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2013-04-27 5:56 PM

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Subject: WTH? Today's runner bummer...

Today was one of the first nice weekend days we've had here in Iowa this year.  I live in the country and was really looking forward to going for my run this morning.

Unfortunately, my 10 mile loop, had no less than eight different farms/homesteads burning trash which included plastic.

WTH?  How do people not know how horrible that is for the environment and their own health?  Kinda sucks when you head out to enjoy a nice run in the country and you've got to worry that every breath you take is filled with carcinogens from people being lazy and dumb.  Grrrrr.



2013-04-27 6:25 PM
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Subject: RE: WTH? Today's runner bummer...
No one was burning plastic near me, but lots of leaves and brush and it's right near a hill that I always try and power up and sucking wind, or in this case sucking smoke.  It's tough around here in the winter too when everyone has their fireplace lit and you get that smoke.  Hard enough to breath in the freezing cold as it is.
2013-04-27 6:42 PM
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Subject: RE: WTH? Today's runner bummer...
Don't come here and run/ride then. I get this pretty much every week as I ride to the industrial park where I train. Once (at Vietnam Tri) someone was burning plastic in a rubbish bin right outside my spot (next to the fence) in transition. Thus I keep my inhaler on my bike at all times--it's usually the only time I need it!
2013-04-27 6:50 PM
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Subject: RE: WTH? Today's runner bummer...

Hot Runner - 2013-04-27 6:42 PM Don't come here and run/ride then. I get this pretty much every week as I ride to the industrial park where I train. Once (at Vietnam Tri) someone was burning plastic in a rubbish bin right outside my spot (next to the fence) in transition. Thus I keep my inhaler on my bike at all times--it's usually the only time I need it!

Just thinking about that has raised by blood pressure...I would have been so p*&%ed. 

Reading about the recent air quality nightmare in parts of China makes that sound like a living hell.  I know I have a Western viewpoint, but I think I would be doing whatever I possibly could to get the hell out there.

2013-04-27 9:50 PM
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Subject: RE: WTH? Today's runner bummer...

I have a Western viewpoint, too, but I also have a steady, reasonably well--paying job here, and I'm a teacher from a state where nearly every district has laid off over the past few years. It gives me pause. Will a probably recruit next year but no guarantees I'll end up somewhere cleaner and more tri-friendly..... sure hope so! Basically I'm one of a growing number of American economic refugees working overseas because we can earn more and spend less there.

Seriously considering a career change but in this economy that, too, is a big, expensive risk that I'm not sure I can afford right now.

2013-04-28 3:01 PM
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Subject: RE: WTH? Today's runner bummer...
My favorite unnecessary pollution source training in so cal suburbia is the ubiquitous "leaf" blower.  I probably hit an average of four of these on any given run.  The gardeners are always busy blowing a cloud of dust out of the gutter.  What the heck is a gutter for, anyway?  That's right, let's have spotless gutters and a cloud of crap in the air, and blown on to the street.  In a day, it will be deposited back into the gutter by the passing traffic.  A couple cities over, the gas-powered leaf blowers are banned by ordinance.  One time riding there I encountered a gardener with a gasoline electric generator and an extension cord coming from it to his electric leaf blower.  That cracked me up.


2013-04-28 6:00 PM
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Subject: RE: WTH? Today's runner bummer...
switch - 2013-04-27 5:56 PM

Today was one of the first nice weekend days we've had here in Iowa this year.  I live in the country and was really looking forward to going for my run this morning.

Unfortunately, my 10 mile loop, had no less than eight different farms/homesteads burning trash which included plastic.

WTH?  How do people not know how horrible that is for the environment and their own health?  Kinda sucks when you head out to enjoy a nice run in the country and you've got to worry that every breath you take is filled with carcinogens from people being lazy and dumb.  Grrrrr.

That does suck.  Last year they completely drained the lake I run around to kill of an invasive species (zebra mollusks I think).  I'm not sure if it was toxic or not, but there is nothing worse than running with the smell of rotting fish all around. 

