The Environment is Totally Key

Since I haven't been running due to this back, I have done a great deal of other exercises to occupy my time. One of those exercises include walking and my baby boy Remington is reaping the benefits. I take 30 minute walks and the last few days have been 60 minute walks. It's been awesome.

So, what's up with the post title?

Sorry for the poor quality, but this was perfect. See it here at http://youtu.be/s316C5vbOnM

One of my biggest pet peeves (besides drivers who use the fast lane as a time to catch up on their cheeseburgers and phone calls) is littering. I hate it. I don't know if it's our Texas campaign that has been ingrained in to me since I was a kid.

Source* Don't Mess With Texas Litter Campaign

Or it could also be that living in Singapore as a young girl had a greater affect on me than I ever knew or expected. It's the one place I know that makes littering a big deal...like a really big deal. It's a much bigger punishment and makes our "up to $10,000 fine" a joke. I wouldn't even spit out my gum there.  

During my walks with Remi, I take a large grocery bag with me to pick up poop. On my street, there is so much litter from the medical people parking over there to the construction workers to the homeless walking by to even other dog walkers that drop bags of poop. And the worst part is when my dog finds food, sometimes it is covered with ants. Does he care? No. One day, he may learn.

I remembered reading about how to be green during our runs and that was mentioned to pick up some trash along the way. I haven't ever done that before. So, on one of those walking days last week, I decided to pick up piece of paper and then a plastic water bottle and then a cigarette butt and then a beer can. Yes, there are tons of beer cans all over the place. Yesterday, I found a broken beer bottle. 

I kept on picking up litter until my bag was full. I may not have made a dent (more trash showed up the next day), but I felt good to get what little I could off of the streets. 

This is just one trip.

I decided to do it on the next walk and then the next and then the next. I just kept picking up litter. I couldn't pick it all up; I draw the line on napkins, underwear, condoms, and any medical waste for obvious reasons. I think people might start calling me the Trash Lady or something. I did have a guy honk at me, but I do get that a lot, especially when I'm picking up poop. It's weird. I mean, your honk is not going to get me in to your car.

Sorry, I got sidetracked. 

My next challenge for you is that when you take a walk, do something good for the planet and pick up some trash. I know it's hard when we run...so pick up some trash when you are doing the walk part of your run. I know it's hard when you are biking, but maybe pick something up, while you are waiting for the light to turn green. Just get out there and help.

Okay, here are some awesome pictures from my walks with Remi. Yeah, I used Instagram on some of the pictures...don't judge me.