It’s cold, it’s snowy, it’s sleety and rainy. The motivation that was once burning bright is dimming to a low flicker. Our Haute Volée are pros at keeping on with their training. A little weather can’t stop, won’t stop them from getting out there and putting in the work. We tapped them for their tips, tricks and hacks for taking care of business through all kinds of winter weather. 

SARAH MAC

“To make the transition outside into relief instead of dread, I'll do my warm up routine in front of the heater vent. Then I'm ready for fresh air. On really low motivation days I say, you only have to run one mile. 99.9% of the time after that mile is done, I'm loving it and stay out much longer.”

ANDIE COZZARELLI

“Layer up with my Quill Jacket, Wazzie Wool Long Sleeve, a tank, Flyte Shorts, Moto Lesley Tights, Mittens, Gaiter, Power Stretch Headband, Stance Crew Socks, and my Yeti while I drink hot tea. That way I get so hot indoors that I can't take it and I strip down to the appropriate level and go!”

LYNDY DAVIS

“Tuck it in and hike it up! I always tuck in my first layer so I don't get a cold draft on my stomach. Once I've warmed up after a couple miles I untuck my shirt and it's a perfect temp change for the rest of my run.”

KATE GRACE

“Layer up. Double Gaiter FTW. Also, mittens over gloves all day every day (maybe that's obvious?). They keep my fingers much warmer. If it's really cold include your thumb in the main mitten compartment! Separate thumb sleeve makes it so sad and icy.”

JAMIE CHEEVER

“Wearing a wind-stopping layer such as Wallace or Vim jackets. And if it gets below -20ish (you know it does in MN!), I use Vaseline to protect any exposed skin from the wind.”

BECKI SPELLMAN

“Take an extra set of gloves/mittens for long runs! If your hands get wet and cold go for the back up pair. I carry mine in my jacket pocket or tucked into the side of my tights. I'm very partial to the soft shell mitten. Great wind protection and water resistance!”

KYLEANNE HUNTER

“So possibly a little bit of a cheat for a winter running hack... but there’s a coffee shop I love that’s about 8 miles away … My husband goes there for work meetings two mornings a week… they also make my favorite winter spice latte … so if I get my butt out of bed to run there, I get a latte, and a ride home!” 

ANNA WEBER

“I am not a dreadmill runner. On days I struggle to get out the door when it is cold, I tell myself to only run for 10 minutes, and I throw on an extra-warm layer. 9 times out of 10, though, I hit that 10th minute, ditch a layer, and realize I don't want to stop!”

DOM JACKSON

“Wearing the Lux Earband under the Flock Beanie. Warm up in the combo and when things get hot your ears stay warm with you take your beanie off.”

REBECCA TRACY

“Vests - virtually never too heavy of a layer to add but enough to block the wind and make you feel like you've actually bundled up to face the cold.”

COLLIER LAWRENCE

"Swap the water bottle for a hot water filled thermos post long run. Add a grapefruit slice... clutch. All about the vests. All about the puff. Quill and Vigor in constant rotation."

MARIA MICHTA-COFFEY

“Layers, layers, layers from head to toe, both for fingers and toes! After dynamic stretching in my house I'll hop on our spin bike for 5-10 min all bundled up (minus my hat, gloves, mittens, outer pants and vest) and get my blood pumping and core temp up. This way when I run out the door I'm ready to go with my warm layers AND have already built up a small buffer of warmth.”

TRISHA DROBECK

Get warm before you go out the door. Do 30 seconds of jumping jacks, burpees, squat jumps, dancing, indoors with all your warm #flystyle on before you brace the cold. You'll warm up much quicker.

JORDAN HAMRIC

“If you're a morning runner, wake up 30 minutes or so before your run for coffee, water, a bite to eat. It makes heading out into the cold a lot easier when you're awake! Also, put your watch on overtop and higher up on your sleeve. This way you aren't searching through layers to know when to start that next interval.”

MOLLY FRIEL

“I pick out my outfit the night before so I'm ready to roll with my beanie, headlamp and gloves.”

MEGAN ROLLAND

“Never second guess your decision to get out there. It's too easy to keep postponing a run with fingers crossed that the weather will get better. Stick to the time you set the day before and just get it done!”

HEIDI GREENWOOD

“In North Dakota, braving the cold means letting your car warm up to drive your to the gym and braving your workout on a treadmill. Safety first. Ice covered roads and -30 wind chill is not safe to run in. Treadmill workouts can help build mental toughness. #flystyle at the gym is hot too!”

