August 2nd, 2008 My Big Footprint
Posted by
Bruce in
Ecoathlete I have disproportionately large feet. With a men’s 9-and-a-half shoe size, I should be a giant, but instead I reached a mere 5′ 8″, much to my dismay (and my smaller-footed, 5′ 10″ older sister’s secret delight). My feet are large enough to have earned me the moniker “Sausage” from my friends, due to my tendency to leave large, wet footprints on the kitchen floor.
While I’ve long accepted the size of my feet and realize that they will never get smaller, I do try to avoid having them swell in size. With air travel, fluids can collect and pool in one’s ankles and feet, resulting in what I call the “marshmallow effect.” As I fly quite a bit, most recently travelling to Hungary and Austria to race, I’ve been experimenting with compression and onboard exercises to great affect. My feet will never get smaller, but I can avoid the onset of swelling to keep them from getting any bigger.
Like my actual footprint, my carbon footprint is disproportionately large, due to my frequent air travel. (Carbon Footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide) produced by an individual through the use of services or products.)
This is of great concern to me. Unfortunately, in order to race on the ITU World Cup circuit, I have to travel internationally as currently there is but one US-based ITU race in Des Moines, Iowa. Although most athletes may not travel as much as I do, we all emit greenhouse gases when we travel to races. And while sailing or swimming to Kona might be an option for some, carbon-producing air travel is the only realistic option (and much more conducive to one’s taper).
While my footprint is larger than most, there are ways we all can minimize our carbon footprint. Here are a few suggestions for avoiding that excess environmental “swelling” associated with travel:
– Take the shortest flight path possible. With the rising cost of airfare, many of us are tempted by the cheaper options, which may take us on a less direct, and thus less eco-friendly, trajectory.
– Fly on larger planes when given an option. Per person, smaller planes produce more emissions than larger planes.
– Fly non-stop. Shorter flights produce more greenhouse gases than longer ones per mile. Plus, you are less likely to lose your bike without a connection!
– Drive to a race with a buddy. Driving together is more eco-friendly. Added benefit: a road trip is also a great test for the viability of a new relationship.
– Offset your carbon emissions. After calculating the emissions produced in travel, buy carbon credits to offset your trip. While reducing emissions is the best solution, offsetting helps fund projects that take greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere and is a great way to mitigate some of the damage.
I wish you all the best in your travelling and racing!
Sarah
Email Sarah at sarah@afitplanet.com
