Last week a little announcement came out :
And yesterday Sunday?, it became official when I got my very own bio on the Oiselle Athletes page :
you’re right, that IS the coolest photo ever taken of me. thanks, Bri!
You’ve heard me preach gospel about the [run]life-changing Roga shorts and my love for this incredible company from Seattle (it’s WA-zell, btw, in case you’ve been calling them Oy-sell like I did for a long time) for a while now, but how did all this team business come about? And what does running for Team Oiselle really mean?
Sit down. I’ll tell you.
REWIND : It’s January, Emily and I are at the Olympic Marathon Trials (we’re spectating, not running. just to clarify. you were probably confused.) This is what we looked like, just to jog your memory :
it’s impossible not to make friends dressed like that. I mean, how approachable and obnoxious fun do we look?
While we waited for the start, busy’ing ourselves with Twitter and jumping pictures and warming up our cowbells, this came into view :
I’ve never met someone with underwear outside their pants I didn’t like.
We left Houston and I decided I “NEEDED” a cute tshirt from the Rundies girls.
And it was love at first soft, snuggly, touch.
Thus began the downward run gear retail spiral, anchored by the Roga Revolution. Brian threatened to hire a financial planner and stage an intervention after pair #4, but we’ve since resolved those issues.
(“resolved” = as long as my marathon PR is faster than his I get to keep managing the “running” budget)
((TBD if he rescinds his claim of ‘never running another one ever again’ because of this))
Once I was sufficiently head over heels in love with their products, Emily and I got to spend a dream weekend with Oiselle at the Track Trials, where we discovered the people behind the brand were actually even more rad than their clothing.
“mama bird” Sally, and some of Team Oiselle
The family feeling at the trials was undeniable. From open-armed welcome we received as “tagalongs” to the way the teammates (most of whom had never met) all supported and cared for each other was inspiring.
I wanted to be part of it.
Visiting Oiselle HQ this summer during NuunHTC week was the icing on the cake and the shove I needed to finally submit my application for the team.
NuunHTC invades Oiselle HQ
I know wearing a Team Oiselle bird singlet won’t make me any more than the average mid-pack runner I am, posting my race times to the team board isn’t going to win us any awards (there aren’t really any to win), and it certainly isn’t going to change lives or make the world a better place. Well, other than me single-handedly restimulating the economy by purchasing every piece of current and future piece of clothing I don’t already own.
(Brian is probably registering for a “take back household PR” marathon right now.)
But being part of the team and getting to represent a brand I love is an honor. I’m so thrilled to have been chosen and promise to live up “Go Fast Take Chances” mantra.
photo cred – teammate Tita
So thank you, Oiselle, for opening your arms wings and making me an official part of the family. And for making race day outfit decisions at least 50% easier.
Sarah OUaL
So excited to have you on the team!!! :-) I first fell in love with them a few years ago when our Bloomsday Expo had a t-shirt of birds sitting on a phone line (or something to that effect) and I was all “OMG IT MATCHES MY TATTOOS!!!!!” Obvious destiny.
Welcome to the nest!! :-)
Congratulations again! Seems like such a fun thing to be a part of a team like that. Love your “favorite post-race treat” answer in your bio. That’s my favorite too.
I am so happy for you Sarah!
Congratulations again…I must go read the bio NOW…so excuse me….no no it cannot wait…cuz homework hell is in 30 minutes…. :)
Congratulations, such fantastic news for you and the photo of you is seriously fabulous!!
Awesome! And you just made me really want a pair of Rogas… I also purchased the pro compression socks because of your recommendations but with Oiselle the shipping is crazy (outside US) so therefore the need to wait until a sale and/or promo code comes along… they look awesome though- any recommendation on fit?
Just move here. JK. runningwarehouse.com and amazon.com both carry some items, their s/h may be more reasonable. Fit is pretty true to size IMO – all female cuts so maybe slightly smaller but not crazy. If there’s a particular item you’re curious about let me know :)
Congrats on becoming an ambassador! I have loved that singlet since I first laid eyes on it. Well, pictures of it, online. I can’t fault you for having 4 Rogas; I’m almost there with 3 pair.
Sarah this is so awesome! And by the way, thanks for explaining the pronunciation of Oiselle, I was saying it that way too!
I ordered my first top from them, the “Start” tee and I love it! I also got a long sleeve top that I can’t wait to try out!
This is such an amazing experience and I know you are going to have a blast!
how awesome! Congratulations!
congrats to you!! LOVE oiselle!
The singlet (or whatever that thing is) is adorable! Congrats. I’ve actually never seen a Oiselle store so haven’t bought anything from them before, but their stuff looks pretty awesome! Someday I’ll bite the bullet and buy a pair of those damn shorts already. Will probably have to wait until the temp goes above 40 again…
They don’t have stand-alone stores, but are sold in a lot of local running shops (as well as online, obvs). http://www.oiselle.com/dealer-list
Woohoo! So happy for you, Sarah! Now… I just need to join you at some point soon. ;)
Woo hoo!! How cool, they seem like a really cool company!!!
Wow, this is amazing! Congrats girl!
This is awesome lady! I read your bio on the page and it was so cool to say “hey I know her” (even if it is through those Loochtan boys)! See you at Shawn and JIll’s wedding and maybe you can tell me how to become faster instead of running at the snail pace I do. :)
its awesome you are a part of oiselle’s community and team. they sound rad and it IS an honor; be proud!
Congrats on being selected to their team! That’s awesome!
I was surprised that it hadn’t happened sooner! You seemed like a perfect choice for them.
I actually discovered Oiselle a few years ago on Running Warehouse, but only owned a couple items initially. My collection is now growing at a much faster rate! I bet they’re sick of me asking them on Twitter when they’re going to get international shipping, so that I don’t need to wait for RW to get the new stuff.
Thank you dear. I know they have some int’l shipping on the site now – not sure what the $ is compared to RW though? Might be worth a look for the pieces you just can’t wait for :)
I can’t believe I missed that happening! I just discovered that they ship to Aus now, and USPS have reasonable rates. You just made my day!
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.
Congrats!!! I have been following Oiselle since your Roga shorts post and agree- they are a pretty awesome company. Look forward to seeing you post more about/with them!
You have turned into a running machine! I love it!
I’m a bird as well- I actually discovered them through your blog! :) welcome, welcome!!! :)
Congrats! I know how much you love Oiselle so this must be a dream come true for you! They are certainly an awesome company – pretty sure you are how I found out about them so thanks for that :)
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