OISELLE NORTHEAST BIRDCAMP

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; 
ask yourself what makes you come alive.  
And then go and do that. 
Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

~ Howard Thurman

As many of you know, I've been running with Oiselle for several years now.  When I joined the team, there were maybe 100 of us.  Now there are over 3000.  We are not just a bunch of women who sport the singlet and buy the clothes.  We are a family.  A sisterhood.  A group of women who share similar lifestyles, goals, hopes and dreams.  And when you get on board with Oiselle, you are doing it not only because you love to run, but because you want to share that passion with others and support them in all that they do in running and beyond.  I've had the good fortune of attending the past two Birdcamps; the first out in Bend, OR in 2014 and the second in Leavenworth, WA last summer.  Both were two of the best experiences I've had in my 41 years.  And while there was no question that Oiselle wanted to provide this same opportunity to the rest of their now massive flock, the concept of organizing a camp for thousands of birds in one place was simply not feasible.  Thus, the regional Birdcamps were created; seven camps scattered throughout the country that anyone on the team could attend if they could get themselves there.  I stepped up to lead the camp for the Northeast birds last fall.  And after several months of planning, stressing, organizing, doubting, trusting, hoping and believing, our camp finally came to fruition last week.  Thankfully, it was, yet again, a truly unbelievable experience.  We fit a hell of a lot in to four days and I'm sure many of my teammates will be sharing their stories on their own blogs.  In the meantime, I figured I'd take my own angle and give you....wait for it...yep, a top 10 list.  It's not often that 100 women gather together willingly for a running-oriented retreat.  Now that I've been to three different camps, I've picked up some of the key indicators that suggest one is at such a gathering.  My top 10 signs are outlined below.  To Aubree and her crew at Camp Foss, thank you doesn't really cut it, but I'll say it anyway.  And to my Oiselle teammates and now friends.....see you at #NEBIRDCAMP17.  

TOP 10 SIGNS THAT YOU'RE AT A OISELLE BIRDCAMP

#NEBIRDCAMP

1. You cry tears of joy when you get your swag bag at check-in.  Then you open it up and look inside multiple times throughout the weekend because it's so damn awesome.

BIRDCAMP SWAG

2. You stand around and smile awkwardly for the first afternoon because you don't know many people and by the next day you're borrowing each other's clothes and trading recipes.

A RAINBOW OF HOODIES in the CHOCURA CABIN

3. There's a line 20 deep at the coffee pot first thing in the morning and conversation doesn't begin until the cups begin to fill....or in some cases, refill.

COFFEE POT HUDDLE

4. You run double sessions when you haven't done more than 5 miles in over a month because it just seems like a good idea at the time.

AM RUN AND PM RUN

5. You eat snacks 24/7 in addition to three square meals a day because it's available to you and you don't have to prepare it yourself.

THE SNACK TABLE &

FOOD PREPARED BY MASTER CHEF TARAH

6. You're so exhausted and you REALLY need a nap but you can't/don't take one because you have major FOMO on things like this:

YOGA ON THE GREEN

and this

KAYAKING ON THE LAKE

and this

CHILLING AT THE BEACH

7. It's day three and you haven't stopped smiling and/or laughing.

THE TREEHOUSE GALS

(w/ Mac, Feather, Ashley & Kimberly)

8. You sit quietly and listen to the experts not only because you want to but because it's the first time you've had a chance to do anything remotely like this without someone asking you for or needing something.

WISE WORDS FROM MIKE SILVA

9. You put your legs up on the wall, close your eyes and relax for the same reason.

LEGS UP!

10. You wake up tired and cranky because you slept on a cot in a cabin with no heat and then you see this and all is good and right in the world again.

SUNRISE

Look around

You know you've made it

You know you have

After all

You're never gonna waste it

You never will

~ Javelin

Listen to this:

LIGHT OUT - JAVELIN