MEL LAWRENCE

"Sometimes a long sleeve isn't enough, but a jacket is too much. My hack....wearing a tank top under my long sleeve for an extra layer against my core. That usually does the trick. If it's snowing or raining, I'll wear the vigor vest over the long sleeve instead of a tank under. Or just listening to my boyfriend, Matt, when it comes to winter wear. He's a nordic skier, so he has quite a few tricks up his sleeve....and he's always right (even if I try and fight it)."

DEVON YANKO

"Layers+Loops. When it's really cold out, I put on way to many layers then devise a route that lets me shed as I go!"

CAITLIN COMFORT

“Lately I've been wearing my Roga Track Pants over my Oiselle tights. Definitely helps me get out the door for some frigid Midwest miles.”

Good luck out their birds! Share your dangerous women, dangerous weather winter running photos with hashtag #oiselledwdw!

When it comes to using yoga for recovery, not all yoga is created equal. Restorative postures supported with props are a great way to unwind and relax deeply to optimize your recovery.

Yoga bolsters and blocks are great, but you’ve got all kinds of other props around your house, whether you realize it or not.

Hit up this restorative trifecta to open your chest and relax your hips and low back — all areas that need love post-run. Most important, embrace the opportunity to breathe deeply and find stillness.

RECLINED BUTTERFLY OVER PILLOW

• Grab a couple bed pillows.
• Sit down and pull your stacked pillow against your low back.
• Bring the soles of your feet together and let your thighs drop apart — wedge a book or a pillow under your knees for support if that feels uncomfortable.
• Lie back over your pillows (your butt stays on the floor), making sure your head is supported.
• Rest your arms along your sides with your palms facing up.
• Hold for 5 minutes.

BRIDGE OVER BOOKS

• Grab a couple books that are about 6-8 inches thick when stacked.
• Lie down with your knees bent, feel on the floor.
• Put your books under your butt.
• Rest your arms along your sides with your palms facing up.
• Hold for 5 minutes.

HAMMY STRETCH WITH BELT

• Lie down and bend your knees, putting your feet on the floor hip’s width apart.
• Lasso one foot with your belt and extend the leg toward the ceiling.
• Bend and stretch the leg a few times to help draw circulation into your hamstring before being still and deepening the stretch — be sure to keep a little bend in that knee.
• Hold for 5–10 deep breaths.

Bonus! Put your legs up your couch!

Make recovery count this month. Check out Jasyoga’s new Recovery Collection for more new routines to rest easy so that you can go hard in the new year.

Let's talk about the wings. Arms, what's up with them? What’s going on there while our legs are doing work? Why we should love them, take care of them, and nerd out over their awesome contribution to our activity? We asked our elite and self-proclaimed physiology nerd Shalaya Kipp. Here's what she found!

MEGAN: ARMS! WHAT ARE THEY GOOD FOR? GIVE US THE SCOOP!

SHALAYA: Have you ever tried to run without swinging your arms? Or tried to sync up your right leg swing with right arm swing? It is hard! So you guessed it, we need our arms! The purpose of swinging your arms is to counter act the angular momentum of your opposite leg. If you swing your left leg forward, without swinging your right arm forward (or using your abdominal muscles), then your body will continue to rotate. If you have ever stood up on a swivel office chair, you know that if the chair and your lower body starts spinning, most likely you will try to use your upper body to produce a torque (or rotational force) that will counter the direction of the spin. It’s the same idea with running, your opposite arm is producing a torque to counteract the angular momentum produced by your leg so you can run straight.

M: JUST LIKE EVERY RUNNER HAS A STRIDE - DOES EVERY RUNNER HAVE A SPECIFIC WING-GATE?

S: Out on the local Boulder creek there are all sorts of different ways people hold and swing their arms, and it seems to be working for them. Paula Radcliff, the women’s marathon world record holder, had a slightly asymmetrical arm swing, and look how fast she turned out. In general, I’d guess most people naturally pick the way of swinging their arms that minimizes energy cost. Meaning that the arm swing that comes naturally, or feels the most comfortable, is probably the most economical (or cheapest in terms of energy/calorie cost).   

M: CAN OUR ARMS MAKE US BETTER RUNNERS? FASTER RUNNERS? MORE EFFICIENT RUNNERS? HOW?

