Category Archives: Oakley

Do You Want to Be The Next Oakley Women Brand Ambassador?

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In 2012 I was fortunate enough to be one of 10 women selected out of thousands of ladies across the country to be an Oakley Women’s Brand Ambassador. The opportunity quickly became one that would change my life forever. Since becoming a member of the Oakley family I have met the most incredible, hilarious, beautiful, bad ass, FIT women in the United States (and some from other countries, too!) I’ve learned more about my sport, the entire fitness industry, and myself than I ever dreamed possible. Oakley has taught me how a company should run. Equal parts give and take, and nothing but passion.

In 2013, Oakley Women is expanding our family and YOU have the opportunity to apply and try to land yourself a spot in our tight-knit family!!

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You see, this year Oakley has partnered with SHAPE Magazine to throw the ultimate events across the country! The SHAPE Diva Dash! Wondering what the heck the Diva Dash is? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered: The Diva Dash is a women-only obstacle 5k where you crawl, jump, climb, swing and DASH your way to the finish line! The Diva Dash is going to be in several cities across the USA throughout the Spring and Summer of 2013. (San Diego, Austin, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, Boulder, DC, NY Metro, Miami to name some places) and in three of those cities there will be a progression session and live ambassador search. Southern California, Dallas/Ft. Worth, and Boulder.

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All YOU have to do is scoot over to the SHAPE website here and fill out the quick little survey which will land you an opportunity to be selected as 1 of 200 women chosen for each city to attend a VIP Oakley Progression Session which includes a live ambassador search!

Each Progression session will include:

  • Boot Camp with Oakley Women Ambassador Cari Shoemate
  • Yoga with Oakley Women Ambassador Lacey Calvert
  • Nutrition Seminar with Oakley Women Ambassador Marni Sumbal
  • Live Ambassador Search
  • Product Giveaways
  • Mobile Oakley Store Featuring The Newest Oakley Apparel and Eye Wear
  • Much Much More!!!!

Submit your entry by the following dates:

  • Southern California:  March 3, 2013 (Race Day: March 23)
  • Boulder:  April 14, 2013 (Race Day: May 4)
  • Dallas/Ft. Worth:  May 5, 2013 (Race Day: May 25)

**One Entry Per Person**

**Learn More about the Oakley Women Ambassadors at OakleyPBC.Com**

 

On your mark, Get set, GO!! ;)
Good luck & Have fun!!! See you in Austin and Dallas! ;) :)

Oakley Women Summit 2013

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Hello from 30,000 feet!
Let me just start by saying if I had known before that the exit row has like, triple the leg room… I would have been volunteering to sit here all my life. It’s pretty much the poor man’s first class. ;) moving on…

I sit here, rather humbled and inspired by this past weekend. Once again, similar to the feelings I experienced after our trip to Napa over the summer — A very rare feeling… I’m absolutely speechless.

It’s difficult to put into words the inspiration and total bad-assity of the entire Oakley Women’s family. From employees, to athletes, to ambassadors; it is a family who is passionate about a healthy, active, kick-ass lifestyle. A family that pushes each other every day to live in the moment, tackle our goals, laugh until our 6 pack abs turn into an 8 pack, ;) and be as fearless and incredible as we can be.

 

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

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The weekend was designed so that we could field test one of Oakley’s largest markets. — Winter and action sports, and to learn more about their 2013 focus, including how this amazing ambassador team is going to help drive their initiatives.

Oakley is incredibly wellknown for their eyewear, this includes ski/snowboarding goggles. What a lot of people don’t realize is that they also design beautiful, functional, awesome gear and apparel for practically all sports. Snow sports included. What better way to field test their winter-wear than to stick us on one of the most technical mountains in North America and set us loose to shred the slopes?!

But, lets not get ahead of ourselves. On Friday all of us gals (and Shawn) flew in to Salt Lake City where we were shuttled through the valley and up the mountain to Snowbird Resort. From there we all met up at the Oakley House, overlooking the incredible mountains. For a moment I thought “this must be what heaven looks like“

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After letting the beautiful surroundings sink in and catching up with some of my favorite ladies in the entire universe, we were served a homemade sushi dinner that our balllller Oakley chef prepared for us, and launched into 2013 discussion. The ins, the outs, the what’s to come. It was such an informative, inspiring meeting that left all of us on the edges of our seats stoked for this year. Stoked to be a part of this rockin’ brand.

