A Runner’s World

I love sport. I love to sweat. I am addicted to endorphins. And the easiest way to get my fix is to run. I heard once that it takes 30 days to form a habit. So finally after all of my bemoaning I have got myself a running habit. It works out well, all you need is your running shoes, some clothes and the world is your route. It is the easiest sport to do when you are in a pinch for some calorie burning fun. Here at Patagonia HQ there are a lot of runners. At lunchtime it looks like a bunch of beetles scattering as so many people take off for their habitual run. 

When I travel I find it such a great way to explore a new city. Up in Portland last week I asked around where I should run, got a list of great places and took off exploring the trails that wind themselves throughout the city. So beautiful. Check them out next time you find yourself in Portland. And check out the Patagonia store in Portland too, wow what a beautiful space!

There is one draw back to running though … and that is the incredible amount of laundry that I personally produce every day. Sure I’ll wear some of my clothes again, but the way I sweat, snot, and spit … yuck! So every day the pile of clothes grows and grows, as does the smell. And I begin my weekly ritual of heading to the washing machine, with a pang of guilt. I finally have found a peace with my environmental dilemma of doing so much laundry every week. I use eco-detergent and I don’t use the dryer for my running gear. My dining room becomes a drying rack for my sport. It reminds me how much running is a part of me and a better laundering quest is a part of my life.

[Hanging out. Photo: Snow]

Comments

[CM]

Another good detergent (heck great cleaning products in general) is Method. http://www.methodhome.com/whatfor/environment.php

Also the design of the packaging is awesome

Funny you mention the Drying Room...I mean Dining room. After I wash my gear my bathroom and guest room turn into drying racks. Every space has some thing hanging from it.

[Brad]

Nice that you're not the only "crazy" one at the office. That would be me. Is there a shower at Patagonia or do you have other creative post-fix strategies?

[incline]

We do have a shower at our service center in Reno, however, we're located right next to the Truckee River which can be much more refreshing, and cleaner.

[CM]

Speaking of clothes. I just got through using the Airius T, Strider T and a Capilene 1 t (not all in the same day). I have to say the Airius T is the most insane tech shirt I ever owned. It feels as if I don't even have a t on. So light and comfortable (even with a trail/water pack). The Strider T was good but not as advanced as the Airius (obviously). The Capilene 1 is basic but I have to say it's my favorite fit. The length is great (I'm 6'4 and skinny). The fit was awesome...not to loose and not to tight. If you are tall you'll appreciate the longer length. If I had the Airius in the Cap 1 fit I'd be one happy trail lurker. Keep up the great work.

[patagoniac JM]

In reading this, I couldn't have agreed more about how running is addictive, among other sports ... I've always prided myself in staying away from brands that use metals to promote antimicrobial garments and so within no time i too share the dilemma of piling up stinky gear on the floor - and really it's fine by me. i have to admit, i only recently started using biodegradable soaps - if you like citrus 'sun and earth' brand works great. ironically, i too use the dining room to dry ALL of my synthetic garments to cut down on the dryer use. the dining room is where the most sun is in the house so it just makes for a quick turn around to use the gear again. some of my friends 'make fun' of me as they see the irony in drying gear (often times several patagonia capilene boxers) sitting on a rack in the same room where meals are eaten. at the end of the day it's amazing what a nice wooden drying rack will do (bought from a local yard sale).
sometimes, i even feel guilty turning on the dryer machine to dry my favorite pair of jeans...