Nine Years, Two Kids, One PR, and Some Unfinished Business

Nine Years, Two Kids, One PR, and Some Unfinished Business

Racing

By: Haute Volée, Becki Spellman

After the 2009 Twin Cities Marathon, I remember thinking "I’ll run fast soon"...I knew the day had gone wrong and I was pissed. I cried, sure I had run a PR, but I was ready for a bigger day. I angrily packed my bags, hung my head, and left the 2009 Twin Cities/USATF Championship race upset. I hated not showing my fitness. As years passed, I regretted not enjoying my PR.

becki_spellman_1.png

This summer I decided to stop thinking about who I have been, and start working toward who I want to become, to let go of the things that weighed me down. I stopped worrying about if I would ever PR again, and instead began training to see what I was capable of now. As fall settled in it seemed I had finally turned the corner I had longed for, and when the Richmond 1/2 came around my fitness was there, and I was ready to tackle my goal races of the season. Nine years, two kids, and at age 35...  during 11th mile of the 2018 Richmond half marathon I knew for certain was going to run my first PR since that day in 2009 at Twin Cities. Nine f**king years. It was about time!  I couldn't have been more excited for California International Marathon (CIM) a few weeks later. I knew I was ready for a big day there.  

Seven days out from the race I got a cold. I rested and hydrated knowing I would be fine by race day. For some reason, I wasn't worried, even with a cold I felt I could run a strong race. I toed the line feeling a little off, but still optimistic. Mile 4 came, and I knew my worst fear was going to unfold. My arms ached, my ears were pulsing, and my face was on fire despite the perfect temps. I regrouped, knowing I just needed to stay calm and see what I could do. Mile 10, I convinced myself I was going to be fine. Mile 14 I could feel my body really start to fall apart. I felt terrible and I was losing touch with even being on pace for a PR. I started to contemplate if it was worth it to end up more sick. At mile 16 I stopped knowing this was not the fitness I wanted to show, and I needed to save myself for a shot on another day without the risk of 4+ weeks off. My heart hurt. I would have been thrilled with my 25k split as a full race, only a few years ago, and though I was/am bummed not to be able to show my fitness I choose to smile in light of where I am, and who I am working to become. 

becki_spellman_half_finish.pngBecki Finishing the RIchmond Half in 1:14:55

I came home knowing I should see a Dr. as the cold was lingering a bit long. I was sure she would tell me I had to ride it out. Much to my surprise, I found out I had pneumonia. I was shocked and abundantly glad I made a rational decision to stop when I did. 

As I work to become the version of myself I dream about (in life and in PR's), I choose to find the good in CIM weekend. I got to spend time with my Volée teammates. I was able to run with some wonderful women for 16 miles. I was thrilled, and smiled until my face hurt, watching so many friends and strong women run the Olympic Trials standard! I soaked in all the good and left the bad in Sac Town. 

Hopefully my next PR will come this spring.. maybe my next PR is years away, but I will embrace the growth, and be willing to fight with the devil and go down swinging. I'll continue to listen to my body and believe in this feeling that I can do more in the sport than I have. 

0

Primary Subcategory

Racing - Races
December 13, 2018 — Allyson Ely
Two Fast Halves Make a Fast Whole.. And an OTQ

Two Fast Halves Make a Fast Whole.. And an OTQ

oiselle running hannah calvert
Racing

Picture this… It’s race day, the legs are feelin’ good, you’re cruising along in an effortless motion, nothing can stop you and you end up running your fastest 13.1 of the year.

BUT... your race still isn't over, which is fine because you're feeling yourself. These are legs of pure power. You run an even faster half than the first, in fact you PR'd. Aka you now have a massive marthon PR and the big ol’ OTQ.

Well, as far-fetched as that may sound, it’s exactly what happened to Volée team member, Cate Barrett, at CIM last weekend, so naturally we have to hear all about it.


Training prep and highlights 

I started my CIM build in June this year, but I was dreaming about running the OTQ for a year and a half before that. I had been injured in 2016, so for 2017 I just wanted to train healthy and find out if I liked marathons. I ended up running three in the span of 8 months, so I guess the answer was yes! My PR before this weekend was a 2:54, that I ran at CIM in 2017. 

My weekly training plan for this year’s race was pretty typical: a midweek speed workout, a long run, and easy runs. I run with an awesome local group, Rogue Running, for the workouts and long runs. The speed workouts were a mix of intervals, hills, fartleks, and tempos. They consisted of 3-5 miles of “work” at 5K to half marathon paces. The long runs followed a three week cycle: easy long run (16-22 miles), workout long run (same distances, but with workouts included), and 12 mile drop week runs. My easy days were 6-10 miles, and I average 7:45-8:30 pace for easy runs. 

In total, I logged between 40 and 55 miles per week. I lifted weights twice a week, and I occasionally swam and went to yoga. My only other training was biking to work about 25 minutes each way. 

I’m surprised that this training approach has been as successful as it has, for a couple key reasons. 

First, the program is relatively easier than what I’ve done in the past. I only run 5 days a week, which provides wiggle room when work gets hectic or if my body needs to recover. I call this my “minimum viable product” training methodology, which is a term I stole from the software startup world. The idea is that you just do enough to validate that your plan is working. If it sticks, you can keep going and keep improving. 

The second reason I’m surprised this worked is that I barely did anything that made the goal (6:15 pace for 26 miles) seem possible. I ran two halves earlier in the year, and I only ran 1:24 and 1:26. So I was supposed to double those distances, and run them faster? Right. Well, since I live in Texas, a lot of my training was done in warm weather. We slowed my marathon goal pace to 6:30 / mile for long run workouts. But I couldn’t even hit that until mid-October. For most of my training cycle, I felt dumb for being as blindly hopeful as I was. Nothing on paper was indicating this was possible. But I knew that other women who had similar PRs to me had run the OTQ, and I knew I was training a lot harder than I had the year before. So I kept grinding and hoped it would all work out. 

How I felt going in: 

Thankfully, once we turned the corner into real fall in Texas, my workouts started getting faster. I hit 10 miles at race pace in a long run workout one day, then I raced a hilly 10-miler at 6:04 pace. Those performances made the goal seem more doable.

Also, my coach Chris ended up having the same goal time for CIM as me. We decided to run together. One of the things I appreciate about his coaching is how level-headed he is, which contrasts well with my hyped-up “SQUIRREL!” personality that comes out on race day. Knowing he’d be on the course gave me a lot of confidence that I could weather the mental ups and downs of a race. 

Race thoughts and feelings. 

The race went very, very well. I almost can’t explain how good I felt. I’m not sure if you can do anything to make these kinds of days happen, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to let it slip away. I locked into my pace after two miles. I didn’t care what other women were doing. My job was to stick with Chris, at 6:15s. I felt anxious at first, but after 3 or 4 miles I realized that I was feeling better and better every mile.

blog_cate_barrett_1.png

There was a couple from Alabama running nearby us. Kelsey, the wife, was wearing a striped blackbird crop so I said hi. Her husband was pacing her, and we traded a few jokes. It was only mile 9 but we felt so, so good. We were practically giddy. I’ve never laughed out loud in a marathon before. 

 We crossed the half in 1:22. I tried to keep my excitement under wraps, but I allowed myself a fist pump and to brag “That’s my fastest half marathon in three and a half years!” 

I was really looking forward to miles 16-20, because it’s downhill and has some lovely tree cover. Then I was excited for 20-26 because I wanted to turn on the burners and race. Chris cracked a smile (his first possibly) at mile 17. “We’re gonna do this, Chris,” I told him. And at that point, I knew it. I felt so good. 

I was itching to get faster, and I was starting to feel other women pulling up and passing us around mile 21. We crossed that marker at 6:20, just a hair over our goal pace. We were going to start our fast close at 22, but I whined, “That felt slow.” 

“You should go,” Chris said. 

“Really?” I asked. I didn’t want to leave him, but we’d talked about this moment for either of us. 

“Find your rhythm,” he said. So I took off. 6:05. 

I crossed the last bridge, from Fair Oaks Blvd. into east Sacramento, waving at the spin class rocking out and cheering there. I headbanged a little to their music and got lightheaded. I knew I was going to qualify. But now, how fast? 

6:04. 

