All the News That’s Fit

In my advertising days, I wanted new stuff all the time– I’d turn my nose up to “used stuff”– I’d spend the extra money on something brand-spanking new, use it/wear it for MAYBE a year and be onto the next new thing. My old stuff…well, I’d throw it out or store it away (packrat anyone??). When I moved to Boulder in 2006 and since then, I’ve been more conservative with my money- understanding where it went and how it was spent. The new, new, newness of items seemed almost foolish. When I became more aware of the environmental costs of making products…buying new ALL the time wastes so much energy. If knowledge combined with action equals wisdom…I am a wiser consumer…SECONDHAND is the way to go.

Next time you’re in the market for something new, consider secondhand stuff! Remember- if it is new to you, it’s still new! And by buying used merchandise, you are helping reduce the environmental costs associated with the manufacturing and distribution of new products.

Check out your local consignment, thrift, and secondhand retailers to find all kinds of treasures: furniture, housewares, clothing, artwork, jewelry. For those of you into triathlon– THE PROs CLOSET (theproscloset.com) is an awesome resource for used triathlon gear (and it’s quality stuff people).

Make the rounds at community tag sales, or find used items for sale online at places like eBay and craigslist. Better yet- register online at Freecycle and items for free!!

Enjoy your day!! Have fun shopping!!

The season is upon us and we are busy preparing to support races across the country in their greeening efforts. If you’re at any of these races, please stop by our expo booth and say hello – we’ll give you a free FitPlanet bumper sticker.

FitPlanet’s schedule…
Sunday April 18 – NYC Dow Live Earth Run for Water - including a concert by John Legend and the Roots.
Sunday April 25 – Big Sur International Marathon
Sunday May 2 - Cox Rhode Races in Providence, RI
Sunday May 16 – Marine Corps Historic Half in Fredericksburg, VA

FitPlanet is one of two environmental consulting firms working with the Dow Live Earth Run for Water, a global event taking place on April 18 in cities and towns around the world. The mission: to raise awareness and financial support about the plight of millions who lack clean water.
The run distance is 6K, which symbolizes the distance a villager has to walk every day to get water if there is no potable water in their community.
FitPlanet encourages you to get out and participate, either run or walk. Many of the runs will have music and a festival.

Kangaroos are cute, neat critters, earning them the well-deserved status of being Australia’s national symbol. When I saw my first roo, I remember being pretty giddy at the sight of this hopping marsupial. Even though I’ve since seen hundreds of kangaroos, I can’t help but be a bit thrilled when I startle them grazing during my early morning runs. Despite my appreciation for these animals, however, I am a strong supporter of kangaroo harvesting. While that idea might seem a bit brutal for people who see the animals solely as cute hoppers, they present a terrific alternative to Australia’s cattle and sheep industries.

Unfortunately for kangaroos, but fortunately for humans, they produce virtually no methane. Despite having a diet similar to ruminants, the kangaroo is able to digest its food without releasing methane, a gas with an effect that is 23 times greater than carbon dioxide. Currently, 11% of Australia’s carbon footprint is the result of the sheep and cattle industry. If the country were to switch from beef to roo burgers, however, fewer greenhouse gases would be produced Down Under.

This growing meat industry is also more environmentally friendly than farming cattle and sheep because kangaroos require less feed, are well adapted to drought and do not destroy the root systems of native plants. Of grazing pressures on Australia’s land, at least 63% is the result of the cattle and dairy industry and 28% is the result of the sheep industry. By contrast, kangaroos account for between 1% and 8% of the grazing pressure. In the driest, most fragile inhabited continent on Earth, this grazing pressure has a profound effect on the biodiversity and general health of the ecosystem.

In addition to being more environmentally friendly, kangaroo meat is also low in fat (2%) and high in protein. It is also low in cholesterol and high in conjugated linoleic acid (CJA), which reduces blood pressure. The meat is also pretty tender and tasty, especially good as a ground beef substitute.