S: Word on the street is you should hold your elbows at 90 degrees and thumb needs to skim your pelvis and then go back up towards your nose. However I’m going to call bologna. In a 2014 study, researchers had runners adopt some funny arm positions while running: hands clasp behind their backs, chest, and on top of their heads. When runners ran with their arms behind them, essentially eliminating arm swing, the energetic cost of running (think calorie cost) only increased a mere 3% when compared to running with their normal arm swing. And when runners put their hands on their head, the energetic cost increased by 13% (Arellano & Kram, 2014). If these ridiculous ways of holding your arms barley increased the cost of running, you can imagine that the difference between holding your arms at 110 degrees vs. 90 degrees or 70 degrees vs. 90 degrees is miniscule. Chances are you probably you are already choosing the best way to hold your arms.

The four “funny” ways the researches at the University of Colorado had their subjects run (Arellano & Kram, 2014).

Another thing I hear a lot is that our arms must swing in the sagittal plane (forward, backward), without moving across our body. Like I mentioned earlier the purpose of swing our arms is to counter act the angular momentum of our legs. So I see nothing wrong with your arms going slightly across your body. However sprinting, which depends heavily on acceleration, is another story. This advice is for the distance runner.   

M: FOR THOSE OF US WHO'S ARMS "FLAIL" A LITTLE MORE THAN THEY FLY (ASKING FOR A FRIEND) WHAT SHOULD WE FOCUS ON WHILE WE TRAIN? 

S: Honestly, when it comes to arm swing form, I think it is best to just try and relax your arms so you don’t have excess tension. Then just let yourself fly without thinking too much about your wings! 

Reference:

Arellano, C. J., & Kram, R. (2014). The metabolic cost of human running: is swinging the arms worth it?. Journal of Experimental Biology, 217(14), 2456-2461.

When I’m asked for career advice, I have 2 standard responses. (I forget where I heard these first; I’ve had many great mentors).

1. When you lean your ladder against a house, assume you are going to get all the way to the top. Make sure you lean your ladder against the right house.

2. What do you like to do during the day? Like for actual chunks of time, the small activities that compose your day: talking on the telephone? internet searching? writing on a computer? writing with pen and paper? pacing? being outside? being alone? running? talking to one person or groups of people? looking at spreadsheets? organizing? vacuuming? driving? Make a life that allows you to fill your day with the little concrete chunks you intrinsically enjoy.

And then I feel wise. And then silly. Who am I to give advice? I am a family doctor! But, not currently. I’m not sure what I “am”. 

The medical profession is a weird one. It’s such a big up front commitment. You dedicate so much time and life force to it. So much so, that you must be a selfish idiot to leave it. But time is just sunk cost. Should that tie you to something for your entire life?

There are significant challenges at every step to becoming a doctor. Once you conquer one step, you are hand-led directly to the next one. For an achievement junkie, it’s an appealing treadmill. When I decided to go to med school I was 23. I’d just gotten married, was trying to run competitively, and kept getting injured. I knew I loved science, wanted to help people, and loved hard work. I wasn’t afraid of the challenge. Perfect match! 

I was a good med student. 5 years. I had my first 2 boys in medical school. I worked hard. I chose family medicine, because I loved the complexity of care and emotional intelligence required. I was a good resident. 3.5 years. I worked with the most amazing colleagues and patients. After residency, I had my 3^rd boy, and I continued to work with patients in need, who motivated me to be a better doctor. And I waited to understand what my life’s work would be. I was still searching. I went back to school and got a Masters in Public Health. I was still a good student. I published some health services research articles, continued working as a family doctor at a community health center, consulted for a non-profit health insurance company. 

One of my favorite profs in med school had a great definition for parenchyma. Parenchyma: the essential, distinctive, functional part of an organ, the bulk of a substance. She would tell us, “Parenchyma is the there, there.” I was looking for my existential parenchyma. 

And then I started running again, after 17 years off. And I felt more alive. Like being plugged in to a power socket. 

I met Sally, in October of 2010, on a long run. You know when you find your people? She is my people. I started helping out with various little Oiselle projects. Shenanigans. Because I loved it, because I couldn’t stay away. [Mac was witness when Sally first offered me keys to the office. I think I said I wasn’t ready. Awkward!]

I started working out again. On the track even. I could still scamper! I got super into running, got injured, rehabbed correctly and got back out there. 

I was still practicing medicine, teaching residents, doing some research writing, consulting, but my heart was pulled to running. To Oiselle. My there, there. 

One day I was evaluating applicants for a family medicine leadership award, and I stumbled onto the idea of the autotelic profession. The most sustainable profession for any individual is the one that is autotelic (meaning having an end or purpose in itself). Doing the thing that gives you flow, a state of intrinsic motivation, immersed in what you are doing, for the sake of the activity itself. Characteristics of the autotelic state: merging of action and awareness, sense of control, high concentration, loss of self-consciousness, decreased sense of time, the perfect balance between a challenge and your own set of skills. 

