We are so thrilled to present our 3rd year of Oiselle’s High Flyer Awards! Starting in 2016, our first recipients were Allie Bigelow, Lauryn Williams, Beth Sullivan, and Taylor Dutch, followed in 2017 by Carrie Tollefson, Elyse Kopecky, Ali Schulz, and Zoey Dowling. This year we listened to the people, and the people overwhelmingly endorsed these 2018 winners! Congratulations to our 2018 High Flyers: Beth Baker, Alison Desir, Mary Arnold, and Dawn Biggs.

BETH BAKER: Founder of Running Evolution, specializing in “coaching non-runners, reluctant runners, and rusty runners in a non-competitive forum.”

“Beth is the one reason I started to run.”

“Beth is a miracle-worker of inspiration, grit, and self-love.”

“Beth has turned so many people into runners who never thought they were the running kind.”

What are you most proud of?

I am so proud of my brand spanking new runners. They show up, being brave, curious and willing to put in the work. Learning to run is more about the transformation of the mind, and then the body, and they give in to the process, trust in us, and come out running….literally. A close follow up is the community that we have. They are supportive, honest and really respect each other.

What are you working on now/ dreaming for the future?

We just launched Coach Running Evolution: A certification program to train other coaches to start new runners. AND in the fall I am launching a podcast called "Why We Run" (Interviewing badasses, rockstars and all in between, while running).

How do you "go bananas"? (let loose and have fun)

I just finished a 200-mile relay race that was about the best thing ever, and I feel really embodied all the things I love:

1. Screaming my head off for runners whilst driving a big ol van.
2. Running 9 miles at 4:00 in the morning.
3. Listening to loud music and singing badly with other badass women.
4. Cracking jokes, laughing till I pee my pants, then 2 seconds later crying with pride.
5. So many buttslaps. Just so many.

DAWN BIGGS: Co-creator of Random Tuesday, Inc. which has, through running, raised and donated almost $2 million to 40 charities since 2014.

“Dawn and RTI encourage healthy ways to begin running and they celebrate accomplishments of all levels: from a first-timer running a mile to completing an Ultra or Spartan Beast.”  

What are you most proud of?

I love our nonprofit and all of our members, but to be honest, if I have to select what I am most proud of, it is my daughter Rory. She is 12 years old and already braver and stronger than I could ever hope to be. She is a fierce patriarchy smasher and raising her to be a force for good in the world is my greatest accomplishment.  

What are you working on now/ dreaming for the future?

Work is pretty much nonstop. With three virtual running programs and their accompanying communities going, there is always something happening. It is a constant search to design the right medal to go with the right charity partner to go with the perfect theme. As for dreams, I would love to grow a space for women (and men!) of all shapes, sizes, and abilities to feel empowered to reach their fitness goals, while also doing amazing things for their communities and the world. I guess I already have that, so everything from here on out is a bonus!

How do you "go bananas"?

For ‘banana time’, you will find me on the water. I love to paddle board. Out on the Long Island Sound, in the early morning quiet, it’s about as close to perfect as it gets. I don’t know if that counts as bananas, but it’s definitely my zen.  

ALISON DESIR: Founder of Harlem Run and Run4AllWomen, Mental Health Counselor, Women’s Rights Advocate.

“Alison brings humility to each and every endeavor. Every experience is met with the objective of empowering and inspiring others with the constant reach for diversity and inclusion at all levels. She is a coach, leader, teacher, organizer, and activist at the core.”

What are you most proud of?

I'm most proud that I decided to be vulnerable about my struggle with anxiety and depression. There's a huge stigma associated with mental illness but in sharing my story, I've been able to not only feel better and more empowered but also connect with so many people across the globe (including my now husband who I met thanks to social media!). It was my struggle with depression that led to the creation of Harlem Run and I'm thankful for the ripple effect that has led me to where I am today!

What are you working on now/ dreaming for the future?

So many things!!  On a personal level, I've discovered a love for the outdoors. Trail running, stand up paddle boarding, hiking - I'm kind of obsessed with getting outdoors and taking as many people with me via personal vacations and curated retreats. I'm also rebooting my podcast (Find Meaning on the Run) and of course leading weekly run/events for my community via Harlem Run.

On a more public and political level, I'm dreaming about a more just United States; I'm working on a campaign, The Midterm Run, whose goal is to flip Congress through collaborative grassroots activism and support of progressive candidates.

How do you "go bananas"? 

 I'm a huge nerd...so the perfect scenario for going bananas usually involves Karaoke alllllll night long or sitting at home on the couch with my husband and a bottle of wine. 10 years ago, my response to this question would've been so different! lol

MARY ARNOLD: Co-founder Run4AllWomen, Leader November Project NYC

“Mary is a leader to women everywhere--a passionate, loving class act that all women should strive to be like.”

“Mary has the amazing ability to stay calm and convince others they can achieve and raise them up, even in the midst of complete chaos.”

What are you most proud of?

Hands down, I am most proud of helping launch Run 4 All Women. Never in my life had something pulled at me so hard; something that said " you absolutely have to do this". We ended up running 252 miles over the course of 2.5 days and we raised over 100k for Planned Parenthood. While these facts alone are hard to wrap my head around, it was absolutely mind boggling that over 1k people joined us along the route. The stop in Philadelphia was out of control; there were over 300 people waiting for us at Independence Hall. When I came running up from the side street and saw them all, I started to cry- I could hardly believe it was real. From Harlem to Washington DC, the group kept putting one foot in front of the other, driving change and empowerment with each step.