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It was early to bed for most of us, because Saturday morning started bright and early to get our gear and hit the mountain. Our Oakley mamas did a phenomenal job of accommodating everybody’s varying skill levels. They even set up some of the gals who have never skied or snowboarded with lessons! I woke up that morning nauseous with the worst headache. I’m pretty sure the altitude. Slowly through out the day I started feeling better, the more I chugged water and got moving!

Snowbird is not exactly the same as many of the ski resorts I’m used to. Back East I would have no worries hitting a black diamond slope at Holiday Valley.. Even Vail. At snowbird, yeah-friggin-right. ;) However everyone was prepared for the elements with layers of Oakley gear. For the first time, almost ever, I own ski pants that ACTUALLY FIT!!!!!!! Every other pair I’ve ever owned tend to be at least 167 times too big. Not exactly the most flattering thing in the world. My purple MFR pants and Crowbar Ski Goggles make me feel and look pretty fabulous. Feeling confident goes a long way in helping you execute to your fullest potential.

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After an incredible day on the mountain, everyone cleaned up and back to the Oakley house we went for a Mexican dinner and Product Review. It is so amazing to me that Oakley cares so much what we think. They take all of our field testing results and send them to the design team to ensure premium, quality product. Sometimes implementing changes immediately. How cool is that? They have an entire team just designated to field testing, because they truly value their consumers opinion.

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The alarms were going off in the morning for our last full day in Snowbird!! The morning started with a fun yoga class lead by fellow Oakley Women Ambassador, Lacey! It was an upbeat and fun Hour! During yoga and after, we had a fitness photo shoot where we got to take a quick fitness class with celebrity trainer Michelle Lovitt! She is such a hilarious and fun spirit!! Next time we all meet up I’m making sure she kicks my booty! ;)

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It can’t ALL be playtime and living it up in Winter Wonderland. We were all there for one reason, and that’s all about the big Oakley picture. So after the photo shoot we were back up in the Oakley house for various round table discussions and a much earned lunch. We were back in play mode in no time though. The rest of the evening was spent learning about the lives of each woman in the room. 30+ inspiring, strong women (and one kick ass dude) all sharing their stories and passions. It was amazing to see how far so many if us have come in the short time since Napa.

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We each had to wear the spirit hood as we told our story…

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Just like that, in the blink of an eye the Oakley Women Summit was coming to a close. The weekend just zipped right by, and before I knew it we were parting ways last night in elevators hugging and soaking in every last minute.

These women have and continue to change me. They put that pep in my step that I know will help me destroy training for my first marathon.

In order to uncover your true potential, you must find your limits and blow past them.

Living In the Moment: Utah Bound

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In my last post, I mentioned that my biggest personal goal for 2013 is to live in the moment more. It would seem, life sometimes hands you exactly what you need in order to accomplish your dreams. This time, it’s in the form of the Oakley Women’s Ambassador Summit.

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I am off to Snowbird, Utah to enjoy far too many laughs, workouts and shredding the slopes with my Oakley family!!! What better way to kick off a year of enjoying the now?? :)

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I hope you all have a great weekend!! Forget your worries and live for the moment.

Gratitude: Snowbird Utah

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I swear, my Oakley Ambassador mamma knows exactly what I need when I need it.

When I was first chosen as an Oakley Women’s Ambassador in May, it was the perfect timing. I was stressed out of my gord between dealing with my brother’s death, my new job as a kitchen manager that was eating away all of my time and soul, Zack being (at the time) the only person in my world. I needed something to remind me I was on the right track, that I was doing the right things to better my life. I needed something big. When I received that phone call that I was chosen to be an Oakley Women’s Ambassador I screamed and cried. For the first time in several months, it was tears of pure JOY, EXCITEMENT, and GRATITUDE.

The trip to Napa was timed so perfectly,  I couldn’t describe it if I wanted to. A little escape from reality to focus on a brand that I truly believe in, making new friends, and enjoying a fit-filled weekend with 100 beautiful women from around the country (and Canada!)

