Meet Caroline and Emma 
These #twinning birds, Caroline and Emma, first met in real life at Great Lakes Birdcamp Michigan in 2016. Prior to this in person meeting, they had found and followed each other on instagram - Caroline's (@currentmile) adventures with her dog Albert and Emma's (@et_runhome) famous outfit of the day on Instagram! When they finally met at camp, there was an instant connection. 

After camp the two kept in touch via text, email, and met-up a few times over the course of the next year. They supported each other not just in running but in life, too. Emma kept encouraging Caroline in her dream to qualify for Boston while she was also faced with her dad's cancer diagnosis. Caroline was inspired daily by Emma's own fight with health issues and her pursuit for a half marathon PR. By the time they met again at Birdcamp in 2017, their friendship had become a sisterhood. 

Putting the full twinning to work, as the two prepped for Great Lakes Birdcamp in Michigan, the two decided to coordinate outfits and match each day of camp - even multiple outfits per day! 

Because these bird twins live in different states, they often plan outfits to match during long runs or challenging workouts. They send each other a text before starting and check in after the run and usually post pictures of the virtual twinning! This has helped them both to be accountable and have a lot of fun with hard workouts or runs - I mean look at all of those epic outfits!

"I cannot tell you how much my friendship with Emma has changed my life. I have a lot of running girlfriends in Cincinnati who I run with on a daily basis, but Emma is special. The friendship Emma and I have is genuine, she truly pushes me to be my best self in all facets of life. She makes my running more fun, as well as reminds me not to take myself too seriously. I am so grateful that Oiselle brought us together!" - Caroline 

"My friendship with Caroline is unlike any other friendship I have. She is always there to support me in my running goals and is an overall amazing friend in all aspects of my life. This past summer I was nervous about a 20 mile training run, so Caroline and I planned a #twinning #powersuit with matching Spandos Bras and Roga Shorts. At mile 16 or so, I just wanted to be done, but I made myself push through because I knew Caroline would be expecting my finishing text and a photo! Caroline has the perfect mix of pushing me when I need it and telling me it is okay to back off and take care of myself when that is best. She just gets me!" - Emma

Post a picture of you and your Voleée wingwoman and share with #VoléeFastFriends!

Some things were meant to go together. And when you see it, you know it!

Running clothes? We see two routes to synergy: first, put clothes on your body, go run. Getting out the door always trumps outfit coordination. But the second has a bit of art to it. The art of the motivational outfit. The thought that goes into it, like prepping for a big moment, a date with run love. And if that’s your vibe, spring is in the air, and you’re feelin’ it - get busy with some killer combos. The looks we know work together because, well, we designed them that way. And also because they’re tried and true. Like Tina and Amy. Like cake and frosting - these combos are ready to take the guesswork out of getting ready for the run and rumble.

Aha. The sun has been spotted! The air has a hint of warmth...but winter still nips with icy teeth. What’s a spring runner to do? Long Sleeves and Short Shorts. A well loved combo that combines optimism and realism. The optimism of warming air, moving legs, and the promise of rising temps - with the realism of the seasoned runner you’re becoming. To make this look even more versatile, add a tank under the long sleeve so that if you really heat up, you can go wings out. Your legs know the way - just run! Our favorites include the Flyout Mile One + Go Tank + Mac Roga Shorts, Shade Long Sleeve + Portman Shorts, or Flyte Long Sleeve + Flyout Shorts. 

See all the combos!

Bring on the bloom and the color and the fun spring hues! Sometimes warm weather running is a state of mind, and colors and patterns are the mood boost to get you out the door. The Flyte styles (Tank and Long Sleeve) are perennial favorites. Just add Spandos, either in neutrals or bright color, and the entire look becomes springtime show time. Warmer climes opt for two lengths of Spandos Shorts, while the Spandos Capri provides coverage, but is still ultra lightweight.

See all the combos!

When spring has fully arrived, and the arms are out - what a glorious feeling! Yes, your legs might do most to the work, but your upper body needs its support - and style. Combining all the different types of sports bra straps with combos in tanks gives you tons of versatility - and a beautiful way to welcome spring fully into your life. A few of our favorites this season include the Ballard Bra + Shade Tank, the Team Bra + Hawkeye Tank, or the Lesko Bra + Backstory Shirt.

See all the combos!