While I am eating very little meat these days, I have had the opportunity to cook and eat kangaroo and have enjoyed it. The taste is something between venison and bison. Personally, I can’t understand why Australians don’t eat more kangaroo. In the country with the highest per capita greenhouse gases in the world, replacing beef and lamb with kangaroo could serve as a symbol to jump start Australia’s campaign to reduce emissions.

Learn more at…
BBC: Australians urged to eat kangaroo
BBC: Eat Kangaroo to ‘Save the Planet’
SMH: An industry that’s under the gun
Australian Kangaroo Industry Association
Per capital Green House Gas Emissions

Big news for two FitPlanet athletes in November.
Sarah Groff, professional triathlete, environmentalist, and Friend-of-FitPlanet, took 7th place in a time of 4:09:34 at this year’s Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 in Clearwater Florida, November 15.
Sarah was in the lead pack of elite women out of the water. The women’s winner was Julie Dibens of Great Britain, who came in just under four hours, setting a course record and breaking the 4-hour barrier.
And congratulations to Toby Radcliffe, FitPlanet’s Senior Consultant, Europe, who finished 27th overall at Ironman Arizona, November 22 in a time of 9:12:44.
Toby’s other recent accomplishment was working with the EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon, Birmingham England, to earn certification to the Council for Responsible Sport standard. Congratulations Toby!
For details on both Sarah and Toby visit the Ironman website. And for information on the EDF Energy Birmingham Half’s ReSport certification Click here.

I’ve been thinking a lot about garbage recently. Actually, to be more accurate, I’ve been thinking about the composition of my weekly garbage and the amount of organic waste present. As a devoted recycler and someone who tries to avoid buying many packaged goods, most of the landfill waste that I produce is in the form of the discarded food scraps (egg shells, peels, used coffee grounds, etc.).
The fate of my food waste is a pretty dismal one, as its nutrients end up in the dead end of a landfill. The EPA estimates that food residuals, combined with yard waste, contribute a whopping 24% of the municipal solid waste stream in this country. A great, efficient alternative for this organic matter is that it be composted, creating a useful product.
Like most people, I have some misgivings about composting, based on childhood memories of the sprawling, stinky compost pile in the corner of our property. Our monstrously overgrown zucchini would be tossed among layers of rotting grass clippings, left to brew in the summer heat. At the end of the growing season, my dad would distribute the resulting sludgy organic matter to his various flower and vegetable beds. His gardens were always lush and highly productive; partly the result of the ideal growing conditions of Upstate New York, partly due to his inherited “green thumb,” but also due to the stinky compost.
In order to have the beautiful, non-odoriferous compost that gardeners dream of (sorry, Dad!), I have always assumed that the process was highly labor intensive and complicated. Fortunately, composting is pretty easy if you follow some basic guidelines regarding composition and conditions. And there are some really neat composting bins currently available on the market that make the process even easier.
While other folks might drool over Italian shoes or carbon bike frames, I am currently dreaming about my future composting bin. Maybe I shouldn’t admit this in public, but I can’t wait for the day that I get my very own indoor composting bin, complete with wiggly earthworms! Massive zucchini will be optional.

Dear Mayor Rick Baker,
I had the privilege of competing in the St Anthony’s Triathlon in April and was greatly impressed by the beauty and the friendliness of the people of St. Petersburg. I am delighted that the community is so supportive of the triathlon and I can understand why it is one of the most beloved and prestigious races in the country.

When I was in St Petersburg, however, I was surprised there was no no recycling at the race. And I found out there is no curbside recycling in the city. I discussed this with some of the locals at the race and they suggested that I write a letter to you.

I realize that the city is doing some recycling. From what I’ve read, you have concerns about the cost of recycling, a valid issue considering this economy. In Colorado Springs, the community where I live, I currently pay about $6 more per month for recycling. I am sure that many members of your community would be willing to pay such a fee to do their part in minimizing waste.

I also realize that you have concerns about the greenhouse gas emissions in the collection and processing of recyclable materials. From the studies that I have seen, however, the net environmental benefits of reusing materials outweighs the waste produced in collecting and processing recyclables.