Fast forward 6 months, and I am filled with so much thanks and pure awh that I am able to represent such an incredible brand. Oakley truly represents everything I want to be as a woman and athlete. One that feels strong and beautiful on the inside and out. One that is confident and accepting of all things, even my flaws. I want to empower other women to go out there and be the best that they can be, ESPECIALLY when that means they aren’t at the elite level. They aren’t winning every race and mastering every advanced yoga pose. To be happy being who they are and pushing themselves further each day.

I can truly say that being able to represent Oakley, that forming such an incredible family with my Oakley sisters and Mamma, has changed my life forever. I am stronger because of them. For that I will be forever grateful.

Once again my Oakley Mamma struck at the perfect time. I opened my e-mail yesterday to see the invitation to the 2013 Oakley Ambassador Summit in January and just about fainted at work I was so excited!!

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don’t mind the scarf. Wanted to cover up her contact info!

WE ARE GOING TO SNOWBIRD UTAH!!!!!! Hitting up the mountains and skiing/snowboarding. Which, is hilarious because I have been complaining my face off about how badly I want to go skiing this Winter and that it’s the only down side of living in Austin. No place to hit the slopes down south! ;)

Then BOOM, here is this e-mail. Like I said, I swear my Oakley parents know exactly what I need, when I need it. Boy oh boy do they deliver!! I can not wait to represent my all time favorite brand in Utah (fun fact. I’ve been to 40 states. This will make 41! I’ve never even flown through Utah!!! SO EXCITED)

I am dying of excitement over here to get to learn more about Oakley, hit up the slopes, and spend time with my “family”!!! I MISS THEM SO MUCH, and can’t wait to meet the rest of the 2011 Ambassador team that wasn’t able to go to Napa.

I am just bubbling over with gratitude and am wracking my brain on how in the world I can give back to Oakley even remotely the way they have for me.

A Yogi Love Story

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Some of the greatest love stories of all time started with a very bad first date. By the end of the night you go to bed disgusted and even a little disappointed in yourself for giving it a try in the first place. Little do you know that it really was the beginning of something great, and your life will never be the same. Sometimes you find love in the strangest of places.

My first date with yoga was a disaster. I had such high expectations. After all, I was a gymnast and ballerina my entire life…. Flexibility is something I prided myself on throughout those years. They apparently had gone completely out the window. A distant memory. My rigid muscles aside, there was more to this horrible first date. I couldn’t get my breath on track. As the teacher would count for an inhale, I would be exhaling. I would try to correct it only for them to be proceeding to the exhale themselves. I couldn’t stop comparing myself to the rest of the students in class. The first “ommmmmm” left me giggling and rolling my eyes. The welcoming of the present moment freaked me out…

Favorite yoga mat ever. Thank you Oakley!

A few years later and I am in a healthy, loving relationship with yoga. I fall more in love each class I take, or video I workout with. Yoga has been a great teacher and source of healing for me, especially in this last year. It has taught me to silence my mind, connect with my body, discover my spirit, and focus on the present moment. After all, yesterday is in the past and tomorrow is never promised. All we can do is live and love in the present moment. Something, that before yoga, I was never able to do.

The first time I felt the immense quiet of emptying my mind, I almost cried. The first time I learned how much stronger my body was than my mind believed, I discovered what accomplishment really meant. I could finally breathe. A new mantra that has helped me through so many struggles since then.

It became the perfect yin to my crazy, stressful, out of control yang of a life. Once I started really getting into running, it was like the three of us were destined to be together. They couldn’t be two more different disciplines, but as a whole we make one very happy body and mind.

Perhaps the joy springs because I know the perils of the dark side so well, because I am a champion of the light, and every moment of peace, reconnection, and love, signals victory. Whatever the cause, I will never question it. I am thankful to have stumbled into that first yoga class when I was still in community college. This year would have been drastically different (in a negative way) if I didn’t conquer my mind.

Have you ever taken a yoga class? Do you love it or hate it?

Name it and Claim it: 2013 – The Year I Become a Surfer

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Since becoming an Oakley Women’s Brand Ambassador, I have been following Oakley Dispatch on pretty much all social media platforms. Oakley Dispatch is a Surfing and lifestyle documentary based around the world class talent that makes up the Oakley Surf Team.