Athletic clothes. They’re not just for sweating anymore. They’re for traveling, working, walking, jumping, scootering, or stop, drop and reading. As the weather warms up, we highly recommend the Roga Skirt or Roga Long Skirt with pretty much anything. Just add a Wazzie Wool Tank and denim. Or throw on the Gallery Short Sleeve Top with jeans and Birks. Or wear the world’s easiest, most comfortable dress [WITH POCKETS] the Roga Dress. Ready to get away? Pack your bag with a single dress, such as the Mio Mesh Dress or Rabbit Dress that are impervious to wrinkles.

See all the combos!

Like running + friendship - here’s to things that go well together!

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At The Nest, we're proud to not have so much pride we can't make fun of ourselves. And so we do. Of course, today's Multiple Pocket Launcher fits that mold, but we thought we'd give you a brief tour of our April Foolery.

A retrospective...

APRIL 1, 2012: The 7 Layer Burrito Suit because a one layer burrito clearly isn’t enough.

APRIL 1, 2013: Manchot is Here! Finally a team for the Oiselle men!

APRIL 1, 2014: Introducing Swassy, Eau de Exercise, for when you don't have time to run.

APRIL 1, 2015: New! Sweet Tracks Featuring Kara Goucher and Lauren Fleshman the album you never even new you wanted but we gave it to you anyways. Enjoy.  

APRIL 1, 2016: Are You Burned Out on Running? Join the Brulée!

APRIL 1, 2017: Introducing GoFlow! Caffeinated Tampons for the Female Athlete because everyone can use a little extra caffeine on those long runs.

It might have been Shakespeare who said "A fool thinks herself to be wise, but a wise woman knows herself to be a fool." April Fool's and party on, people!

NEWS RELEASE: In response to worldwide sentiment among women that there are too many garments with too few pockets, Oiselle announces today that it has entered into a new partnership with the leading research institute, M.I.T. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), to further the innovation of pocket performance in all women’s apparel.

“This isn’t just a convenience issue,” states Oiselle’s Founder and CEO, Sally Bergesen. “Women have known for centuries that pockets are essential. And yet, also for centuries, garment manufacturers have declined to create pocketed-designs. We are literally losing our sh*t.”

The Pocket Science Initiative will combine some of the most innovative thinkers in Oiselle’s performance fabrics division along with top researchers at MIT’s School of Engineering, including Materials Science Testing and Small Object Transportation.

Carrie Itoll, MIT’s Director of Nothing Left Behind, has been leading the partnership on the MIT side - working on a project that, up until now, has only been known by code name “Deep Pockets.”

The partnership’s first product is revealed today: The Multiple Pocket Launcher (MPL). Combining strong, compressive fabrics with new approaches in surface area tension, the MPL transports 340% more items than the traditional running outfit. Its biggest innovation is its coverage. By taking a 360-degree, top to bottom, heat mapping body approach, the Oiselle/M.I.T. team was able to maximize not only storage space, but also the strength and compression power of that space. This unique approach has allowed an improvement in the range of items that can be carried causing wear testers to declare this a new era of pocket power.

“Whereas most pockets in traditional garments have only been able to carry small things like keys, chapsticks, and cell phones, our new Pocket on Pocket(tm) system gives the woman athlete more of what she’s looking for. Our research indicates lip gloss is the least of her worries. We’re talking battery packs, iPad minis, premium snacks that require double walled insulation, and bluetooth enabled voice control for music accessories, texting, and Starbucks mobile orders," states Bergesen. "What we know now is that pockets are the new handbag. And we're here to serve."

About Oiselle: Based in Seattle, Washington, and therefore slightly web-footed, Oiselle is a by and for women athletes apparel company also dedicated to growing a run-loving community around the world. In addition to game-changing innovations and research, the company also produces a phenomenal collection of athletic apparel designed for running in every climate. For more information on products, including a rare site-wide sale going on right now, please visit our site here. For interest in joining our pace-agnostic, humor-appreciating team, so simply pre-register here.

About M.I.T.: Research at MIT aims to develop innovative solutions to the world’s most daunting challenges. From addressing the energy needs of tomorrow to improving medical therapies, MIT’s research efforts are enhanced through creative collaborations with leading research institutes and consortia around the world. Google them here!

In the final moments before the starting gun I really try to center and ground myself. I literally ground myself. If you've ever watched me race, I do this thing I've done since high school where I lay on the ground.

