A couple people have responded for ideas as to what to do with used pars of running shoes. Corey Witmer wrote in and said: “if anyone is interested Nike has a great ‘Re-Use-A-Shoe’ program where retired footwear is used to be re-ground into playing field materials for playgrounds and running tracks. The floor surface of our Runners Station is made from this re-grind, and there is a drop-off box inside the station (no, I don t think we can say we would know where the re-grind would go, so unfortunately donators could not visit their retired parts), as well as a drop off at Niketown.” On a similar note, Tony Tanser collects “Shoes For Africa”, another worthy cause.

These are both great ideas. But still, I feel like there should be a ceremony, ritual, or maybe just a little something, between the time you retire a pair of shoes and when you donate your old pair. It’s this intermediate step that’s key, and I’m still having trouble figuring out what it should be. If anyone has any ideas, let me know!!

And then, we had Jesse from Brooklyn chime in about how some second-tier baseball team from New York had a few good games against the WORLD CHAMPION St. Louis Cardinals. I mean, us St. Louisians are nice people, and we were more than happy to throw New Yorkers a bone over the past few days. It’s not like we got caught looking or anything!! But this is the equivalent to someone pounding his chest over finishing ahead of everyone in a 200 meter stride, when the rest of the workout is still ahead. Just remember where the 2006 Pennant lies! Then again, Jesse is most likely still jealous that Lethal Lockdown takes place in, you guessed it, St. Louis! I’m telling you, there’s only one cure to this problem, and that’s to head to Missouri and see what the excitement is about!! Plus, where else can you sample toasted ravioli but in the Gateway City? So don’t delay, book that airplane ticket now!! The ‘flashing lights’ await!

Don’t be shy! Keep those letters and comments coming in!