What are you working on now/ dreaming for the future?

I launched my own marketing consulting business last year and my goal is to grow it by helping newer brands connect with active audiences. Down the road, I hope to grow enough that I can help bring younger women into the sports marketing industry in a way that represents them, respects their contributions and fosters growth of female leadership.

From a personal standpoint, I am excited to turn 40 with a BANG. My plan is to celebrate the decade by completing my 10th 100 mile race and earn my 500 mile buckle at the Vermont 100 in July of 2019.

How do you "go bananas"? 

I love to go adventuring! Sometimes, they need to be small adventures because of work/life commitments, like when my BFF and I go running to a new neighborhood or out on a new trail with no real map or agenda. Sometimes, they are HUGE adventures- in 4 days my husband and I will be driving across the country to visit 5 of the National Parks before I head to Colorado for a work assignment. 

Big thanks to our winners for all you do in the running community!

It’s hard to improve on a winner. Our Lux fabric has been in the line for years - and it never disappoints. The softness is legend, matched only by its durability and beautiful, rich color. And yet, like a fabric language we’re just now becoming fluent in, Lux evolves - with new possibilities. This season, we're thrilled to introduce updates to our Lux Collection that will keep you flying all season.

NEW WEIGHTS

LEFT: Lux 3/4 Flow Tights in Black/Black, RIGHT: Lux 3/4 Flow Tights in Curfew/Smoke

New this season: adding weights! We now have “Classic” and “Heavyweight” Lux. The classic is exactly that: the Lux you know and love, ready to run, sweat, hike, work, rest, sleep; its range is infinite. But we’ve also added Heavyweight Lux, specifically for bottoms. The Lux 3/4 Flow Tights (which debuted Fall 2017 in a single color) are back, now in deeper, richer tones. It’s quite difficult to describe the feeling of putting on the Lux 3/4 Tights in the Heavyweight Lux. Like a hug, like an embrace, like love…I’ll stop there. Just know it’s the intersection of support + soft that eludes a description.

NEW COLORS

But what might be most exciting this season is the new color! We’re thrilled to introduce you to the new Lux Double-Dyes. These are Lux colors in not one, but two selected hues. So rather than always heathering to white, double-dyes are exactly as they sound: the mixing of two colors within the same mélange fabric. My personal favorite is this season’s “Black/Black.” It might look like a solid, but up close, you’ll discover its tonal beauty. It’s a dark, onyx black mixed with almost black, giving it richness and depth like nothing I’ve seen in Lux before.

Lux Funnel Neck in Heather Cosmos, Lux Short Sleeve in Curfew/Smoke, Lux Short Sleeve in Blaze/Curfew

Another beaut is "Blaze/Curfew." A study in contrasts - with hot red and cool blue combining to create a rich blue-red-violet heather. Again, very deep. “Curfew/Smoke” is also an instant classic, with its sapphire brilliance. And when you’re looking for a soft, wintry blue, check out "Heather Cosmos." Paired with any dark, it brings light and energy.

NEW STYLES

LEFT: Lux Bralette in Heather Comsos, RIGHT: Lux bralette in Heather Cosmos and Black/Black

While the Lux Funnel Neck is a personal fave, the one Lux style I’m freaking out over this season is the new Lux Bralette. I know. We’ve taken a few runs at Lux bralettes in the past, but this is the one. Yes, it starts with Lux (two layers, one next to skin, one outward), and then it gets better with convertible straps (crossed or straight), but in my opinion, its best quality is the chest band elastic which is so plush and so soft and stretchy, it’s truly a bra I forget is there (the ultimate goal). For low impact, cups A-C, I can’t recommend this one enough!

So there you go. Lux redux. A fabric we can’t, won’t ever let go - in new variations we hope you love as much as we do!

Sure we love that speed. PR’s. Age Group wins. And the hunt for the podium! 

But when it comes to keeping run love alive, participation is the name of the game. And trying new things. Been cranking out half marathons? Throw in a 5K. Out there riding the ultra pain train? Try a 10K. Or a relay. Used to racing every weekend? Give the start line a rest and be on someone’s cheer squad.

Welcome to Oiselle Bingo. Up, down, across, blackout. All the distances. All the variety. Because that’s how we keep it spicy!

Ready to play?! Oiselle Bingo cards start going in all web orders starting July 26th. Cards and star stickers included. Rules and deets below. Now get out there - and do all the things!

BY: JEN MATHE

It’s a bit surreal to be finished with the Oiselle Podium Project and Bird Machine Tahoe. We have trained, supported, and gotten to know each other via social media over the past six months and when we finally all came together in real life it was as if we have been friends forever.

On paper, our similarities may begin and end with running, but all the intangible qualities that make us good humans ran through our team, and they ran deep. We are runners, we are teammates, we are sisters. We went to Tahoe to win. We never considered any other scenario. We never really talked about it, but it was known amongst us all that we were ready to compete. We walked in on a mission and we came away covered in trail dust, sweat, in some cases blood (and maybe some watermelon juice too) and filled with satisfaction. I love these girls, I cherish the time we had together this weekend, and I am so proud of what we did.

