Try Walking In My Shoes (dm)

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I own three pair of shoes. I’m not making a green statement or promoting frugal living or suggesting that if you own more, then you need to immediately clear your closet. I'm just stating a fact. Actually, I do have more, but only three that I wear on a regular basis and at least one of those pair needs to be thrown away. When the treads on the bottom of a pair of running shoes is non-existent and the fabric holding the shoe together is doing the best to keep its original form, I believe that it is time to toss them out. Not only can damage result while running from not having proper support, but it doesn’t fair well for my “cat walk” stride when I do the weekly grocery shopping and decide to wear them as accents with my sweat pant outfit. Since my family is running together now, I am taking my running shoes more seriously, so I will be buying a new pair of shoes.

The luxury of affording a new pair of shoes is probably not something you think about everyday. Our shoes become worn and pushed to the back of the closet to make room for their shiny, new replacements. If you donate your old or “gently used” shoes, then that is great. If not, then consider this a lesson in sustainability and an opportunity to help others who wouldn’t mind “walking in your shoes.”

The mission of Soles 4 Souls is simple, “to impact as many lives as possible with the gift of shoes.” They are “Shoe People Helping the World™.” In less than five (5) years, Wayne Elsey’s Soles 4 Souls has managed to provide more than three million shoes to victims of natural disasters like the 2004 Asian tsunami (the event that birthed this charitable organization), Hurricane Katrina, and just people in need. Through donations received from "footwear companies, retailers, churches, nonprofit ministries, civic groups, schools, and individuals" of new and “gently used" shoes, Soles 4 Souls not only aides people abroad, but doesn’t forget about the people in need here at home. Just last week, during Barefoot Week, they provided more than “130,000 shoes” to disaster victims in Atlanta and New Orleans.

The organization has also started a running team called SolesInMotion™. If you are not a runner, then don’t worry because walkers, slow runners, and anyone interested in supporting the mission as well as getting in shape are invited to participate. Some of the perks for being a team member are personalized marathon or half marathon training (you may surprise yourself at what you can do) and the satisfaction of knowing that you are improving the life of another while also meeting a personal goal of getting in shape.

There are several ways to donate and help as well as many drop-off locations throughout the country making it easier for you to make shoe donations. We will be collecting shoes around our house and heading to our local drop-off location; my running shoes are headed to the trash (our donations will offset). It is a great way to make a positive difference, another opportunity to teach my children about sustainability and helping others, and clearing clutter and making more closet space isn’t too bad either.

I Like What I See

Our family started running together about one month ago. My husband and I used to run three to four times a week together before we got married and a few months into our marriage. After I became pregnant with our first child, I slowed and completely stopped running. As a first time pregnant mom, any anxiety to be had, I had. I didn’t want the baby falling out unexpectedly. Three children later, I shamefully have the same pair of running shoes I’ve had for the past three years. The treads - What treads? - are non-existent and they are just a pair of old, beat up shoes that I still wear. In fact, all of my shoes are old and beat up.



I have been getting back to running (in my head) for days, months, years and finally decided that if I were ever going to run the marathon I wanted to run before I died, then I better get started. It is so peaceful to see someone running. I’m not sure what comes over me, but I just want to start running myself. Swimming has the same affect on me. It looks relaxing and I want to do it NOW!



As a family, we now run on Sundays after church. I make sure that we change into our running clothes once we walk through the door. I love to run, but the temptation to do something else - sit, eat, ‘veg” – is too real for me to not get dressed and out the door. When we go out, it is very entertaining. Dad in the lead pushing a jogging stroller followed by two children running, and then me. We are at three miles now and stop along the way to take water breaks and snack breaks making a relatively 15 minute run take almost one hour. Making time is not the goal, but rather spending time together is what we’re doing. The children actually do well completing almost one mile with great stride and their “push rod” arms.




I thought I would share a few of the sights we see during our Sunday runs. It is just so pretty. Green trees, rolling hills of grass, fluffy clouds in the sky; nature at its best. I like what I see and that is why I am going to keep sharing what I learn so that we can continue to make a positive difference. The next generation should be able to take their children on Sunday afternoon runs and enjoy the same beauty.