I hit the Oiselle cheer station close to 24. I waved excitedly. I was afraid people were going to think I was having too much fun and wasn’t running hard enough. So, I ran a little harder. But I kept smiling.

6:04. 

I barely remember a thing from the last five miles of CIM in 2017. Tunnel vision had set in. But this year I was soaking it all in. The crowds. Big buildings. The little shops lining the streets. The fall colors. 

6:09. 

I wanted it to be over, for sure, but I was still having a lot of fun. I danced a little every time I heard music. 

6:08.

You don’t need to look at your watch at mile 26 of a marathon, but I did. Validation. Now, kick! I hit those last two sharp turns where it feels like your legs will buckle after doing nothing but running in a straight line for 26 miles. And then, the finish.

Finish

cate_finish_cim.png

Running it in, I gave three “f**k yeahs” a la Shalane winning NYC--and like Sarah Mac OTQing here a few years ago. Serious everywoman inspiration. I envisioned this moment so many times. It gave me chills back then. At the race, it was just exuberance. I put my hands up like I won a gold medal. My friend James, one of the most encouraging running buddies I’ve had, was there waiting. We hugged. I screamed. I turned around and saw my Rogue friend Sarah Rimel finishing, also in an OTQ. You can hear me in her finisher’s video. It’s loud. “SARAH!” I yelled, hands up again.

We scooped her off the ground and into a hug. “We’re going to the Olympic Trials,” she said. 

Rogue-Runners.png

And we screamed again. An emotional release. I started coughing because I had a cold earlier this week. We caught teammate after teammate through the chute. 2:48 for our first-timer, Katie. 2:49 for Beck, an 11-minute PR. 2:52 for my workout partner, Kaitlyn, a 7 minute PR. James had ran a 7 minute PR too, 2:36. 

It was a blur. I tried to call my mom, but she didn’t pick up. I kept seeing more and more of my Rogue teammates. How did you feel? Way to go! There’s hot soup over there. My feet hurt. Where’s the massage tent? We need a photo. We need another photo. There’s Jake! He’s got tears in his eyes. 

And then again, because it didn’t get old, we’re going to the Trials! 

blog_cate_barrett_3.png

Post-race mindset.

I’m extremely encouraged by Sunday’s race result. I haven’t decided what I’m running next. Everything sounds fun, from racing the 1500 on the track, to blowing my half PR away (1:21:30, technically...I beat it in the second half of the race), to shooting for the A standard in the marathon, to trying a trail ultra. I just love this sport so much. Fortunately, now that I have the qualification, I have some more flexibility.

Loosely, I want to be as competitive as possible at the 2020 Trials. I doubt the course will be as fast as CIM, but with the 11-minute improvement I made last year, I think chasing 6-7 minutes faster is realistic. Why the hell not? I think there are a lot of routes I can take to that improvement, so I’m not worried about the specifics for now. 

Runners are notorious for never being satisfied and believing that they can do more. That used to depress me, but now I’m looking at that as a blessing. It keeps feeding into a growth mindset. I do think you should celebrate your victories along the way, but I’ve been doing that. I was so happy just to win a dog 5k last year. I was happy to run my first 50 mile week in two years earlier this summer. Running this qualifier is of course thrilling, and I can’t wait to compete at the Trials, but I know that it’s not gonna be my end point. 

CATE BARRETT

0

Primary Subcategory

Racing - Races
December 11, 2018 — Allyson Ely
2018 Club Cross Country Championships - A Photo Essay

2018 Club Cross Country Championships - A Photo Essay

jess barnard oiselle
Racing

IMG_6320_blog1.jpg

“I’ve done everything I can to get the team ready. I’ve done everything I can think of to avoid getting a cramp. Now relax and go have fun doing what you love!” - Lauren

IMG_6429_blog2.jpg

"My body remembers how to do this. My brain remembers how to do this." - Collier

IMG_6487_blog5.jpg

IMG_6514_blog6.jpg

"Oh cross country, my old friend, we meet again! It’s been a little while since I’ve been a seriously competitive cross country runner, but I figured why not go for it!" - Rebecca

IMG_6553_blog7.jpg

"Every so often, I feel like a little piece of my puzzle goes into place. Pieces that were removed years ago that I've been working on finding again... I can't always say the exact moment that it happens, but I'll realize that something has clicked in my training, and it's a good thing..." - Mel

IMG_6589_blog8.jpg

"There was a stillness in the air, just after the start, that was filled with only the sound of hundreds of feet tromping and spiking the ground, propelling their way to the first turn. I like to call it the eye of the storm- you're complete surrounded by chaos but occasionally you find yourself immersed in an eerie but comforting calm..." - Collier

IMG_6690_blog12.jpg

"I kept saying “just run in your own groove and work up through the field.” - Lauren

IMG_6699_blog11.jpg

"Everything was very nostalgic across all the senses. This was my first cross country meet since college - so it was a constant wave of figuring things out again and being absolutely delighted. The nerves were still there, so that was good! And as the gun went off, I instinctively thought "elbows out!" - Carrie

IMG_6715_blog13.jpg

"It’s always somewhat terrifying lining up against some of the most elite athletes in our sport. This is not your local 5k! But it’s also such an honor to race in a field with so much talent." - Cathleen

IMG_6746_blog16.jpg

"I recognize not very long into the race, it’s not my best day physically. When Lauren passed me around mile 3, it jolted me back into the race mentally. I remember thinking, it’s a team effort, I need to finish this for my Little Wing teammates. Buck up!" - Rebecca

IMG_6760_blog18.jpg

IMG_6778_blog19.jpg

"I felt like I was in a continual loop of being overwhelmed and in complete awe of the rest of the team. I knew Mel was racing well, because they kept announcing her as being in the lead pack. Lauren got off the line like the gritty b!tch she is and didn't look back. Rebecca was completely out of sight the entire time. I got to watch Collier up ahead and on the turns - racing strong and happy. What a joy to be a part of it all." - Carrie

IMG_6789_blog20.jpg

"Oiselle has created an awesome community of women, so not matter how your day goes, the race is over in under 30 minutes and you’ll be showered with hugs and high fives from teammates." - Cathleen 

IMG_6795_blog21.jpg

Kayla Boyles, Oiselle Volée

IMG_6809_blog22.jpg

Jess Graham, Oiselle Volée

IMG_6812_blog23.jpg

Wendi Hawley, Oiselle Volée

IMG_6728_blog14.jpg

Emily Brain, Oiselle Volée

IMG_6846_blog24.jpg

"A few days before the race I told Collier and Matt that I felt like something was happening in my training. Something with my fitness. And it scared me. But it was good. So leading into the race I felt surprisingly confident and calm. More so than I have in a really long time. I know this won't always be the case, but I'm going to keep rolling with the calm confidence that is going on in my head and body right now." - Mel

IMG_6855_blog25.jpg

Sammy George, Haute Volée

IMG_7007_blog26.jpg

IMG_7029_blog27.jpg

“I love this team! I love cross country! And I’m proud of myself for embracing this new stage of my running and being positive and going for it!” - Lauren

IMG_7147_blog28.jpg

IMG_7186_blog29.jpg

Congratulations to Mel on a 3rd place podium finish and to Team Little Wing on their 6th place overall team finish! And now is the best time to announce that Carrie Mack has officially joined Team Little Wing! Can't wait to watch you fly, Carrie! 


Head up wings out, gritty b!tches! 

jess barnard signature.png

0

Primary Subcategory

Racing - Races
December 10, 2018 — Allyson Ely
Top 20 #ItsARunnerThing Things

Top 20 #ItsARunnerThing Things

oiselle running hannah calvert
Social

runer_thing_hero.png

We put a call out to the runners – whether it’s running until your watch hits exactly .00, or being a brunch connoisseur… we wanted to know, what’s your #itsarunnerthing. 

Here's to the tweets that make us feel a little less weird, and a little less alone,


1. When you see someone out running but you haven’t gotten your run in yet and you’re filled with run envy. - @oiselle_sally

2. Having 100 pairs of black tights that look almost identical but no, those aren’t the ones I’m looking for... - @AMooreRD

3. Feeling oddly satisfied when that black toenail finally falls off - @dalvarad

4.