Following along this incredible journey has made me fall in love with the sport of Surfing. Meeting and spending time with professional Surfer Erica Hosseini during the Oakley Women’s Ambassador retreat in Napa didn’t help matters much… Not only was she one of the most rad and down to earth chicks I’ve ever met, she also had so much passion about the sport that I couldn’t help get the itch to dive into it myself!!

Since then, I have been studying surfing like it’s my job. I just can’t get enough of it!! The Surf Science, Theory and Culture just pulls me in and there is no more denying it.

…my bookshelf has gotten a little full of used surfing books. Who knew there were so many great ones on Amazon?

I have decided 2013 is going to be the year I become a surfer. I know that it’s hard because I live in Central Texas, where I am utterly land-locked. However, in the Spring and/or Summer I am heading to Surf Camp in Hawaii! I’m also heading to South Padre Island in the spring for lessons. I’m not kidding when I say I am going to become a surfer next year.

I have surfed twice in the past. Both times I spent a majority of my time smacking the water and just paddling around on the board. The first time was in the Bahamas in 2009 and the second time was while I was living in Florida during a trip to Miami with my boyfriend at the time. In the Bahama’s we didn’t exactly have a formal lesson. We just kind of had fun with our leashed boards that we rented and played around. In Miami we did take a 2 hour class with a bunch of other tourists and mostly practiced on land and in “white water” next to shore. I don’t think I stood up for more than 15 seconds max. It was still a complete blast, and was incredibly freeing. It’s amazing what the open water can do for your mind. It was a wild feeling…. Even if I wasn’t very far out into the water at all.

I already have a few basic things down that are helpful when starting out as a surfer. I have some endurance in me from the last two years I’ve spent running, I also have pretty decent balance, thanks to the 13 years of gymnastics under my belt… But, those aren’t the only important pre-requisites for surfing.

Over the next five months I will be diligently working on my swimming, yoga, and core work. As well as still running, of course. Getting into surfing, I have no intentions of replacing my running with it. I will always be running.

I can do a mean doggie paddle, I can do the breast stroke.. I can definitely swim, just not very gracefully or fast. Any swimmer with a day of training under his or her belt would be ashamed that I even call my ability to stay above water and move forward, SWIMMING! ;) I will be focusing on the front crawl/freestyle especially. Gotta be able to paddle out and survive the waves if and when you fall off the board! Honestly, THIS is my biggest fear with surfing. I don’t mind the open water, I don’t mind the huge waves. I don’t mind falling off the board and smacking the water hard.. I am worried about being able to make it back to my board and/or shore after being pulled under. It’s a wee bit frightening to think about. Yes, beginners usually surf with a leash.. But, it’s only a convenience factor. It is not a guarantee and one day, the leash will be taken off or broken. So swimming is my #1 priority.

I’m off to my first “Charlotte’s Prep for The Year of Surfing” yoga class this morning at Dharma Yoga. This will also be my first class in Austin!!! I’m really looking forward to it. I miss yoga classes. I do videos frequently at home, but there just isn’t the same buzzing meditative energy at home as there is in a packed class.

Maybe one day I’ll even get to shred some waves with the athletes who live love and train at the Oakley house in the North Shore in Hawaii ;)

Photo Credit: Oakley Dispatch Instagram @Oakley__Dispatch

Have you ever surfed? Have you ever wanted to surf?
Have you ever chased a fitness dream that most people thought made you crazy?

Oakley Prescription Glasses

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During my Oakley Women Ambassador Retreat in Napa Valley, California in June one of the coolest parts of the weekend was getting to go through the Rolling O Lab.

Now, I know what you’re all thinking. What in the world is the Rolling O Lab? Well, it’s a test lab set up to show the science and technology that goes into the Oakley glasses. Lenses and Frames. Designed to show you exactly why Oakley is the best glasses designer on the market.

First thing we learned was about the High Definition Optics (HDO) and boy did they put this to the test for us. HDO is the technology Oakley uses to give clearer and sharper images without any corruption. What does that mean? No headaches! Typically people blame headaches from glasses on the tightness of the frame, when in reality it usually comes from your line of vision created from the lenses in your glasses… The lenses tend to shift everything over. With HDO you see everything exactly where it is, NOT shifted…

This is when the really cool test happened. *pushes up nerd glasses* The laser prism test! A laser is fired through each lense in a frame and in theory, the dots should come together in the center to focus on a single image. So each eye sees the same thing. See, what we see isn’t actually where they are in most glasses. The typical lense will bend light…. Our brain is wasting energy trying to put these images together… Have you ever put on a pair of glasses and felt like the ground was closer to you than it actually was? That’s what causes that feeling. Hence the headaches!

