A Running Partner that Won’t let you Down

Do your running partners occassionally let you down? They need a bit more recovery time than you do, or perhaps they are out with a running injury. Happens to me quite often. Well I know of a faithful partner who won’t let you down - also known as Man’s Best Friend - your dog. Most dogs are usually drooling at the thought of getting out for a run.

Dogs make a natural running partner. I remember the days when I used to run with my neighbour Tammy. We used to get up early before work to get out for our run… then Tammy got pregnant. Our running schedule stayed on track for a bit, but then the further along in her pregnancy she became, the more she backed off. I was nervous to run early in the morning on my own as the news headlines reported about a girl that had gone missing in the general area of where we lived.

I didn’t know how I would get my runs in as the early mornings were best for me. Then it came to me, I know someone that would run with me - Max - Tammy’s big burly German Shepherd (who was also missing out on his runs). Max didn’t have too many leash manners and loved to lunge forward.

Today, I came across a product call the Buddy System that would have a welcome addition to our runs and, if you run with your dog, this system is definitely worth a try. It’s a hands free leash. Hand free because it has a 1 inch wide belt that attaches around your waist with a belt that hooks onto a collar attachment. This is also handy as it allows you to let your dog off without having a leash to hold onto. It also comes in a small dog and big dog sizes. Attaching your dog to your waist is far more comfortable and safer method than holding onto a conventional leash. And the best part is that you can run with both your arms free! Check them out at The Buddy System

Nike Shoe Recycling Program

Nike goes green with the Nike Shoe Recycling Program or as Nike terms it - Reuse-a-Shoe. With millions of athletic shoes being thrown in the garbage every year, Nike decided to take the green road and do something about it. Through the Nike reuse-a-shoe program, Nike encourages people to drop off their athletic shoes at one of the shoe drop-off locations located in many Nike outlet stores, other retail stores, sports clubs and schools in Canada, UK, Netherlands, Germany, and Australia. Alternatively, Nike also provides an address where your shoes can be mailed in. Go to: http://letmeplay.com/reuseashoe/locations/ to find a location near you.

What Usefulness Do Old Worn-Out Athletic Shoes Have?

Nike takes the pairs of shoes and grinds them down into what is called Nike Grind. Nike Grind is composed of rubber from the outsole, foam from the midsole and fabric from the upper and are used in:

• basketball courts
• running tracks
• soccer fields
• tennis courts
• playgrounds

And Nike is continuing to explore new and innovative uses for Nike Grind. If your wondering what Nike Grind looks and feels like, visit a Nike store where you will likely see it in the footwear aisles.

It’s nice to see Nike in the positive press for what they are giving back through this great community program.

Please do your part by remembering to donate your old athletic shoes.

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