IrongeezerSays™," While Exercising Be Good to The Environment."
By Cliff and Tatjana Eggink
We all know that Kermit the Frog says, "It isn't easy being green;" however, it must become the thing to be for all of us, and especially for us athletes and any active outdoor person. After all, “being green” means that we are breathing cleaner air on our runs, walks and hikes, viewing scenery in the mountains, in the desert, at the beach, on the water without litter, and swimming in and drinking cleaner water.
Being "green," while outdoors can be as simple as putting trash, such as your food wrappers, in a trash can or keeping the trash with you until you return home. This includes using aid stations in races where a runner, biker, or triathlete should discard bar wrappers, empty gel packs and empty water bottles. Even in the competitive climate of a race, your trash does not belong on the city streets, trails or side walks. They belong to you to dispose of properly at an aid station, where a volunteer will kindly finish off your disposal action. And by the way, don’t forget to thank them for this
For the hiker, mountain biker, or trail runner, "green" can be staying on the trail and not disturbing nature by leaving the designated trail area. It can also mean helping to maintain trails, replanting native plants, and not collecting souvenirs, such as plants, rocks, and animals.
Everyone can contribute to the "green" movement; we all have the opportunity not to use an automobile once in a while. We can walk or bike to the mail box, the store, school, or to visit neighbors. I think we are all clever enough to find an alternative to reduce any one of the 100 short air polluting trips that we take every year.
As a plus, these added short walks or bike rides are good for us, too, increasing our exercise time effortlessly.
The small steps that we can all take toward being "green" are endless. Let’s just make “being green” part of our active, healthy lifestyle.
Please share your green ideas with us: www.irongeezer.com and www.irongeezelle.com
Tags: Exercise & The Environment