- @alijsch

5. Convincing every person you know to start running (I swear, all you need is sneakers, just try it!) So far, my 62 year-old mother and anti-running husband. - @katiebutnot

6. Calling 5AM track workouts your "happy hour." - @imdamnirony

7. Knowing exactly how far it is from your house to the stoplight, gas station, big tree, corner store, big hill, etc. - @RunWineOpine

8. Uses jigsaw as a massage tool - @cain.joh

9. When your friends don’t recognize you because you aren’t wearing your running clothes (for once, lol) – @UltraRunFamily

10. When you ALWAYS drink warm water/tea/coffee prior to every run to make sure you poop first - @achasembiring

11. 4 loads of laundry per week for two people - @mkeys724

12. Giving up all heels and replacing with comfy flats bc your calves and ankles can’t be tired for your workout later.  - @JessicaLynn724

13. Spending WAY more on running apparel than on work apparel... and trying to figure out how the running items can be worn to work.

14. Best part of long runs? Pre-planned post long run loungewear, stretching in the shower and outside showers in the summer. - @pjrunnermom

15. Knowing aaaalllllll the public toilets around your route by memory, including opening/closing times and seasonality... and having a couple favorites! - @dalvarad

16. Shoes for everyday runs, trail runs, long runs, race day, cross training, snowy runs, work days and “dressy” days. – SueZeeEff

17. Running a mile while you’re in labor so you can say you ran the day your son was born. - @katieallenclark

18. When you sacrifice washing your hair for another day of dry shampoo in order to hit your mileage for the day - @ashcantski

19. Going to bed in your running clothes to make the early morning, before sunrise run just a wee bit easier. - @ForLoveOfTheRun

20. Watching the New York and Boston marathons like some people watch the Super Bowl - @arjhenson


Yes to all of it. Keep claiming your #itsarunnerthing with pride!

Hannah_signature_0.jpg

0

Primary Subcategory

Training - Run
December 07, 2018 — Allyson Ely
Psychedelic Rock is My Race Day Vibe

Psychedelic Rock is My Race Day Vibe

oiselle running hannah calvert
Racing

You ever listened to The Growlers? If not, get out of here and go on Spotify, you’ll thank me later. That’s all I listened to the week before my race. Between the song Heaven and Hell, and When the Going Gets Tough, it was all the mental preparation I needed. Psychedelic Surf Rock is definitely my race day vibe.

To be honest I’ve never gotten really nervous for races. I just don’t take myself too seriously… not to say I don’t take my running serious, or my training, and my goals serious, but I like to show up to the start with a make-it-a-groovy-time attitude, instead of a this-is-it attitude.

Kind of like the classic LF quote “make your race a playground, not a proving ground”.

I relate HARD to that. I’m not a pro, I’m no longer in college with a coach to give me a pat on the back after a successful workout or race. There are ZERO expectations, and dammit I love it.

Running for me is saying to myself “see, you can do hard things” and Sunday was just another opportunity to ask myself how hard of a thing I can do.

CIM_mile_13.jpg

I kept the first half steady and conservative. There was a lot of telling myself “Ahhh yes this so cozy” (cozy may seem like an odd choice, but what’s even better than comfortable? Cozy. And I LOVE being cozy). So yeah, I kept it really cozy for a while.

Miles 16-20 I ramped up my pace a little and still felt solid. My mental talk at this point was more like “oh yeah you’re getting a little spicy”.

cim_mile_20.jpg

Mile 22 is where my legs really felt toasted. I kept looking down at them in awe “HOW ARE YOU TWO STILL MOVING!?” I thought I was over 2 minutes off my race pace, but I was only about 10/15 seconds off. It was like cheering for an entity that was separate from my body (for a second I thought I had taken my psychedelic rock inspiration too far) … Man things get weird when you’re tired. 

The last three miles were the longest miles of my life. And when my best friend Sarah screamed to me that the finish was right around the corner, I wanted to scream back “DON’T YOU TEASE ME LIKE THAT!” But it was, and I crossed the line, finishing my first marathon and answering my own question.

How hard of a thing can I do?

Turns out a pretty hard thing. And yes, my legs are completely drained but my heart is really, really full. 

cim_finish.jpg

Highlights from my first marathon

  • Sarah and Hogan taking four Uber rides to different spots on the course to scream at me the very best words of encouragement. Mile 6, 13, 20, 25, the finish - they basically had a race of their own.cim_support_crew.pngMe and the Marathon spectating champions.
  • Woah, cowbell corner is LOUD and thankfully came at my darkest moment. Soaked up every bit of energy from that.
  • Allie taking the time to coach me while preparing for a VERY big deal race of her own. 
  • A high school coach, and college coach, who still check in, provide advice, and cheer me on.
  • The very easy to spot Lesko rocking the yeti and a great set of cheering lungs.
  • SO. MUCH. SUPPORT. To everyone who reached out to me, thank you, it really did blow me away. 

Hannah_signature_0.jpg

 

*Editor's Note because Hannah doesn't like to brag: Hannah's finish time for this first marathon was 2:54:19, and her splits ranged from 6:42 to 6:35 and back to 6:40, with a half split of 1:26:58. Talk about consistent!! We think she should do another one. Who's with us?? #SuperFanTheHan for life! 

 

0

Primary Subcategory

Racing - Races
December 03, 2018 — Allyson Ely
Superfan the Han

Superfan the Han

jess barnard oiselle
Training

All THE PRE-RACE FEELS

Two weeks ago I told my PT "I'm doing my last long run this weekend!" in which he quickly replied "well technically you still have have your longest left after that..."

Touché.

So, this weekend is officially my LAST long run (just at a much more ramped up effort than all my previous long runs) and these are the top level thoughts running (pun intended) through my mind. 

You're zen. Totally zen. You've done the work. 

Don't you dare go out at 6 minute pace though.

Try to get at least some of the water in your mouth.

My two biggest fans are coming! Hogan AND my best friend Sarah (my college teammate, roommate, hundreds-of-miles-together-wing-woman) and I'm pretty positive they'll look just like this when I see them. 

Remember all those gnarly workouts you finished. Keep it rollin'.

PLUS cowbell corner! That will definitely be my second wind.

When the finish seems really far away and it starts to feel insanely hard, just casually play it off. Hard? What's hard? You're a boss.

Finisher Medal, Grammy... It's all one in the same. 

See you all on the other side!

Hannah_signature_0.jpg


HALFWAY CHECK POINT

Dude, you’re already halfway through your training! How’s it going?

Oh man… I’m tired. But not a defeated kind of tired ya know? More like a ride the high of my morning run and then crash hard in the afternoon, kind of tired. But it’s good! And also hard… my hair is always in a sweaty bun and I can’t remember the last time I wore jeans, but there’s something really special about just focusing on running.

So I imagine you’re still using the PCC egg sandwich as your pick-me-up?

Haha I sure am. Now you get the full picture of me hunkered down at my desk trying to mask my nasty hair with dry shampoo, wrapped in a Queen Jacket pretending it’s a blanket, while stuffing my face with cheesy egg greatness. It’s the life.

How long is the long run nowadays?

I have 20 on deck this weekend! Honestly, Seattle is having some pretty stellar weather. It's been in the 60’s with pure sunshine so I’ll take all the outside time I can get before things start to go downhill… 

Anyone who has trained for a marathon says it’s hard – what’s been the “hard” part for you the past few weeks?

Last week I couldn’t escape the heavy leg feeling. Each run felt like the effort of going 30 seconds faster than the pace I was actually running. I had to alter one of my workouts which is never an ideal option, and I was stressing myself out thinking about how tired I was while wondering how I was going to be able to race on Sunday. My Believe Journal actually had the question of “what pain are you willing to endure?” and I wrote “not feeling fresh” because I had this moment where I was like how am I going to feel in the second half of a marathon? Tired. How am I going to feel in the final 400m of a 5k? Tired. How am I going to feel in the second to last rep of a workout? Tired. It’s a feeling I shouldn’t be afraid of - it’s an inevitable result of trying to push myself. If there was a part of my training cycle where it’s okay to feel tired it’s now. I’ll get that taper when it’s necessary for me to be fresh. 

superfan_the_han_race.jpg

Since you mentioned it… your race! How’d it go? Despite the tired legs and all?

