Elite Grannies Rock Our World
Oiselle believes in team and the power of team to elevate individuals. We celebrate our Volée and Haute Volée teammates – constant sources of motivation. And those of us who are “aging with spirit” (as we like to call it) have been so encouraged by the vim and vigor of our older teammates! Today we are delighted to announce Oiselle’s newest featured team, the Elite Grannies.
Salute to Kara Goucher
It’s been quite a month ... actually, more like five years for Kara Goucher. When we met her in early 2014, Kara had already begun testifying against illegal practices she observed during her time at the Nike Oregon Project (NOP). We knew it weighed on her. All the time.
Running Values
Among all these women were older runners, fast runners, trail runners, fast trail runners, chatty runners, solo runners, rounder runners, and short runners. So, all the runners. As I watched all of these women cruise around the grounds, I remembered an exercise I had done a few months ago reading Brene Brown’s ‘Dare To Lead’.
The Year of Mel
I thought the 2019 season would be my best one yet. I was coming off a strong 2018, had new teammates, felt strong, healthy and ready to roll. This year was supposed to be the “Year of Mel” (dubbed by my teammates), but it felt like anything but that.
Anatomy of a Season: Finding My Feet as a Pro
I started and finished my outdoor track season this year with a road mile. My first and second *ever* road miles, in fact. On April 26 I ran at the U.S. Road Mile Champs in Des Moines, IA and finished 6th in 4:38 against a great field, and on September 8 I ran 4:22 at the 5th Avenue Mile in New York City and finished 3rd against an arguably much more competitive field.
That's a Wrap on Another Big Birdcamp
And just like that another Big Birdcamp has come and gone, and what a special weekend it was! We can’t thank everyone enough for bringing their positive vibes, amazing floaties, beer mile relay teams, running legs, spicy catwalks, and killer dance moves. We left camp with full hearts and a renewed sense of energy. Here are some of our favorite memories from the weekend
The Third Time is the Charm
I have been named to Team Canada for the 2019 IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar to run the marathon. This is not the first chance I should have been at the championships – in 2015 I was offered an invite in the 1500m, but Athletics Canada declined my chance to participate. In 2017 I was offered another invite in the 5000m, and again Athletics Canada declined my spot.
WOC - The Team is Open
“Isn’t that for white girls?”
I cannot count the number of times I have heard that phrase in my life. The that has been a whole host of things, ranging from playing in the band, reading nonfiction, and of course running marathons. Even when that phrase is not verbally shared, I know that by being an African-American woman marathoner, I am going against the grain.
Diverse We Run - Courtney Carter
A few weeks ago, we were thrilled to have Carolyn Su, the creator of the account Diverse We Run, on the blog. We couldn't think of a better fit for our Represent the Run campaign. Her and Courtney, long time Volée team member and leader, are back on the blog to share the full story behind Courtney’s feature.
Road to Gold: Course Insights
This past weekend, a few of Oiselle’s Haute Volée Olympic Trials Qualifiers in the marathon ran Atlanta Track Club’s “Road to Gold” course preview race. Check out their insights below, and get pumped for what’s going to be a gritty and epic Olympic Trials in 2020!
My Experience With Depression
I have been vulnerable in the past about my mental health struggles and I know that I want to share in hopes of relating to others. I have had many highs and growth in the last couple years, holding on to an ounce of hope that the rollercoaster of progression would eventually stay upward. Realistically everyone has different stories and journeys; some may not struggle as much and some may go a few years with upward progress to only be brought down temporarily by change. This is my truth and I hope to shed some light on the reality of how powerful the mind can be on an individual.
BAnna Camp Recap
How do you describe a near-lifelong dream come true – one that two people shared long before they knew each other – that was bigger than themselves? Becki (the B in BAnna), puts it best:
The feeling seemed to pour out of me as if I was a 12 oz cup being filled with 16 oz of fluid. It was more of whatever it was than I could hold. I felt something, it wasn’t the typical tear triggers like joy or elation, sadness, sorrow, regret or longing. I couldn’t put my finger on it. So, I sat in silence for the first time in a week and let the tears fall. After some time I texted my in-house Psychologist and fellow Volée Melissa. She hit the nail on the head: the feeling was gratitude.