Aha! So maybe my career advice is decent, just applied to the functional AND cognitive level. What do I like to do every day? I like to spend some time outside every day, preferably running or at least moving my body. I like to talk with runners about their training, their struggles, their joys. I like to look things up, research data, organize random thoughts into to-do lists and emails. I like big projects that have a beginning, middle, and end. I like learning new skills. I like to think about the ways physical activity can transform people into better versions of themselves. I like to write. I like to draw stories out of people that normalize mental health struggles. I like to talk about feminism, and surround myself with people who challenge and improve me. I like to laugh. And have serious conversations. I like to wear ridiculous outfits and wear no makeup. I like to mobilize runners’ ankles and do Graston. I like to do different things every day. 

In early 2015, one of my boys became seriously ill. I found myself unable to be in a medical office, to listen to anyone else’s suffering. It was too much. I couldn’t bear it. I stepped away, for a “little break.” I haven’t returned yet. I am still a family doctor, but I’m not practicing right now, even after my son has returned to his life path. And I’m ok with that. 

What am I doing? Honestly, I don’t know. But I’m doing what I love. Every day I go into the Oiselle office, and time disappears. I try to empty my email inbox. I hand address some letters. I joke with Heather, I talk with the most amazing elite athletes, I scheme on grand girls’ athletic empowerment programs, I commune online with our Volée, I try on awesome athletic apparel and high-knee around the office, I work out with Sally, I look at beautiful graphics, I teach myself html coding, I ask Alisoune about a customer service issue, I get immersed in Google Analytics, I plan a fashion show, I text Fleshman, I write a blog intro, I organize a road race, I talk about birth control and kegels, I research group dynamics and organizational growth, I learn about web design. I’m in the flow. Every day is different, and I can’t wait for the next one. 

And what about the house that my ladder is leaning against? Well. Sometimes I imagine that my Oiselle house and my family medicine house will magically grow together. That I can point to the union and say, “See, it was meant all along and everything worked out just right! I did this and then this and then this and then everything made sense and I was at the top of both houses.” But all I know is that for right now, I am doing what I love. It has meaning to me, and that is enough. 

- Not the End

Sarah Lesko, MD, MPH

Corp. Dev., Oiselle 

We see you out there… flying high through strong winds, cold rain, frigid wind, and frosty snow. So we’re bringing #OiselleDWDW back. You're tough. And we want your pics, tips, and tricks for surviving winter running.

What’s #OiselleDWDW? Dangerous women, dangerous weather - it’s our reminder that when the weather gets tough, so do we. So celebrate those gritty miles and hashtag your DWDW moments - we’ll share the best of the best!

And to keep everyone running in any climate or conditions, we’re giving our all-weather-flyers 25% off wool and outerwear with the Winter Wings Sale through 12/12. So weatherproof those wings, woman up, and get dangerous! We can’t wait to see where your wings take you this winter!

Let's hear from HQ! We asked what #flystyle they're gifting and why... 

NELLE - EVERYONE, THE WAZZIE WOOL GAITER

You remember that slogan, "I want to give the world a coke"? I want to give the world a Wazzie Wool Gaiter. Seriously. Every single one of you (that's been a nice person this year). You can even fold it up and use it as a headband, and let the top of your head breathe as your run heats up. YOU get a Gaiter, YOU get a Gaiter, EVERYONE GETS A GAITER.

LESKO - FOR MY FRIENDS IN COLD PLACES, THE CAT LADY SCARF

This thing is genius. All of the fuzzy fleece, snuggles the neck, can pull over head for antisocial plane flights, and is super resilient against matting. Wash/dry. I'm giving this to all my best running buddies and family in cold places.

MEG - FOR MY FRIENDS, THE JOGGING KNICKERS

You can find me this holiday season replacing all of my friends' cotton leggings with a pair of our Jogging Knickers. Ultra flattering, supremely technical, wears well with everything, comes in black… what else could you ask for!

JESS - FOR MY SISTER, THE CALL HER JACKET

I would gift the Call Her Jacket to my sister Jarre, to keep her warm and looking fly on those cold Tennessee days!

MADDI Y - FOR MY MOM, GIFTED VERRA BRA

I would give the Gifted Verra Bra it to my mom because she exercises in the morning and sometimes keeps her workout clothes on for the rest of the day. She needs a comfortable, stylish, quick drying sports bra!

MAGGIE - FOR MY SISTER, THE CASHMERE SCARF

I am so excited to get my sister our amazing cashmere scarf. The fabric is so soft but also has a nice weight - which helps it hold its shape and makes it easy to style. It’s my favorite accessory!