It only takes a couple seconds and I'm usually doing it while athletes are doing their final stride out. I let myself kind of sink into the track. I feel extremely heavy, like there's something pushing on my chest; pushing me down. It makes me have this sensation of spinning - a little bit like a sinking drain feeling. It's really like screwing yourself into the ground.

There's a lot of things I've learned since then, how that ties into ideas of chakras or meditative theories, but at the time it just happened naturally. I called it soaking in the field and so I would sit there and ground myself. It quiets all the noise. It creates an equal experience to start every single race. Whether I'm in South Korea, Australia, New York City, California, Oregon, it doesn't matter. There's always a ground and I can always lay on it and I can always feel that same sensation. Once I've done that it makes me feel really peaceful. It's like hitting a reset button and I'm like “okay, here we go” and then I also tell myself all I can do is be the best I can on the day with the tools that I have.

If I'm a B+ today, be the B+. Don't be a C- because you're mad you're B+ and not an A+ today. That is how you can always have satisfaction in a race. It's just by continuing to live up to whatever you are that day. Not an old version of you, not an idealized version of you, and if you want to be a competitive athlete that's the mindset you have to develop because you're not going to get your A+ day every time you want it. In fact, you'll probably only get your A+ day twice in a career, so might as well throw that idea out the window!

Lauren talks about her pre-race ritual in our video interview with her.

Hi super-fans! Superstar Mel Lawrence last told us about her recruiting process and deciding on UW. In this next installation, we wanted find out about her freshman/sophomore years at UW...when by all appearances she was riding high and racing fast

SL: Tell us about arriving for training at UW as your freshman year started. Impressions, funny stories, any feelings of intimidation? 

ML: I think like most 18-year olds, I was very, very excited to get to go to college. My mom, dad and I drove up from Reno, and when you're driving North on I-5, you come around a curve in the freeway, and suddenly the city comes into view. It's beautiful. Most people who have driven north into Seattle should know what I'm talking about. Anyways, I got so excited in the car and ever since then I've called it "Mel's view." 

UW is on the quarter system, so we had about a month from when we arrived on campus before school started. It was really nice to take that time to get settled in and adapt to the new training. I remember running through the Arb the first week we were there and thinking I was never going to figure out my way through there. There were quite a few runs like this, and my roommate, Lauren Saylor, and I actually got lost trying to run to Green Lake. We ended up on Lake City somewhere. Still not sure how we managed that....

Having time between arriving and school starting was also a really good time to hang out and get to know everyone. I had a small women's class, but the men's class was pretty big. We all got along really well, and the upperclassmen were really nice as well. I never remember feeling too intimidated by anyone (except Anita haha but she's one of my best friends now!).

SL: As freshman cross season got going, how did you adapt? How did the team finish that year? Was there one take-away from that season?

ML: I felt like I adapted pretty well at first, but it was also a little overwhelming and discouraging at times. I was a top recruit coming out of high school but racing and training in college is a different beast. I wasn't prepared to get my butt kicked as much and as often as I did in workouts and races. But it made me better! It's hard to come into a brand-new program and training system and immediately succeed. Some people can, but I didn't, and I was little naive thinking I would. That year at NCAA we got 7th, and I think at the time it was one of the best finishes UW had ever had, so it was a really positive experience and we had a lot of building momentum for the next year.

PC: Paul Merca 

SL: For the remainder of freshman year (indoors, outdoors) what were your goals? Did you have bumps in the road? Looking back, are there any things you wish you had done differently? 

ML: I didn't have goals for that season running wise. I got my first injury (stress fracture in my right tibia) and was pretty down in the dumps about it. I thought about transferring, and I was a pain in the ass. I can guarantee that I gave Coach Metcalf a few grey hairs that spring. He was so patient with me. It's so much easier said than done (especially in a new training environment with your first injury), but I wish I would have been a little more patient and level headed. 

SL: Your sophomore year your XC team won NCAA's, and swept 1-6th at Pac-10's, against an Oregon team that was ranked 3rd in the country!!! That seems incredible. Tell us about that season. Did you fully appreciate it at the time? What is your fondest memory looking back, or ways you can appreciate it now that you didn't at the time? 

