Straight Scoop: Tanks! Tanks! Tanks!
Spring is coming in hot! Well… in some parts of the world. We tapped some of our Volée wear testers around the country to hear their reviews on three of our new spring ‘17 tanks. They gave us their straight scoop on the Cleo, Ziggy, and Heather Grid.
TIFFANY JAMES, Volée – Sacramento, CA
GIVE US YOU BASIC RUNDOWN OF THE CLEO TANK
The Cleo tank will soon become your favorite go-to tank for every occasion. Trust me, it's divine. It's soft and lightweight Nyelle™ tech fabric makes it feel breathable and not heavy. The front and back arrow jacquard design helps ventilate heat by providing an almost featherweight lightness to the tank. Also, it creates a really cute design and feminine touch. The Nyelle™ tech fabric is 90% nylon / 10% spandex and the jacquard Arrow Mesh panel on front and full back are 100% polyester. I’m a self proclaimed Flyte tank lover but The Cleo tank is definitely making it’s way to the top of my list. I typically wear a size 2 in (most) tanks and felt very comfortable in the size 4. It’s not super fitted but also isn’t baggy, which is a huge plus. It doesn’t stick to your skin when sweaty but absorbs sweat and doesn’t leave you feeling wet. The quality of this tank is really terrific and I plan on buying every color.
WHERE WOULD YOU WEAR IT?
It can easily be worn during a run or during a high intensity spin class. I wore the Snap color out during a long run on a humid day, and loved it! Having the breathable material in the front and back helped make me feel cooler and less sticky. I’ve also worn it to a high intensity spin class and it was perfect. It’s functional enough to be worn with a cute pair of jean shorts during the summer or with a pair of jeans and sweater for spring days.
WHAT ARE YOU LOVING ABOUT IT?
I love this tank because it feels like butter on the skin. It’s easy to wear while working out or casually. It’s versatile yet functional. My husband even said, “That’s a nice shirt!” and he never comments on clothes, especially running apparel. It’s great because it’s so comfortable and doesn’t feel restricting. The Snap color really stands out and gives me the pop of color to make my running outfit shout, “Hey girl hey!” I highly recommend buying The Cleo Tank. You will not be disappointed.
JOANNA RUSSO, Volée – Washington DC
GIVE US YOUR BASIC RUNDOWN OF THE ZIGGY TANK
One of my all-time favorite Oiselle tops is the Farrow Tank, so I was super excited to review the Ziggy Tank. It has two layers of Mio Mesh with an asymmetrical hem and cute detailing on the shoulders. I prefer crew necks to v-necks, so I like that this top has a higher neckline. The mesh is very soft and just a tiny bit sheer. I tested a size 4, which is my normal Oiselle size and it fit nicely- not skin hugging tight, but not a loose and flowy piece either. My one critique is the length. I’m 5’8’’ and mostly torso, so I would like just a smidge more material to cover my hips!
WHERE DO YOU WEAR IT?
My favorite way to test any new piece of running apparel or shoe is 10 miles right out of the box. Luckily for me, it’s been unseasonably warm this winter, so a tank top was perfect for some miles on the trails. Over the course of a long run, I totally forgot I was even wearing a shirt. Sometimes tops that sit high around the armpit cause chafing, but this one didn’t. I can get pretty sweaty and this top was great because it dries so quickly that even while I was wiping sweat off my face during the run, it would stay dry. It also survived the washing machine test as well- no issues with snagging, pilling or shrinking. I tend to keep my “nice” running clothes and my “running” running clothes separate. But the mio mesh of this tank is really awesome during the freak 80 degree February days Mother Nature brought on this year AND as a “nice” work shirt. When public transportation fails me, as it often does, I end up run commuting around the city. This top was key for a day I ran to a wine night with my lady wolf pack after work and nobody even knew!
WHAT ARE YOU LOVING ABOUT IT?
I’m always looking for pieces that look good, but don’t get in the way of my main objective- running! I felt like I was running shirtless without having to actually get up the courage to run shirtless! It’s great that this piece also transitions into non-running activities. I love the slightly sheer mesh layers of this tank that make me feel just the right combination of badass and flirty.
ALISOUNE LEE, Nester – Seattle, WA
GIVE US YOUR BASIC RUNDOWN OF THE HEATHER GRID TANK
This is a unique and beautifully designed tank that is also functional. It fits close to the body and is very comfortable. The grid pattern and open-work are lovely and are elements that are not usually found in athletic tops. The sheerness adds an interesting and multidimensional element as well. Depending on the color, what you decide to wear underneath can easily become part of your look.
WHERE WOULD YOU WEAR IT?
First off the tank is great for running. I have run in it and it stays put, keeps me cool, and breathes well. It is great in the gym for the same reasons. I love to wear this as a layering piece under other items, especially with the lux origami sweatshirt. It adds nice texture and layering details to your outfit. I don't think there is anywhere I wouldn't wear this piece. It is cold and gray and wet here in Seattle right now, so the color adds some light and freshness, especially in the Frost color.
WHAT ARE YOU LOVING ABOUT IT?
The Heather Grid Tank is feminine and beautiful but also very functional. I love the grid pattern, the comfort, open work, and overall design of this piece.
Muse 2017: And Still We Rise
Last year a small group of us got to attend the Muse Conference. Lauren and Sally were on a panel, and David, Heather, and I drove down. It was so much more than I expected, and totally reset my vision for 2016. Since Sally was giving her #powersuit talk this year, we decided to make Muse a Oiselle retreat of sorts. It was amazing to have 18 Nest and Store birds together for the whole weekend, for this infusion of ideas and energy. Here are a few takeaways from our team!
JENN HAROWICZ - Graphic Designer:
"Words that really struck me from the conference: Lean into discomfort. Walk alongside. To dance is to pray - to pray is to heal. Self love. No shame. Misperception. You cannot heal what you don't acknowledge. Do it for the love. Get more comfortable with fear and rejection. My shine encourages your shine - your shine encourages my shine. Radical grace. When our heart is broken open, that's when the love will flourish. Be open to the pain around us. Nothing is more powerful than a woman who loves herself. My thighs are no longer for criticism but for marching. Exist in a place of love."