“As I rounded in on the final two miles of my last loop I reflected on the weekend to power me through the side cramp that was occupying way too much of my mind. I couldn’t help but marvel at the 10 complete strangers I started the weekend with. Their big smiles, awesome strength, big hearts and brute intelligence. Damn, we should have been at a Mensa meeting, we would have kicked aas there too.” - Ashlee

“I found myself surrounded by this lady gang of fierce and strong trail runners who crushed the dust, heat and smoky conditions to take first overall female team(!!!) at the Ragnar Trail Tahoe. Now all that remains are some amazing memories and a lot of itchy mosquito bites.” - Andrea

“Returning home feeling lucky, inspired, and full of sappy emotions I don’t usually admit to having.” - Ava

Some of the things we will never forget…

• The comradery that we had after only meeting each other. It felt so comfortable and supportive, and so much fun through all the hard miles.
• Learning that there are so many different ways to live a badass runner life. 
• Talking about the Red Loop through tent walls.
• Sharing pickle popcorn.
• Cinnamon bears and coke bottles fueling us while stopped on the freeway for hours.
• Passing the baby wipes in attempt to tackle the dust and sweat that caked our tired bodies.
• Ava running past the T-Rex without a second glance.

• Smiles and excited enthusiasm at every race exchange.
• Sharing the ins and outs of each loop with each other while getting our legs squeezed in the recovery lounge.
• Angela starting her last leg in the heat, running so strong up that hill and returning after seven dusty miles with a huge grin on her face

• Scouting out possible competition and knowing that each girl on this team wanted to win as bad as I did and was willing to work for it.
• Alicia returning to camp grinning, covered in watermelon juice, and waving her prize (these girls compete at everything!).

• Seeing Cara or Andrea at the start and finish of every leg… always smiling, carrying gear, providing post-run food and cheers.
• Running down the final hill into the finish line with this amazing group of women knowing that whatever the outcome was, we did some badass stuff, we relished in our sisterhood, and hopefully we inspired other women to get dirty and get competitive with their own Lady Gang.

Thanks, BirdMachine Tahoe, for your grit and grace through this dusty race! Shout out to all six of our BirdMachines for their stellar work reppin' O. Thanks to the fans for following along with our Podium Project - we hope you had as much fun supporting these teams as we did!

The running journey is a bumpy road, and a baby bump can make it even more exciting! We chatted with some fierce mamas for insight on how they navigated running and staying active while pregnant.

 Cassidy Inden - One of our own Volée leaders! And new mother to a 4 week old baby girl!

Funny tidbit about being pregnant you didn't know before?

CASSIDY: Being pregnant can be amazing, frustrating, wonderful and miserable all at once! It really is all emotions sometimes spread out, and others times felt in one hour. 
EMILY: There were many tidbits about pregnancy I didn't know before...a lot of them not so funny, ha! One thing I didn't know is how cool it would be to feel the baby's movements in the womb. Amazing!
LYNDY:

1.  Intense crying for the funniest reasons or no reason at all.
2. BABY HEARTBEAT! I would imagine most parents love hearing the sound of their baby's heartbeat. But, as runner, the heart beat is especially exciting! If the doctor would let me I'd listen to the heartbeat for the whole appointment.
3. Whenever I see a newborn I get slightly terrified because how is something that big going to fit inside of me and then how in the world is it ever going to get out?!

Emily Brain - PNW Volée member

Were/are you able to run during your pregnancy? Did you find a time you had to stop? Or, did you find other activities you enjoyed?

CASSIDY: Yes! I actually ran my first marathon very early on in my pregnancy. I wanted to continue to run as much as possible. My baby belly grew very quickly around 22 weeks and I found myself experiencing lots of belly pain with running. I ran my last race, a 5k, heading into my 23rd week. After that I modified to run/walking, then fully just walking from about week 26 on. 
EMILY:I was able to run throughout my pregnancy. I did have some difficulties with my SI joints around weeks 20-26 and had to do more run/walking than continuous running.  However, I was able to build back to feeling really good with continuous running and I even ran 4 miles the day I gave birth (my water broke while running!). 
LYNDY: I like to think that pregnancy has given me a superpower and super energy! Running, working a full time job, and building a baby! The power of a positive mindset has helped me feel fierce and unstoppable. I've been really lucky and thankful that I've been able to run every day of the pregnancy so far. I've averaged 75 mile weeks in the 1st trimester, 70 mile weeks in the 2nd trimester, and currently at 65 miles per week in the 3rd trimester.
NIKKI: I was able to run until 20 weeks or so and had to stop because I was having too much pelvic pain. I ran a marathon in the beginning of pregnancy though and did several long distance training runs before I had to hang up my shoes. I was very lucky to have no morning sickness and I really loved those early weeks of running with my growing baby.

If you did continue to run, how did you alter your workouts?