ML: That season was incredible. I don't have adequate words for it. We described what we had going on as "synergy." We were such a cohesive group that couldn't be broken. Or at least that's what it felt like.  I appreciated every single moment of the season, and I still think about it. Pac 10's that year was definitely my favorite. I personally have never felt that good in a race; to this day I still haven't. It was the first time that season that we raced Oregon, and to be so dominant on that day was so exciting. It was an unreal experience. 

SL: Real-time update: Mel you crushed indoors! 4^th at USA Indoors in the 3k, and a shiny new PR of 8:50! It's so exciting to see you at a new place in your training. We can't tell you enough: you are a testament to staying the course. What are you looking forward to for the next few months? Do you know your race schedule? 

ML: Thanks! I really wanted to race a full indoor season this year, and I was excited and happy that it fell into place and I was able to make it happen.

For the next few months, I'm looking forward to getting in some good track workouts and gearing up for outdoor season. It's an off year so I plan on changing up my racing schedule a little bit. I want to get better at other events while still making the steeple my primary event. The off year (no world champs) makes it easier to do that and experiment and get stronger. Right now the plan is to open up at the Tenacious 10 (whoop whoop!) and run the 10k. Talking with Lauren about it, it gives me a little more time to do some strength workouts. From there I'll do a 5k at Payton Jordan 2 weeks later, and for now that's all I have planned!

Thanks Mel, we’re ready to cowbell hard! 

Watching runners leave the start line is kind of like watching a bird in the second it starts to take flight - effortless and powerful all at once. 

The Haute Volée share their start line thoughts leading up to the moment the gun goes off. 

"You’ve prepared for this moment. Don’t compromise on anything. This is your moment execute and breathe Whit. You got this." - Whitney Rowe

"The starting line used to be a major anxiety point for me. I always wished I could warm up then just be about 200m into the race already! My nerves are at an all-time high and I'm usually jittery from a combination of the nerves and pre-race caffeine. A few minutes before the gun goes off, and post starting line strides, I like to take a moment and remind myself of a few things. I remind myself that I put in the work, I belong on this line, I have a race plan and to stay in the moment. I tell myself it will be uncomfortable and that's ok. I pick a few key workouts or moments in my training where I felt strong and confident and visualize and embrace that feeling. Those brief seconds between runners on your mark and the gun I take 1 deep breath in and out, then it's go time!" - Megan Rolland

"Start lines are a place where the real art happens. All of that hard work - the early mornings, those reps at the gym, the laps of the track - this is where the art gets to take shape into something really, really special. This is the moment you savour, it’s that space between what was and what will be. It’s scary. It’s beautiful. Put your badassery face on and go get it! And every time I step up to a start line I am thankful for the gift of what I get to do - the ability to go running every day and train for the events I love." - Sasha Gollish

I was thinking “Get Out Fast, Get Out!” I usually envision my race plan and constantly go over it in my mind so at the start line I’m thinking of what my coach and I talked about doing the first 100-400 & the rest of the race. Execution is really important so I chose to focus on what needs to be done! So when that gun goes off I’m ready to Fly! - Kendra Chambers

“It’s going to hurt, embrace it and execute the plan, one mile at a time.” - Becki Spellman

My thoughts at the start are simple. By this point I'm prepared to put up a fight from start to finish so I usually try to calm my mind and take a deep breath. In past races, I’ve been so amped up on nerves and adrenaline I honestly don’t think anything but “GO!” But every so often my mind is clear enough to do a little mantra that stresses aggression and precision in my first few steps out of the blocks: “Aggressive, react and push out. Aggressive, react and push out...” - Jasmine Blocker

"This photo is from 8th grade, on my favorite cross country course aptly named "the torture course" because of all the hills.  I took a lot of pride in the fact that, unlike everyone else on my team, I wasn't afraid of this course because I thought hills were fun, and I knew I was strong. I can't remember exactly what I'm thinking, but I'm sure it had something to do with making sure no one was able to stand too close to me on the starting line!" - Anna Weber

My exact thoughts on this start line "It is pouring rain and so cold I wish the gun would go off so I can start moving. Despite this terrible weather I am still going to push hard and compete. This race won’t be about time but about placing and effort. Remember that you love racing and pushing yourself. Don’t look at your watch as you won’t be happy with the splits. It is time to show your toughness and grit. Be strong and focus on the moment." - Catherine Watkins

"Once I step on the runway, I don't think about anything technical anymore. All of that I leave for my body to figure out. I hype myself up with the chorus to "Lose yourself" by Eminem. It's the tune to the 'three clap' that I do to get the crowd involved. Then I say to myself, "Fuck it up" and I'm off." - Tori Franklin

We want to hear your start line stories! Share yours in Instagram or Twitter using #StartLineStory

Head up, wings out!