ALISOUNE LEE - Customer Service:
"This weekend was very meaningful for me. Not only did it awaken me to ways I can help women and people in my community; it helped me open my mind to issues and ideas that I was not even aware of. I loved Nikki Myers' talk, and thought that her ideas on addiction and how it affects people apply to everyone in some way. That at the heart of this issue there is a spiritual crisis and I believe that crisis exists at the base of most issues in our society. Not a spiritual crisis in a religious sense but a crisis that shows a misunderstanding of humanity and our interconnectedness. A breakdown of the knowledge that we are all human, are more alike than different and we all need love in some capacity."
KG - E-Comm Operations:
"My highlight was getting to experience such a unique, powerful event with everyone at the Nest!"
CHRISTINE BABCOCK - Haute Volée & Customer Service:
"What stuck out to me the most from the Muse Conference was the importance of respecting others and celebrating what they are doing. These are the points that I will carry with me: People aren't looking for a solution or a hero, they are looking for someone to support them, an ally. You can entertain a thought without agreeing with it. We need to respect people's time, energy, and efforts even if we don't agree. If you see something beautiful or amazing in someone else, say something, even if you don't know them. Sometimes we use our voice by staying silent so that others can use theirs. Just because you may have lived more, doesn't mean you know more."
FEATHER - Volée Team Leader, Brand, Model:
"This was my second Muse Conference. And the women of World Muse did not disappoint. Last year, Nikki Myers left the greatest impression on me…. “Hi, I’m Nikki, I’m a recovering drug addict and alcoholic. I’m a codependent. I’m the survivor of both childhood and adult sexual trauma. I’m a love addict. I’m a recovering compulsive spender. I’m a yoga therapist. I’m a somatic experiencing practitioner.” BOOM. Mind blown. Never had I witnessed someone stand so vulnerably and speak such truth. Integrating all parts of the self without judgment. It was so impactful for me. I spent much of the last year doing work on accepting my whole journey, my whole self. For the entire Nest to see our Muse Nikki, on stage and hear her introduction and story was everything for me. So proud to have her as a part of our team and to have our whole HQ team there to support her."
LAUREN FLESHMAN - Pro and Muse:
"Seeing Sally on stage fully-realizing an idea built over many years, and communicating it to the most energetic Muse audience I've seen in my three years there, was something I won't ever forget! Go Chief!"
ATSUKO TAMURA - President:
"I loved the opening film. How masculine and feminine characteristics and qualities are in each human being, and using feathers to illustrate that idea. The characteristics aren't necessarily "gender specific" even though just the labeling of masculine and feminine in that explanation implies that somewhere down the line, society or tradition has created that separation to make sense of it to organize them. Each of these characteristics is in itself beautiful and necessary to fly, soar, and also to land. And each person is invited, encouraged, and hopefully inspired & motivated to build a healthy sense of self-awareness so that they recognize and own their left and right wing qualities, to be good, do good and feel good for the world around them. Maybe that will increase the amount of peace and joy that seems lacking in the world. Feathers can't fly alone."
BETH MCALPINE - Customer Service:
"My highlight was the common theme "you can't be what you don't see." This message really stuck with me and opened my eyes to the different ways you can help and be an ally. I also really loved the Nuns! During the showing of the trailer for Radical Grace, one of Nuns was quoted as saying "My goal is to love people as unconditionally as possible and show what it means to be loved unconditionally for once in their life". Shocking to think about and a message to emulate."
SALLY BERGESEN - CEO and Founder:
"In terms of being an activist, learning about the difference between being a savior vs. being an ally was really eye opening. In the spirit of all people being equal, and that there are infinite forms of empowerment, the ally - or even accomplice - positioning, felt more authentic and based in true altruism, versus an opportunity for ego."
The Styles Of The Speed Project
Racing
races
On Friday March 10th, a group of 12 birds took off from the Santa Monica Pier to race for the title of fastest female team in The Speed Project - a 340 mile road relay from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Known as team #Birdstrike, the women are one of the first female teams ever to toe the line of this extremely challenging route. Knowing apparel is a competitive advantage, and a key part of any racing strategy - we put together a collection of items designed to help them go the distance.
WE PRESENT TO YOU, THE STYLES OF THE SPEED PROJECT:
Made with Polartec's Delta fabric - hovers over the skin, pulling sweat off the body and into the air. Comfortable athletes on a challenging course is it's own competitive advantage. With 50+ miles per runner in 80+ degree temperatures, we require a technical fabric that's up for the work.
Things we're carrying: cell phones, walkie-talkies, watches (the course baton), blinkies, headlamps, gels, blocks, electrolytes, sunglasses, ginger chews, course maps, chopsticks, RV keys... we'll take all the pockets we can get.
While we're all about speed - safety is our #1 concern on the course. A lightning layer is in every crew member's and runner's kit to keep them safe and seen, without looking like construction workers on the side of the highway.
Look fly while flying. #Flystyle FTW.
Crew staple. Comfy silhouette and super soft finish make them perfect for long hours on the road. Performance fabric means you don't have to think twice about hopping onto the course to pace a runner. Bonus: no one in line at the coffee shop has any idea you're in the middle of an ultra relay.
Run. Rumble. Repeat.
Go fast. Take chances. Make them remember your name when you fly by.
All the miles. With most of the team running short speedy segments with modest rest in-between, comfy cotton is crucial for cooling down and powering up.
Warm, stretchy, breathable, soft. When the course gets cold, the gloves are on. Mainly so we can take them off when the competition heats up!
Run some miles with the Birdstrike team! Use #birdstrike to share miles, words of motivation, and messages with our runners along the way. See how our legs and flystyle hold up by following along on twitter and instragram!
We're Flying! A Letter From Birdstrike.
Racing
races
Hey Birds!
At 5am this morning, we took off from the Santa Monica pier to race for the title of fastest female team in The Speed Project - a 340 mile road relay from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. There are 12 of us - 6 runners and 6 crew - and we’re a mix of amateurs and pros connected by a love of adventure and belief in each other. This year is the first year an all-female team takes on the notoriously challenging course, and we’re proud to be a part of this female first.