CASSIDY: I adjusted my pace and distance. I ran everything easy and just enjoyed sharing my love of running with baby! Once I was just walking I did it as much as possible. As my pregnancy progressed, distance went down with my last walk being two days prior to my delivery! 
EMILY: Until week 19 I was able to continue with my regular mileage per week and could run close to or at my regular easy/aerobic pace. I even did long runs, including completing the Orcas 25K trail race when I was 15 weeks pregnant.  After week 19, I began to struggle with SI joint pain (as I mentioned) and had to modify by running only every other day, running no more than 5 miles at a time, and doing run/walking as needed for a while. I supplemented my running with my indoor bike trainer, walking, and barre class.
LYNDY: I've found that track workouts 1,000m repeats or less are best, with a lot more recovery than usual (400m jog, sometimes with a pee stop). I am a hawk for finding a port-a-potty on my routes. I only run at tracks with bathrooms because the pressure on the bladder is no joke!
NIKKI: I actually row competitively and was able to keep that up until 28 weeks or so before my belly started getting in the way and I was no longer interested in waking up at 4:30am! With rowing and running no longer an option, I picked up spin classes for another month or so. Then I stopped working out altogether and just really enjoyed getting great sleep and resting up for the biggest workout of all- Labor!

Lyndy Davis - Oiselle Hauté Volée team member! (currently 28 weeks pregnant)

Did you change your attitude about running or exercise in general during your pregnancy?

CASSIDY: I ate a very large piece of humble pie in regards to running. Having run a marathon pregnant and being in really great shape, I struggled with understanding why running suddenly became such a challenge. I had to change from a performance goal mindset to a more health-focused mindset when it came to running. I knew I wanted to keep at it for my health and babies health but I needed to accept that my body was only going to do so much. I believe that being pregnant doesn’t mean you can’t exercise, it just means a whole new level of listening to your body. It was special to share running with my baby while pregnant and I can’t wait to share it in real life soon!
EMILY: I found that running during pregnancy really allowed me to reconnect with the core of what I love about running, which has nothing to do with performance or even with getting to run in a cool place. I love running simply because of the movement, chance to be outdoors, and the way that it makes me feel strong and confident regardless of the numbers on the watch!  
LYNDY: Yes! I am more patient and grateful. Some days I am really tired and I end up walking the last mile of my run. Instead of being disappointed that I am not feeling well, I think about how nice it is to be outside. I set goals each week, but I don't have expectations that I will run more or go faster like I do when I am in a huge marathon training cycle. I fantasize about how strong I will be in 2020 for the USA Marathon Olympic Trials (I qualified the month before we got pregnant). When I am slowing running up a hill, panting for air and the baby is pushing on my bladder, I think about how my reality and pain tolerance are shifting. I am excited to become a mom and get back after my running goals with a new/stronger mindset. 
NIKKI: I definitely changed my attitude about running and exercise. I always imagined I would be one of those women who ran until the day I went into labor...but it wasn’t meant to be. It was a great lesson in listening to my body and doing what was best for it. I pride myself in being a great athlete and a huge part of being a great athlete is listening to one’s body. I didn’t want to do any permanent damage and looked at the long-term goal which is running for years and years to come. In my 3rd trimester I really just enjoyed being quiet and restful...a very different pace of life than I’m used to and it was pretty wonderful!

What new exercise clothing requirements did you have? 

CASSIDY: I actually was able to stay in all my regular sized fly style! For how big I got, I thought for sure I would have problems. However, thanks to all the Lux and Flyte I was able to rock it while running and walking. 
EMILY: I was able to wear my regular running clothes throughout my pregnancy, but it did get fairly limited by the end as to what fit.  My mac rogas worked all through the pregnancy because I size up in those anyway (I like the fit better...these are all the old version of the macs). My flyte tanks/tops, endorphin tanks, and birds of a feather tanks all fit till the day I gave birth as well (gotta love that Plya fabric and longer length!). Flyout tanks worked till nearly the end, too.
LYNDY: The flyte tanks are my go-to during pregnancy because they are long and stretch well. I also get warmer and more sweaty while pregnant so I need fabrics that don't chafe or show sweat as much. 
NIKKI: Bigger sports bras were my only workout clothing purchase. All of my Oiselle tops were plenty long enough and leggings stretchy enough that I wore them until the day I gave birth. 

 Nikki Hein - Competititive rower and mother to a 6 week old boy!

What advice would you give moms who want to be active throughout their pregnancy?

CASSIDY: Listen to your body. Let go of expectation and just take it day by day. 
EMILY: Listen to your body! And I mean listen to both the positive and negative signals. You may be able to do way more than other people think you should, and that's okay if you are feeling okay!  You also need to listen when your body says you are extra tired or that something is not feeling right. Recovery becomes extra important during pregnancy, you will need way more of it than you think you do. 
LYNDY: Set goals like you normally do for running/fitness, just cater them towards pregnancy. For instance, try to set “pregnancy pr’s” in local races, but by no means compare those to your non-pregnant self! As always stay flexible in the process, but don't throw in the towel for 9 months. The way I see it, I have 9 months to get ready for labor AND a new bundle of energy in your life. I feel best when I'm challenged, and pregnancy is certainly a challenge, so I set a lot of goals for my 9 month journey (see below!).

• Do squats, lunges, kettle bell swings 3x week. I'm hopeful this will help during labor. 
• Drink one green smoothie a day. Nutrients for baby and mom! 
• 1 speed workout per week (obviously this evolves and won't be as intense, long, or fast by the end of pregnancy) 
• 1 long run a week (maintaining an endurance mindset is helpful for the journey ahead!) I did a long run every week that was equal to the number of weeks pregnant. Eg: 20 miles at 20 

NIKKI: Be kind to your body and make sure you are listening to it carefully. And being a badass warrior doesn’t always mean pushing your body to the brink...it can also mean quietly preparing your body and mind for labor and birth - the biggest athletic event of all!