That race was a wild one! There was a small mishap with a volunteer who led the lead half marathoners onto the full marathon course. Myself, the other lead woman, and lead guy figured out around 2 miles that we were on the wrong section. After some mid-race conversation me and the lead woman figured out we were both preparing for our full marathon so we decided no matter what we would put out a solid effort for 13.1, not cross the finish line until we hit that distance, and then tell the race director we went off course so our times wouldn’t be legit. Being led off course is actually my pre-race stress nightmare, so it was kind of funny that it happened in my actual race. Overall, I’m more proud of my composure and focus during that race than the PR listed on my watch.

Despite the confusion, I stayed consistent averaging between 6:05-6:15 and I kept telling myself “maybe it’s not a race now, but it’s one hell of a workout”.


WEEK 1 // WEEK 2

Oh hello there!

Don’t mind me, I went off the grid for a little while I was doing all the maintenance work like PT and recovery, running for ten minutes, then twenty minutes, thirty, and now back to the full load! (I thought I should spare everyone from reading a training journal that talks about which part of my glute a lacrosse ball terrorized for the day).

So here I am two weeks into my “official” marathon training! Which was a little bit of a later start than I had hoped for, but I keep telling myself “it’s cool. It’s all good. Don’t panic” But then sometimes I want to panic because it’s not like I know what I’m doing when it comes to marathon training.

That’s where I insert Allie Kieffer. Allie already had this nicely timed Fall Marathon Coaching Plan (10/10 recommend if you’re looking for a marathon coach) and having someone else write my training takes away my second guessing and doubting if I’m doing things right. Instead I just trust my coach, do the work, then communicate how it went. It’s a nice little cycle that keeps me honest with myself and helps Allie plan my future workouts. 

Here are some quick facts to recap my first two weeks of training:

High and Low of the week:

training_notes.png

High: I was surprised how well I maintained fitness even with a few down weeks/time off. My first Fartleks back I was still able to maintain 6:30ish for one Fartlek with moderate pace in-between reps, and 6:10-5:50 pace for one with a slow run inbetween reps. It reminded me of when my college coach used to jokingly use the term “permafit” to describe how after several years of running consistently your body gets in a state where you can bounce back from time off much quicker than expected. The Farteks made me feel “permafit” so that's a good sign. 

training_notes_2.png

Low: I had a long progression run and as you can see from my attempt to plan it on the page above – I didn’t really know what to expect in terms of how far I could progress. My aggressive guess was a bad guess, butI have a feeling this one be my last time doing this workout so I'll have another go at it later down the road. 

Post workout meal of choice:
PCC breakfast sandwich is life. That egg/biscuit combo makes me feel reborn after a long hard effort.

Spice of Life:
To all the women at Birdcamp who recommended acupuncture for my IT band, big thanks! I've had acupuncture three times now and it has really helped alleviate the pain, along with some dedicated PT time. 

Other than that, it’s business as usual and hopefully I’ll be back in a few weeks with some progress made!

Have any questions or comments? Feel free to reach out in the comments below!

Hannah_signature_0.jpg


Superfan_Han_HERO_1.png
Here at Oiselle, we love to celebrate goals in our community. So, over the next few months we are going to follow our incredible Marketing Associate Hannah as she trains for her big scary goal: her very first ever marathon! Han has decided on the California International Marathon (CIM) and the fun starts NOW as she begins her first training cycle. Join us on this journey and SUPERFAN THE HAN! We'll be updating you monthly, so stay tuned! 

Q + A’s with the Speedster:

Oiselle_5.21-066_blog3.jpg

Long run or speed session?

Long runs are basically a weekly one day pilgrimage and what’s cooler than that? 

Ideal #flystyle for race day? 

Portman Shorts, Stance Socks (crew length), Hi-Ten Bra, and Slate Singlet – I got that down to a science but there are some items coming in the near future that may be contenders for a race day spot. Also, I think I’ll run in a crop for the first time at CIM because big race means little clothing, everybody knows that.

What are you most excited about for the training process? 

Oh man I can’t wait to find out how badass I actually am! Haha, but seriously, I remember when I first started running in college and I was like there’s no way I can run “x” distance or “x” pace and with each year I incrementally push myself past the limits I set for myself. It’s like a giant adventure to find out what I’m capable of. 

Superfan_Han_1.png
What is your training plan going to look like?

Very generally speaking - hard! To be slightly more specific - my weekly schedule will be a variation of the following: one long run (could be a workout or a steady run depending on the week), one tempo or fartlek, one speed day, and some easy days and doubles sprinkled in. My peak mileage will be 85 because I’m a rookie who works full time. 

What gets you through a long run? 

Hogan (signicant other) has started this new tradition of making me apple cinnamon pancakes right after my long run (dreams do come true) Also, I’ve become really good at using my long runs to brainstorm work ideas, life ideas, or to visualize race day.

Music or no music?

No. Never. Heresy.

Preferred form of cross training? 

Currently swimming but I’m a terrible swimmer. After 3 laps I feel like the lifeguard should keep a really close eye on me. But recently I started getting in the pool and I feel like it’s really helped me with my breathing. Kristina (Hauté Volée Vaulter) has also helped me in the weightroom a ton! She wrote me a training plan that has made my hips much stronger which has been a trouble area for me in the past. I am staying on top of it!

ha_oiselle_sp18_292_blog1.jpg

Motto for this race/training block?

Trust the process. 

Rest day brags? 

In the winter I ski every rest day. Runners avoid it like the plague because of injuries but I skied HARD last winter and then had a huge half PR in spring, coincidence? I think not. I’ll take my chances. In the summer I love using rest days to take an easy hike or walk with my dog Lenny. 

Rose/Thorn of marathon training?

Rose: I feel like the training justifies buying myself massages.

Thorn: is there enough time in the day? Especially a Washington fall day when it gets dark by 5pm and the sun doesn’t rise till 7am...

Hannah_TenTen_Finish.png

Strangest thing that you’ve seen/has ever happened to you on a run? 

One time a guy accidently spit on me because he didn’t realize I was coming up behind him… the timing was just really really unfortunate. 

Favorite thing to hear when being cheered for? 

I grew up playing basketball so I THRIVE with actual shouting. Like scream at me to get after it. Those of you that played AAU basketball… you know what I’m talking about. 

Throw it out there! What is your main goal (or goals) for CIM? 

I would love to run around 2:50 (ahhh that feels a little scary to tell the world) but if I go out and put myself in a position to succeed, stay mentally present, find joy in the race, but miss my goal time, I’ll still be happy.


Thanks for letting us love on ya, Han! We're stoked to be supporting and celebrating you this entire journey!

Head up, cowbells out!

jess barnard signature.png

0

Primary Subcategory

Training - Run
November 30, 2018 — Allyson Ely
Boom Boom Bottoms: The Knockout Rounds

Boom Boom Bottoms: The Knockout Rounds

Style

blog_image1.jpg

What happens when the O line has an embarrassment of riches? A veritable hit parade of great tights and bottoms...each one more beautiful than the one before? Tough choices! Tough choices on soft fabrics... and some inevitable match-ups. 

Ding. Ding. Ding! Below you’ll find our most common match-ups; the styles that on the surface might appear similar, and yet are distinguished by several key features. One thing’s for sure: they all pull their weight. And while some people say comparison is the thief of joy, not here my friend...only insights to help you decide. Because we guarantee that every Oiselle bottom is capable of helping you stride, run, and kick-punch your way through your goals.


KARA PANTS VS. LUX PANTS

blog_image2.jpg

In this corner, we have the always dominant “anything-made-of-Lux” champion: NEW LUX TRACK PANTS. She’s been throwing jabs against the cold for five years now and is a proven WINNER. Her mid-weight knit, always stretchy, and equally soft on both sides means you never have to choose between how they feel on your legs, or how they feel as you stroke your own legs. We knew Lux would be hard to beat, but if there’s one athlete who knows how to get to the podium, it’s Kara Goucher, so in the other corner we have the KARA PANTS! The woman doesn’t play when it comes to great styles. And whereas the Lux Track Pants are soft and sleek, Kara Pants bring not one (Pow!) but two (Bam! Bam!) super stylish side pockets. And though the Kara Pants have a smooth exterior and a fleecy interior, the smooth side won’t be outdone by Lux because the knit includes the always fabulous, sumptuously soft Lyocell fiber. This match up comes down to warmth and pockets! Kara gets the warmer more pocketed style, while Lux may be better in warmer climates, or if you always run hot like a hotty mchotterson.