It’s been a journey - one that’s required coming together, collaboration and preparation, patience and persistence, and even a little fun. But the time has come for us to have our day (errr… 3 days) and work together to beat the course.
And because our birds never fly alone, we’re bringing everyone along for the ride. Follow along in twitter and instagram, and run some miles with the team. Take a picture of your weekend miles and use #birdstrike to fly alongside the team. We’ll be sharing miles, words of motivation, and messages with our runners along the way.
Life’s an ultra, and we can’t wait to see you out there!
xoxo
The #Birdstrike Crew
Meg, Lauren, Jungle-Chicken, Claire, Robyn, & Twerd
Summer Is A State Of Mind
Lately, we’ve had summer on our mind at the nest. Long days. Lighter layers. Friends who linger after a long run. An endlessly setting sun refusing to disappear behind the horizon. Oh summer, we love how you open up your days to us, and let us fill them with life.
Enter Seattle. In March. It literally snowed today. The quirky weather in our corner of the country sometimes makes it hard for us to summer in the spring. Which got us thinking — what is summer anyway? Sure, it’s the weather, and the daylight, and a series of months where a bunch of kids get to run around like maniacs with too much sugar and too little supervision. But summer lives somewhere deeper in us all.
Maybe its the smell of salt water, and the ability to rock messy hair just about anywhere in the name of summer fashion…
Maybe it’s pushing off the responsibilities of tomorrow in favor of the present...
Maybe it’s a fleeting feeling of sentimentality...
Maybe it’s laughter, adventure, ice cream, companionship over cold coffee on warm patios...
Maybe it’s the quiet whisper of footsteps on the road, the dusty companionship of the trail, or the familiar smell of a track baking in the sun...
The more we talked about it, the more we realized... summer might just be a state of mind. So a group of us birds set out find that summer feeling, sporting the new summer rogas to make sure we could take it all in with a lighter, airier roga.
CATHLEEN KNUTSON
"Summer is about reunions and friends and being OUTSIDE! It’s about meeting up on bikes, running adventures, lake swims, road trips, and lounging on the deck. It’s music festivals, farmers markets, BBQs, and trying new recipes with the abundance of produce from the garden. “Dressing up” in summer can be the same pair of cut-offs, sandals, and sunglasses, with a new top. Summer has a feeling of flirty, casual confidence."
SYDNEY TAYLOR
"Summer feels like summer any time I am laughing at home with my loved ones, especially my big sister. Getting to play outside with my nieces and nephews and dogs is an added bonus. Cozying up in the living room after a big family dinner reminds me of childhood summers. Being outside at night or strolling after dinner gives me those vibes, too!"
SUSAN KOSIK
"For me, summer is when my kids are out of school. It's speedy track workouts where the boys cheer me on while chasing me on their bikes. It's about hikes as a family where we laugh until we cry telling stories on the trail. Summer is for dance parties. (the worm is optional!) Summer is the feeling I have when I run on my favorite mountain listening to my favorite tunes. It's the feeling of meeting new friends and having an instant connection that puts you at ease and fills your heart with joy. Summer is about feeling relaxed and confident in going on adventures, whether they be trails that you return to time and time again, or new, out-of-your-comfort-zone adventures that stretch you to do things you never thought you could do before (aka running a 50mi race ...eeek!)"
ANDREA LOUIE
"Summer means being in an environment of pure learning without the added stress of tests or races. Both summer classes and summer running help me to take a break from high-pressure events and allow me to just do what I love doing! It doesn't need to be any specific time of the year for us to take a step back to focus on enriching ourselves without the self-imposed pressure of deadlines."
Where do you find that summer feeling? We found it with each other. And the freedom of the summer roga made it the perfect summer accessory for our adventure.
Summer’s out there. Happy searching!
xoxo
Jess, Andrea, Sydney, Cathleen, & Susan
Straight Scoop: Summer Rogas
Boom! Introducing Summer Rogas. We asked two of our Volée leaders, Susie Stephen and Ayesha Sundram to give us their straight scoop review! We're excited to hear what you think of them as well!
AYESHA SUNDRAM - New Mexico Volée Leader
GIVE US YOUR BASIC RUN DOWN OF THE SUMMER ROGAS!
Caveat: I am a diehard Roga fan and have a truly embarrassing number of them dating all the way back to 2011. These are a nice twist on my summer running staple; the coast color is striking and saturated, the material has a really nice fluid drape (even more so than the already soft and silky regular Roga), and the mesh panels make them feel airy and light. They seem to run a bit big compared to my other Rogas in the same size, so if you are in between sizes, you may want to size down.
WHERE DO YOU WEAR THEM?
Of course, I'd wear these for any warm weather trail or road run, but they're also great for my weekly strength training sessions with True North Performance Coaching. They are roomy enough to comfortably do deep squats without riding up, but not so roomy that you end up showing off more than your excellent form! With the extra breathability, these would be great for poolside or beach wear as well.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THEM?
In the sunny Land of Enchantment, I run in shorts a solid seven months out of the year. I love the weightless and breathable feel of the Summer Roga and think they'll be the first pair of shorts I reach for on those 90 degree days, especially in this vivid hue. The comfortable and flattering silky-soft wide waistband and the 4 (million) way stretch fabric are everything I've come to expect from the Roga- you put them on and forget you're wearing them! Even in these tumultuous postpartum months, I feel confident and strong when I'm wearing these shorts.
SUSIE STEPHEN - Hawaii Volée Leader
GIVE US YOUR BASIC RUN DOWN OF THE SUMMER ROGAS!
The overall fit was great, similar to the standard Roga shorts that are already my favourite Oiselle shorts. I’m currently wearing one size up to accommodate a growing baby bump but that hasn’t made any difference at all to the general feel of the shorts. The super light weight and soft knit of the fabric made the shorts very comfortable for running in warmer temps. I also really like the waistband, which has a mesh panel that extends around the back of the shorts and down the sides. The back pocket is also a little bigger than the usual Rogas and was extremely useful for carrying a set of car keys!
WHERE DO YOU WEAR THEM?