 For many women, running and staying active aren't a possibility during pregnancy, and Lauren Fleshman beautifully covers that here. 

I first saw cards and prints from Dahlia Press when I was on a coolhunting retail safari here in Seattle. It was late 2016 and I was drawn into the small shop by the tee in the window that “Love Trumps Hate.” 

Soon after, we started carrying Dahlia Press cards at Oiselle Store, and since its founder, Stephanie, is in Seattle - we met up at The Nest. As a fellow entrepreneur, I’m so impressed with what she’s built. Do check out her website. From “Women Take Action” cards to wedding invites and more, she’s created a special brand. The Writing’s On the Tee Collection includes some of Stephanie's most beloved prints (“Women’s Rights are Human Rights” and “High Five”) as well as a few words of our own. 

“Women’s rights are human rights” can’t feel any more timely than it does right now.

Writer Vera Nazarian wrote: "A woman is human. She is not better, wiser, stronger, more intelligent, more creative, or more responsible than a man. Likewise, she is never less. Equality is a given. A woman is human.” 

“No Thank You” doesn't really need an introduction, but it has a bit of a story…a story that started at Lauren Fleshman’s running-writing retreat, Wilder. I was lucky enough to attend last year and one of the writing prompts was “no thank you.” When we unfurled our notebooks, my pen flowed. Turns out I wanted to say no thank you to a lot of things, from big cultural forces to the small and daily. I made a no thank you list. Two pages, in fact. Everything from "no thank you to toxic people," to "no thank you to things that are presented as gifts but aren't." The aha moment was realizing women are often raised to say yes - and yet learning to say no in the right situations is closely tied to our self-actualization.

On more of a hell yes note, I need to do a fabric call-out. As you’ll see, if you get a chance to wear and wash and run in this new fabric, you’ll discover the difference of Tee-Lux. A poly/rayon/spandex blend it’s designed to be soft, stretchy, and durable, but also to get sweaty and keep you cool. Technical lifestyle. Or casual tech. Whatever you might call it, it’s an incredible knit on which you’ll see many of our styles this year and next. 

As with all things we make, we hope you love the collection - and all the goodness that is making up the start of Fall 18. Thank you for believing in O. Head up, wings out!

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Bringing home the Podium Project is Birdmachine Tahoe! We can’t wait to cheer on our final team this weekend as they take on the trails and high altitude. The past few months we have loved following each team to their top three finish! So far, we are 7 for 7 on podium finishes. Time to make it 8 for 8, huh, Tahoe?

ALICIA JENKINS: Alicia has been known for “over” cowbelling (as if that’s a thing!) so naturally, she will be packing her Ten10 cowbell to serve as the nighttime wake-up alarm. Watch out, her secret talent includes juggling while balancing on an Indo board, proving that juggling cowbelling, cruising on the trails, and fueling will be seamless.

ANGELA HART: This will be Angela’s third Ragnar Tahoe! Plus, she has run three loops of this year’s course. I can’t confirm that she has the entire course memorized down to the roots, but my gut feeling says she totally does. When Angela isn’t running on the trails she is working as a pediatric nurse and has even traveled to Nepal, Haiti, and Nicaragua for volunteer nursing. Just adding another adventure to the long list.

AROLINE HANSON: Aroline is the team’s self-proclaimed certified gearhead. She thinks that under the beauty of tall trees is where we’re meant to run so she will feel right at home on the climbs of Ragnar trails course. Not only does Aroline know trail gear, and race logistics, she is also learning an endangered indigenous language from Costa Rica. Probably won’t be able to practice that with someone on the trail… but still VERY cool.

ASHLEE MAYFIELD: When asked what draws her to the trails Ashlee said “good friends, salty snacks, and dirty ankles” - all wonderful things.  She is unwilling to disclose her team position (is she the team’s secret weapon? Maybe… probably) but she did disclose that she was followed around by the Director of Clueless when she was in high school for movie inspiration. She quickly followed that statement with “don’t judge me”.

AVA MARTINEZ: Ava will immediately get to the course and try to find a dog to pet. “Why?” you may ask? Well first off, who doesn’t want to feel the soothing comfort of petting a dog? And second, she has PR’d at every single race where she’s pet a dog. You can’t fake that kind of magic. After petting a dog she will immediately take her good fortune and hit the trails as the team’s Downhill Daredevil.

BECCA BARNEY: Becca is ready to run fast and cheer on her teammates. Her secret talent of being able to walk on her hands could prove immensely valuable if her legs grow irreversibly tired. Rumor has it she is one impressive rock climber but we strictly prohibit taking shortcuts on the course, even via sick sends.

CARA SCOTT: Crew member, but also an ultra junkie herself, Cara has run a grand total of 18 ultramarathons and crewed/paced even more than that! (aka she’s a cream of the crop crew member) When asked her team role she replied, “manager in charge of midnight pancake flipping” What a lucky team.

CHRISTINE BOWLES: Pump up queen, student of running (actually finishing up her masters in exorcise science) and lover of adventures. Christine is on the newer side of trail running but will make up for her naivety with an almost unreal amount of enthusiasm.

JEN MATHE: Team leader, boss woman, coach, and Certified Athletic Trainer. Jen was raised by a true hippie in the backwoods of Northern California, running barefoot through the wilderness with the sun as her clock. So yes, she was born to lead to a trail relay team to victory.