Not with HDO! HDO pretty much eliminates any distortion. What we see, where we see it, is where it’s actually at.

After the HDO tests he did a series of impact tests. As the leading brand in the athletic field for eyewear, you never know what could happen. You could take a spill on your face. Get hit in the eye with a ball. Have a rock shoot up and smack you in the forehead. Athletes are constantly taking risks and sometimes things go wrong. The last thing we want to destroy is our eyes! So Oakley puts all of their lenses to the test to make sure they can uphold the worst of the worst.

The Metal Spike test compared the Oakley Dart lenses with the lenses of the leading competitor, where a metal spike weighing more than 1 pound dropped from over 4 feet up, directly onto the lenses. The Oakley lenses scratched a wee bit, but there was no cracking, no shattering of the lenses. The Competitor? Well, it shattered… Which could lead to some pretty nasty eye problems…

Needless to say, I decided then and there if I was going to be wearing glasses on my face all day everyday, they would be Oakley glasses for sure. Then I discovered that Oakley has some of the cutest Prescription glasses on the market. It was like I won the jack pot!

I was beyond thrilled to get my hands on a pair of Rx glasses from Oakley. In fact, I hadn’t even realized they made them! I mean, it makes sense… I just never looked into it before! Boy oh BOY am I glad they filled me in on that bit of information!

I had such a hard time picking out which ones to get. Literally every pair of frames are adorable! But finally with the help of Zack I narrowed it down and ordered a pair of cute little pair of wire frames! Meet the Oakley Noteworthy.

These adorable frames are super lightweight! I forget they are on my face just about every time I wear them! haha. (Other than the whole being able to see thing… ;) ) However have no fear! If these aren’t your style; there are a variety to choose from!

Women:

Men:

(DISCLAIMER: as an Oakley Women Ambassador I was provided a pair of prescription glasses by Oakley. However all opinions are my own)

Do you wear prescription glasses? If so, check out Oakley.com and click on the prescription link under the STORE tab!

The Fiery Tale of a Long Run

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I had a very serious post all ready to go for today.. However, that post will have to wait. Who wants a post about the plan of attack for PRing my half-marathon in two weeks when I can tell you a tale that is sure to leave you giggling your butt off instead?

That’s what I thought…

This tale starts off like most other weekend mornings. I got up and dressed for my long run, only to discover Texas was going to pretend to be WNY for the day and drop to almost freezing temperatures. Okay, so more like 40 degrees… But it really is astonishing how quickly you can get used to 80+ degree weather… Naturally I went back inside and ruffled through my piles of unorganized clothing to find my Oakley Running Pants… My most favoritest pants in the world… & back out the door I was to pound out 9 miles.

I’m running along a trail in the hill country and suddenly I feel a sting on my knee. I didn’t think much of it.. Kept chugging along.

Oh hello there hill country. I love you, you’re my new best friend. That is all.

Okay so back to the story. I keep running thinking nothing of the sting. It went away and figured maybe some shrub pricked me on the trail. lalala listening to my tunes and then BAM. sting again in the same spot. What the heck?! I pull up my pant leg. There’s a stinkin little fire ant. Ahh, yes.. I’m really in Texas now. I pick the little jerk off and keep truckin’ along. A little bite by a pesky fire ant isn’t going to stop me.

I keep on running and a few miles later I am further into the trail and suddenly I feel a sting on my ankle, immediately followed by a sting on my ASS!

All bets are off at this point. Thank goodness I was in the middle of a trail in the hill country, but to be honest it wouldn’t have mattered if I was in Time Square. I YANKED my pants off and pull the ants off my butt cheek. Shake out my pants, inspect them to make sure there aren’t any more little jerks roaming around in there…. Start to pull them back on…..

and then hear giggling in the distance.