I wore these shorts for a shake out run and then also for a 10k road race on a very wet and humid day in Hawaii. The shorts performed perfectly! I hardly noticed I was wearing them despite the weather on the race day - no chafing, bunching or gathering and they didn’t soak up water either. I assume it would be the same case with sweat and so I would wear these shorts again for longer road runs, and open dirt road trails in warm and humid conditions. I probably wouldn’t wear these shorts for a super gnarly trail run in a heavily wooded area, in case the light fabric became snagged on a bush or over-growing tree.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THEM?
They are so light and breezy! They make me feel free and like I could run for miles!
The Essentials Collection - Your Guide To A Minimalist Running Wardrobe
We’ve all been there. Staring at a closet stuffed to the brim with clothes you just might wear, but never seem to work into your routine. Gaze locked on your options as you weigh distance, climate, and style; trying to make a decision about what to put on next. Minutes pass, slicing away at time that could’ve been spent in the miles. Or worse, you choose wrong, and find yourself distracted from the flow of your workout to instead focus on the feeling of an uncomfortable outfit. For a sport that’s so beautifully, radically simple - we sure can get caught up in the choices presented by our clothing.
If the mostly-black monodrobe didn’t give it away, I’m not a huge fan of choice. As a person who makes decisions for a living, I’m painfully aware of how decision-making works like a muscle in your mind - fatiguing throughout the day as you exercise choice in different situations. Every minute I spend choosing my clothing in the morning is a minute I’m not spending running. Or worse, a decision I’m making less-well later in the day.
But while I’m not a fan of choice - I deeply respect it. I know the clothes we wear shape how we feel, and ultimately, how we behave. So I decided to sit down with our lead designer and CEO, Sally Bergesen, and our muse and pro, Lauren Fleshman, to make one decision to rule them all - a simplified running wardrobe that covers most climates, conditions, and distances. The more you know, the less you need. From that insight, our essentials collection was born.
Why an essentials collection? We believe anyone can have a comprehensive running wardrobe in just 16 items. Yep - 16 items. Whether you’re new to running, looking to improve the quality of your running wardrobe, or hoping to hone in on a more considered collection of styles - the essentials are here to simplify the components of a technical and versatile running wardrobe.
MEET THE OISELLE ESSENTIALS:
Begin with a really great bra - The Verrazano, and Gifted Verrazano
A tank that beats the heat - The Flyout Tank
A technical top that transitions from treadmill to trail - The Flyout Short Sleeve
A versatile tee for the run or rumble - The Lux Raglan Short Sleeve
A lightweight longsleeve that keeps you comfortable - The Flyte Long Sleeve
A high performing base layer - Wazzie Wool Base Layer
One short to rule them all - The Roga Short
Whether you’re a Mac, Regular, Long, or Toolbelt kinda gal, the Roga is the perfect everyday short for running in most climates.
A pocket-loving jogger - The Pocket Jogger
The ultimate running jacket - The Vim Jacket
Lightweight warmth that's run-ready - The Quill Vest
A little more puff for those colder days - The Quill Jacket
A high vis accessory that looks great any time of day - The Lightning Layer
A technical cap that’s washable, packable, and reflective - The Mesh Cap
A pair gloves as durable as they are soft - The Powerstretch Gloves
A warm and soft beanie to help you superfan in style - The Cashmere Beanie
These 16 styles work just as hard as you do. They’re made to layer, covering almost any climate or condition. They’re perfect for transitioning across run and rumble environments (with gratitude, you may retire your thinning cotton leggings and replace them with ultra-flattering aero tights). And most importantly, they’re premium styles built to last, that look as good as they feel.
A simplified wardrobe that keeps you looking, feeling, running strong? That’s about as essential as it gets.
Head Up, Wings Out!
Best Wishes Sarah Mac!
Starting a business is madness. It's early onset madness. And the earlier it is, the fewer people there are to back you up - whether it's customers, investors, or staff. And thus there is an extra special place in my heart for Oiselle's early believers. Sarah "Mac" MacKay (now Robinson) was an early believer in me, and in the bird. I will be forever grateful for the crucial role she played in helping us gain altitude. Athlete, Marketing Director, Muse, Accomplice, we did it all. It's with best wishes that I see her depart the Haute Volée for new running and life adventures. We'll always have those early days. The memories...and the madness.
FROM MAC:
A question I didn’t know how to articulate until I heard it posed was "how do you decide when to keep pushing, and how to do decide it’s okay to stop?" In running it could be how to determine if skipping your run for a nap is giving in, or doing exactly what your body needs. I’ll likely spend the rest of my life posing and answering this question. The particulars will always be changing, and the answer will always be different. Sometimes I’ll choose right, and others wrong. Or maybe there is no right or wrong, only how we perceive it.
My heart has been telling me it might be time for a pivot in my running and racing trajectory. It’s a conversation I’ve had with myself, and I wish I could tell you all about it, and I wish I could say I have clear answers. All I know is it’s time to hang up my Haute Volée singlet.
I still have races on my calendar, I’m still training, I’m just softening my gaze on the days ahead. Allowing whatever story is ahead to be. The singlet was always more than a shirt, it reintroduced me to my competitive spirit, to fire I’d tried to bury, but most importantly those fibers threaded the miles between teammates who became friends who became sisters. It was a great honor to wear that singlet, and though I’m retiring it, I know that the best of what it gave me will always remain in my spirit.
Race Ready - A Q&A On Race Day Strategy With The Birdstrike Team
Racing
races
This Friday, a group of 12 birds - 6 runners and 6 crew - will take off from the Santa Monica Pier to race for the title of fastest female team in The Speed Project - a 340 mile road relay from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. We catch up with the team to hear about how they’ve been training, what they’re looking forward to, and why they agreed to jump in on this crazy adventure.
WHY THIS RACE?
NORA - Oiselle Volée. Ultra-marathoner. Coach. Wisconsin native:
It's like nothing I have seen before. I have been searching for a race that will be hard physically and mentally, to really reach that breaking point. When Oiselle asks you to be a part of something like this (so fun, and challenging) you say yes! I mean, when am I ever going to have Lauren Fleshman crew for me, seriously!