And… adding to the list that Birdmachine Snowmass helped us create “In a trail race one must never ever...”

• Hurdle over someone who falls in front of you and not offer to help them up! This actually happened to a friend of mine recently (AND she came back after that fall to WIN the race). Trail runners ALWAYS help each other out, even if they are battling for 1st place.
• Be snarky to the volunteers. 
• Compare your pace to road running. You must adjust your pace according to the terrain, its okay to walk the steep hill, slow your pace when you are running over loose rock, and then speed up on the smooth downhill single track. The trees and rocks watching don’t judge.
• Forget to lube up...everything! 
• Piss-off the wildlife. 
• Wear headphones!
• Let the hills discourage you from the excitement of the view :)
• Forget to enjoy the view, just don't trip.
• Or, forget water and food. No one likes a hangry run. 
• Trust a stick until proven not to be a snake.
• Use leaves to wipe.

To follow along with Birdmachine Tahoe and cowbell from afar, follow the Podium Project Twitter and #BirdMachineTahoe - Also keep an eye out for updates on our Instagram Story!

Hey Birds… We’ve been busy. Busy, busy run- and design-loving birds. And lo and behold, we’ve got a whole bunch of new goodness for you. And hold my LaCroix, this is just the start of what we're calling our Fall 18 layer cake. First slice is for you, my friends: from updated favorites (Flyte and Flyout tops!) to new designs (O-Mazing Shorts, Flyout Bra - with a back pocket!), to what might be my favorite color palette ever. It’s the start line of a new season. But back to color. This palette is my current obsession. The hot and the cold, the cool blues (cosmos, smoke) and ember burning fire (blaze, and new pop color: saturday). More on that as the season gets rolling. In the meantime, my crib notes (just for you) on what's new and notable…

FLYOUT FLIES ON! NEW FLYOUT COLORS

Sweaty runner tested and approved. Our Flyout tops are restocked in beautiful new hues. Flyout is made of HoverFit™… the wonder fabric that, literally, hovers above your skin. The effect is two-fold: 1) you feel less sweaty, even when you’re pumping it out, and 2) you actually stay cooler because sweat and water evaporate more effectively from the fabric, rather than from the surface of your skin. Light as air, but beautifully vibrant and tough, is the hallmark of Flyout tops. And this season we introduce three gorgeous new colors in their signature, two-tone coloration: white/black (a neutral with depth!), smoke/cosmos (a mysterious blue), and blaze/curfew (the art of contrast). Our classic silhouettes are maintained: Long Sleeve, Tank, and Short Sleeve. Because why mess?

NEW RUNNER TRUCKERS - REPEAT - NEW RUNNER TRUCKERS

RUNNER TRUCKERS ALWAYS ON POINT. On point, on trails, on tracks, on hikes, on hot races, on ultras, and dog walks. It's the trucker hat that actually has a quality fit - plus foldable bill, and one tug elastic adjuster. This hat rules them all. There are collectors out there who own every single one (okay that’s me). This season’s updates won’t disappoint. There's the Logo Print in our new “Cosmos” color with Onna Print, as well as two new destinations to visit… Starry Night (Pontresina, Switzerland) and Foggy Woods (from the high altitude of Crested Butte, Colorado). Plus a new detail! The inside of the sweat band now carries our signature line…"go fast, take chances"…because you should, you really should.

NEW! O-MAZING SHORTS

Why settle for one pocket, or even two or three, when you could have a continuous pocket that covers the entirety of the waistband?! And that has enough depth to hold all of your essentials? Phone, keys, tampons, credit cards, bus money, a snack for later, any old what have you. No seriously, what have you? O-Mazing can handle it. Take it from me - I ran the NYC Half Marathon in the O-Mazing 3/4 Tights this March and well, yes, they were O-Mazing. Despite a 28 degree start, an hour of corral standing, and a hilly course, I hit my mark. It’s gotta be the pants, yes? As for the shorts, they’re long and lovely, with all the same pocket-ability. Compression style with a quad-loving 9” inseam, they’re clearly the do anything shorts.   

NEW ROGAS + ONNA PRINT

THE ROGA REVOLUTION CONTINUES. The Onna Print, and its starry night loveliness, is a favorite of ours. Geometric. Organic. Hand-drawn for an ode to the physical world that running helps us embrace. This season, we brought it to the Roga Collection! Because what’s better than the best 4-way stretch, stretch-woven super fabric of the Roga Shorts? Super fabric with the Onna Print! The fit of the Roga family remains unchanged this season. Do check them out in new color: SATURDAY...the most brilliant, bold pink you might ever meet.

LIGHT AND BRIGHT AND STRIPE!

Flyte is back in a brilliant new color called Saturday! And in white (a first for us). In the light and lovely department, there’s also Big Stripe in stone (not to mention curfew and black stripe!), and White/Black Flyout. The point is that there’s an easy to way to up your game when your athletic wardrobe is full of black bottoms and charcoal. There can be texture, pattern, stripes and other tonal elements that transcend color. 