I’m 12 years old and I’m staring down at a chalk white line on a dirt track in the middle of a field. There’s a feeling in my stomach. It’s not nerves, it’s not a feeling of tightness that often accompanies doubt - it’s a stirring. It’s pure excitement.

I’m not sure what will happen once I cross that line, but in the midst of the pause between the “on your mark” and the pop of the starting gun, all I can think about is how I can’t wait to find out.

In my first races, the starting line was a prelude to an opportunity. To an adventure.

And as the starting line became more commonplace in my life the feeling of adventure started to wane, as the feeling of hesitation and doubt became more dominant.

Was the starting line really a prelude to an adventure? Or was it a prelude to possible failure?

But in moments far and few between there were races in which during our warmup I would steal glances at the start line and feel that same feeling I had felt approaching the line for the very first time; an eagerness to cross the divide and to commit to self-discovery. To make the unknown, known. Coincidentally (not coincidentally at all) those were my best races.

And although start lines still have the ability to take hold of my stomach, and make me clench my fists, and go to the bathroom 500 times, I still remember the excitement of placing myself at a physical marker of opportunity.

There may be expectations, specific paces to hit, and people to impress. But, I hold onto the memory of that 12-year-old girl who went out arms flailing, heel striking, about 20 seconds too fast, with a smile on her face and a hunger to compete.

Because she knew the true meaning of a start line. 

BY: MANDY LANE

Sometimes in the middle of a hard training session, a group run, or race, I have to laugh at the improbability of running becoming such a central part of my life. For years it was something I dreaded and was certain I would never be able to do. In my early running years I had trouble believing in myself, but after many thousands of miles I've finally given myself permission to flourish and succeed as a runner (and otherwise). Running has become a key source of happiness, achievement, and fulfillment. But as far as I've come, I often look back to pivotal moments on the road to finding fierce.

Teenage Embarrassment
We were about to run the mile in freshman-year gym. My palms were sweating, and I was looking forward to this like a trip to the dentist. So, I drug my awkward, asthmatic, gangly, embarrassed self up to the teacher. I looked up at that scowling crew cut expecting an unsupportive response as I sheepishly passed him the doctor's note excusing me from the weekly mile. He did not disappoint:  rolling his eyes and employing his oh-so-sensitive mid 90's vernacular, he declared in front of the class: "Fine then. Strap on a heartrate monitor and join the [insert a word I'm not willing to repeat]" So. Incredibly. Mortified. I was afraid that asthma would define me for the rest of my life. 

A Reluctant Beginning
Walking out of the doctor’s office, I knew I had to change. How could I have high blood pressure and be 50 pounds overweight at 21? The next week I walked into the YMCA for the first time and got on my first treadmill ever. My no-skip Discman nestled in a towel, water positioned, and pony tail tightened...I was terrified, but turned the machine on and started running anyway. I made a deal in my head that I could get off when the calorie reader said 500 calories burned. I don’t know how long or how fast that first run was, but I know that machine said 500.

Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone
I had been running on the treadmill for a couple years and had even found some enjoyment in it. Running helped me manage anxiety and the stress of my first real job. But I never ran outside. Scary.

But one day my husband invited me to run around Green Lake. We started around the 2.8-mile loop and I looked across that seemingly endless lake certain I wouldn't survive. I saw a couple of runners pass us chatting away and between haggard breaths asked my husband why anyone would want to talk while running? He laughed; I didn’t understand. Each half-mile mark spray-painted onto that heavily traversed pavement seemed miles apart, but one-by-one we passed them all. I remember feeling as if I had crossed some incredible finish line and yearned for more.

Doing the Impossible
When I asked my husband nervously: “what if I trained for a half marathon?”, I was sure he'd confirm that it was a crazy idea.  But instead he said: “yes! you could totally do that!” I was shocked at how confident he seemed, and his confidence was infectious. We strategized and talked through the possible pitfalls and training ideas. He helped me believe in myself, and I decided to at least give myself a chance.

