We have always made changes in our lives by taking baby steps. We did this when we wanted to start eating healthier, when we switched over to drinking more water by getting re-usable BPA-free plastic water bottles, and more recently here, we have done the same thing with our desire to be more environmentally conscientious. One of those “baby steps” was to buy reusable shopping bags. Now the ones we bought to put our groceries in, we keep in the van. And they are easy for us to remember when we pull up to the store. But we also use the bags to haul in stuff from the van, such as mail and other items we have accumulated while out running errands. For example, if I have to go to say, maybe the running store to buy a couple of things, for example maybe a new running shirt!! (Yee-ha!) and some energy gels, we don’t have to get a bag from the store, we just drop them into the re-usable grocery bag on the back seat. In fact, sometimes we refer to it as “the errand bag.”
When it was light enough out for me to start running home from work in the morning, I needed to bring my lunch and running clothing to work with me. I was using a backpack during the months I would walk or take the bus home, but I didn’t really want to run home with a backpack on. So at first I started using plastic grocery bags. But since we were trying to cut down on our use of plastic bags, I thought I would get several tote bags to take to work. Later during the week, when we were out running errands, we could swing by the hospital and pick them up with all my re-usable lunch containers and work clothes.
So off we went in search of tote bags. My plan was to buy four, one for every day I worked during the week. I found some small tote bags that would work, but then T pointed out a nylon re-usable grocery bag that folded up into a little pouch with a small carabineer on it. It seemed perfect, as I could just get the one bag instead of four, and bring it home each morning clipped to my running shorts.
So that’s what I got and it’s worked out great! I no longer use the plastic bags to carry all my stuff to work.
It’s just one more baby step we are taking to go green.
How ’bout it?
-Vision Runner
P.S. Way to go Robin! Robin won the Runner’s Edge running socks that we gave away in the donor’s drawing over at my fundraising project for Guide Dogs for the Blind www.RunOverToEllens.com. If you haven’t donated yet, go to www.FirstGiving.com/VisionRunner and donate your $1 to be entered into the future drawings…and once you donate, read your email for the special private donor’s only access link to be able to watch the daily video blog.
Thanks!
If you’re getting value out of this blog, you can do me a favor by linking to us and mentioning my Run Over To Ellen’s fundraising project to friends and co-workers. Here’s the link information for this article:
Title: Baby Steps
URL: http://runnerinsight.com/2009/06/15/baby-stepsbaby-steps/
I know it’s hard to pick out gifts for people that are interested in things that you don’t have the first insight about, but that’s why I’m here: to help you with that issue. I am going to guide you through potential gift ideas, and help you with, at the very least, the runners on your gift list. Some of these ideas you will see have universal appeal to anyone who is active: walking, bicycling, running, working out, playing sports, etc. As I have been running for over 15 years, it’s safe to say that during that time I have used most (but not quite all) of these gift ideas that I have compiled into a list for you.
To follow up the blog post from about ten days ago on the Top 5 Gifts For Runners, today I’ve included the easy and inexpensive Ten Appreciated Stocking Stuffer/Gift Basket Gifts For Runners. . .
The links are active, and they should all be formatted to open in a new window. So you can click on them to see pictures or get more information or order online and not lose your place on this page.
If you’re actively searching for gifts because this is a gift-giving season, why not stuff a stocking or a pumpkin or an Easter basket for your runner too? Imagine their delightful surprise when they suddenly find a stocking or basket filled with all sorts of running goodies.
¨ Running socks – The double layered ones by WrightSock that they sell online and at the running store are great, and are specifically designed to help alleviate the problem of blisters.
¨ Chap Stick/Lip Balm – Obviously these come in all kinds of flavors, and have SPF (sun protection factor) in a lot of them too, which is nice to protect your runner’s exposed lips from the drying and burning rays of the sun, as well as from the cold, winter winds.
¨ Gels/Goos and Power Bars – Sporting goods stores will carry all the different energy gels and goos and power bars. If you don’t know what makes them special, and how they function, I’ll give you a little insight here. Athletes are burning calories (energy) at a very high rate when they are working out or practicing or playing. The energy bars and gels are a way for your athlete to get a quick shot of energy that is easily accessible for the body to use immediately, part way through a run or game or set or match.
¨ Bath salts – This one and the next will provide your athlete’s aching body, joints and muscles with well-deserved relief after a grueling run or workout.
¨ Stretch Gloves – The stretchy knit one-size-fits-all gloves are very inexpensive, but great to keep the chill off. And once my hands are warmed up, the gloves are not too bulky to stick in my pocket, or tuck into the waist band of my shorts or running tights.
¨ BodyGlide – BodyGlide is an anti-chafing glide-on substance that comes in a stick, like deodorant. A lot of athletes, especially runners will have spots on their body that are more susceptible to chafing due to the continuous repetitive movements, mile after mile.
¨ After Bite – This is an easy-to-carry anti-itch stick for mosquito and bug bites.
These small gifts are great as filler in a stocking or gift basket, and most of them are usually fairly inexpensive, too. So you can really stuff it full for very little cost, and your favorite runner will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
I'd like to donate a cuppa coffee to Vision Runner, as I understand that all that running and writing requires a great deal of strength and energy and focus......
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I'd like to send Vision Runner $10.00 so that she can get a gift card for her favorite coffee establishment.
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I'm feeling very creative and I don't want to be inhibited by someone else's choices. I'm going to pick my own dollar amount...cause what if I want it to end with 46 cents or something?
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What about me? I need some for me..... (Go ahead. Order some for yourself, why don't ya?)