Lux Track Pants:

  • Light to mid-weight fabric (not fleecy)
  • No pockets, but also no bulk
  • Roll-able waistband with soft Oiselle elastic
  • Brushed polyester/spandex knit in rich double-dye Lux

Kara Pants:

  • Mid-weight fleece, smooth exterior, light fleece interior
  • Two stylish side pockets
  • Feather arrow graphic at ankle
  • Soft Polartec™ Thermal Pro in spandex/lyocell/spandex

LUX FLOW VS. BIRD HUG

blog_image3.jpg

In one corner we have the world champion of orgasmically soft fabric - LUX. She’s wickedly soft, as we all know, but she also doesn’t rest on her laurels. Starting last year, she got back in the gym and has been bulking up BIG TIME so she could give us all...LUX FLOW TIGHTS. She brings Heavyweight Lux to the table which is basically the “more is more” of soft, stretchy support. More soft, more stretch, more Lux-y, ideal for putting her strong hands on your tired legs. Like her OG ancestor, the Lux Flow Tights, she has a mid-rise waistband that includes a small front pocket for your whatnots, and a 3/4 length that makes her popular with women of many heights. In the other corner, we have the new hot shot BIRD HUG TIGHTS. To join the O Team, she knew she had to bring it - with a little somethin’ Extra to keep us on our toes. Whaaaaat?! Reversibility. She jukes, she jives, she flips inside out - without ever losing her pocket, a big ole number centered right in the back.

Lux Flow Tights:

  • 3/4 Length
  • Amazing Heavyweight Lux
  • Small front zip pocket
  • Brushed polyester/spandex

Bird Hug Tights:

  • Full length tights
  • Larger center waistband pocket
  • Insanely soft stretch knit
  • Dual-knit polyester/spandex

POCKET JOGGER TIGHTS VS. O-MAZING 3/4 TIGHTS

blog_image4.jpg

In one corner, we have a tried and true favorite...POCKET JOGGER TIGHTS. She burst on the scene almost two years ago, but her path to success hasn’t been a straight line. She changed her fabric from Plya(r) to Nyelle(r) at the end of 2017 and the switcheroo left a few heads spinning. What’s she got going for her? Style! Those pin tucks are like the fairing to your spoiler...fast. She’s got the high waisted belt of a heavyweight champ and so many pockets, she never needs to leave the ring. Her opponent, O-MAZING 3/4 TIGHTS, might not have the same glitz and glamour, but she makes up for it with creativity. Her mid-rise waistband is more low profile, but no less fierce at packing all the pockets and PUNCH.

Pocket Jogger Tights:

  • Five pockets, including a zipper back center pocket!
  • Full length, 25” inseam
  • Design flair pin-tucking
  • Soft yet durable Nyelle™ nylon/spandex knit

O-Mazing 3/4 Tights:

  • 360 degree waistband pocket
  • Simple, no exterior leg seams
  • Also in Nyelle™!

FIRECRACKER 3/4 TIGHTS VS. MAGIC NUMBER

blog_image5.jpg

In one corner there’s fire on fire with the FIRECRACKER 3/4 TIGHTS, and in the other corner, straight FIRE with the MAGIC NUMBER TIGHTS. Each lovely. Each burning bright with the desire to make your run more safe, more comfortable, more stylish. With its reflective print, Frecracker rains down a million kicks and jabs to the eyeballs of speeding cards, and keeps your phone or other goodies handy with side leg pockets. Magic Number, on the other hand, simply packs a HUGE punch in discrete areas, right where you need it most, and is as long as the night. Not to be outdone by Firecracker, Magic Number has a pocket that’s wide and deep and able to close with a zipper. And while side pockets are nice, the center back is where it’s at in terms of getting out of the way. Both of them fierce and fiery!

Firecracker 3/4 Tights:

  • Two side leg pockets
  • 100% reflective Onna Print
  • 3/4 length, 23” inseam
  • High waisted for the win!

Magic Number Tights:

  • Large center back zip pocket
  • Three large reflective panels
  • 25” full length tights
  • High waisted comfort!

KALEIDO-GO TIGHTS VS. SPANDOS CAPRIS

blog_image6.jpg

In one corner, there’s the one, the only, the ready-to-dance-at-any-moment SPANDOS CAPRIS!!! She’s light, she’s stretchy, she’s a favorite because no matter where you are, she brings the party. Her mood lifting kicks are hard to beat, but in the other corner, we have a newcomer that’s wiley and quick in her own subtle way. She combines not one, but two, fabulous soft fabrics for a more discrete appearance that still brings joie de run. We’ll have to call this match up based on YOUR fabric reference...are you a Plya™ girl...the fabric of all Spandos; or do you go Nyelle™ and can’t-stop, won’t-stop with the brushed softness?

Kaleido-Go Tights:

  •  Soft jacquard insets and waistband - easy on the tummy!
  •  Full length tights, all that coverage
  •  The always-winning Nyelle™

Spandos Capris:

  •  Loud and proud sublimated prints!
  •  The name has “capri” but they’re actually 3/4 to full length
  •  Lightweight yet powerful Plya™ Compression is soft yet strong

FLYOUT TIGHTS VS. FLYOUT TIGHTS

blog_image7.jpg

In one corner, we have FLYOUT TIGHTS. In the other corner, we have the other color of FLYOUT TIGHTS. Because honestly, folks, these tights HAVE NO COMPETITION. She’s gonna knockout the cold no matter where you go. Frozen lake walk - bam! Sharp upper cut. Dark, sub-freezing 6 miler - pow! Another blow. Cowbelling for friends on a clear winter day - kaboom! She lands the punches again and again. Thick, stretchy Polartec™ fabric + comfy high waist + convenient pockets + stylish angled hem = all you need, this winter and many more.

STORY CAPRIS VS. CORE PENCIL PANTS

blog_image8.jpg

In one corner we have the ultimate lightweight capri that has proven it can be the only pants you wear for 10 days straight and they still WIN: the STORY CAPRIS! She runs, she leaps, she easily goes from casual travel garb to an evening of spirits and spirited movement. Her fabric keeps her light on her toes, dancing around the ring, impossible to catch! In the other corner, we have the Fall newcomer who is thicker and more fitted, but with no less stretch. She lunges, she high kicks, she could run a cross country race if you need her to...and you might need her to.

Story Capris:

  • Ultra lightweight stretch woven
  • Two front pockets, front zipper
  • Loose and lovely
  • Wrinkle resistant!

Core Pencil Pants:

  • Mid-weight stretch woven
  • Ankle slit flair
  • Hidden side zipper
  • Flattering high waist (comes with matching jacket...The Core Jacket!)
0

Primary Subcategory

Style - Look Book
November 29, 2018 — Allyson Ely
Anna Weber's Philly Marathon Race Recap

Anna Weber's Philly Marathon Race Recap

Team

I’m trying to run under 2:35 today.

Stay with us, we’ll take you there.

I’m in 3rdplace right now, that woman ahead is 2nd.

We’ll get you there. Who are you, where are you from?

I’m Anna from Indiana….and I’m coming back from a long 3 years.

As I approached the 10k mark of the Philadelphia Marathon on November 18th, I found myself with a pack of friendly men who were interested in my goals. Even if we were only ultimately together for another 5 miles, this snippet of conversation helped fuel me the rest of my race.

Since competing in the 2016 Olympic Trials in the marathon I have had a series of misfortunes, missteps, and mystery health problems. Philadelphia marked my 3rdattempt to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Trials.

weber_trials_kevin_morris_4818.pngAnna Weber at the 2016 Olympic Trials

For the first time since early 2016, I was blessed with good racing weather. Temperatures at the start were 33oF, and there was no wind. I shot off the line in 6thplace and knew I was in for a good day. The great weather – plus the fact that the first 10k is slightly downhill – led to blazing early times, with a large pack of us on pace for a course record.  

By the time I reached the 10 mile mark I was safely in 2ndplace and running well within my goal time range. I was feeling great, albeit a little cold!