The next day I went to register for the race and found myself stuck staring at the registration page: half marathon or full marathon? I typed an email to my husband that started: “What if I tried to do the full?” The email was a mixture of self-doubt and bravado. But really what I wanted was for someone to give me permission to go for it. I never sent it; I deleted the entire thing and signed up for the full marathon. I told him that night: “I just want to see if I can do it.”

Six months and hundreds of miles later I crossed the finish line of my first marathon and the feeling of accomplishment was like nothing I had ever experienced. I trained. I struggled. I fought and I conquered.

Therapy
I traversed thousands of miles of road and life between that first finish line and my first run back after giving birth to my son. I ran three more marathons, changed jobs, moved cities, had a child and lost two.

I lost twin girls 20 weeks into a tortuous pregnancy. I was depressed, broken, and lost. Four months later I was pregnant again. This pregnancy brought more risk, more weight (physical and emotional) and fear. Two high-risk pregnancies had wrecked my body. In the swirl of stress, grief and chaos I had lost myself in every way you can lose yourself.

My wonderful son was two months old when I tried to run again for the first time. I covered slow, painful three miles and had to stop 6 times gasping for air. It took another 7 months to lose the weight (physical and emotional), and, in that time, running lead me out of depression and back to life. It reminded me who I am. 

Finding Fierce
I decided to try for the holy grail of all amateur running accomplishments: a BQ. Until this point my marathons had been of the “I just want to finish” variety. I began to run paces and mileage totals that would have made me dizzy a few years earlier, and each training run gave me a little more confidence, strength, and hope.

When I toed the line at the Eugene Marathon, a wave of certainty rolled over me. There were many steps to tread between me and the finish line on Hayward Field, but in that moment, I knew I could do it: I finally believed in myself. And somewhere in the 26.2 miles that day I found it; I found my fierce. I flew down that storied track in the footsteps of Olympians knowing that I was qualifying for the Boston Marathon. In that instant I thought my heart would burst (in the good way) and that feeling of pride has stayed with me in all the miles traversed en route to Boston and beyond. 

The Mile I’m In
I have won hard-fought battles in my time as a runner. I have met incredible people. I have run through tears, happiness, exhaustion, sickness, and tragedy. I have earned some trophies and stood on a few podiums. But the most important thing I have found in all the miles is me. I have found the fierce, passionate woman who fights for what she wants and makes no apologies for being who she is. 

In the marathon of life, springtime is a false flat.

Just when you think you’ve taken winter's last blow, with its cold, closed fists - BAM - back we go.

It should be warm (it’s not). Or it should be fair (it’s hot). It should be in line with the forecast (it never is).

What’s a girl to do!? Per usual, turn off the brain, fire up the persistence - and go running anyway.

We might not be able to control the weather, but we’re not going to let the weather control us.

For this very reason (because we need to run anyway), Oiselle designs all-seasons, all-weather running apparel for women who won’t be denied their daily miles. So no matter where spring, or lack of spring, might find you right now - we have you covered. Pick your climate, pick your gear, and pick a path! Before you know it, we’ll all be swassing it out through the hot days of July and wishing for a nice cool Nor-easter. Or not.

What to wear when the temps are frozen:

1. INSULATING BASELAYERS

• A thick, insulating long sleeve baselayer in high performance, warming fabrics such as Wazzie Wool, or the Homerun Half Zip.
• Full length tights that are either heavy weight compression (Flyout Tights) or fleece lined (Lesley Tights).

2. LIGHTWEIGHT INSULATED OUTERWEAR

• Performance based insulation, such as outerwear with PrimaLoft insulation or Polartec Alpha are ideal for keeping you warm while also managing sweat and moisture - moving it away from your body (Quill Jacket, Quill Vest).
• Not too frozen? A hybrid baselayer + insulated piece works well, such as the Flyout Insulated Baselayer.

3. INSULATING ACCESSORIES

• Thick, insulating hat or ear band, such as the Lux or Power Stretch Earband.
• Thick, insulating gloves or mittens, such as the Softshell Mittens.
• A neck gaiter gives you extra warmth, such as the Wazzie Wool Gaiter.

What to wear when the temps are hot:

1. COOLING FABRICS

• Lightweight fabrics that excel at moving sweat up and away from your body (such as HoverFit™, found in the Flyout Tank, Flyout Short Sleeve).

