Ode to old clothes

We all remember the pair of shoes with which we finished our first run. Many of us also have a favorite piece of clothing, or a lucky suit, with which we achieved our best time.

What do these items of clothing have in common? They carry our memories, and we treasure them. But what if the best reason to extend the life of our clothes were the memories they carry?

Here's a reflection between trail and ecology, tending towards new imaginaries, that we share with you here.

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We were inspired to write this article by Nicolas, a fifty-something with two Grand Raids under his belt, who told us a few minutes before setting off on the 45km Trail of the EcoTrail Paris 2022: "You can see the Camel Bag I'm wearing, which is what I used to complete my first Diag'. Well, I can tell you that it's as dear to me as the apple of my eye".

It's true that there's something comforting about wearing clothes that have a strong personal meaning. Beyond dressing us, they go far beyond their function by offering more than useful services on race day. They soothe us through feelings of familiarity and security, and remind us of happy times.

It's not easy not to give in to novelty

And yet, after hours of training, training in all weathers, only to suffer even more on the big day, it might seem legitimate to seek a little comfort. An ideal argument for buying a new outfit, so as to be perfectly ready. Still, it would be a shame to waste all that investment...

It has to be said that in this magnificent discipline of running in the great outdoors, we are not free from social pressures. We participate in a rapidly expanding market, which exposes us more and more every day to brand messages designed to make us want to buy this or that product, or to generate attachment to a particular brand.

As a result, despite the values of our sport, the feeling of looking good by imitation, in order to consciously or unconsciously resemble the social group we wish to be closer to, also exists within our discipline.

Let's go beyond our limits, not those of our planet.

According to the French Agency for Ecological Transition (ADAME), the textile industry's carbon footprint amounts to 1.2 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases every year, representing up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. It goes without saying that sportswear is a major contributor to this figure.

But good news for the planet, as organizers of a race that celebrates its 16th anniversary next March, we can safely say that performance and happiness don't necessarily go hand in hand. And if you're not yet totally convinced by these words, don't hesitate to find out more about the Barefoot Runners Society, the famous community of barefoot runners. In fact, research by the renowned scientific magazine Nature has shown that barefoot running causes fewer injuries*.

Most experienced runners will tell you that the recipe for a successful race lies in the emotions it brings. So let's make our clothes mythical, by introducing them to several races, several trails, and even several champions. After all, they're the ones that will remind us of our best racing moments and keep them in our heads for as long as possible.

*https://www.nature.com/articles/news.2010.36