ROBYN - Oiselle Volée. Runner & Crew Expert. University of Washington Academic Advisor:
If there is one thing I've learned in life - it's always says yes to adventure. Running is such an individual sport that when given an opportunity to participate in a team I wouldn't miss it. There's something special about a team and being part of something that's bigger than the individual.
LAUREN - Oiselle Pro. 2x USA 5k Champion. Author. Entrepreneur (Picky Bars). Coach of Little Wing:
The thought of leaving behind a pretty predictable day to day life for an event on the opposite extreme sounds awesome, but only because of the people. I knew any team Oiselle could put together would have interesting, fun people and crazy shit would happen and I'd want to be a part of it.
WHAT'S IT BEEN LIKE TO COLLABORATE WITH THE TEAM?
DEVON - Oiselle Pro. Ultramarathoner. Foodie / Entrepreneur. Owner of M.H. Bread & Butter:
Everyone comes to this with a different perspective, so we have had to work together to figure out how to develop a strategy that works to get everyone excited and ready. I think the great thing about having a women's only team is that we are communicators, so it has made the process flow more smoothly than I initially thought it would.
SARAH O - Oiselle Volée. Marathon and Ultra-Runner. NCAA Employee:
I train almost entirely by myself, and on race day I usually focus on running my own race and not getting swept up in others’ race tactics. But I also love being part of the Oiselle Volée team and talking with my teammates about their training, race strategies, difficulties, and successes. So far, collaborating with the Bird Strike crew has been the best of both worlds – we’re scattered all over the country, doing our own thing day to day, but figuring out how to best leverage each runner’s individual strengths. The only tough thing has been doing all this strategizing over email. I can’t wait to hang with this team in real life! It’s also been awesome and a bit surreal to see emails from rockstars like Devon Yanko in my inbox – total fangirl moments!
HOW HAVE YOU TRAINED OR PREPARED?
CATHLEEN - Oiselle Volée. Triathlete. Financial Analyst. Seattle-native:
We didn’t have the official “IT’S ON” until the end of January and I wasn’t logging ultra miles that time of year, so I had to be careful to ramp up my mileage wisely. As a triathlete for the past several years, I don’t usually run over 40 miles a week. It was fun building up to 18-20 milers, doing some doubles, and running in the 50-60 miles/week range. With the increase in mileage, I decreased my biking and swimming, and added a lot more yoga for recovery. There is so much unknown and this race is unlike anything I’ve ever done, so I’m keeping an open mind and an open heart for what’s to come over 340 miles. I think it’s going to be very empowering and I’m looking forward to embracing the hard moments.
SARAH O: I trained over the winter for a February marathon, so I’m confident in my overall fitness. During the weeks leading up to The Speed Project, I’ve been breaking longer runs into shorter runs that are closer together than typical doubles (e.g. 12 miles at 10:00am followed by another 6 miles at 1:00pm… and maybe another 6 miles at 6:00pm…). I’m also trying to get accustomed to running at times of the day I don’t prefer, and running when my nutrition isn’t perfectly timed. Basically, I’ve been running often and when circumstances aren’t ideal. This has also been good mental preparation as I’ve looked for mind games to help me “forget” that I’ve already run a bunch of miles and am heading out for a second or third run. The trick that works best for me is to think of each run as the first run of the day and just not think about what I’ve already run. In other words, I’m getting pretty good at lying to myself.
NORA: I am doing a few 100 milers this summer and had a big 50K in early Feb, so I have been putting on the miles already. Before this project came up I had it in my mind that I needed to work on my speed, I do not want to be a 100 miler finisher, I want to race/compete. So this is perfect! I joined a local group once a week that focuses on speed on the indoor track. I did a race simulation with 5x10K and anywhere from 1 hour to 3 hour rest between sets. I have done some lactate threshold testing along with some VO2 work. I have the benefit of recovering well and quickly, so physically I feel ready. Mentally~ being a week out I feel like I am still waiting for the other shoe to drop. I grew up with things not really in my favor and I am always weary of when good/exciting things happen, it’s very foreign. So probably not until I am on that plane headed to LAX will I get my mind straight. That is plenty of time though. It’s like any race: embrace the suck, welcome it, expect it, and when it doesn’t come at least you were ready. It’s gonna be a blast and hard and awesome, that’s the point, right?!
SARAH B - Oiselle Friend. Master of many distances. Corporate Communications Manager. Montana-resident:
I'm in the midst of training for some spring and summer races - a 56k and an 87k. It's still early in the season, but I've done some decent long runs, some workouts, and generally kept a steady schedule. I was hampered by a sickness for a week or so, but have bounced back. As far as mentally, I'm excited. I feel like if the going gets tough, I'll have at least 5 other women out there who I'm working for and who are supporting me.
LOOKING AT THE COURSE MAP - WHAT MAKES YOU EXCITED? WHAT MAKES YOU NERVOUS?
MEGHAN - Oiselle Volée. Runner & Crew Lead. Business Intelligence Expert. California-resident:
Running off the pier in Santa Monica, just getting the whole weekend started is what I'm most excited for. That rush of adrenaline before you settle in for the long haul to Vegas. Of course I won't be running but the adrenaline will still be there. Definitely navigating an RV at night and keeping track of our runners in the middle of nowhere makes me the most nervous. I'm hoping the crew takes buddy shifts so we never have to fly solo.
SARAH O: This will truly be an adventure, which is exciting! It’s much more rogue than following a marked route with course marshals. My nervousness stems from the same thing that excites me… It’s mostly related to a fear of getting lost on some of the legs that don’t have clear-cut instructions like “turn left at this street,” and are instead more like “continue up the dry river bed and through the drainage tunnel (under the highway), turn left at end of tunnel, step over low barbed wire fence, and walk up embankment to side of highway.” I’m also a little nervous about orienting myself in the dark during middle-of-the-night sections on unknown routes, since my dark training runs are on routes I know like the back of my hand. But I don’t think adventure comes without a little nervousness – it’s all part of the package!