2. LIGHTWEIGHT STRETCH

• Light loose shorts that also have stretch make movement and air cooling more possible (Flyout Shorts, or Summer Rogas).
• Prefer compression shorts? Flyte Shorts are simple and seamless, moving with your body, and Spandos Shorts offer lightweight compression without a squeezed tight feeling.

3. UPF PROTECTION

• Head and eye protection is a must. The Roga Cap and/or the Runner Trucker keep sun off your face.
• Fabrics with 30+ UPF protection keep away sun damage (Shade Long Sleeve, Shade Tank)
• Soak a Flyte Gaiter in cool water; doubles as a headband.

What to wear when the weather is rainy:

1. WATER AND WIND RESISTANCE

• Stay dry but with an ultra lightweight layer that won’t weigh you down or get soggy inside (The Vim Jacket or Vigor Vest are best of class, with Pertex™ Microlight which resists wind/rain via the engineering of its fabric, not chemicals).

2. TEMP REGULATING BASELAYERS

• Light to mid-weight baselayers will keep you plenty warm under outerwear. Choose one that is good at moving sweat (Flyte Long Sleeve, or the Lux Funnel Neck)
• Light- to mid-weight compression tights. 3/4 length is a good option - for coverage, but without risk of overheating (see Hawkeye Tights, New Jogging Tights, or Aero Tights)

3. WATER REPELLANT HEADWARE

• Keep the rain and wind out of your eyes. Hats with brims, such as the Roga Cap or Runner Trucker.
• Lightweight gloves may be all you need, such as Lux Gloves, which are easy to tuck away once you warm up.

What to wear when it’s plain cold:

1. PERFORMANCE BASELAYER

• A long sleeve insulating or basic baselayer is adequate in cold temps. The body heats up well once you get running! From the Flyte Long Sleeve to Wazzie Wool Baselayer to the Lux Raglan Long Sleeve, all will keep you comfortable through many miles.
• 3/4 Tights or Knickers work well on the bottom. For knickers, many runners add tall compression socks as “tights makers” for full leg coverage (see Aero Capris and/or Jogging Knickers + Tall Bird Compression Socks)

2. WIND PROTECTION

• A lightweight shell is an ideal layer, for any cold run, over your baselayer (see Vim Jacket, or Vigor Vest)

3. PROTECTIVE ACCESSORIES

• Protection for your hands (such as the best-selling Lux Gloves, and Softshell Gloves)
• Headware protects your ears (Power Stretch Earband) or your entire head (Lux Beanie, Power Stretch Beanie)

Fan Favorites for Crazy Weather: We asked you what your go-to picks are for each climate and we couldn't agree more. Here's to all the birds not letting the weather control their run!

IMPORTANT REMINDER: At any temperature, it’s important to hydrate and change out of your running clothes as soon after the run as possible. So if you’re starting your run elsewhere, or plan to go from post-run to other places, pack a bag with warm, comfortable clothes to change into afterwards. This prevents hypothermia in cold climates, being chilled, and/or skin irritation. The Oiselle Duffel Bag, is at the ready. 

A REENACTMENT OF REAL LIFE EVENTS BY COLLIER LAWRENCE
(Yes, Collier did actually name the screw in her foot Tyrion)

ACT IV


Scene I. On a table at PT clinic. Collier sits on the edge of a treatment table sans cast, boot, and calf muscle (we’ll toss in a quad, shrinking by the second, for kicks). After months of swimming and spinning her legs on the bike, in a desperate attempt maintaining a shred of aerobic fitness and a valiant effort to get her sweat on every day, the elusive “Return to Run Plan” has been brought to the table, deliberated over, and green lighted. We’re off to the races... not like actual track or road or trail races but you get the idea; we’re on the road to those.

Ellie: Alright let’s start with 2 minute run 3 minute walk, 15-30 minutes total. You are only allowed to go more than 15 if it feels 110%. Do you understand?

Collier: Crystal clear.

Ellie: Cool. Update me how it goes.

(exit Ellie)

Collier: Thus have I politically begun my return to run

And ’tis my hope to end successfully.
Till muscles and tendons have gotten swole

Pavement pounding and trail thrashing will be minimal still.
But, flesh and bones are easiest to master.
It isn’t I, but the Restorer of Foot Structure,
Strengthener of Bone, Hardware of the Navicular,
Tyrion the Screw, who must be trained.

