When I look back over the last 5 years my brain is flooded with amazing moments: memories made amongst a spectacular sisterhood. My time at Oiselle has definitely changed me. Being surrounded by amazing, strong and capable women day in and day out has a profound affect on the person that you are. I would say all the amazing women I have met through Oiselle have made me a stronger woman myself; giving more confidence to the person that I am. In the last five years I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked away from a conversation with a Volée or Haute Volée team member and been completely touched by their strength and their integrity of character. Along with that I was also amazed by how this community welcomes and wraps its arms around its fellow runners. Women brought together by one common thing; running.
At the end of the spring I was presented with an opportunity to coach high school cross-country again. Something I hadn’t done in seven years but something that still tugged at my soul. When presented with the opportunity I knew that I just had to take the plunge. With this plunge came change; change of my existing routine, change of my daughter’s schedule, and change with my role at Oiselle. As we know, change can be uncomfortable because of the uncertainty of how it will all work out. How did I know I was doing the right thing for myself despite feeling uncomfortable in the beginning? I knew because with each day I went to practice there came a feeling of overwhelming joy. The joy of being out there running with my athletes. Coaching them and trying to instill confidence in them with each workout and with each race and enjoying that process each day.
As I got more into my new routine and thought about how I operate I also came to terms with the fact that I needed to make an even bigger change. To step away from my role at Oiselle as team manager to see where this new path would take me… I too wanted to throw myself willingly into the valley of discomfort: not knowing 100% where this next path would take me.
After several weeks of not being at Oiselle what I miss the most is the daily conversation with the women that I have come to know and love but what I also know is that those friendships will continue and be a part of my life no matter where I go or what I do.
Running has been a huge part of my life for 20 years. Starting off as a high school track runner, then a college runner, to a coach, to an employee at Oiselle. It has been a constant in my life and I can’t wait to see how running through these new changes will bring new adventures my way. I hope to show many young runners how running can be their constant – their vehicle through change because as life gets uncomfortable running is always there for you no matter what…all you have to do is strap on the shoes and open the door and you never know what will come your way.
Thank you Oiselle for giving me wings to fly onward!
