Welcome to Oiselle!

I mentioned a few posts ago that I had an announcement to make, and today is the day you'll read all about it!  I joined the Oiselle Volee running team! (There's supposed to be an accent over that first e in Volee, but I don't know how to type that in...) I am so excited and honored to be part of this group of fast-flying, strong women from all over the country! Read on to find out more about Oiselle and what being part of this team means to me, and to read my review/love affair with the Distance Shorts, which is the short that started it all for me!  

If you haven't heard of Oiselle yet, you definitely haven't been reading my blog for very long! I've been pretty much obsessed with this brand since I first discovered them about three years ago while trolling through the Zulily sales one October day. That's when I bought my first pair of Distance Shorts and the day I fell in love with this company.

Pre-Race family photo from Dawson's Run back in June. Brett (he's not actually family, but he feels like he is sometimes!), Katie, Josh, Tom (holding Brandon), Me in my hot pink Distance Shorts, and Jeff. Carol is in front with Harvey.

Oiselle (Pronounced Wa-Zell) is a women's fitness and running apparel brand that's relatively young, but is committed to designing quality running clothes that FIT a woman's body. And they do not mess around with this mission! The first time I tried those Distance Shorts on, I was completely smitten and have recommended them over and over since then. They are currently my go-to summer racing shorts and they never fail to perform.

Pre-run planking in my Distance Shorts (with a non-Oiselle top).

Just the other day, I actually had all my Oiselle running clothes in the dirty laundry so I ran in an old pair of (Big Name Brand) Tempo shorts. Man... I never realized how poorly they fit until after I've been running in Oiselle! I mean, the crotch area has a pooch of extra fabric as if they should fit a man! A lot of other running and active apparel companies unfortunately have the design model of taking men's styles and just recreating them in "feminine" colors. In the industry, this is known as "Shrink it and Pink it." (I should know thanks to my degree in Apparel Design and 10+ years working in active apparel retail!) That is why it is SO REFRESHING to see styles from Oiselle that are specifically designed by and for women athletes.

Distance Shorts (again!) with Verazzano Bra from Oiselle.

And they do not settle for anything less than perfect! Take the example of the newly released Bra-Zen style they just put out. Oiselle has offered a few styles of sports bras and has done a really great job with them, but to be honest, they're more for smaller-cup ladies. Ladies who are blessed with bosom have requested over and over a good, functional sports bra to give them the support they need, and preferably with the same awesome Oiselle style. Oiselle heard them and spent a long time perfecting the new Bra-Zen style. It had to be just right before they'd release it! I haven't tried it, but I do love my Verrazano Bra and my Traction Bra. All the reviews I've read about Bra-Zen are RAVING, so I'd say it's probably a smashing success!

Bra-Zen bra from Oiselle.

Ok, so enough about the clothes. I mean, they are fabulous and functional, but what really kept me hooked on this company is the culture it fosters. Oiselle is all about empowering women to be the best versions of themselves. Take this excerpt from the Flight Manual (sort of a company manifesto) for example:
"We are not building a single sport, or a cause, or even an idea. We're building a new kind of family. One that is strong, supportive, passionate, and all-in on a woman-up world." This is an idea I can get behind. It's a better-stated-than-I-could-ever-come-up-with reason why I coach track. It's why I run. It's why I strive to support and inspire.

So who are my new teammates on the Oiselle Volee team? They are women from all walks of life, every corner of the country, and every level of running ability. From someone like me who is middle-of-the-pack at best in the local 5k Fun Run all the way up to Elites like Kara Goucher and Lauren Fleshman. This team encompasses everyone and is full of positive and encouraging people who just want to help one another. It's like when I saw Heather Lieberg at Governor's Cup and she was so friendly and gracious. I feel lucky and proud to be part of this group, and to know that when I race in my Oiselle singlet (coming soon!) I represent this company and this body of outstanding people.

Now, I'm teammates with Heather Lieberg as a part of Oiselle Volee!

My perks for signing up include extra discounts on Oiselle clothing and gear, and freebies and opportunities throughout the year. I'm not a paid member or sponsored athlete by any means, and I didn't join for clothing discounts. I joined to be part of something bigger. Isn't that what being part of a team is all about? I did get sent some cool items right away, including my new bright Oiselle Orange spike bag, some temporary tattoos, and a copy of the Flight Manual. My singlet will be here sometime in September.

New swag from Oiselle, since joining Volee!

There are only a few other Volee members in Montana, but Montana is a really big state and we all live in opposite corners, it seems! So, it's not likely I'll see or network in-person with other Montana birds, or anyone else, very often. That means, in order to continue to feel connected to my teammates, I'll be trying to stay active on the Volee Facebook group, Instagram, Strava, and Gametiime, in addition to reading/commenting on other birds' blogs. Maybe when I travel I can get in some runs with other ladies from around the country. Who knows?!