Seriously?! I look up and there are two boys who can’t be a day over 12 laughing and having a good ole time at my expense. At this point I yank my pants on horrified and dart off into the trail. As I’m running along I realize just how ridiculous this all was and start cracking up. To the point where I’m in tears, and my sides hurt and I had to come to a complete stop, and all I can do is shake my head and laugh. Yeah, those boys got a good look at me in my undies. Big whoop. I was a gymnast and dancer growing up, I was still wearing more than I did at my gymnastics meets.

You just can’t make this stuff up!

Yeah, that is my toosh. I’m sure I’m begging for creepers by posting that, but honestly.. I had to share it. This story is so ridiculous I feel it needed proof. LOL however, although the ant biting my butt is hilarious and all, the bite on my knee is way worse…

So, you’re welcome!! I hope I made your Monday full of giggles. Anytime you get a case of the Monday’s just think of me frantically yanking my pants on while immature boys are giggling in the distance.

THIS IS MY LIFE GUYS!! :P

What’s the funniest story from one of your runs? Come on.. we all have at least ONE.

10 Running Questions Everyone Wants to Know!

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I’ve seen these questions floating around the blogosphere for a few weeks now. When I saw one of my favorite blends Jennie post them on her blog the other day I was finally sold to post them on mine! I do get a lot of e-mails in regards to some of these questions, so I figured this would be a great and fun way to answer them! Plus, I didn’t really have anything else planned for the blog today (woops, BAD BLOGGER BAD!) so what better time than now?!

10 Running Questions for Every Blogging Runner:

1) Best Run Ever?
Do races count? Honestly, my best run was the 2012 Cherry Blossom 10 Miler in Washington, DC on April 1st. It most certainly wasn’t my best time… However, it was still my best run. Why? Well, it was my first ever double digit run, and though it was pretty dang slow, I felt strong through the entire run. I finished slower than most people would be proud of, but I still beat MY goal time and I launched the beginning of my distance running life as I know it today!

2) Three words that describe your running?
Challenging. Empowering. Painful. Running is hard for me. I was a gymnast for over 13 years so I damaged this body of mine. I pounded it into the ground and over bars day in and day out for the majority of my life. Leaving me with cranky, painful and over-extending joints, wearing cartilage, etc. But, every single run whether it be a great run or the worst run of my life, and ever run in between teaches me something. Running has helped me grow in ways I never dreamed possible.

3) You go-to running outfit?
This is a no-brainer. I’m sort of an Oakley Women snob… ;) Oakley Align Bra, Comet Shorts, Shine Support Tank, PRO Compression socks, and Brooks Pure Connects on the feet!

i LOVE OAKLEY

4) Quirky habit while running?
I sing and dance. Loudly, obnoxiously. I have often gotten the side glance during training runs and races. I just smile and sing AT THEM. Come on y’all… Join my fun! ;)

5) Morning, Mid-day, Evening? 
If I have it my way, evening! Especially now that I live in Austin. In order to beat the heat I would have to get up at like 4am… AND HOMIE DON’T PLAY THAT! ;) Plus, that is absolutely, positively nothing more peaceful than running during sunset! So beautiful. So calming.

6) I won’t run outside when it’s? 
Blizzarding. Cold is fine, blizzard like conditions, not so much! Though, I guess I don’t have that issue anymore. I WILL RUN ALLLLLL THE DAYZ. No not really. Hail storms are not my friend either. That happens frequently in the great state of Tey-has.

7) I felt most like a bad ass mother runner when…
I registered for my first full marathon. That was a big step. Committing to training for a 26.2! Two years after I started my running journey.. Not to the date or anything, but relatively speaking. 6 months after crossing the finish line of my first half-marathon! It is a huge step for me. I’m slow, running more than 5 miles hurts, every time. But damn it feels good to be a gangster! ;)

8) Worst injury; and how you got over it
Definitely my pelvic tilt.. Which lead to a slight tear in the muscle behind my right hip. It was painful as H-E-DOUBLE-HOCKEY-STICKS. Truthfully, I still get pain in my right hip and I seriously wonder if I always will.. However, it is nothing compared to the screaming pain I was in when it happened. After some trips to the chiropractor, 2 months off running, strength training, and tons of yoga… It is better. The tilt is a work in progress. I have to basically re-teach my muscles how to position themselves. The Dr. recommended an orthotic but I’ve heard some horror stories about those just making you compensate on the other side… No bueno. What I’m doing has worked and my hip gets really tight after longer runs, but other than that it’s A-Okay! I was cleared to train as hard as I deem fit by the doctor so yay! :)

