Five for Friday

Today is the first day of the holiday weekend for me! I’ve taken advantage of all my summer flex hours now, and I’m proud of it! I am taking full advantage of having a day off and a rest day, and enjoying breakfast outside. (smoothie and hard boiled egg, if you’re wondering)

1. Last night a package was waiting for me when I got home. My new passport!!! I’m shocked that it only took two weeks, but super excited because now I don’t have to worry about getting it in time for the Detroit Half Marathon on October 16th! What a relief. Now, I guess I just wait for our marriage certificate to be returned….

2. College football season has officially started and the first Michigan State game of the year is tonight. Woody is on the MSU Greater New York Alumni Club board and one of his duties is to represent the board at one of the bars where we have ‘official’ watch parties. We play Youngstown State (is that in Pennsylvania?) and it is the Friday of Labor Day Weekend, so who knows how many people will show up, but we have a strong team this year and Spartan fans are really excited to see what happens. If you have a moment, please go vote for Sparty [HERE]. I mean, how can you not love this guy?

3. While searching for things to do this weekend, I found out the Tugboat Race [HERE] is Sunday. Can you imagine a bunch of tugboats “flying” down the Hudson River? After the race there are nose-to-nose pushing contests (for the boats, not people) and activities at the end like a spinach eating contest and live entertainment. The fun starts at 10am at West 70th St and finishes at Pier 84 (44th St).

4. RRCA (Road Runners Club of America) announced [HERE] another list of towns that have received the designation of Runner Friendly Community. Allen Park, MI; Carson City, NV; Decatur, IL; Knoxville, TN; Lawrence, KS; Lynchburg, VA; Missoula, MT; Reading, PA; Salem, MA; and The Woodlands, TX join the list, which was first released earlier this year featuring Monterey Peninsula, CA; Dallas and Wichita Falls, TX; and Fredericksburg, VA. Communities have to be nominated [HERE] by members of the community for the distinction, hopefully the idea will gain traction. Always good to spread the running love.

5. Fast Company [HERE] featured an innovative non-profit organization in their September issue – the Green Sports Alliance (GSA). The alliance launched earlier this year and works with teams, owners and sports arenas to institute sustainable initiatives. Probably all of us have been to a large sporting event of one kind or another and have seen how much energy is used (lights, scoreboards, kitchens, ticket counters, etc) and how much waste is produced (concessions, ticket stubs, programs, bathrooms, etc). I can’t begin to fathom how much trash is hauled out of a Big Ten football stadium after each game let alone an NFL stadium. GSA is working with this industry to help them create and achieve sustainability programs. A few of their members include the Seattle Seahawks, LA Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Ford Field (Detroit), Target Field (Minneapolis), Busch Stadium (St. Louis) and many others. Sports teams are iconic pieces of American culture, hopefully the example their setting will inspire fans to make their own changes. And hopefully more teams and venues will recognize the benefits and join in.

• Do you know if the US Passport Service returns old passports? (It has sentimental memories)
• What are your plans for the holiday weekend?
• Is your town on the Runner Friendly Community list? Should it be?
• Have you ever noticed a Green initiative at a sports arena you’ve been to?

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Today’s workout -

• Stretching, rest day