Getting Wim’s Goat II: Running Reflections

I’ve been doing a lot of running recently.

Well, I say a lot.. definitely more than usual.  Enough to notice a change in my body AND my mind.

A lot of my training has been running to and from LD. I used to love cycling in for the ease and freedom, but I love running in for the space it creates, both in my day and in my head, though some may argue there was plenty space in there beforehand.

Running – and walking for that matter – is definitely good for you.  In a modern world where speed is everything, making the decision to move slower makes time in the day for all the pieces of you which separate off in the frenzy of everyday life to return to your body.  Your mind and body realign to the steady rhythm of self-propulsion, and the tactility of moving through the world sifts your self back together. It is liberating in its purity, and galvanisingly honest.

But not exactly sexy.

Why would a big company like Montane align itself with such an ethereal, internal, inherently unmarketable entity? It’s not a product, it has no materiality.  You might as well try and sell the wind.  Yet Montane are gradually building a series of ultra endurance events like a squirrel hoards nuts for winter, from multi day epics to 24hr smash-and-grabs (see here).  The most recent being the Cheviot Goat.

I’ve attended – and partaken in – a number of events like these over the years and while they are many things, sexy they are not.  Muddy, cold, a bit bleak, yes.  Sexy? no, and don’t even get me started on the participants.

However, you are immediately and warmly assimilated into a fellowship, united under a single banner which says ‘we are here to do something we love for love’s sake and the doings sake’.

I think this may be the point.  In a world full of instant gratification and social one-up-manship on an international level, there is too much focus on the moment of attainment; pictures at the top of a mountain, holding the medal, celebrating a win.

Looking at Montane’s product list there are a few things that stand out;

• No frills – everything is designed to do a job, and do it well.
• No flash – Beauty comes from inherent materiality.
• No fuss – Simplicity leads to efficiency.

It seems a conscious decision has been made for their garments to enhance your experience of what you are doing, not steel focus away from it.  There is an inherently trustworthy quality to Montane gear which allows you to get on with and immerse yourself in the job at hand.

Where other brands focus on getting you to your goal, with satisfaction coming from getting there and enjoying its attainment, Montane enjoy the journey.

In short, where other outdoor brands focus on selling the summit, Montane revels in the slog to get there.  It won’t be an approach that many enjoy, but for a specific breed, it is everything.

Some Quintessentially Montane-y Montanes:

Click here to see more great  Montane products