9) Next Race is…
Rock n Roll San Antonio Half Marathon on November 11th!! I’m really excited for this race. I’ll be running it with my step-mother. We ran the Great Taco Run 10k together, but this is different for some reason. haha. It will also be my first race AS A TEXAN. ;)

10) Potential running goal for 2013?
Oh there is no potential about it. I WILL be running my first full marathon! However, for potential goals… I want to try to get into the Nike Womens (half)Marathon in San Francisco! A notoriously tough course, but gorgeous and famous for so many reasons. If I DO NOT get in, I want to try to do one of the Disney Races. I’m thinking Wine & Dine…

So there it is y’all!!! This was actually a lot of fun to fill out! A lot of bloggers have been tagging people, but I’m not going to do that. Instead, I’m just going to say that anyone who feels up to the task of taking a jog down memory lane, go ahead and make a post with these 10 questions! :)

Oakley Women – Perform Beautifully

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One afternoon in May I was busy at work at the Chang’s when my phone started buzzing. A Los Angeles phone number came up on my caller ID… Could it be?! Nooo… I brushed it off, silenced my phone and carried about my business at work. Then I felt the buzz in my pocket indicating I had a voicemail. I was dying of curiosity, so I snuck into the back office and listened to it. To my surprise it WAS in fact the wonderful gal who has become the Ambassador mama of sorts (uh… coolest mom EVA, by the way ;) ) informing me that I had earned a spot on the 2012 Oakley Women Ambassador team. I literally squealed. That’s actually putting it mildly. I SCREAMED! Loud. I jumped up and down like someone had just told me I won a million dollars a week for life.

Being a member of a group of such gorgeous, inspirational, hilarious, bad ass women (who sure do know how to have a great time!) has been absolutely life changing. These women have shown me time and time again that we should NEVER be afraid to tackle our dreams. No matter how big or small, we have dreams for a reason. They are meant to be lived.

Because….
“If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you”

If I’m being completely honest, I knew nothing about Oakley when I became an Ambassador. Don’t get me wrong, I THOUGHT I did. I thought I knew a lot about Oakley. Shoot, I’ve been wearing their ski goggles since I was a little girl falling on my face at Winter Park in Colorado the first time I ever attempted to shred. I’ve owned several pair of their sunnies… But, the company, products, and mission go so much deeper than I would have ever imagined.

Every single day I learn more about this incredible company family. Every single person in this huge, fabulous family — from employees, to ambassadors, to athletes; focus on living the happiest, boldest, healthiest life they can lead. Not only that, but the Oakley Women line was designed FOR women BY women. Not only by women, but by women who are ATHLETES… Who were straight up tired of getting the run around. I’m sure most of you by now have heard the phrase “shrinking and pinking”… Taking men’s active gear and shrinking it/dying it pink so they can sell them to women. Oakley had enough of that, they wanted top quality gear designed specifically for women. Lets face it, us women DO want to look feminine, and fashion forward… But while being active we also want to maintain high quality, functionality, and technical performance. We want to PERFORM BEAUTIFULLY. Oakley does just that for us!! (and more)

But, what exactly does “Perform Beautifully” Mean? To me…. Performing beautifully is a state of mind. Anyone can perform beautifully, and it’s amazing to me that a company believes so strongly in empowering women!

Performing beautifully to me is looking your fears straight in the eye and defeating them. It’s living a healthy, happy, BOLD lifestyle from the inside out. Not being afraid to be 100% true to yourself and letting everyone know exactly who that person is. Strong & Beautiful

You dont know strength until strength is the only choice you have
A lesson I have learned many times in my life. Especially this year… I thank Oakley for reminding me day in and day out of that strength. Reminding me to Perform Beautifully.

 

If you haven’t already, I highly recommend scooting over to Oakley’s new online community OakleyPBC.com (Oakley Perform Beautifully Collective) where you can connect with other fitness lovers/professionals and find everything from product reviews, top 10 tips, quotes of the day, Ambassador Picks, Athlete Profiles… You name it, if it has anything to do with the active world & Oakley… It’s there! Signing up is free and painless!