My husband (who rented an awesome peacock-themed bicycle that matched my nail polish, BTW) managed to bike 22 miles of the course on a bike-share bicycle and see me in multiple spots along the way. From reminding me where my elite fluids were located to letting me know where my competitors were on the course, he was a huge help. I saw him at the lonely half marathon mark, and the clock read 1:17:08 as I crossed. I was still on pace for sub-2:35 and feeling amazing.

Except, somewhere between miles 13 and 15 I hit a snag. I was hit with an overwhelming urge to walk off the course and call it a day. I had no reason to feel this way. I was on pace, nothing hurt, and I had been taking my gels and electrolytes on schedule. All I knew was that I wanted to quit.  

I was able to convince myself to take a “refresh mile.” I slowed down, relaxed, and tried to work through the problem. I knew I had plenty of time in the bank. I just needed to finish this race and get the OTQ monkey off my back. My “refresh mile” was a 6:15. This put the race back into perspective for me. Even with slowing down, I was still running awfully fast. I gradually got my head back into the game. 

The next part of the course was tough. Miles 14 to 26.2 were an out-and-back along the Schuylkill River through some sizeable rolling hills. I love out-and-backs, and I love hills, so I wasn’t expecting this portion to be as mentally challenging as it was. While I had recovered from wanting to quit, I was starting to transition into survival mode.  

At the turn-around at mile 20 I saw that I had a 2+ minute lead on 3rdplace and that I “only” had to cover the last 10k in 45 minutes in order to qualify for the Olympic Trials. In past races, this data would have made that last section of the race feel easy. On Sunday, it felt like a death march. 

Near 22 miles I noticed a blister on my left foot. I played around with changing my footstrike pattern, which, had I been thinking clearly, I never would have done. Shortly afterward I lost full range of motion in my left leg due to an incredibly tight hamstring.

During my last marathon I dropped out at 22 because of a hamstring injury. I panicked. 

I used every mental game trick I have ever learned. I repeated mantras, I said positive things about myself in 3rdperson, I distracted myself, I threatened myself, I bargained with myself. Above all, I was not going to let myself fail.  

After what felt like an eternity of focusing on just running to the next landmark and getting through the final 5k one minute at a time, I finally I finished. I earned 2ndplace and with a time of 2:40:11, only 90 seconds off my PR.   

anna_weber_awards.png

In retrospect, I wonder if some of my dark thoughts potentially rose from illness. As soon as I crossed the finish line I could not stop shaking and shivering. Volunteers wrapped me up in as many jackets as they could find and brought me soup and hot chocolate. Despite their efforts, my teeth were still chattering.  

Once I made it back to the hotel and took a hot shower, I couldn’t keep food down. With a cramping stomach, chills, and the inability to walk normally, I was a lot of fun to be around Sunday night!  

Not being able to take in calories during the most important recovery window has affected how I am recovering. Almost 3 days later, I still feel like I have been hit by a bus.

I will take a full two weeks completely off from running and cross training to give my body an opportunity to rebuild and repair. During those two weeks I will focus on restoring the balance that can be lost when training at a high level by doing things I enjoy, like spending the entire day reading in a coffee shop or checking out a new brewery with my husband.  

I’m not sure yet what’s next for me yet. I will either jump on the track in the Spring, or train for a half marathon. After 3 back-to-back marathon training cycles, I am ecstatic to have qualified for my 2ndOlympic Trials and can’t wait to map out the next two years with my coach!

ANNA WEBER

0

Primary Subcategory

Team - Haute Volée
November 28, 2018 — Allyson Ely
Fierce Flyer - Mimi on Head Up Wings Out

Fierce Flyer - Mimi on Head Up Wings Out

Team

marine_corps_marathon.jpg

I first met Mimi at Big Birdcamp where we danced. We weren't gonna let the young birds do all the workin and twerkin. And then I met her again at our team meet-up after Lesko and I finished the Marine Corps Marathon last month.

It was there that Mimi said, "some time I'm going to write you an email about how 'head up, wings out' helped me in a way you probably wouldn't guess..." Of course I was curious, so I pressed her a bit, and what followed was her story; exactly as you read it below. So much love and respect for you, Mimi, and for all people who endure struggles we rarely know. #Respect 


Mimi_fierce_flyer_2.png

I was initially attracted to Oiselle as much – if not more – by the company’s principles as by the beautiful running clothes. I love the way Oiselle supports women through all phases and ages of our lives. As the Manifesto says, the Principles of Flight lead to success not only in athletics, but also in life. Today, I’d like to share a story about how Oiselle supported me during a challenging time in my life.

In late summer of 2016 I was diagnosed with cancer. My world instantly contracted – circled by the “Big C” – into doctor’s visits, medical tests, and waiting. (The waiting was the hardest part.) By September, the decision was made to proceed with a radical hysterectomy. Late one Friday, my gynecological oncologist gave me a card with instructions and told me to call his scheduler on Monday. When I called, she told me that the next available surgical slot was in several weeks. I was devastated because I just wanted it to be over as quickly as possible. She gently reminded me that since the doctor is an oncologist, all of his patients are cancer patients. She ended the conversation by saying, “Let me see what I can do.” On Thursday afternoon, she called and told me that due to a cancellation, my surgery could be scheduled for Monday. “Can you make that work?” she asked. I assured her that I could, hung up, and swung into high gear. Friday was spent getting the necessary pre-surgery tests, including CT and PET scans. The rest of the weekend was consumed with letting family know and ordinary tasks like grocery shopping, which I wouldn’t be able to do for a few weeks.

Early Monday my husband and I drove to the hospital and began the surreal experience of preparing for major surgery. Soon I was lying on a gurney in the pre-op area. My doctor arrived and stunned me with the news that a couple of lymph nodes in my chest “lit up” on the PET scan, a possible indication of cancer cells. As the tests were conducted so close to the surgical date, there wasn’t time to investigate the cause. He explained that the nodes were in an area where “there’s a lot going on.” Removal wasn’t an option. Instead, I would undergo a needle biopsy a day after my surgery. (Fast forward: The biopsy was negative. Whew!) In the meantime, he wanted to “take a good look around” during the surgery. So, instead of a 6-inch or so horizontal incision near my bikini line (which hasn’t seen a bikini in decades), I would have a vertical incision the length of my abdomen. Vanity was not a concern, and I assured him that I agreed with his approach. He gently patted my feet, and I could see the concern in his eyes. He told my husband that it was time for him to go, and asked the anesthesiologist to get started. My husband and I said goodbye, “I love you,” and I started counting backward from 100.

I woke up to the rhythmic beeps that are a hospital’s soundtrack. The room was spinning, a residual effect of the anesthesia, so I closed my eyes. Soon, I heard my husband’s voice. He told me that the doctor had spoken with him and assured him that the surgery went well. 

While in the hospital, I managed to maintain a few connections to the running world. My first day, the nurse put compression sleeves on my legs to prevent blood clots, and I said, “Cool! These are what the pro athletes wear to recover.” I noticed that when a new doctor or nurse came in, my husband would often ask me, “How many marathons have you finished?” He later told me that he wanted the staff to see that part of me, to know how strong I am. 

It took me a while to gather the courage to look at my incision. When I did, I saw 42 staples laid down like railroad ties along the track of a 16-inch incision that ran from just below my sternum, to the left of my navel, and down the length of my abdomen. (Yes, I counted the staples. I’m an engineer, and we like to quantify things.) 

The medical staff, especially the nurses, were amazing – the perfect balance of compassion and the tough love needed to ensure I did what was necessary to recover well. Tuesday afternoon, the day after my surgery, my nurse came in and asked me to try to take a few steps. She unhooked me from the various monitors and helped me slowly to my feet. I didn’t make it very far, and she suggested that I sit in the chair for a while instead. Later, my evening nurse came in and told me that it was time to try to walk again. Since my first attempt, I’d learned how important walking was to my recovery. Internal organs don’t like to be jostled around, and mine had been through quite a bit. My discharge from the hospital in a few days was contingent on making sure all systems were “go” (pardon the not-so-subtle pun), and walking would facilitate that.