SYDNEY - FOR MY COLLEGE TEAMMATE, THE KIMONO JACKET

The Kimono Jacket has become one of my favorite layers this season. It's ventilation in the back allows me to stay cool enough on hard efforts without over heating. It's also a great top layer in the cold, spitting rain here in Seattle. I love the two colors offered, but I'll be gifting the Burgen one to a college teammate this holiday season.

HEATHER - FOR MY BEST FRIEND, THE MUSCLE LONG SLEEVE

I’m gifting the Muscle Long Sleeve to my best friend Natalie. The combination of the ultra soft body fabric and delicate mesh paneling is a beautiful balance of strength and sophistication.The perfect fit for her personality.

JENN - FOR MY SON’S GIRLFRIEND, THE CAT LADY JACKET

I'm gifting the Cat Lady Jacket to my 16 year old son's girlfriend - she loves everything that's super soft and snuggly!

BETH - FOR MY DAD, THE AMERICAN RUNNER TRUCKER HAT

American Runner Trucker Hat for my Dad! My Dad is the reason I got into running, and I have trained alongside him for multiple marathons. I would love to be able to put him in some fly style, and to have him wear this proudly!

KAMI - FOR MY SISTER, THE LUX RAGLAN LONGSLEEVE

I'm going to gift the lux raglan long sleeve to my sister. I've always personally loved the lux layer and the raglan version is just slightly updated to make it just that much more flattering! It's a style that can easily be worn for any occasion and let's be real, when it comes to gifting, you can't go wrong with anything Lux!

BRENDA - FOR MY SISTER, THE LUX ORAGAMI SWEATSHIRT

One of my absolute favorite pieces this season is our Lux Origami Sweatshirt in black. The softness and versatility behind this gorgeous designs makes it a must have and a must gift item. My sister can expect to find one of these under her tree this year. As a busy mother of two, the Lux Origami can get her to work and to the gym with zero fuss.

HANNAH - FOR MY TRAINING PARTNER, THE VIGOR VEST

I'm gifting the Vigor vest to my training partner/roommate/A1 since day one! Its combination of water resistance and breathability is almost as magical as the holiday season itself. Plus she wore my vest for a run and not-so-subtly repeatedly mentioned how she would love one so I think it's a safe bet.

MADDIE S - FOR MY FAVE RUNFRIEND, THE JANE JOHN LEGGINGS & FLOCK BEANIE

This holiday season I'm gifting my favorite person to run with, Karen, the Wazzie Wool Jane John Leggings + Flock Beanie. She is a monster on the ski slopes and enjoys wearing a hat to tame her wild curls. She will be ready for the snow and stay warm during outdoor beverages at the base of the mountain. The leggings are also perfect under work pants when winter rolls around in Washington, DC.

JESS R - FOR MY ROOMMATE, THE CASHMERE BEANIE 

I'm gifting the Cashmere Beanie to my roommate. It's such a classic (and soft!) accessory that is perfect for the colder weather!

RACHEL - FOR MY BEST FRIEND, THE GIRLS IN THE HOODIE

I’m giving my Girls in the Hoodie to my best friend Taylor to keep her cozy and warm while walking to class!

Hello, my name is Natalie, and I am a binge eater. It took me many years to realize this about myself; that I had an eating disorder, and more importantly, that I had an unhealthy obsession with my weight. I truly believed that if I was thin, I would be confident, happy and accepted by everyone. I didn’t recognize when I was younger that there was more to me as a person than my weight or my appearance. I realize this sounds shallow, but at the time, my utter lack of self confidence was the crippling factor in how I interacted with people. I don’t believe my lack of confidence came from binge eating, or that my binge eating was a result of my lack of confidence. It was more like a cycle. I ate because I was unhappy, I was unhappy because I was fat, I was fat because I ate because it made me feel better about being unhappy.

When I was 25 years old, I weighed 289 pounds. I wanted more for myself, but I did not believe I could achieve better, or even deserved it. I had a breaking point though, but it was not an enlightening moment where it dawned on me how heavy I had actually become; it was when I left my husband. I moved out, took on a second job, and was so busy that I did not have time to obsess over my next meal or even how I looked. I lost thirty pounds quickly. Intrigued, I began a food journal, and I began to research nutrition. I started to understand how I had gained so much weight.

I remember the power I felt over my life the first time I stopped eating when I was full, or even when I ate because I was actually hungry, and not because there were two bags of chips and cookies laying around. Eating was how I tried to control my life; not continuing to eat was how I gained control of my life. Years of heartbreak and obsession slowly dissolved and life opened up to other possibilities. If I could overcome the way I looked at food and the way I saw myself, what else could I achieve for myself?