That is, to introduce single leg leaps and bounds
A series of applied forces on the ground.
Lungs waterlogged from months spent pulling laps;
Slowly, still, we will have to build.

Strolls and saunters; we will sneak at the start.

Introduce Nordic skiing to the cross training deck of cards.
It will begin; little trots and baby jogs,
And here, I’ll fling in a few minutes strung out at once.
And there, minutes turn to miles.

And amid the swims and spins, I intend

That all is done in revered care of him.
And, in conclusion, he shall start to love the run
Consumed by the falling and flying,
And thus I’ll alter his metallic foreign nature

Till bone and metal become a cohesive one.
He that knows better how to tame a screw,
Now let him speak; ‘tis charity to show.

(all exit) 

Everyone meet Brenda,

if you follow any of our store shenanigans, at some point you’ve probably seen Brenda rocking some Spando shorts leaping into the air with a big smile on her face (talk about a Bright Bird). You’ve also most likely seen pictures of our Thursday Night Flight Club that meets at the store, and how that dedicated group keeps growing and growing!

Well, we have Brenda to thank for that, and not to mention her epic TNFC emails she sends out every Tuesday night to let people know the upcoming happenings. You know when this email has officially landed because snickering quickly travels throughout the Nest. Those emails are HILARIOUS, seriously we are a little scared Brenda might leave us for a career in comedy.

So with that, we thought everyone could use a little Brenda in their life. Here's letter from Brenda to the TNFC’s near and far. 

Happy Spring Equinox Friends!  

Ahhh, Spring. Not just a new month to get things right but an entire season. Kidding. Kidding. I think anytime we lace up our shoes and get out the door, especially when we don't have big races or goals, is amazing. I'm currently in that space and literally just lacing up on the daily for life. Okay that that sounded a little dramatic, but you babes know what I'm talking about. I see you all on the gram rocking your Training for Life Mother**%@#* shirts, bracelets, mugs etc., and I dig it. It's true!  

Every day we all lace up for different reasons. We're all fighting big battles in life, or little wars within ourselves. And running, well...running saves us from all that even if it's just temporary. It gives us the courage to keep going, to keep trying, to not give up, no matter what we're taking on. For some of us, running alone gets us there, but for many (including myself) we need a village, a community. 

Enter Flight Club, otherwise known as our local Thursday Night Flight Club (#TNFC). A little over a year ago, Val and I were given an opportunity to lead our local TNFC group. Both of us didn't really know what we were really getting into, but we're yes gals, so we dove in. I remember during those early days, stressing in my little running shorts and nervous no one would show up. What? We all deal with personal insecurities now you know one of mine. Lol! 

Fast forward to present day and Flight Club has grown more than we've ever imagined. Heck, we see you all far and wide starting your own mini Flight Clubs or running groups across the country and our little hearts swell with joy. We grin ear to ear because we know how important creating a safe space for people to show up and feel supported is. That's Flight Club in a nutshell, because when you put people first you can never lose. When you just listen with compassion to a friend or stranger in need, we shift the pendulum towards our humanity. Towards peace. Towards tolerance. We pay it forward in more ways than we know. 

Just this week alone, Val and I went running with our friends and neighbors at Super Jock 'N Jill, one of the first local running companies in Seattle to carry Oiselle when no one else knew about us. It was great stepping outside our routines and running with their co-ed group and listening to our neighbors' stories on why they run. What running means to them. How running with a group affects their lives in the most positive way, like the 43 year old man who ran his first half marathon just two weeks ago and can't wait to run another. What? Running I tell ya. 

Then this week Val and I received the warmest note from one of our newest TNCF members and well gosh darn it, that warmed our little hearts too. 

"Thank you very much!  I am really looking forward to being tenacious. And thank you both for all of your encouragement. I can’t tell you how much I look forward to Thursday nights. I work in a very white, old man’s world and have for 26 years. It is empowering to be around so many strong, young confident women. It gives me great hope for the next generation. And it gives me greater confidence to feel strong(ish) in my own body. That’s a lot for a Thursday night, but all true."

So wherever you are, keep lacing up. If you've contemplated joining a running group, do it. Just show up and keep showing up and before you know it, something will shift. 

Here's to another beautiful running season friends. 

Hugs, 

Brenda