I am on my way to Boulder. A runner mecca. A sustainability mecca.

A place where I think most people assumed I would end up (although Chattanooga is surprisingly crunchy itself!).

And I head here for many reasons, to celebrate many elements of sustainability within Boulderthon, one of the fastest growing races in the US. With good reason, right? What runner wouldn't want to run in Boulder? Espeically when there is such a high likelihood of seeing one of your favorite professional athletes, who live there.

I will be in town as their sustainability advisor, and I am excited to see the gorgeous medal in person, made by Badges and Medals (who do such an incredible job of blending quality, personality of the race, and sustainability). The medal is made of recycled zinc alloy, and the ribbon from recycled plastic.

I am also excited about running the Cheribundi 10k on Sunday, as it is about to be the first 10k (maybe even the first race, period) in the US to use hemp bibs. I shared the press release from Running USA about that a few weeks ago, and now we are here.

Here is the thing.

I pushed for this.

In a conversation with Phil Dumonet, the founder of Boulderthon, earlier this year, he asked me what the race could do that would be really special.

I told him I was looking for a race bold enough to use hemp bibs.

He said, "Let's do it!"

I loved that Phil was innovative and creative enough to not go for the easy option that other races have done before. I loved that he was open to my feedback about other areas of his work that could improve. He listened to what I had to say, and he understands that I am persistent with continuing to push for improvmenet in the running industry.

So we began the process, working with RunVirt, who had been developing the hemp bibs for the World Road Running Championships in San Diego.

Along the way, as this was the first race they would be used in, we agreed that it would be best to start with the 10k; for my accountability's sake, that felt good with me too.

The teams got to work.

I saw a preview of the bibs a few weeks ago, and I think they are absolutely beautiful. You can see the striations of the hemp...

(Which, by the way, is NOT going to get runners high in any way! Cannabis and hemp are the same species, but very different. The levels of THC is ≤ 0.3%. Getting high off industrial hemp is like trying to get drunk off non-alcoholic beer.)

I hope this weekend becomes a talking point, where runners think to themselves:

Hmmm, wait. What are bibs usually made out of?

Insert, ask ChatGpt. I would rather they didn't, but appreciate the curiosity ;)

Tyvek? Isn't that the stuff used in construction?

Yes, and it takes hundreds of years to break down and is VERY difficult to recycle.

Why don't more races (all races) use hemp?

And that is how seeds are planted. No pun intended :)

I do feel nervous, though. These bibs have been used at the USATF Throwing Championships, and RunVirt is expert at what they do. I trust them, and still, I feel a little nervous. There will likely be a few negative comments; there could be something I hadn't considered, and my reputation is what is associated with this.

So hopefully, come Sunday, you will see a race photo (I won't be racing though, have enough of that coming in the next few months) of me smiling HUGE, becuase they worked, they were a hit, and this is a day that will change the running industry for the better.

We won't know unless we try, right?

I was featured on an Associated Press social media video a few days ago. While I was just a "participant" at a group run, they seemed to like what I had to say and made me the majority of the video, pretty cool.

Still time to sign up as one of our Racing For Sustainability runners at Big Sur next year. They are sold out, so don't wish you had filled this out, and miss your chance.

Headed to Chicago for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon?

Me too!

If you haven't already downloaded our Sustainable Chicago guide, you can get it here.

Race day is gonna be exciting, I will be sharing some of the initiatives to look out for on my socials over the next week, so follow along on Instagram and Facebook for that, but the most important thing?

Come plogging with us on Monday after the race. I know, I know, "If I can walk" is what I hear over and over, but a few things:

1. I will be in the same boat. We can be sore together.
2. These plogging events go literally (not kidding) 25 minute mile pace, so actually, it will be good movement for your legs.
3. You're giving back to the community after your celebration the day before. Will you regret if you don't come join us when you had the chance?

Our Racing For Sustainability runners for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon are busy fundraising, if you would like to support them. Nate and Thira made some really cool social media posts in the last week. Thira was also featured by the city of Austin this week as a Net-Zero Hero.​

​The money they raise goes directly to us at Racing For Sustainability, so we would really appreciate your support and belief in us.

Or are you headed to NYC for the TCS New York City Marathon?

Me too!

This time, plogging is two days out, yes, on Halloween, but in the middle of the day, so doesn't affect your Halloween plans!

We will have a lot of people, have a lot of fun, and is a great way to be out in community that is not a shakeout where you run too fast and feel tired going into race day.

Oh, and need a sustainable guide to New York City, it's here.​

Thanks to our partner, HydraPak.

The question I get asked the most, as you can imagine:

What is one thing (three things), I can do right now as a runner?

An option I always give?

Carry your own hydration. It is SO much better for your running as you can sip as you go, carry your product in your strength, and not have to be concerned with races running out of water or cups. You know I love HydraPak, and this weekend at Boulderthon, as well as in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and TCS NYC Marathon, I will be carrying my HydraPak Tempo Pro every step of the way.

As a friend of mine, you can get 10% off with code TINAMUIR10

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Be kind to one another, yourself, and this beautiful planet of ours.

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