The nurse removed my leg compression sleeves and unhooked the monitors. I slowly swung my legs around to the side of the bed and grabbed the IV pole, while my nurse held my right elbow. I eased onto my feet with my husband cheering me on. I shuffled to the door of my room. My instinct was to protect my incision, and I was hunched over like a wounded animal. My nurse said, “You need to stand up straight, OK?” My first, unspoken thought was, “I can’t!” My body felt so strange, so uncomfortable. “Let’s see if you can stand up straight and make it to the end of that short hall,” my nurse said encouragingly. The end of the hall seemed farther away than any race finish line ever had. I knew what I needed to do, but it just seemed so hard. That’s when it popped into my head, the phrase I’d seen and heard so many times: Head up! Wings out! I slowly lifted my head, pulled my shoulders back, and took those first steps down my metaphorical road to recovery.

fierce_flyer_mimi.jpg

I was discharged that Friday (after becoming the hospital wing track star), and Oiselle also played a role in my at-home recovery. My Wazzie Wool and Lux track pants were my go-to wardrobe. They were gentle on my incision, and the ankle cuffs were not tight, which was important to help reduce my risk of post-surgery lymphedema. My Oiselle wardrobe also made it easy to get out for my walks, and perhaps most importantly, kept me connected to my identity as a runner. (Enclothed cognition strikes again!) Six weeks after my surgery, my mom, husband and I walked the National Race to End Women’s Cancer 5K, and five months later I completed a 10K and half marathon with my BFF running buddy, Kristin, at my side. There was a fair amount of walking, but I did it!

Two years later, I’m cancer free. I’m grateful that I have a loving, supportive husband and family, excellent health insurance, and sick leave benefits. Of course, there have been ups and downs. While our bodies are miraculously adaptable, they function best with all of their parts. I’m still learning the best ways to nurture my changed and changing body. The women of Oiselle continue to inspire, and I’m proud to be a part of this amazing community. Head up! Wings out!

MIMI

0

Primary Subcategory

Team - Volée
November 27, 2018 — Allyson Ely
Small Business Saturday - Nest By the Numbers

Small Business Saturday - Nest By the Numbers

oiselle running hannah calvert
Brand

oiselle_nest.jpg

“Oh this is it?” It’s a phrase we hear from time to time when people first visit our office, and it’s not to be rude, and it’s not disappointment… it’s usually stated with surprise as if they thought we had a glamorous office space, maybe with an indoor track, and a five-star cafeteria. Well despite what our virtual, or wholesale, presence may suggest we are still indeed a small business. But honestly, hearing “oh this is it?” is something we take pride in because hell yeah it is!

So if you haven’t had your chance to visit the Nest we present to you Nest by the Numbers… just to give you an idea of our small office magic.


Number of years in business: 11

Though we still consider the first three years a kind of pre-startup period...when experienced staff was hard to come by:

irirs_oiselle.gif

Number of people on the design team: 4

Many big companies outsource their apparel design. But O started as a design company...a runner design company, ready to challenge the status quo, and create high quality apparel for women runners. The design team are all runners (with a range of sizes and types of distances they pursue). That means every garment must show that it can endure the miles, the sweat, the heat and cold, and getting beat up in the wash. The design team makes sure #flystyle is always fierce.

Number of Olympians sponsored: 4

oiselle_pros.jpg(Sarah Attar PC: Lucas Oleniuk / Getty Images)

Kate Grace, Maria Michta-Coffey, Maria Elena Calle, and Sarah Attar

Number of people on the customer care team: 3

Two full-time, Katie and Alisoune (who also have other critical roles at the Nest like managing our website), one part-time, Anita, and in the process of hiring one more! When you write us at hello@ or speak to someone at the store, it's us birds. We believe great service starts at home.

Total number of men: 1

nest_david.jpg

David. Two on a good day when Robert our CFO is at Monday staff, or if you count the mailman.

Number of conference rooms or private offices: 0

Unless you count our kitchen (aka Conference Room K). We’re all about that open floor plan and hearing other people's conversations.

Distance between the desks: 1 in. to 2ft.

Within an arm’s length of each other of course. Gotta make sure you are in high-five distance. 

Number of running shoes: 16

Not counting the ones used for photoshoots. Some people have a separate pair just for the office.

Total miles run on a given day: 19-36 (give or take)

Katie, Kami, and Beth got out there this morning for a loop around Green Lake so between those three we have nine miles, I had a lunch run of six, and then Steph went out for an afternoon four miler. But Alisoune, Morgan, David, Sally, and Lesko sometimes head out for a run as well so on certain days we can really rack up the miles.

Number of people matching on a given day: 2 – 4 

nest_twinning.png

I’m looking at two Queen jackets as we speak but the other day there were FOUR people wearing the Wazzie Wool Jacquardigan.

Number of clothing racks: 6

Three loaded with Fall ‘18, two with Spring ‘19, and one by the design team with Fall ‘19, woah.

Staff that go to our neighboring grocery store PCC to get their lunch: 6

A shout out to The Nest "cafeteria" - and fellow Seattle small business - across the street. The PCC rocks a great salad/hot bar and is home of the Kickin' Kale Smoothie.

Number of times Junior Designer Mo brings baked goods1 time a week

I expect these baked goods to arrive like clockwork. This week - Christmas cookies. They were gone in 2 hours… 

Number of times Lesko get asked medical advice on a given week: 2 times a week

Oh boy, I personally go to her for general life advice about everyday… but medically speaking she probably dishes out some recommendations twice a week and treatment once or twice a month.

Number of dogs in the office: 0

nest_visitor.png

Usually none per Sally’s request which makes sense since we are in a tight space... but let’s just say we’ve started a petition so sign below once you’re done reading. Also, Steph’s dog Indie did make a visit today, so we made sure we soaked up all the dog time we could.

Total number of Yetis: 5

We have the OG Sweatshirt Yeti, Cat lady Yeti, Lux Yeti, and of course we have the newest fleecy-greatness: The Cozy Bird Yeti… two actually, because why not?

Number of cowbells: 1500 (roughly)

You can never be too prepared.

Number of Hangers: ∞

I refuse to count them all… so so so many, yet somehow it never feels like enough.

Number of coffee cups are on people’s desks: 2-3 (reusable mugs)

nest_coffee.png

Well it used to be about 2 paper cups per desk… BUT Steph gave us a friendly, yet strong, reminder (by strong I mean at marketing meeting she yelled about turtles dying in the ocean as we sipped from our plastic lids) So… now we have a new challenge to use only our re-usable mugs. So far we’re on a roll.


THE STORE BY THE NUMBERS

holiday_store.gif

Store square footage: 630
Age of the youngest person working in the store: 19
Number of steps are on the store ladder: 10
Number of cranks to raise the racks: about 50


So a big thanks to you for helping us grow year after year. We may be a small company, but we have some big plans!

Hannah_signature_0.jpg

0
November 24, 2018 — Allyson Ely
Fierce Flyer - Emma on TPN and Big Adventures

Fierce Flyer - Emma on TPN and Big Adventures

Team

BY: EMMA TILLMAN

fierce_flyer_emma_1.png

In 2011, I got really sick, my gastrointestinal system stopped working normally and anytime I ate or drank anything I would vomit, so for the past 7 and a half years I have received the majority of my nutrition through a special intravenous (IV) line in my chest. This IV nutrition is called total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

Prior to getting sick, I had been an avid, yet average, recreational runner. After recovering from the initial shock of being sick, I started to get back to real life and running. I had to start at the very beginning. When I first started running again, I couldn't even walk a mile without stopping to sit down and rest. Gradually I built up my fitness and in 2014, I ran two marathons (San Francisco and St. Jude in Memphis) with the assistance of IV fluids during the race. From 2014-18 I have had a lot of ups and downs with my health and running, but no matter how bad I felt I always tried to stay in the running game. It is hard to keep doing it, but I think it is even harder to get back in shape after stopping. I often tell people that the it's okay to have a sick day every once in a while, but if you take a sick day and stay home from work, stay in bed, don't exercise, etc..., then then next day when you don't feel any better, it is really hard to make yourself do life and you can easily fall into a downward spiral of living the sick life. I have always been scared of this happening to me. 

