I received the big news the other day. The women of Oiselle emailed me to let me know that I was now a part of their racing team #OiselleTeam. Let me back up a little…
I had applied last April and was turned down. They were very kind and professional letting me know that they were looking for team members in different regions and that I should reapply at the end of summer. I’m not going to lie, it hurt to be rejected, but I understood and I kept my wings out and my head high (one of the many soulful Oiselle slogan’s) I moved on with every intention of reapplying.
You see, Oiselle is unlike other companies for many reasons and I was not going to let them turn me down without showing them my true colors. I had to get vulnerable and show them all of me… that I am a real person not just a blog, facebook page or twitter handle but a girl who loves to run. Oiselle is a different company because THEY are not just a web page, store or apparel company. These are real women who personally reach out to each of their customers, the running community and social media followers. I felt as though we were the perfect match. I had to show them the depth of me, and that I, like them, are a part of a tribe of socially conscientious, hard working and self motivated runners.
I am not sure if I did that or, if it was just luck, but they accepted me and 9 others, out of many applicants. This was not a popularity contest, they genuinely look for people who have a passion for running. This makes me even more proud to be on the team. I am so excited and grateful. I can’t stop thinking about how proud I am to represent this company!
So, let me tell you a little about them (if you haven’t already heard)…
Oiselle was founded in 2007 by a Sally Bergesen after a trip to a running store to pick up some shorts turned to disapointment… everything was too baggy, poofy, high waisted and in all in the wrong colors. Let’s back up, Sally started running cross country in High School after being cut from the Volleyball team. Then, running found her a second time in college after returning from living in France… here’s a quote from Sally:
The second time it found me, I was in college at Oregon. I had just returned from studying in France where I was smart enough to meet my future husband, but dumb enough to pick up 15 pounds and a half-a-pack-a-day smoke habit (while it may be true that French women do not get fat, I can attest for the fact that white girls from California do). Fortunately, running showed its forgiving nature once again, and after a year of running the hills around Eugene, I moved to Seattle and got hooked on the sport for good – Sally Bergesen
Here is another quote from Sally and why this company means more to me than the clothes they design:
In hindsight, it would be untrue to say that I haven’t cared deeply about running fast and even winning. But for me, and the small family that makes up Oiselle, the sport has always been about something more. At various times it’s our therapy, escape, religion, and girl time. But perhaps simply enough, it’s been our sense of freedom. And thus the name Oiselle (pronounced wa-zell). A French word for bird, it alludes to that feeling of weightlessness that most runners know and love. That sense of flight – when the legs go fast and the heart goes free. – Sally Bergesen
Oiselle knows the essence of why most people run. They’re not just designers of beautiful clothes (although their stuff is amazing). They’re so much more.
The fact that Oiselle means “bird” has so much significance to me. Birds have been the symbol of my life. My runs through nature have always guided me through the dark times and birds have always been my messengers letting me know that all will be OK. I know I sound kooky and crazy… my friend Alison gave me the nickname “Bluebird and Twigs” because I am always pointing out the birds and wildlife on our runs but, these sightings have given me comfort and have guided me through my life. Those who know me intimately know this and, now, so do you.
I am #OiselleTeam. I am so proud to represent this incredible company, with an even more incredible group of women running and, working for them. I would like to end this post with a video I put together last fall after a Cardinal pair nested in a bush outside our window at our house in Clifton, Virginia. This sums up why birds are symbolic and have meant so much to me…
My Three Little Birds…
I am so ready to run for and, represent OISELLE!!
