Extraordinary Strides
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Extraordinary Strides
Running with Flair: Exploring the Exciting World of Costume-Clad Running and a Sneak Peek into 'Flok' Fashion
Are you ready to revamp your running routine with a dash of creativity? Picture this: you're winding through your favorite park trail, but this time you're donned in a brilliant costume, turning heads and sparking smiles with every step. Join us in this episode where we explore the fascinating world of running in style. This will be no ordinary run as we take you through the ins and outs of running in costume, offering insights into head-to-toe safety, comfort, and the fun of self-expression.
Ever wondered how a passionate triathlete could transition into a creative clothing designer? Let our guest, Miriam Guerrero, enlighten you with her inspirational journey. She'll introduce you to her fashion brand, Flok, a line that's not just about making a statement but also about promoting individuality within a group of your fellow birds that "soar" together. Her brand produces comfortable, versatile outfits, perfect for the running enthusiast who dares to be different. You'll also get to hear the heartwarming story behind the name 'Flok' and Miriam's unwavering commitment to size inclusivity.
Wanna join the Flok and grab your unique running gear? Check out the website here.
But we're not stopping there. We've got a treasure trove of budget-friendly costume ideas for you! Miriam's passion for running will surely rub off on you as she shares some tips on transforming everyday running gear into a full-blown costume. And because we believe every great run deserves a delicious treat, we're unveiling some delightful Halloween brunch recipes to satiate your post-run hunger. So, swap your regular running shorts for a vibrant tutu, put on that wig, and join us as we celebrate the joy of running in style!
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Hey friends, coach Shelby and Coach Christine, welcoming you in and letting you know it's time for brunch, where there is always an open table, a hot cup of coffee, an endless running fun to keep you moving and grooving. And with Halloween rounding the corner and some of our most fun races coming up and run Disney, we come to pass up the opportunity to dedicate an episode to running in style and embracing our costuming best, even though I think it's safe to say, coach, neither of us really need an excuse to wear a costume.
Speaker 2:I mean, a Tuesday is always a great reason to wear a costume, that's for sure, especially running with a costume and finding a way to put a smile on your face and on others. But for maybe the more costume conservative shall we call the folks that are like considering it for maybe the first time ever we are jam packed with lots of great goodies for you guys that are maybe coming on over to the dark side, or maybe the sparkly side.
Speaker 1:Glitter for everybody? Yes, but it really. If you haven't costumed and run before, it can feel very confusing, because we always talk about running and being comfortable and not chafing and not adding bulk and getting super hot. So I mean it can be a little bit of like okay, it sounds great on paper, but how the heck do I run in a costume? Running and eating is still such a foreign concept to most people. So wearing a glittery tutu and running, I feel like, is even a little bit more out of the box.
Speaker 2:Well, I think glittery, tutu and moving and grooving has been something that I've probably been doing since I was a little little one, so let's talk about how folks can do it. I think first, right out of the gate, is, of course, because we have the Queen of Safety with us. We're going to talk about a lot of things of how you should stay safe, but one of the first things that needs to be taken into consideration is that if you are going to be running in costume that likely you are not going to be trying for any new world records Would you say that? Safe coach.
Speaker 1:I mean, even though Brittany Sharbonneau, the funny runner, she did win Dopey in costume, but taking a page out of her book, she costumed smartly and safely, which I do love my safety. I will proudly wear that crown. But yeah you really, if you're going to be running in costume, for most of us mere mortals it's probably not going to be a PR race, at least not the first time around or the tenth time around. It'll probably be something that you're going to have to cultivate and hone your skills in, just like you do on those speed workouts.
Speaker 2:Absolutely so let's get right into like a little head to toe. So, instead of a head to toe checking through a little bit with our form and our posture, we're going to do a little head to toe on this, running safely in costume, I think. First and foremost, as you do know, I officially lost my head, or at least my wig, in springtime. So, taking into consideration that those wigs, those hats, those masks on your head can really create like a lot of other barriers that can make you overheat, you could potentially have difficulty with any if it's too tight, getting a headache all of those things should be taken into consideration. And, of course, visibility right out of the gate. If you have anything on your head that's going to diminish your visibility, that could potentially be a really well. Let's not say it could be, it's going to be a big issue.
Speaker 2:You need to see where you're going, my friends, so let's go.
Speaker 1:Your wig story is like my favorite of all time Just the fear in your eyes and the panic of like do I go back? Do I not go back? What do I do? I don't know. I just saw the 50 million different thoughts as we just kept moving and then by the time we had decided it was, it was done, yeah. We just had to leave it behind and soldier on.
