Runners, are you like me? Do you have a zillion old pairs of running shoes in your closets? Well, I might have a solution for you to ya’ know help you get rid of some that extra running baggage.

Yesterday I was contacted by a representative from the Allstate Life Insurance 13.1 Marathon Series. The race is headed to Chicago on Saturday, June 9th. Along with the half-marathon, Allstate is teaming up with a non-profit organization, Give Your Sole, to offer a shoe donation to collect moderately used running shoes and donate them to local shelters. All shoes collected in Chicago will be donated to Breakthrough, an organization that provides shelter, meals and other services to homeless men, women and children within the city.

Sounds like a pretty cool idea right? Well there are two ways you can donate your shoes:

1. Runners of the half-marathon can donate the shoes off their feet after crossing the finish line. In return, they will be given a complimentary pair of flip flops. The Bears’ 2012 first-round draft pick Shea McClellin will also be at the Allstate Life Insurance Chicago 13.1 Marathon Finish Line Festival (at the South Shore Cultural Center) interacting with runners and encouraging donations.
2. Race participants or Chicagoland residents can donate moderately used running shoes at 2012 race packet pickup places. Official packet pickup is at Fleetfeet on N. Wells on Thursday, June 7 (4-8) and Friday, June 8 (10-8), but I’ve heard shoe donations may start as soon as Monday. I will keep you posted.

So why is this important? Currently, 49 million Americans are living below the poverty line. For these individuals, every penny counts. Runners who donate old shoes will be helping people and families spend their money on food and shelter as opposed to clothing. Plus, it helps you clean out your closet. Definitely a win-win.

I know I’m planning on donating my old shoes (I seriously have a closet of them) and I was wondering if we could make a blogger meet-up out of this. So my question for you guys is, would you be able to get together next Friday evening (1 week from now) to drop shoes off and either go for a quick run or grab dinner? Which would you prefer? Dinner or a run? Just leave a comment on this post with your preference and I’ll throw something out there early next week.

Click here for more information about the half-marathon, Allstate, and Give Your Sole.

In more personal news, I got the results of my bloodwork and food allergy tests back yesterday afternoon. I would like to dedicate an entire post to it, particularly the elimination diet I have to do for a month, but I may not get that post up until Monday so I wanted to give you guys a heads up that you might see some weird foods.

After I got my results, I did what any girl who has been told she can barely eat anything for the next month (or ever again) does. I gorged myself on foods I won’t be able to have.

I enjoyed a beer and ate goat cheese with dinner. I also had a cottage cheese parfait for dessert.

Goodbye cottage cheese, its been delicious!

This morning, I ran my usual 4 miles (7:38 min/mile), hopped in the pool for 1650 meter swim, and then enjoyed an elimination diet breakfast that was still extremely tasty.

Oats with banana and strawberry in a sunflower butter jar! I have a feeling breakfasts won’t be the problem

Happy Friday and don’t forget to let me know if you want to get together for the shoe donation next week!