Go Fast. Take Chances. Oiselle Team!

First, I just want to say that my thoughts are with all of you that have been affected by the storm. For those of you without power, hot water and/or homes, PLEASE let me know if there is anything that I can do to help you and your families. While I was fortunate enough to survive the storm without any damage or power loss, I know others were greatly affected. But, even though I wasn't directly affected, I have been affected emotionally. The news in this post is one thing that truly made me smile last week, among all the sadness, damage and heartbreak that NYC and the East Coast has endured. 

A few months ago, I took a chance on something that I only dreamed of coming true.

Last Wednesday, while watching my fourth episode of the day of Homeland (don't judge. Just go watch it. It's awesome), I got a text from my boss telling me to check my email.  Before I could make it to my work email account, I saw that I had a new email in my personal account.  Obviously that seemed more exciting, so I checked that first. It was from Kristin, the team manager, at Oiselle. I opened it, saw "Welcome to the Oiselle Team!", jumped up and ran into the other room.  My boyfriend was on the phone, so I just pointed to the shirt I was wearing (Oiselle Start Line), pointed to me, and said "Team! I made the team!" and then proceeded to smile for the rest of the night.  I called my mom, but she didn't answer, so I just sent her a text with a lot of exclamation points that happened to include the words Oiselle and team. Needless to say, I was SO excited and honored to be accepted to this team.  I AM so honored and excited. It makes me giddy just thinking about it!

I first found Oiselle's website about a year ago while probably googling something like "cute running tee shirts" and loved the look of their products.  After buying a few things, I loved more than just the look of them! Then I think it's safe to say that I became obsessed with everything Oiselle. I don't think a day goes by that I don't wear something Oiselle- either on a run, around the house or out shopping. Sometimes the Stripey even makes it to work! And I've figured out a plan for how to get the Happy Hoodie there too!

In case you don't already know how amazing and awesome Oiselle is, first, go to their website and look at their super stylish and fun products. Then, read this about how they got started:

So why a new running apparel company?

Our first year in the market was 2007, however, the idea for Oiselle started several years earlier. After two kids and six years of “just running,” I was ready to train and race again. But what I thought would be a quick trip to the running store to buy new shorts ended in disappointment. Too poofy, too baggy, too high-waisted, and all wrong in the color department.

Over time – and many a long run – that disappointment became an idea. Not only about new women’s running apparel, but also about a new kind of company. One that would draw from my ten years’ experience of branding and marketing for both startups and Fortune 500 companies, and cross-pollinate with the ideas and skills of a select group of partners. So in the end, the question became not so much why a new running apparel company, but why not?

—Sally Bergesen, Founder + CEO

As everyone in the world now knows, the NYC Marathon was canceled.  After the cancelation announcement Friday afternoon, Oiselle tweeted that they were arranging a run for Saturday morning. Even after a late night out Friday night, I set my alarm and made it to the run Saturday morning. And I'm so glad I went! I got to meet and run with Sally Bergesen and some awesome teammates. I knew I was excited about the team before, but after spending only a short time with these people, I was even more excited! Everyone was so nice and welcoming and we ended up having fun doing an impromptu photo shoot along the Reservoir in Central Park!

I couldn't be happier, more excited or more honored to represent this brand that continues to impress me every day. From my first shirt from Oiselle, to multiple pairs of Rogas and countless other tops, I've loved every product.  I love their social media style, I love that they're partnering with Every Mother Counts to raise money for this important organization, I love when they release new products and I love that I'll now get to represent them at every race and while training!  I can't wait to get my team kit and wear it proudly-hopefully in time for the Philadelphia Marathon! But regardless of when I receive my team kit, I know I'll be wearing all Oiselle come November 18!

Head up, wings out