Don't worry--I haven't given up on Team Beef Montana for joining Oiselle Volee! I'll still be wearing my Team Beef jersey at select races throughout the year and will continue to be an advocate for beef as part of a healthy diet to fuel the run and recovery. I mean, we're serving hamburgers after our 5K On The Farm, for Pete's sake! Now, I just get to represent TWO different teams instead of just one! Kind of nice to have options, right? ;)

In order to really kick off my new membership with Volee, I've decided to start a new series on my blog. I'm calling it Oiselle Flight Fridays. Each Friday over the next seven weeks, I'll be taking one of the seven "Principles of Flight" from the Flight Manual and writing about it. What that principle means to me and how I can challenge myself to fly with it. For a teaser, here are the seven principles:

1. Build the Sisterhood
2. Set a Goal
3. Own the Journey
4. Fly With the Winners
5. Feed the Machine
6. Be a Superfan
7. Believe

I'll be mixing in my own stories and experiences when introducing each of those principles, and probably showing off some of my favorite pieces of Oiselle gear along the way. I hope you'll check back on Fridays to read more about what this awesome company, my new team, is all about! 

New spike bag from Oiselle.

Stay tuned for more Oiselle posts! And remember- Head Up, Wings Out!

Thankful Thursday ~ Why Do I Run?

I love running. I'm not terribly fast, but I love it. 

This week I have been constantly thinking about running. The Boston Marathon was on Monday. I'm in the middle of Track Season. I'm continually working on my own training goals. I follow several running blogs and running companies. It has only been a matter of time before I came around to a Thankful Thursday post specifically dedicated to running. 

But as I sit down to try to work on this post and organize my thoughts, I ask myself: Why do I run? 

Here's one woman's reason why she runs. These words are from Shalaya Kipp, an Olympic Steeplechase athlete:

I am, of course, a runner...and like many runners who each have their own reason to run, each just a valid as the other, I have my own. On some level, I run because I want to do what hasn't been done before, even if its just for myself. There's a new place to see, a new journey to be taken, on every run. I think all runners feel excitement of preeminent adventure by just starting a watch on a trail that's never seen my footprints before, even if they are footprints on the moon. That's why they call it a personal record. Because even if you're not the fastest, there's nothing else like pushing yourself past that frontier of what you were previously capable of. - See more at: http://www.oiselle.com/blog/heya-heya-shalaya-welcome-shalaya-kipp-team#sthash.NWGaUpWI.dpuf

One thing I love about running is that it provides an avenue for me to challenge myself and keep growing. Just as Shalaya talks about doing what hasn't been done before, I find the competition with myself to be motivating and inspiring. In the past twelve months, my running hobby has pushed me beyond my own personal frontier in terms of distance I'm comfortable with. Last summer I decided I was ready to expand my racing from strictly 5K (3.1 miles) up to include 10K distances (6.2miles). This was a big shift for me, mentally and physically. I committed to a training plan, picked my first 10K race, and stuck with it. I finished with an OK time, but for me it felt like I had crossed the finish line into a new frontier of possibilities. I had completed something I had never done before. I signed up for another 10K only a few months later. And, I'm doing a Virtual 10K tomorrow.

Running also gives me pride in my body and its abilities. Ask most any woman what part of her body is her favorite, and I think most of us will struggle to give any answer. It's a challenge to feel good about ourselves and our body image when most of us look nothing like what the media portrays as attractive. We also find it difficult not to compare ourselves to what we see. For me, running and fitness has allowed me to see what my body is truly capable of. I look at my legs, my booty, and now I see the source of my power as a runner, and I am happy and thankful for the way that they look. I am strong.

I also love running because it gives me time to myself to think, process, and sometimes to de-stress. Sometimes, I can get so absorbed in emotions and thoughts when I'm running, before I know it, I'm done. And I feel better. Something about the rhythm of the road that can get a person thinking. I think I'm overall happier and healthier in many ways because of my running habit. But I still think I need this t-shirt...

www.goneforarun.com

So, why do I run? I didn't always love it. I do now. I run because it makes me happier with myself, body and spirit, and it challenges me to be better than I was before. I'm thankful for the ability and health I have that allow me to run. I'm thankful for supportive friends and family who encourage me.

I'm also thankful for some strong women runners and their contributions to the female running community. First off, Kathrine Switzer. Never heard of her? She's the first female to enter and complete the Boston Marathon. Check out this video to learn more.

Switzer completed the Boston Marathon as the first female to (illegally) enter in 1967. It wasn't until 1972 that women were officially permitted to enter and participate in the race.  Female runners everywhere owe a lot to her and her efforts and tenacity that day. 

Some of my other running heroes right now are Sarah Attar, who is one of two women who competed in the 2012 Olympics for the first time representing Saudi Arabia (Sarah ran the 800 and finished to a standing ovation), and Lauren Fleshman. Lauren Fleshman is amazing. She is a world class elite runner and a super-positive and motivating badass. She also is the part-owner and founder of PickyBars health snack bars. AND she just won a Shorty Award (awards for excellent use of social media). When I grow up I want to be like her. Here's some pictures--

From www.oiselle.com, a photo of Sarah Attar running the 800 in the 2012 Olympics.