SARAH B: I like the fact that this is a team event. All other times I've run a long distance race, it's been all at once, all by myself. I'll be thinking of the team as I toe the line, as I start each leg, and when the going gets tough.
LAUREN: I'm nervous for the night running athletes. I haven't experienced an event where people run through the night, and at least one of our racers has no experience with this either.
WHAT'S GOING TO BE FRONT OF MIND AS YOU WALK INTO THE RACE?
MEGHAN: Good vibes only.
CATHLEEN: All about team.
LAUREN: Keep it fun!
ANY SECRET WEAPONS YOU'RE BRINGING TO RACE DAY?
LAUREN: Probably cooked sweet potatoes. When paired with Picky Bars, recovery rate is off the charts. Lucky socks. Lucky shirt. Badass shades.
SARAH O: I once slept in my car during an ice storm two nights before a marathon, and then ended up running a nearly 4-minute PR and winning the race. So, I guess my secret weapon is either an ability to race well after sleeping in awkward and uncomfortable positions, or an ability to embody that dog-in-a-fire meme and convince myself that “this is fine.”
DEVON: If I told you, it wouldn't be a secret.
WHY SHOULD PEOPLE FOLLOW ALONG?
SARAH B: Follow because it's fun, because it's interesting to watch people suffer, to have a good time, to do something a little bit wacky.
DEVON: Things are going to get really real out there. You want to see people work together, fight for a finish line, work the problems, lose their minds, struggle and transform- this will be all of that.
MEGHAN: Because it's going to be EPIC. Who doesn't want to follow 6 crazy ladies running 340 miles, unsupported, through the desert?!
LAUREN: Because it's insane, and anything can happen, and it's a mashing together of many parts of the Oiselle team and that is beautiful.
SARAH O: Most marathoners and ultrarunners have heard people say “I don’t even like to drive that far!” when talking about race distances. But when I tell people I’m on a relay team running from LA to Las Vegas, it’s almost too incomprehensible – blank stares, confused looks… all the indications of something epic. This race is also intriguing because it’s like a reality show for runners: “A group of women try to survive multiple days in an RV while running 340 across the desert. Who will lose sanity? How bad will they smell??” Finally, this Oiselle team is like the running version of golf’s Pro-Am (but without the stunning Pebble Beach setting and the $7.2 million purse… womp womp). We have a diverse mix of running skill sets, from steeplechaser to new-ish ultrarunners to seasoned veterans. It’s a cross-section that represents what I think is so special about the Oiselle team – it brings women runners of all levels and abilities together to take on big goals and grand adventures. Who wouldn’t want to follow along?!
NORA: This group of women have it all. We have pros and we have members of Volée, we have ultra runners and we have sprinters. This is your way to get in on the action, to witness the all female 6 person team record get set from LA to Vegas. This is proof that you can do anything and that Oiselle truly makes shit happen!
Follow along in twitter and instagram, and run some miles with the team. Take a picture of your weekend miles and use #birdstrike to fly alongside the team. We’ll be sharing miles, words of motivation, and messages with our runners along the way.
SUBSCRIBE & STAY CONNECTED!
A Day Without A Woman
Friends, teammates, sisters... International Women's Day is coming March 8th! Oiselle asked our team: what can we do to show, share, and go loud and proud with our support of all women - and zero tolerance for discrimination?
Thanks to all of you for your input and support. For all of Wednesday, March 8th, we will be shutting down our e-comm site and our flagship store - and making sure that both of those channels have a posted message re: solidarity and equality for all women.
At the Nest, we will be devoting the day to advocacy of our choice, and we would like to invite you to join in! Our plans for the day:
- No consumer spending for any of us (pack your lunch!)
- Rally with all y'all around the country, on social #ADayWithoutAWoman.
- We invite local Volée and friends to The Nest to join in our activities. We will provide letter-writing materials, wifi for contacting politicians, along with "how-to" guidance. We will host a round table on corporate activism (what can Oiselle do in the world to better support women?), and offer other guided conversations on advocacy, diversity and intersectionality. And of course, a run around Green Lake.
While I like to say that every day is International Women's Day, 3/8 will be very special as part of this crew. Gratitude!
Hugs and high fives!
#MyPowersuit - Dress Code Conversation
Meeting Volée around the country and world is one of my favorite Oiselle positivity infusions. Example 1: NC Volée teammate Torrie Edwards, doing such interesting work around dress codes. I hope you enjoy our dialogue, and please contribute your insights!
SALLY: When we got a chance to meet and run the day after the march in DC, I learned about your graduate work: dress codes for girls and women in an educational setting. I love this topic! Having two teen daughters, I know from observation that schools often have wildly different stances on appropriate dress for girls and boys, from elementary to middle and high school.
Anecdotally, things I've heard either at our schools or around the country - as it pertains to girls:
- No yoga pants
- No spandex shorts
- No cami tops
- No sports in only a sports bra
And that the above is often enforced while questionable boys' fashion may go un-checked.
Complicating this issue is the rise of girls and women in sports. As we know, athletic clothing can be more fitted. The intention of the designs is to enable movement, and to empower the athlete from within - based on how they feel - rather than how they appear. Form vs. function. But one can't exist without the other.
What's your take on the modern dress code? What are the trends you're seeing - here in 2017?
TORRIE: Dress code policy has been a controversial topic since the 1900’s! Dress code policy really took off in the 1990s, when schools sought ways to protect students from gang violence and theft, to alleviate inequalities, and to instill discipline in young people. These policies have faced legal challenges due to their potential gendered and racialized implications, and for targeting girls’ clothing, in particular. Dress codes potentially unfairly restrict girls’ clothing choices, because they explicitly demand girls cover their bodies to discourage "promiscuity" - which sexualizes young girls’ bodies. Examining public school data, it is easy to identify the unequal attention paid to girls’ clothing versus boys’ clothing (which also erases students who may not identify within traditional gender categories). Because dress codes have been addressed by and mostly upheld in the U.S. district, appellate, and Supreme courts, dress codes remain largely unchanged regardless of the gendered and racialized language and disproportionate implementation of the policies.