A few years ago, I was playing around on Instagram and was searching hashtags. I searched TPN, EN (enteral nutrition), tube feeding, IV nutrition, and other similar terms trying to get a sense of what things would come-up. Now with social media so prevalent, whenever there is something new we go to the internet to read about it. As I was searching, I was thinking about the patient or parent of a child new to TPN trying to find out what a life on TPN would be like. I was greatly disappointed that all of the images that I found tagged were “sick” pictures. For example, a woman in the hospital bed with TPN, a boy lying on a couch looking sick, etc… I decided that I was going to try to flood social media with pictures of me doing normal things (many times this includes running). Anytime I post a picture on social media, I tag it with #tpnstrong. I want to show people new to TPN that you can live a full life and thrive on TPN

fierce_flyer_emma_2.png

During the past 7 years, I have had multiple hospitalizations, surgeries, doctor appointments, infusion clinic visits, weekly lab draws, and of course daily infusions of TPN. Throughout this time, I completed my PhD, worked full time and continued to run, but also I have continued to search for something that would make me better and improve my quality of life. Most recently in April of 2018 I had a sub-total gastrectomy with intestinal revision. After this procedure, I had some marked improvement. I was finally able to eat without vomiting, but I had a gastrostomy tube (G-tube) in my remnant stomach (the part that was not connected to my esophagus) that continuously drained bile and required me to have a drainage bag attached to me ~22 hours per day. You may have noticed me sporting an awesome fanny pack at Big Birdcamp. This was not just a fashion statement, but a necessary accessory to hold my drainage bag. This continuous drainage also led to dehydration and I still required IV hydration. I told my doctors that this was not a permanent solution, so after months of watching and waiting with no change, in September of this year I had a total gastrectomy (removal of my stomach). Prior to surgery I was running with the goal of being in good shape prior to surgery. This was truly my goal! At camp this summer typically the first conversations when meeting new friends were, 1. Where are you from? 2. What are you training for? I told everyone I met, "I am training to be in the best shape possible in order to help my body recover from major surgery."

The surgery went well. I spent five days in the hospital and was discharged with a surgical drain. Post-operative I took 2 weeks off from running and during this time I was getting all of my nutrition via my IV as I could not eat anything except for minimal sips of water and small amounts of hard candy or Popsicles for 5 weeks! Slowly I started running again. I had several friends that were planning to do by hometown Indianapolis Monumental Marathon or Half marathon. I actually was hosting several out-of-town birds at my house, and planning meet-ups, so I had an intense fear of missing out. About 3 weeks prior to the race I decided to sign up for the half marathon. I had only been running about 20 miles per week and my longest run post-surgery was only 8 miles, but for the first time in over 7 years, I was able to tolerate food and eat like a normal person. 

Because my training was sporadic during the past few months, I didn't really know what to expect or what to try to do for the race. One of my friends that I typically run my long runs with had told me her PR was 2 hr 15 min on a hilly course and we typically run our long runs at ~ 10:15-10:30 min/mile pace. I knew she could have a huge PR, so I offered to pace her for the first 10 or so miles to get her a PR. On the day of the race, I ran the first 10 miles with my friend and I was feeling really good, so I picked-up the pace on the last 3 miles. My friend finished with an 8 min PR and I finished in 2 hr 6 min and my previous PR was 2 hr 4 min. I felt really good about this with it only being 8 weeks after a major surgery and sub-optimal training. 

Fierce_flyer_emma_3.png

This recent race was a huge boost of confidence for me and fueling with food has me running faster than I've run in years. So what is next for me? Aside from my interest in running, I am a scientist and pharmacist and I have a strong interest in nutrition. I am fascinated with the body's response to nutrition and the lack of nutrition and biochemical processes that can be altered. I believe during the seven years that I received my nutrition via an IV infusion over 10-12 hours overnight and received little to no nutrition during the remaining part of the day, my body metabolism adapted in a way that I need far fewer calories for daily activities. This hypothesis is supported by results from a recent indirect calorimetry study that calculated my basic metabolic rate. I believe this change in metabolism might have a distinct advantage especially when it comes to long distance running where optimal fueling can make or break the day. I have decided that I want to push my body to a new limit, so my goal race this spring will be the Big Buffalo 50 in Memphis, TN (my former home). In preparation for that race, I am planning to do a local half marathon next month where I will shoot for a PR, and the Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham, AL. My marathon PR was from several years ago, so even doing this as a training run, I am hopeful that I can set a PR. In addition to my personal races I have scheduled, I have convinced my winning Women's Ultra Ragnar TN Indiana Volee team that conquered Chatanogga to Nashville last year to tackle Ragnar Midwest! In May, Becca Downs, Rachel Zajac, Jordan Callison, Kaylee Blackman, and Jessa Victor will join me for a fun 200 mile run from Chicago to Madison. 

I have a lot of big adventures planed and I am super excited to continue my training and see what my body will let me do!

0

Primary Subcategory

Team - Volée
November 19, 2018 — Allyson Ely
Building the Base - A Fall Littlewing Update

Building the Base - A Fall Littlewing Update

Lesko
Training

littlewing_update_hero.jpg

It’s a beautiful time of year in Bend, OR! (Well, what time of year isn’t beautiful? But fall is especially delicious). In September, Littlewing Coach Lauren Fleshman introduced us to two new Littlewing athletes, Madeline Strandemo and Rebecca Mehra. Now that they’ve all been back training for about a month, let’s check in on what the group is up to! 


What is your favorite LW exercise or workout so far? 

Rebecca: I love all of the partner "pillar" exercises we do in the weight room. Maddie and I have improved leaps and bounds doing everything from partner squats to hip switches, and now it's so much fun. I think we laugh hysterically nearly every time we do them.
Collier: Handstands. It's a really good exercise for core control and trunk stability... check back for when I actually do one without flipping directly onto my back and knocking the wind out of myself.
Madeline: Partner gymnastics!
Mel: This is a hard one. It's not really my favorite, but we do circuits in the fall, and they are really hard. I tend to feel unathletic and really huffy and puffy during these, but I can tell they are so good for me. I can feel myself getting stronger each week. We also do some partner gymnastic style stuff in our gym work. I like those. Those are fun. 

little_wing_team_portraits.jpg

Animal alter-ego nominations (what fits best?):

Mel: hummingbird, house cat that thinks she's a tiger
Rebecca: meerkat, african grey parrot, cardinal
Collier: wise elephant, mountain goat, lion fish, owl, raven
Madeline: black panther, arctic fox, gazelle, bat 
Carrie Mack: golden retriever, yellow lab, black bear, penguin
Fleshman: owl, lion, ostrich (known as the queen of birds)

littlewing_fall.jpglittlewing_training.jpg

Describe the Littlewing vibe in one sentence: 

  • Littlewing is an awesome, empowered group of women who are trail-inspired, picky-oat eating lovers of kicking some ass on the track.
  • If it's not fun, we are not doing it. *Except for repeat 1ks at First Street. 
  • If it's not fun we're not doing it. *we'll make anything fun.
  • If it's not fun, we're not doing it.

littlewing_coffee_shop.jpglittle_wing_house.jpg

Bend in the fall: describe your favorite day. 

Rebecca: I especially love crisp, fall mornings at Shevlin Park. A few weeks ago the trees were in full fall bloom, and with the sound of the Deschutes in the background, running with my LittleWingers felt like running through Disney's enchanted forest. I also love that because the sun shines so bright in Bend, 40 degrees here is still shorts weather. The Californian in me still hasn't gotten used to the idea of running in tights!
Collier: Crisp, clear morning run in the mountains (ideally Tumalo Falls at peak fall foliage... tight window there), brunch at Sparrow Bakery, afternoon nap, spectating a classic Bend sporting event (ie. Single Speed Mountain Bike Worlds, Cyclocross, The Blitz... mostly lots of biking things). 
Mel: Bend has had an incredible fall this year. If you picture the perfect fall day (leaves changing, the smell of fall (it's a thing), crisp mornings, 50's in the afternoon and always sunny...that's what Bend has been like lately. It's wonderful, and it's my favorite. 
Maddie: Run then brunch at Jackson’s Corner. Any day that starts with that combo is bound to be great!


We can’t wait to see what this year has in store for all of you! Next on deck are some Thanksgiving turkey trots, and then Littlewing at Club Cross Championships in Spokane! 

sarah-lesko-signature.jpg

0

Primary Subcategory

Training - Strength
November 16, 2018 — Allyson Ely