Read the full article on Runners World at: http://www.runnersworld.com/womens-running/runner-learns-the-walk

Lastly, I'm inspired by my track athletes, past and present, who lay it all out on the line on the track, in the jumping pit, or throwing arena. I sometimes lose sleep thinking about how I can help you guys and be a better coach and you repay me with your efforts and smiles. I spend a lot of time on long runs devising motivational pep talks and strategizing hurdle workouts and drills. Thanks to you guys for keeping me going!

Now, I get it that most of my readers aren't runners. Some are. For those that aren't, thanks for reading this whole thing. I hope each of you has something that you're passionate about as a hobby or passtime, and I hope that whatever it is, you can verbalize why you love it and why you do it, and be thankful for it.

What are you thankful for this week?

And, DON'T FORGET to submit a photo or two of PLACES you are thankful for so I can fill up my post next week with cool photos! If you're not sure what I'm talking about, read my post from last week HERE. :)

Thankful Thursday ~ I love Track!

Happy Friday, everyone!

Yes, for the second straight week, I'm delayed in getting my Thankful Thursday post up on the blog. But, you'll live, right?

In case some of you didn't already know this, I am an Assistant Track & Field Coach here at our local high school. Track season officially began on March 9. I had a few days of practice before whisking off to Wichita. This week has been really great for getting into the rhythm of track practice as a part of my day.

With the track season upon us, I am super busy and my days are lengthened by about two hours each day for practice. It would be easy to look at practice as another commitment, another thing I have to do that takes time away from being home. But that's not how I see it. I love running and I love track. But more importantly, I love spending time with the wonderful young adults I have the privilege of coaching. I try to find some time each practice to tell at least one athlete that I'm glad they're there, thank them for being on the team, and tell them something specific that they do or say that brightens my day.

I think this positive energy returns back to me, and to all of us on the team.

Last Wednesday, when I arrived back from Wichita, my flight had landed at 1:30 p.m. and I was tasked with driving back to Rudyard (about a two hour drive) and hopefully making it in time for track practice. I found out via email earlier that day that our Head Coach and another Assistant Coach were both unable to be at practice that day, and that our third Assistant had a meeting after school and wasn't sure if he'd be there either. Our Junior High Head Coach had said he was going to be there, but then within minutes of practice beginning, called me and said he probably wasn't going to make it either.

So there I was, after a long day of travel, feeling tired, grumpy, and let's be honest, really kind of just wanting to go home, but knowing that I couldn't skip practice. I was the only coach who could be there.

I walked into the school, and immediately bumped into about three of our track athletes. Right away they called out to me, "Hey Coach Bangs!" "We missed you!" and "Are we doing yoga today? I hope we're doing yoga today!"  I couldn't help smiling and immediately my grumpiness and sleepiness waned. Their friendly hellos reminded me that I was there for them.

Not a practice has gone by since that day when at least one athlete hasn't specifically smiled at me, or asked me how I  was doing that day. One girl seems to have made it her goal to specifically give me a huge smile and wave right when I walk into practice each day. It truly makes my day every time.

These kids are so, so friendly and they work so, so hard during practice. As their coach, I'm proud and honored to be part of the team and to get to spend time with each of them for a few hours each day. I think having a good, positive, healthy coach-to-athlete relationship benefits all of us and the team as a whole. If we're invested in the coach/athlete relationships we have and if the athletes are invested in the relationships they have with their teammates, they'll continue to want to work hard for each other, and for their coaches. In turn, I continue to want to work harder to be a better coach for them.

We have our first track meet tomorrow in Cut Bank, MT. The weather is supposed to be iffy but the kids and the coaches are excited and ready to start competing! Wish us luck. Today we handed out our team uniforms. I was reminded of this quote from a fierce female runner that I love, Kate Grace:

A team is more than a uniform. It's encouragement and support before and after competition. It's frequent interaction, about running, but also just about the daily grind. It's friendly competition - pushing each other to the next level in workouts. It's running together, cheering on friends together at the water-stop. - See more at: http://www.oiselle.com/blog/open-letter-flock#sthash.rFwCPCm1.dpuf

Those few sentences sum up our track team pretty well, and I couldn't be more excited or thankful to be part of this group now for my third season of coaching.

Taking a stretch break after running timed 400s. 

Even though track season is a long season and huge time commitment, especially when one lives as far away from town as I do, it's something I look forward to each year. I'm grateful for the people I get to spend my time with after school at practice, on long bus rides, and at some of our marathon meets. These kids have a positive effect on my outlook and they teach me something every day. If you're a past or present track athlete that I've worked with, thank you for being you! Keep being awesome!

Who are some people who have a positive impact on your daily outlook? Who inspires you to work harder? Who can brighten your day with a smile and a wave?