NEW! INTRODUCING TEE-LUX FABRIC + "THE WRITING'S ON THE TEE" COLLECTION

TEE LOVE = TEELUX. We’re fabric lovers as you know. We also love a perfect tee; one that is soft, durable, drapy, takes color, and is up for a run at any time! After months of searching, reviewing hundreds of knits, and testing them in all our sport-life ways, we landed on a clear winner. We’re thrilled to make room on our bench, next to Lux, Roga, Flyout, Flyte, and Wazzie Wool, for a new player in the game. Meet Tee-Lux. Rhymes with deluxe and you’ll see why. The blend: poly, rayon, spandex. Pre-shrunk. Soft like butter. Sleepwear tested. Runner loved and approved!

What better way to celebrate the launch of a new fabric than with an artists collab? Meet Stephanie of Dahlia Press, based here in Seattle. She gave a strong and scripty look to some of our favorite woman up mantras. Loud and proud - graphic #flystyle always wins.

TRAIL RUNNING INSPIRED: THE NEW FLYOUT BRA!

BRA + POCKET = NEW FREEDOM. You tell us things. We listen. One of the things you told us was that, especially during trail running with hydration packs and whatnot, the regular straps of sports bras dig in and cause chaffing or pain. That’s not right. So we designed the new Flyout Bra. The fit is more like a crop, with even wider shoulder bands that allow it to lay flat against your body. The high neck and wide chest band, combined with Power Plya (our most powerful compression fabric) make it high support. And by popular request, we added a phone pocket in the back. The power mesh design will hold your phone securely next to your body. Fit note: wear testers commented that this style was fitting snug, so we recommend sizing up (currently only available to our our Volée team, but coming to all soon!).

Thanks for reading, for looking, for believing. We're always here to help. Have a question? Write us at hello@ on the email - and we’re happy to answer any questions. 

Thank you run lovers, and see you out on the roads, track, and trails!

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This weekend's Ragnar Relay is right in our own backyard and the stoke is high! The Podium Project is heading up to the good ol’ Northwest with double the teams and double the fun. That’s right people, we have TWO speedy teams to follow throughout the race (not to mention about five other teams filled with Volée team members) Trust us, these teams are bringing the heat.

Meet the Bird Machine WA crew, and the #GRRLS team.

 *Just a small glimpse of the power squad

BIRDMACHINE WA

This #OisellePodiumProject #NWPassage group of diverse women is comprised of 7 athletes (Aly, Amber, Courtney, Hazel, Kathryn, Nikki and Rachel) who run together on the Bellingham Distance Project, a post-collegiate running club, and 5 athletes (Kaarin, Casey, Marie, Danielle and Robyn) who all ran together at University of Oregon, and who have been itching to compete alongside one another again on a relay. The team is led by Alyson Carlyon and Robyn Hefner, who met several years ago as they raced together at Hood to Coast!  

Crew:

Alyson “Captain Stoke” Carlyon
Jenna “Recreation Junkie” Goodman
Scarlett “Flight Attendant” Graham
Ashley “Cool Cucumber” Osman

Runners:

Kaarin “50k mother runner” Knudson
Robyn “Relay Race Pro” Hefner
Casey “Ride or Die” Hire
Kathryn “Clutch Hitter” Merrill
Courtney “Tatted Gazelle” Olsen
Hazel “Birthday Queen” Clapp
Amber “Ferocious Beast” Morrison
Danielle “Long Haul” Quatrochi
Rachel “Fresh Cherub” Cundy
Nikki “Team Mom” Buurma
Aly “Just Huck It” Howisey

Team goals for the weekend:

• Total Domination; To win the whole thing, 1st place overall
• Run fast but feel light on our feet
• TLC Influenced dancing and comradery
• Enjoy the scenery, the community and the comRADery
• Have the most (we are competitive really in everything) fun and kill all the kills 

Ideal post-race celebration:

• Food! Beer Garden!
• Beer then shower, beer in the shower
• Donuts! Food! Chips and Guac!
• Post-Race Pics at Deception Pass!

Team fuel of choice:

• La Croix
• PB on anything and everything – pretzels, bagels, bananas…
• Gummy Bears

Slogan (We have several….):

• Flocking Fabulous
• We go chasing waterfalls
• Go hard or Go home
• CrazySexyCool

TEAM GRRLS

The #BirdMachineGRRLS team isn’t new to winning relays. A good portion of this team runs for #GRRLS (hence the team name) an all women running team that hit the relay circuit in 2015, with a win nonetheless. #GRRLS is all about gritty running and sharing their passion for endurance relay competition. The team, led by Jules Reade, is already winning with a spot-on Mean Girls reference as seen below.

Crew:

Jules "Personally Victimized by Regina George" Reade
Terra "Has ESPN or Something" Perkins

Runners:

Katie "Cady" Jones
Paula "I'm not a regular mom, I'm a cool mom" Dowtin
Sarah "is butter a carb?" Overpeck
Kat "Don't have sex because you will get pregnant and die!" Timlin
Anna "She doesn't even go here!" Weber
Rachel "You've truly out-gayed yourself" Leftwich
Liz "Grool GRRL" Anjos
Theresa "Yeah, I like math" Hailey
Katie "The limit does not exist" Sweet
Anneke "That's why her hair is so big. It's full of secrets" Thompson
Becca "Whatever, I'm getting cheese fries" Downs
Heather "Finally, GRRL world was at peace" Tanner

Team goals for the weekend: Making fetch happen aka WINNING

Ideal post-race celebration: Binge watching Mean Girls and doughnut dance party

Team fuel of choice (if your team had to live off three and just three, race day snacks what would they be?): kalteen bars, cheese fries, butter, all-carb diets

Team slogan: Making fetch happen!