I had a dark secret, I wanted to be an athlete, and at my lowest point, I didn’t believe that was something I could ever be. When I was in high school, I ran a season of cross country. It was the first and only sport I ever participated in. I usually placed dead last at all the meets, and whether it was true or not, I felt like the team did not want me there. I didn’t return for the next season. After conquering my food and weight demons, I attacked my confidence demons. Age 29 became my new cross country season.

My journey in better health started with self love, a nutrition plan, weight lifting and journaling. I stopped focusing on what I wasn’t, and instead decided on who I wanted to be. I wanted to be someone who got up early and worked out, someone who could run ten+ miles, someone that could achieve the things they set their heart to and weigh less than what they put on their driver’s license. In that time my husband and I reconciled, it’s amazing how open you are to loving someone else when you actually like yourself!

It did take some time before I finally gained the courage to really try running again though. I was afraid. I had failed at running before, not because I didn’t try, but because I didn’t believe in myself then. Feeling determined one afternoon I bought a pair of neon blue Asics, I felt fierce with them on. That night I told my husband I was going to start running. He didn’t believe me. Not because he didn’t support me, but because I had never really followed through on anything I wanted for myself before. The next morning I went out to pound the pavement.

The first thing I learned about running was that it was hard. The second thing I learned about running was nothing feels more gratifying than the first time you run a mile without stopping. The third thing I learned about running was the first mile of a seven mile run sucks, every time, but then you conquer it and you’re a complete badass because you’re accomplishing the goals that you set for yourself. The fourth thing I learned about running is that your coworkers do not necessarily want to talk about your negative splits or your supportive shoes, and telling them: “I ran 12 miles this weekend” kind of sounds pretentious. The most important thing I learned from running was how much I actually love myself. I wanted to be a runner, and it took hours of running/walking, feeling victorious, feeling insanely sore, feeling beaten and triumphant at the same time before I finally felt like I earned that title.

When I started running as an adult, I had a moment where I realized that to propel my 200 pound body (now 170!!!!) for any distance, at any speed I had to continue to love myself, and I had to have mental toughness. The doubt I sprinkled over everything in my life needed to be silenced and replaced. “You are a warrior, you are strong.” My favorite mantra came when I felt proud of myself for the first time ever. Now, when I am on a tough run, I tell myself “I am so proud of you, you just did that, you didn’t give up on yourself.” 

This new strength carried over to other aspects of my life, and I changed from a dreamer to someone who forged and earned their own path. I ran my first 5k as an adult last October. My goal was to run it in under 45 minutes. I crushed that goal and ran it in 39:10:15. I placed third in my age group. I remember it being so hard to show up at that race, I was terrified, I felt like I didn’t belong. I had to remind myself that thought process never helped me move forward before, and it was not going to help me at that race. It never occurred to me that I could be competitive, and that I would enjoy it. I signed up for three more races after that.

Racing taught me that I had the potential to really break the mold I had created for myself, and it helped me crush my confidence demons. It also showed me that the person who shows up on race day is the version of me I like the most. In October of 2015 I ran that first 5k. October 2016 I ran my first half marathon, I want to run a full marathon in 2018. I basically want to run until someone has to peel me off the sidewalk…as long as they pause my Garmin first. Racing and competition lit a new fiery confidence in me that I had never experienced before. During the summer, while feeling nervous and daring, I put my name on the waitlist for Oiselle. I was ready to join a team again, as a strong, confident, 30 year old woman who decided that she wanted to be a part of something bigger than herself. When I got the email that Volée had opened, I said goodbye to my self doubt and fear and went for it. And I cannot wait to rock my singlet at my next race in January, because I have never been more proud of myself and am so excited to be a part of a group of strong, courageous women that kick serious ass.

Hello, my name is Natalie, and I am a lot of things. But mostly, I am strong.

- Natalie Fixler    

Anna Willard, Oiselle Haute Volée and one of the all-time greatest American middle distance runners, has had her share of ups and downs. Anna is an Olympian and previous American Record holder in the steeplechase, with PR's of 1:58.80 in the 800m and 3:59.38 in the 1500m(!!!!). Anna, like many of us, has experienced the frustrations of injury and inability to compete. As part of our ongoing series The Flyway, Anna takes us through her return to badassery in 2016 and beyond.

