some people are trying to train for races or set personal records on their runs; others of us aren't very coordinated and would likely do a face-plant onto the trail if we tried to bend down and scoop something up while in motion; still other frequent treadmills at the gym where the trash accumulation is fairly minimal.
And it takes a bit of practice. As one new Eco-Runner explained: "I don't quite have the finesse to swoop down and grab the trash without breaking my stride, so it's a lot of stopping and starting. I had quite a few stares from the drivers…" (Those drivers, though, were probably staring in admiration).
However, the Eco-Runner encourages patience; he says he can usually keep running while picking up the trash, and he reminds us that practice makes perfect.
And for those of us who have our excuses all ready as to how it's a great idea but we can't really do proper Eco-Running? Well, there is still plenty we can do.
For example, the next time you're going on a leisurely day hike, especially if you're already taking a backpack: why not throw in an extra trash bag and pick up litter you encounter on the trail? Many of us already do that sort of thing, sometimes, when the mood strikes. But if you pick a place you know needs some cleanup, go out deliberately with a trash bag--you can call yourself an Eco-Hiker!
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What a good idea!
ReplyWow, I've never heard of this. Great find!
ReplyI do this while I'm out for walks. I think I'd have a hard time doing it while running though ... plus holding something while running is irritating. I don't even carry a water bottle.
Reply*sigh* now if we could just get people to do this while they're running with their dogs.....
ReplyGood for you, Ann!
I'm like you though, I can't really do it for cario.
I do sort a race-walky thing where I swing my arms back and forth pretty frantically (I look like a freak doing it, too, but that's a whole other story). Anyway, trying to do it while clutching two full trash bags is a little impractical.
So it's "Eco-Hiking" and "Eco-strolling" for me--but that counts too!
ReplyWe have something similar here. It's a group of people who walk the town trails daily and clean up as they do. They call themselves "The Trail Trashers."
My husband does something very similar when we're out walking and used to carry extra bags with him on our bike rides to collect cans and bottles.
ReplyThis is a great idea. I have never heard of it before, but I think I will join the movement. At least after it cools down a bit.
ReplyFantastic idea!
We have a city strike going on right now which means no garbage collection! Hopefully this sort of movement will take off here.
ReplyI think it's kind of lame, but that's because I do run for races/time and I try to run as "hands free" as possible. I could see this being a good idea to try when you are walking though...that's a little more sane.
ReplyWhat a great idea! I confess I'd never heard of it before but feel quite inspired to become an Eco-Walker or a Trail Trasher - knees won't stand up to running nowdays.
But I do like that idea of swooping down and picking up trash without breaking stride - sounds very graceful and co-ordinated!
ReplyI don't know if this is eco-running, but I've been picking up garbage on my runs for years on the days when trash is picked up or there is a garbage can in site. It doesn't help my times but it helps my 'soul'. It's kinda like the story of throwing back the starfish on the beach, but not really :-)
ReplyYou guys know of course that as well as having poor handwriting, doctors don't spell too good :-)
Has anyone seen where I put my homonym, or is it homophone, checker?
ReplyDr. J,
I think for someone who spends time on the web, "site" is a perfectly reasonable thing to type. I said "cario" in my comment earlier when I meant "cardio." Sounds like some weird combination of Karaoke and cardio. I look funny enough as it is attempting to race walk without singing "I Will Survive" at the same time.
And good for all the folks who pick up trash when they go out to exercise, whatever name they're calling it!
ReplyWhat a wonderful post, thank you. My ds and I have a distance to walk to throw out our trash at our apartment complex. We get 1 point for trash but depending on how gross it is we can get up to 20 points. It's teaching him and he has fun. I have yet to beat my 8 year old at this game.
ReplyI have been 'eco-walking' for years. It started one day while I was walking and discovered a plastic trash bag, grabbed it and started putting trash in it. (novel idea, I know). I hike up and down a steep road. Lots of ciggie butts, cans, and weird little pieces of junk. Sometimes I find money.
When do you think the litter-buggers will start 'eco-trashing' and stop the need to eco-exercise although I *do* enjoy doing my part for my bod and my country. ;-)
ReplyI do the same thing while hiking in the saxon switzerland / germany!
Replyi practice this since years. not as runner, but as walker at my town in germany and at the beaches of formentera. ;-)
ReplyI do this when I'm out scuba diving. I'm FOREVER picking up trash out of the ocean. The only time I leave it is if it has become some critter's "home" or if it's too large. I need to remember to bring a mesh bag with me...
Reply