Recycling is about more than minimizing landfill waste, as recycling also creates jobs, saves energy (it usually takes less energy to make recycled products), saves natural resources by reducing the need for virgin materials and saves clean water and air, as creating products from recycled materials typically creates less pollution than manufacturing using virgin products. Recycling also helps keep plastics from entering our oceans and killing sea birds, marine mammals, sea turtles and other marine life.

While in St Petersburg, I saw dolphins out by the pier and prolific waterfowl. It is heart wrenching to think that a community can be so in touch with marine wildlife and still not make a token gesture, in the form of recycling, to help protect these animals from man’s waste.

I look forward to returning to the City of St. Petersburg to participate in the St Anthony’s Triathlon in the future. The event showcases the beauty of your city and the local environment, making it one of the best triathlon venues in the world.

I hope that the next time that I am there, I will have the comfort of knowing that the plastic water bottle handed to me after the race will not end up in a landfill, but rather be processed through a city-wide recycling effort.

Sincerely,

Sarah Groff
Professional Triathlete

Every December 31st, I try to come up with a New Year’s resolution with the goal of self-improvement in mind. For the past few years, I have vowed to be more organized and to stop tracking wet footprints throughout the kitchen and bathroom; resolutions that I have been only slightly successful in keeping. I think that the fundamental problem behind my New Year’s resolution issue is that I am only half-heartedly invested in my declaration. Other than a desire to avoid annoying roommates with my water tracking problem and the realization that the taxation process would be easier without sorting through stacks of papers, there really is no driving force behind these resolutions.

What if I could come up with a viable resolution with a more compelling force behind it? It is in this vein that I decided to come up with an Earth Day-inspired resolution earlier this month and I vowed to eat in a more sustainable way.

As I already tend to eat whole, minimally processed, organic foods, I feel that the easiest way to accomplish this goal is to incorporate more vegan meals into my diet. Since the production of dairy and meat products is quite energy-intensive and produces waste, eating more fruits, vegetables and nuts is more environmentally friendly. Furthermore, there is an added health benefit because a vegan diet, while hardly low-calorie, is very filling and will help me lean down a bit for the race season (my brother just lost 5 lbs on a month-long vegan diet). Vegan foods also tend to be waaaaaaay cheaper, especially when in an unprocessed state. Just think of it as more money to spend on racing!

Through my adventures in occasional veganism, I’ve picked up a few lessons that I’ll share:
Turn to international fare for meals. Some of my favorite vegan dinners rely heavily on spices and beans. Try out a vegetarian Harira, a lemon and herb-infused, chickpea and lentil soup typically eaten during Ramadan. Indian dishes, such as dal and chana masala (omit the ghee), are both delicious and filling. And hummus is one of the greatest foods of all time.
Treat soy products as soy products. I’ve always been wary of soy masquerading as meat or animal products. Tofu and tempeh are great when treated with the respect that they deserve. Avoid the highly processed Tofu “hot dogs” or “cold cuts” and don’t make frosting out of tofu (I made that mistake last night and the memory makes me a bit queasy still)!
Get out of the protein-centric mindset. I know many athletes who have just barely progressed from the steak-and-egg breakfast mentality of the 1950s. Yes, we need protein, but you don’t need meat to meet your protein requirements. Swap your bread for sprouted grain products, introduce more nuts (especially nut butters!) and use a bit of hemp protein in your post-workout shake. You’ll be amazed how quickly the grams of protein add up!
Save the bean-centric meals for after training. Yes, beans are hard to digest and can cause some discomfort when running. I find that chickpeas and lentils are easier to process, but I still leave them for dinnertime.
Remember your multi-vitamin and iron supplements. Just in case…

Veganism is, quite frankly, not for everyone. I would, however, encourage everyone to incorporate more animal-free meals into your routine. They can be tasty, I promise!

I hope that more people start making Earth Day Resolutions. In my experience, with a greater purpose behind them than just “self-improvement,” it is easier and more rewarding to keep than a New Year’s resolution!