For as long as I’ve been running, autumn has been a time to reflect and set new goals for the coming 12 months. Typically this involved celebrating what I had accomplished the previous year and dreaming about what I would conquer next. For so many seasons, no goal was too big, too ambitious or too unrealistic. I loved and anticipated the arrival of cooler air and changing leaves; I felt like Dr. Evil as I began plotting my world domination with unbridled determination!

But then came a fall where I hadn’t achieved my previously set goals. And then another fall came with the same result. And then another. Had I reached my potential? Were those times of badassery a thing of the past? Was I doomed to forever be a hamster on a wheel of injuries? That last one - the thought of purgatory - was the last straw. In the spring 2015, I hung up my track spikes, albeit with great sadness, and walked away from competitive running after three years of struggling with injuries.

I knew I needed to change, but I couldn’t quite let go of life as I knew it. Leaving behind my identity as Anna-The-Professional-Runner was always anything but a smooth transition. Running had been my best friend through the last two decades, a comforting daily ritual, and without it I felt rudderless. Then came the fall of 2015, and the brisk air brought that familiar ache, an undeniable desire to crush PRs.

So at the start of 2016 I came out of retirement swinging; with a Rocky-esque zeal I attacked training and hoped I could not only achieve what I had in the past but somehow surpass it. Months tumbled by, fitness and confidence growing, and suddenly summer was upon me. I arrived at races excited to feel that old fire in my belly and that innate swagger that once earned me the nickname of "The Peacock". I stood on the line nervous, but something was missing. Racing and training was still fun and exciting, but it wasn’t everything anymore.

Once the dust settled, I expected to feel disappointment. With great surprise, instead, there was a sense of calm and self-acceptance, one I may not have ever achieved had I not strived to make another Olympic Team. I can now acknowledge my impressive running resume without that voice in my head saying, “It wasn’t good enough. I can do better. I will medal next time.” I felt peace with what I achieved on the track, and an acceptable that greatness comes in many forms through the phases of life.

Expressing myself through movement and physicality has always been a fundamental part of who I am. As a result, running had become the primary way I defined myself. Now I can say that it is simply something that I do, not all that I am. These days, through coaching, Crossfit, hiking, and yoga I can now equally satisfy that urge to move, fight and sweat.

Whether I was ready or not, fall showed up right on schedule this year. Like every time before, I reflected and then set my sights for the coming year. But unlike every time before, I did so after opening my eyes and looking around my life and seeing how full and rich it has become. No longer is it only about me and what this body can achieve. I feel connected to so many communities: the women of Oiselle, Crossfit Merrimack, the running athletes who I coach, the Grenier family that I am now a part of. It’s hard to put into words how much my life has changed in such a seemingly short time. This autumn, I finally had a feeling of living the life I was meant to live, even if it was not the life I ever imagined for myself.

But I still run. And sometimes I still run hard. Because I love it, and I always will. Recently, I suited up and raced my local Turkey Trot, surprising myself by running 30 seconds faster than I had last year. Because who wants to be a Turkey when you can unleash The Peacock?

- Anna Willard

If you've been wondering all season... WWKGG (what would Kara Goucher Gift)? We've got the list! 

KIMONO JACKET

I will be sending a Kimono jacket to my grandmother. It is nice and lightweight with an easy zipper. And she doesn’t like anything too long, so it is the perfect length!

MUSCLE LONG SLEEVE


I will be gifting my coach Heather with the Muscle Long Sleeve. This is a great shirt for her. She can wear it with boots and jeans one day and then run in it the next.

CAT LADY SCARF

My aunt Davorka will be receiving the Cat Lady scarf. My aunt lives in Manhattan and walks everywhere. She also has impeccable taste. I know she will love the warmth of this scarf and the stylish vibe. She’s going to rock it.


LUX RAGLAN SHORT SLEEVE

My mom will be getting the Lux Raglan Short Sleeve. This is one of her favorite Oiselle pieces ever and so she needs it in every color! She loves the soft luxurious feel of the fabric and the flattering cut.

LOGO POM BEANIE

My sisters will be gifted the Logo Pom Beanie. These hats are a perfect throwback to our old hats back in the day that we love and miss. This might be the most perfect hat ever made for someone who grew up in the cold. They will love it to pieces! 

Think about the last time you raced. Not the last race you participated in, but the last race you really raced. I’m talking salt-and-snot covered face, can’t walk the next day racing. Where you put it all out there for everyone to see. In these moments of extreme effort, we’re vulnerable – physically and mentally. But you also don’t pretend these moments were easy. No, you show the world just how hard you worked. You wore all your training on the outside, and it showed. Some people praised this effort, cheering you on, encouraging you in your pain and facial distortions. Some recoiled in your aftermath, afraid that the salt/sweat/snot/blood mix from your exertion may rub off on them. But you know you put it all out there. 