2013-04-28 6:15 PM
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Subject: RE: WTH? Today's runner bummer...
Hot Runner - 2013-04-27 10:50 PM

I have a Western viewpoint, too, but I also have a steady, reasonably well--paying job here, and I'm a teacher from a state where nearly every district has laid off over the past few years. It gives me pause. Will a probably recruit next year but no guarantees I'll end up somewhere cleaner and more tri-friendly..... sure hope so! Basically I'm one of a growing number of American economic refugees working overseas because we can earn more and spend less there.

Seriously considering a career change but in this economy that, too, is a big, expensive risk that I'm not sure I can afford right now.

Plus, one can claim up to 250 grand of overseas income from US taxes. Is that still the case? Do you have to pay Vietnam taxes? I know off topic, but curious. 

Bummer about the trash. I really  miss rural running though.. I used to live in the stix, but I  live in suburbia now. 

2013-04-28 7:09 PM
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Subject: RE: WTH? Today's runner bummer...

Uh, yes, I pay Vietnamese taxes and this exempts me from US taxes at my income level. Pretty much the same as, or even slightly higher than I would at home. Have yet to figure out what benefit I get from those taxes (certainly not representation LOL) beyond the right to live and work here, which I guess is something. A lot of locals probably wonder the same thing! But I save a lot more as cost of living is much lower (at least till we factor in my tri habit!) while the salary is competitive with US schools. My last overseas job was in Beijing; Saigon is clean by comparison.

The overall air quality here isn't great, but it's much better than Beijing. Really serious issues tend to be localized and short-term (riding past burning rubbish or field burning). I also live outside the city center, and the industrial area is downwind and miles away, so that keeps things bearable most of the time.

2013-04-28 7:21 PM
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Subject: RE: WTH? Today's runner bummer...
Hot Runner - 2013-04-27 9:50 PM

I have a Western viewpoint, too, but I also have a steady, reasonably well--paying job here, and I'm a teacher from a state where nearly every district has laid off over the past few years. It gives me pause. Will a probably recruit next year but no guarantees I'll end up somewhere cleaner and more tri-friendly..... sure hope so! Basically I'm one of a growing number of American economic refugees working overseas because we can earn more and spend less there.

Seriously considering a career change but in this economy that, too, is a big, expensive risk that I'm not sure I can afford right now.

I've heard great things about Vietnam.  A friend of mine spent a year traveling around the world, and his favorite place--by far--was Vietnam.  I have always wanted to visit since hearing his stories. 

Do you teach English?  Have you learned Vietnamese?

2013-04-28 9:01 PM
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Subject: RE: WTH? Today's runner bummer...
switch - 2013-04-27 5:56 PM

Today was one of the first nice weekend days we've had here in Iowa this year.  I live in the country and was really looking forward to going for my run this morning.

Unfortunately, my 10 mile loop, had no less than eight different farms/homesteads burning trash which included plastic.

WTH?  How do people not know how horrible that is for the environment and their own health?  Kinda sucks when you head out to enjoy a nice run in the country and you've got to worry that every breath you take is filled with carcinogens from people being lazy and dumb.  Grrrrr.

So you live on the Little House on the Prairie, but you are in Iowa?  I thought LHOTP was in Kansas?



2013-04-29 7:20 AM
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Subject: RE: WTH? Today's runner bummer...
flip18436572 - 2013-04-28 9:01 PM
switch - 2013-04-27 5:56 PM

Today was one of the first nice weekend days we've had here in Iowa this year.  I live in the country and was really looking forward to going for my run this morning.

Unfortunately, my 10 mile loop, had no less than eight different farms/homesteads burning trash which included plastic.

WTH?  How do people not know how horrible that is for the environment and their own health?  Kinda sucks when you head out to enjoy a nice run in the country and you've got to worry that every breath you take is filled with carcinogens from people being lazy and dumb.  Grrrrr.

So you live on the Little House on the Prairie, but you are in Iowa?  I thought LHOTP was in Kansas?

I live in my LHOTP;) but you're right, Laura Ingalls Wilder's was(is) in Kansas, though she did live in Iowa. 

We just read the whole series to our kids, and they loved it. 

Congrats on your acceptance to the judging show.  Your stuff looks really cool.  I took a metalsmithing class as an adult, and thought it was awesome.  It definitely gave me a great appreciation for the challenges of the medium. 

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