S: DO YOU SEE THAT SCHOOLS WANT DIFFERENT RULES FOR ELEMENTARY VS. MIDDLE VS. HIGH SCHOOL?
T: Generally school districts will have a single dress code included in their policy manuals that applies to all levels of schools. Sometimes a specific school adopts the policy put forth by the district and then adds its own restrictions to it. These additions may be distinguished by school level, or they may simply be community expectations for everyone, regardless of age. Some argue this brings a host of potential issues for inequity across a state and within locales, while others argue that this allows communities to educate children in the way that fits their values.
S: IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE GENDERS, IN TERMS OF HOW THEY'RE AFFECTED BY DRESS CODE?
T: There absolutely is, and in two major ways: first, in the language of policies; and second, in implementation. Looking at all the publicly available dress codes from the 115 school districts in North Carolina, there are clear patterns of inequity. Girls’ clothing and bodies are specifically identified in more than 15 restrictions, including “midriff,” “thigh,” “cleavage,” “spaghetti straps,” “leggings/spandex,” whereas boys’ gender-specific clothing (that is, boys are typical wearers of these items) is referenced once. The only specific restriction to males is “sagging pants.” The one rule for boys’ clothing is about a single item that may signal criminal behavior. Girls’ clothing restrictions focus on covering entire body parts, thereby penalizing girls for simply existing. These codes also do not even begin to consider the implications of gendered language on transgender or gender non-conforming students.
Race compounds these gender biases. Headwear and hairstyles often worn by Black and African-American students are explicitly banned in policies. Doo-rags, hair picks, and locs, for instance, are prohibited, but accessories worn primarily by White girls, such as barrettes, hair clips, and headbands, are not. Exacerbating written bias is unequal enforcement of policies. In North Carolina, recent data indicate that Black and African-American students are suspended 6 times as often for dress code violations than their White counterparts. Girls make up the majority of dress code violations, and so non-White girl students suffer the greatest disproportionality in implementation.
What’s really interesting is that girls haven’t always been the central concern of dress code policy. The history of American dress code can be broken up into clear chunks of time when different groups were targeted in policy and implementation. In the 70s and 80s, policies focused on boys’ hair and grooming habits as creating distracting learning environments. The 1990s brought major policy focus on crime in schools, student morality (like vulgarity and lewdness), and student safety; certain symbols, colors, and even sagging pants, considered linked to (mostly) males’ gang activity and criminal behavior, were banned in dress codes. The early 2000s saw greater attention on political speech (slogans or symbols) in dress codes, which many schools tried to limit because it could be offensive or potentially threatening. And today, we know, many focus on gender inequities in dress codes.
S: WHAT MESSAGE DO WE SEND GIRLS WITH DRESS CODE?
T: By definition, dress codes restrict what students can wear. By limiting girls’ choices to clothes that fit a narrow definition of what is acceptable, they become a means to mask female bodies and sexuality. For example, a lot of dress codes use unisex clothing as the norm, clothing that often deemphasizes and de-genderizes girls’ bodies. This focus on controlling girls’ bodies reinforces the traditional narrative that girls’ bodies should be covered and hidden, not something to take visible pride in or show off. When we write policies that force girls to dress a particular way, we encode this narrative into our institutions themselves. Dress codes articulate dominant social norms, placing unequal burden on girls to be responsible for the moral climate of schools; they promote the cultural image of girls who must be controlled for their own good and for the welfare of those around them.
S: DO YOU THINK THERE SHOULD BE DIFFERENT CODES WITH REGARD TO "REGULAR" CLOTHES VS. ATHLETIC CLOTHES?
T: I don’t think we should have dress codes at all because of problems with inequitable enforcement, but the courts have historically deferred to schools and upheld policies. So I don’t think I’m winning that battle! I absolutely think students should be able to wear their sports team uniforms in school. As members and contributors in their school communities, student athletes should not be directly or indirectly barred from wearing their uniforms outside of games/matches/meets. These restrictions affect girl athletes more than boy athletes too. What are we saying to girls when we say that they cannot wear the shorts or the tights from their uniforms to school, but males can wear their football pants, or shorts, or sweatpants? A blanket policy allowing all athletes to wear their uniforms would alleviate some of that disparity. Attention also needs to be paid to revising dress codes overall to be more inclusive generally, and with greater attention to potential and real biases in the policies.
S: ARE THERE CERTAIN SPORTS THAT ARE AT THE CENTER OF DRESS CODE CONVERSATION?
T: Sports’ uniforms are not really anywhere to be seen in formal conversations about dress code, yet we know from various regulations that girls’ sports wear is necessarily restricted in schools. Main parts of girls teams’ uniforms like spandex tights and shorts, shorts that aren’t finger tip length, and sleeveless tops are all banned in many high school dress codes. On the other side of this, boys’ uniforms don’t face the same kind of regulation, because the uniforms are designed differently. We provide space to celebrate boys’ athletic achievements; it is part of schools’ institutional cultures. Yet, by banning the styles of clothes used in girls’ uniforms off the field/court/track, we send the message that girls’ sports, and the inherent strength and achievements of girl athletes, are not to be celebrated publicly and institutionally, but to be done privately and individually.
S: I WOULD IMAGINE THAT THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ELEMENTARY OR MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRL DRESSING "PROVOCATIVELY" VS. A HIGH SCHOOL GIRL. HOW DO INSTITUTIONS NAVIGATE BETWEEN THAT SPACE OF PROTECTING GIRLS FROM SENDING SIGNALS THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND, OR THAT MIGHT PUT THEM AT RISK VS. ALLOWING THEM TO EMBRACE SELF EXPRESSION AND THEIR OWN SEXUALITY?
T: This is tough. It really comes down to what we think the role of school is: is it to prepare a regimented, career-ready workforce, or is it to foster human development and citizenship? While these two ideas are not by definition mutually exclusive, they manifest this way in the conversation around public school policy—it is one or the other. Regarding dress codes, on the one hand, it is unlikely you could find someone who would argue that schools should allow students to arrive in just underwear, thereby indicating some fundamental expectations for student dress. On the other hand, schools also need to be a place where students can safely express themselves, develop personal pride, and grow into their own people. This includes allowing for young women to wear clothes they want to wear, without prescribing it some moral index. The most obvious example here is leggings and yoga pants. Often worn for comfort, spandex pants are frequently banned because they hug the body and show off a girl’s physical form; in this way, we tell girls that their bodies are sexual, and should be hidden in public spaces. Navigating these two extremes can be very difficult for schools, and we see this tension arising in districts across the country.