In racing, we see this as normal. We toe the line to put ourselves out there, ugliness and all. It’s expected. But what about off the track? When have you last put yourself out there – in all your ugly, hard working glory – to be vulnerable, even if only with the slightest hope of “winning”? This is much harder. As women, we feel comfortable, even confident, letting our legs do the talking on the racecourse, but still often feel reserved doing it in our daily lives. 

Hopefully this post will help inspire you to speak out a little more – to put yourself out there in life as in a race. 

Though naturally an introvert, I am not shy about speaking out and putting myself out there. Whether it is talking about my rape, combat-related PTSD, being one of the first women to break into a previously all-male occupation, politics, or religion, I am comfortable speaking my mind, taking a stand, and letting it all hang out on the racecourse that is life. 

This wasn’t always the case, however. While in the military, I remained very tight-lipped about my own experiences and opinions. Partially out of restrictions on speech placed on me due to my positions*, and partially out of trying to find my own footing and voice, I remained quiet on many things that were important to me.     

While there were very real restrictions placed on me, my real hesitation was that I didn’t believe that I was ready. Much like toeing the line for a big race and thinking that the competition is much more deserving to be there than you, I believed that I was insignificant in the race of life. Who was I to inspire people?  Who was I to have an opinion worthy of discussion, debate, and perhaps persuasion? I’m no Elizabeth Warren, or even an Elizabeth Gilbert. I haven’t written a best seller, and Julia Roberts sure hasn’t played me in the story of my life. 

But a funny thing happened when I stopped comparing myself to my competition and started to metaphorically run my own race. I realized that people did want to listen. I realized that all the pain – whether sexual trauma, moral and psychological combat trauma, the sleepless nights trying to figure out how to fit in to my squadron – had actually been building me up to be a better advocate. Just like a muscle that’s been broken down by training and come back stronger, so has my heart and passion for being vocal. Where there was once pain and bitterness, there is now passion and empathy. In addition to a robust social media following, I now regularly contribute to the media and public speaking events. 

However, this does not mean that it has been easy. Women, in particular, are susceptible to ridicule and backlash in public forums. In the last few weeks alone, I have received rape threats and praises for my rape. I have been told that my days are numbered. I have been called ugly and disgusting, and had my gender and relationships questioned. This is an unfortunate reality for women who dare to break the stereotype of the demure feminine. But it is a reality that can be changed. The more of us that step up and refuse to accept that our place is silence, the more normal our public participation will become. So step out, and, more importantly, amplify those women who do. 

If this little piece has inspired you to give speaking out a try, I present to you three simple rules to help you be successful.

1. Speak from the heart and the head. While it is true that you can only speak out about those things you care about, you also need to be informed when doing it. Passion based in fallacy will disappoint, and even cause harm. Just as you can’t fuel a marathon on a diet of Twinkies and cotton candy, your public persona can’t be based on just what makes you feel good. Dig deep into the issues that your experience drives you to be passionate about. Do your homework. Your passion is only going to be enhanced when rooted in some objective truth.
2. Build an amplification network. No one can be an advocate alone. Just like you need a coach, some pacers, and a cheering squad, you need people who you know are going to have your back, even when you start feeling down. This is especially true if you choose to engage in social media where faceless trolls will make sport out of mocking a woman they don’t know. Build a trusted network of supporters who will come to your side (making sure they’re armed with both passion and facts) so you don’t have to do all the heavy lifting on your own.
3. Be respectful, but firm. Speaking out and being passionate doesn’t mean you have to be a jerk. Especially in today’s political and social climate, emotions and tensions are high. Being kind, or at least nodding towards inclusivity, helps spark conversation. However, don’t be a pushover.  Stand your ground, especially when you know you’re right. Listen, but don’t necessarily accept, differences in opinions. Cultivate yourself as a space where respectfulness is expected, even if opinions are not always the same. 

I truly believe that we are in a time when women speaking out is going to make all the difference. From breaking the cycle of rape culture, to bringing mental health to the forefront, to saving our precious natural resources, women are key catalysts to change. We have experiences in all these areas that diverge from the patriarchal norms, bringing fresh perspectives to ever important topics. Now is not the time to be silent. Let us together face these contentious times with our heads up and wings out. 

- Kyleanne Hunter 

*Note: I am a firm believer in the political restrictions placed on active duty military personnel. There is an important civil-military relationship that shouldn't be compromised. 

Connect and learn more about Kyleanne here.