Hump Day Giveaway: Your Inner Beast?

As much as entering a designer women’s boutique freaks me out—six items on a rack, nothing in the store above a size 4, including the waify, silent salesgirl—I do love unique things. I could browse etsy for hours. (Oh, wait I do.) My favorite (non-running) skirt is a wrap-around madras number, circa 1970 or so, that first belonged to my mom, then lived in our dress-up box for 20 years, and I saved from the giveaway pile 8 years ago. (I pretty much can’t breathe when I wear it, but no biggie right?) And I can’t bring myself to give away my beloved, really awful red jeans that I bought in Germany in 1993 because, well, they’re red jeans I bought in Germany in 1993—and who else has those?

Strong and beautiful: best combo ever.

So when I spotted an Oiselle tee at a race this spring, I did a double take. I love the fresh graphics, the simple colors, the fact it doesn’t look like a shirt every other runner is wearing. I had no idea how to pronounce the name, but I knew I had to remember the spelling so I could look it up. Fast forward a few months, and I’ve finally done my research. Oiselle, founded in 2003, by Sally Bergesen, a swift running mom who describes running like this:
“For me, the sport has always been about something more. At times, it’s been my religion, my therapy, my escape, my girl time. But perhaps simply enough, it’s been my sense of freedom.”

No wonder I was drawn to her designs.

So you pronounce Oiselle wa zell, which is a French word for bird that also alludes to weightlessness. A clunky German major, I have never described my running as weightless or bird-like, even if we’re including the flightless ostrich in the avian family. But on really good days, when the wind is at my back, my legs are willing and my mind is able, I have felt slightly antelope-esque for a short stretch. When that happens, I feel invincible. And, as Sally says, free.

Live. Run. Fly. What else is there?

At the risk of sounding like Barbara Walters, I’m wondering, what animal would you use you describe your running? Cast your net widely; it doesn’t have to have a speed characteristic (although a whole pack of cheetahs are welcome). Maybe it’s a nurturing animal, like a hound; or one that’s simply content with the same old routine, like the cuddly koala; or a predator, like a great white, which is my son Ben’s current fave animal.  (“How do they chew the seals, Mom?” he asked the other day. “Kind of like how you chew a chicken nugget,” was the best I could do on such short notice.)

Humor me with this slightly juvenile inquiry, and you might be one of three random winners who are rewarded with a very sophisticated prize: an Oiselle top from their new fall 2010 line. (Two are displayed here; I will e-mail winners a couple of choices.)

So where do you and your running land in the zoo?

p.s. Speaking of unique, a fun video of Oiselle’s running dress. Maybe it’s time Grant and I talk about renewing our vows?