Lauren's Powersuit Picks
"How do you want to feel when you run?”
A simple question, and one we often find ourselves asking here at the Nest. Why? Because more and more, we understand the transformative power of clothing. The simple act of dressing for a run can change how we think, feel, and ultimately, what we can do with our bodies. It's powerful. It's empowering. And it’s a conversation we control with ourselves. To learn more about her own relationship with clothes, running, and the process of dressing for a feeling, we sat down with the one and only Lauren Fleshman to talk about how she puts on the powersuit.
MEGAN: HOW DO YOU WANT TO FEEL WHEN YOU'RE RUNNING, AND WHY?
LAUREN: When I run, I want to feel free. Sometimes the pull of work or family or other ways I should be using my time can keep me stuck in the house, in my chair, like cheese on a pizza, and when I get out the door, it feels like I've broken away but there are still pieces of cheese connected, stretching and straining, until eventually they snap. I crave the moment I'm far enough away from the house to leave everything behind me. To have the channels between my muscles and mind be all the way open.
M: HOW DO YOU GET YOURSELF INTO THAT HEADSPACE?
L: I surrender to the run, to the time I'll be out there. "Ok, I'm doing this. 6 miles." I tune into the sound of my feet on the ground, I lighten it. I synchronize my breath with my steps, in for three, out for three. "I watch the surroundings go by and look past them to feel the visual effect of my motion all at once. It's not unlike being in the backseat of a car as a kid, watching the sky as electric poles pass in rhythm.
M: WHAT'S THE ROLE OF CLOTHING HERE? HOW DO YOU USE CLOTHING TO TAKE YOU TO SPECIFIC HEAD SPACE, MINDSET, OR PLACE OF READINESS?
L: Clothing is a big part of the ritual. It's the symbol for the preparation. It's the decision making moment where I'm imagining myself out there doing it. Picking correctly for the weather, to engage with the elements. Which items will help me feel what I want to feel today? If I want to feel fast, if I expect to work myself hard, I am very particular. What will keep me feeling dry, sleek? Warm enough, or cool enough? Which items will essentially disappear from my consciousness allowing me to feel like power and motion incarnate? If I am running to escape work and people and be in nature, to be relaxed and feel my surroundings, I choose items based on their hand-feel and drape. I'm looking for stimulation from the environment, something looser fitting that will move in the breeze, that will exaggerate it slightly so I don't miss it, so I'm cued to look up from the trail at how that breeze moves the leaves in the canopy above, or ripples the water. If I'm feeling rebellious and anti-performance, I go to my graphic tees. And if I need my run to serve as a hug, I always choose lux.
M: DO THESE EMOTIONS, CHOICES, OR CONVERSATIONS EXTEND TO YOUR BROADER LIFE?
L: For sure. Dressing to enhance or evoke an emotion or feeling is as old as time. Even those who have taken a vow of poverty to pursue the work of God, in the many forms this is done, have specific rituals around dress. The more singular the purpose, the more specific the clothing. And when my purpose is or has been highly specific: a presentation; performing music; racing the best in the world; racing for the hell of it; celebrating an anniversary; bonding with my newborn those first tender weeks -- decisions are being made whether they are conscious or not.
M: SHOW US YOUR POWERSUIT! SHARE YOUR FAVORITE #FLYSTYLE PIECES THAT HELP YOU CHANNEL THESE FEELINGS.
L: Of course!
FOR: Long runs, long tempos, or higher volume interval workouts of moderate intensity.
WHY: High performing fabric matches the effort. It disappears on the body. But the symbols of the birds, and the longevity of the style has a casualness to it that is comforting. It makes me feel like this effort is part of many efforts over time and place, which keeps the effort of the day in it's appropriate place.
FOR: Anytime I've got business to take care of. When the job is specific, and hard.
WHY: It locks and loads the girls, regardless of time of the month sensitivity, and I just know it performs for me. Most of the time I'm doing harder workouts in reasonable weather, I take off my shirt to feel as free as possible. To me, the Verrazano looks and feels complete without a shirt on, like a performance garment, not a bra.
FOR: Runs to feel free, runs to escape, runs to renew, and perhaps strangely, when I'm writing.
WHY: It is an extension of the body. It feels anatomical, and minimal, and subtle. It does the job without restricting me in any way.
FOR: Workout days
WHY: They perform brilliantly, stay out of the way, and don't interact with the breeze or any other environmental cues, helping me stay inside my body completely.
FOR: performance + nature
WHY: These fill a similar role to roga shorts as far as performance meets non-clingy, flattering style. But the fabric on these is just a little more flowy, a little more interactive with the breeze. It can dance along the skin as a cue to remind you to look around, to be where your feet are, to interact with the places those feet are taking you.
FOR: feeling like a carefree, badass bitch
WHY: It looks sexy but in a way that is 100% comfortable, made of a fabric in a cut that is meant to please you, not the viewer. Side effects include inadvertent swagger.
FOR: celebrating the human body's range of capability
WHY: The new fabric this season is out of control amazing, and just gets better with every wash. These are soft, a body extension, a compliment. The design lines along the quads speak to the anatomy nerd in me, and the angled cropped ankle feels like a calling to move nimbly, rhythmically, powerfully, like the hands of a pianist. I just love the artistry of these tights, and so I bring them in to all kinds of situations. They find their way out of the drawer a 3x the rate of any of my other tights.
FOR: performance with connection
WHY: like the flyte tops, these shorts are built to perform and disappear on your body without screaming "wind-tunnel tested futuristic nerd-alert." They are a classic design from the early days of Oiselle, an iconic fit and feel, and they make me feel connected over time and space in way that puts me in a good headspace for balanced performance. Not taking myself too seriously, while giving myself every chance to be great.