Let Your Run Save the Planet
I’ve recently started running half marathon distances. I went from sedentary to 5K runs to a half marathon in about a 3 year time period. While I sometimes feel like my jogging is more plodding, I’m covering distances I didn’t know that I could. But I just stumbled upon a new Scandinavian trend that combines running with saving the planet. It’s called plogging, and it’s amazing! https://mashable.com/2018/02/13/plogging-fitness-trend/#Su5k9cQoNmqj
Plogging is a Swedish fitness trend that combines running while picking up litter. The exercise combines squats, cardio, and cleaning up the planet. All we need to get started is a bag. We can also wear gloves or bring a claw if we’d like to pick up litter along the way. Not only do we have the opportunity to clean up our communities, we also get a twist to our regular exercise routine. There are even apps we can download to track our progress. The app, Lifesum, has partnered with Keep America Beautiful to encourage runners to combine their exercise with environmental activism.
I live and run in beautiful Madison, Georgia, a tourist destination along the Antebellum Trail. It’s the quintessential small Southern town with historic homes, manicured lawns, and beautiful park space. The City of Madison takes great care of the city, spending time keeping sidewalks clear and clean. There’s not a day that I’ve gone for a run when I haven’t passed a city employee taking great care of our town. Yet, I still pass cigarette butts, empty bottles, and other small detritus along my route. While the city crew will likely get to it eventually, it could only help if I took the initiative to plog along my route, disposing of litter along the way and then placing it in the appropriate trash or recycling receptacles in town on my way home.
I know Mashable’s recent article on the trend has converted this runner into a plogger. It’s great for our bodies and our communities. Let’s do our miles and save the planet all at once.