To follow along with both teams and cowbell from afar, follow the Podium Project Twitter and #birdmachineWA  #birdmachineGRRLS - Also keep an eye out for updates on our Instagram Story!

We can sometimes be PNW-centric with our apparel…it’s hard not to be with our amazing running weather in Seattle! But I have been enlightened: Sally and I are hot (literally) off of an amazing trip to Japan, and I wanted to share which flystyle pieces saved my hide! One of my kids is studying in Japan (in Kanazawa) this summer, so I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity to go visit him. The weather was predictably hot and humid…and I quickly figured out which pieces I was going to wear day in, day out. Though I packed very light, turns out I could’ve packed even lighter if I could commit to washing out my gear every night in the sink.

Here are my top picks:

1. Story Capris. This ultra-lightweight (summer roga) fabric never clung to me, dried so quickly, and was appropriate for touristing, visiting shrines, hiking, and even as a warmup pant for a workout. I wore them every day. No joke.

2. Flyout tops. This material is magic…actually better than exposed skin for cooling. Although I brought tees, muscle tanks, and tanks, I ended up preferring the tees to give my shoulders some coverage from the beating sun. And a quick rinse in the sink, these would dry overnight no problem.

3. Long Flyout Shorts. I hadn’t run in these a ton before the trip, but they are incredibly lightweight + airy, fit my phone in the zip back pocket, and have a bit of length for travel modesty (I am a Long Roga gal). They also washed in the sink quite well, and dried overnight!

4. Spring Wazzie Wool Tank and Funnel Neck Tank. Light weight wool performs incredibly well in the humidity, dries quickly, and dresses up nicely (with the story capris haha). And if you dry it flat then roll it, no wrinkles.

5. Shade Long Sleeve and/or Tank. This fabric is so cooling and kept the sun off my neck really well. The long sleeve was perfect as a layer for air-conditioning, and also dried incredibly quickly.

Other than those items, really all I needed was my running shoes, bras, undies, socks, runner trucker hat, and Allbirds. Next time I’ll only need to bring half of a duffel bag! 

OISELLE STORE GRAND OPENING
The big reveal happened on July 9^th 2015, and of course we pulled out all the stops (most of us stayed up all night getting the store set up!). Kara, Lauren, Picky Bars, what more does an event need? Among the many faces in the crowd, there were a couple that ended up joining the Oiselle team! Spotted: Our graphic designer Jenn waiting in line at check out (fast forward a year and she was making store signage), and Brenda with her usual contagious smile getting a photo with Kara Goucher (little did she know that charisma would be put into full force to help flight club soar to new heights).

SMALL SPACE, BIG DESIGN!
Knowing that the store was a small space we wanted to find a way to balance showcasing our product while creating a space that served as a running clubhouse where people could gather for group runs, marathon viewing parties, and other community events. With that in mind our architects Aimee and Jon of GoC implemented a Theatre Fly System that elevated the racks to the ceiling with a hand crank, allowing us to transform the store space within minutes. Just three years, and those racks have gone up and down, up and down, hundreds and hundreds of times - so a big thank you to to GoC for a well-loved design feature that lets us party on!

FLIGHT CLUB
True story, when flight club first started there were fears that no one would show up. That fear has been left far in the past since the powerhouse store team, led by Val and Brenda, have made Thursday Night Flight Club a not-to-be-missed group run growing in numbers each week. Sun, rain, snow, and more rain, this group always shows up. 

A GROWING LINE AND A FULL STORE
As our line has grown so has our store merchandising. From adding in other brands and product like Goodr Glasses, Stance Socks, Sun Bum Suncreen, the Believe Journal, cards, and prints from artists we have collaborated with. Basically if customers keep asking for something, we try to find a way to add it to the store. Gotta keep the women happy!

Thanks to our wonderful store team for creating a space where we can gather, run, celebrate, and share our story with the community. The store wouldn’t be the same without you. 

In the Seattle area? Join us for a very special Thursday Night Flight Club this Thursday at 6:30. The store does parties big, so of course when it comes to celebrating our very own store birthday it's going to be REALLY BIG.

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Got a road race coming up? Ever feel claustrophobic and bored, or anxious in the starting corral? Want to feel better for more of the race and not waste the first mile or two feeling stiff and creaky? I made this little 4 min routine to warm the body up while stuck in a crowded place. It’s adapted from the same exercises I used as a Pro runner, and the ones I coach Little Wing to use, inspired things I learned from Coach Jim Radcliffe. This very amateur video full of kid cameos due to it being the weekend Jesse was away and not having childcare, it was filmed by Christine Babcock and can be found in my IGTV channel. I think you just go to my profile. It’s also on YouTube, wide screen version, if you want the full view of Jude attempting all the exercises. 

I hope this helps people feel better when they are preparing for a hard effort. I hope this also gives you a routine that can help relax your mind before the effort, reducing anxiety, which is one of the best pro athlete hacks you can adopt. Finish this up with a power pose, standing tall with your hands on your hips and a couple deep breaths. Say a positive statement to yourself in this state of calm focus like “I’m ready” or “I belong here” or “go fast, take chances” or whatever else you need to (and deserve to) hear. Racing can be fun. Racing can feel good. A short routine that warms the body and calms the mind can help! 

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