I recently participated in a training camp on Maui and I couldn’t have been more impressed with the training conditions on the island. With the exception of two waterlogged days, we had sunny skies and warm weather for the duration of the three-week camp. With great, hilly roads (including a 10,000 foot climb up Mt. Haleakala!) and nice, flat stretches, all of our cycling needs were addressed. The clear, open water and easy pool access made for fantastic swimming, just as limitless dirt roads winding through cane fields provided for ideal running conditions. While we did have to contend with some angry locals in pick-up trucks, the fear of sharks, the cane monster, and road debris, I couldn’t have imagined a more ideal place to train.

Still, I couldn’t help but be struck by the question of sustainability. With the high number of island inhabitants and visitors, combined with the amenities expected by both groups, I soon realized that almost everything that ends up on Maui comes from the mainland. Although some agricultural products grown on Maui stay on the island, such as the incredible fruit and grass-fed beef, a staggering 80-90% of food comes from the mainland. Likewise, energy is supplied almost entirely by coal plants (the coal coming from the mainland, naturally). With the ideal growing conditions and alternative energy capability from wave, solar and wind power, I was disappointed to find out how much product was being shipped in via sea and air.

When gas prices eventually increase to the point that importing so many goods from the mainland is no longer an option, it will be interesting to see how Hawaiians address sustainability on their island. It seems as though the momentum is starting, as evidenced by the number of home solar panels and the development of a wave-generated energy plant, as well as the significant presence of local food producers. While the future of Hawaii may not directly affect me, it does bring up the question of my role in selecting places to train.

Colorado, Australia, Southern California, Hawaii are all incredible places where I have been fortunate enough to train since I’ve started triathlon. Not surprisingly, these warm, sunny places are well-known sporting hot beds. Just think of the number of times you’ve heard of Boulder or San Diego referred to as a “triathlon Mecca!” Some of the characteristics that make these locations so great for training, however, are also the same traits that make them questionable in terms of sustainability, especially since athletes and non-athletes alike flock in droves to live, play and work in these locations. While sunny skies are great for training (as well as one’s serotonin levels!), for example, the lack of precipitation also means that freshwater is in shorter supply.

Torn between my environmental conscience and my knowledge that training year-round in a place like Vermont just isn’t an option, what am I supposed to do?

The truth is, as long as I am doing triathlon, I will most likely continue to live in these environmentally stressed areas. How do I reconcile my feelings of hypocrisy with this lifestyle choice? I realize that I am not the only one who struggles with this dilemma, as most of us are willing to make small gestures towards sustainability — recycling, buying carbon offsets, eating locally — but have difficulty making major changes in the way we live.

I don’t pretend to have the answers to my dilemma but would like to hear your views and opinions.

Sarah

Like many runners I know, I’m in the habit to tossing my old running shoes into the closet when they’re too worn out for training. While I’ll retain the occasional pair for non-running wear, the vast majority sit around, slightly smelly, stained and unloved, awaiting my yearly cull.

Rather than toss them in the garbage, where they’d be sent off to a landfill, I’ve always preferred that my shoes have the chance of a second home.

When I lived in Boulder, I would round up my shoes and take them to the Fleet Feet running store, a drop-off location for One World Running, a non-profit organization based in Boulder. After my shoes were picked up from Fleet Feet by the One World Running volunteers, they would be washed and separated into two piles: the “near-new” and the unusable.

The “near-new” shoes would be shipped off to Third World countries to be given to needy athletes and children. The shoes that were too beat up and not suitable for shipping would be sent to Nike, through Boulder’s Eco-Cycle program, and recycled through Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program. After arriving in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike grinds up the shoes and makes rubber mats for playgrounds and running tracks. And, no, they don’t have to be Nike running shoes to be recycled!

Another option is to ship your gently used shoes directly to Africa through the Shoe4Life program. This incredible organization does more than just provide running shoes to those in need; it has branched out to address broader health issues, such as HIV/ AIDS testing and awareness, and the development of a hospital in Kenya.

For other options for donating your unwanted running shoes, check out the Recycled Runners’ shoe recycling directory for drop-off locations near you. Even though it may take a bit of work, recycling your shoes is a far better alternative than having them pile up in your closet — or worse, take up space in a landfill!

Sarah Groff is a professional triathlete currently ranked 4th in the ITU World Cup. Contact Sarah at info@afitplanet.com.