Speaker 2:I'm so curious if anyone did come across it and what they did with it. Did they kick it off into the sides? Curse you. I hope they didn't pick it up. That's I can't talk about. I'm not even queen safety and I'm still not picking up anybody else's wig. But unlike me leaving things behind, you do want to take that into consideration with your costume, where you don't want to necessarily be discarding along the courses. Again, as the story goes, where my wig did get discarded onto the course, unfortunately it just fell off. My friends, it fell off.
Speaker 1:I will say as a rule of thumb I'm going to make a bold statement Just don't do a mask. I feel like nothing good happens. Most races actually that do allow like costuming, don't allow masks. So I would just say like, take that out of your repertoire first, and foremost.
Speaker 2:It's so funny, though, because I feel like we're just coming off the heels of the pandemic where runners were instructed to potentially wear masks or safety purposes, and now we're like don't wear a mask.
Speaker 1:But yeah, it wasn't like. I mean like a Hulk mask, really the Spider-Man mask, not not an actual protective barrier?
Speaker 2:mask, unless if you're going to be like Katana from a Mortal Kombat and then you're still going to have difficulties.
Speaker 2:So I would definitely say that you should take into consideration. Nothing that's going to restrict your line of sight, nothing that's going to restrict your actual capacity to breathe are things that should be very important right out of the gate with your costuming. So we're going to talk a little bit about maybe makeup instead of masks and coach, I think you have a little bit. Well, you're going to be doing some pretty we're not going to give it away yet, because then we're talking about it in the next episode but you're going to be doing some more intense makeup for your running. So I know I'm a fan of setting spray, but what are you planning on doing to help you make sure that it's a little bit more waterproof?
Speaker 1:So I'm going with some makeup that is oil free. That's going to help it stay on because it's not going to have that oil base, but I also would say, like waterproof makeup. That's going to be more in like the eyeliner mascara category for us to where it's not necessary. But every little bit is going to help and I would just make sure that you do test it out because again you're going to be clogging those pores and you're going to break out. So maybe, if you have a big event to where you do have to be fresh faced and presentable, maybe skip the full makeup and get a little creative with. I'm going to be doing some dots and some neon face paint that's going to be around.
Speaker 1:So you can always look a little mixed, a little match.
Speaker 2:And I think this is where getting creative with your costuming is going to be really important too, because maybe a headband might be great to help get that sweat so it doesn't roll into your eyes and maybe smear that makeup again. All about that visibility when you're going for that safety. Now, another thing that needs to be taken into consideration and we're seeing it, friends with the Ren Disney crowd as well, aware that costume and God lives have been changed officially, and I would assume that this next reason is probably a big one, and it's while you don't necessarily need wings to fly at your run, it is something that will your costume demands wings or anything that kind of is further away from your person can really impede your fellow runners. So it's going to be quite interesting this year with Ren Disney's new guidelines. I feel like a lot of their guidelines came into play with the fact that there was a potential that people's costumes were maybe impeding the safety of others because having to get around I don't know, maybe a large cardboard box car.
Speaker 1:See, I felt, I actually felt that our cars costumes were pretty safe. Granted, we walked the 5K I would not have been able to run in it but I would like to say that, as a safety idea one, your costume should not be any farther out than like your, your armspan, your wingspans, in all honesty, nothing that is going to be sticking out high or super, super low that might not be able to be seen by your fellow runners. So if you're going to be having really nice butterfly wings, make sure that they are at least within your body area and they can be seen for a shorties as well as people that are taller, because I did actually get poked by quite a few things.
Speaker 2:I didn't even think of that, but I could see where the guy probably got smacked in the face a couple times.
Speaker 1:And it's too early to get smacked in the face. I don't know. We had Grumbelina up here on day three that I think that she would have brought somebody to task.
Speaker 2:Was not wearing my wings for that though, unfortunately.
Speaker 2:So, yeah, I think it's just, it's hard right, because you're excited and you want your costumes to look amazing, and sometimes those extra little touches really does take it to that next level, but also taking into consideration that it may be more difficult for others to get around you if the course gets tight.
Speaker 2:So, taking that definitely as part of that costuming for those specific races and thinking to like beta breakers it's a big costuming type race, so this should apply year round, not just for those Halloween fun runs. I think, coach, for me, though, the biggest one and I'm going to always go back to this is that you really want to be mindful of your powerful runners legs. Show them off, show a little leg meaning. So if that costume is all the way down to your ankles and it's restricting your actual natural movement from your either your walking or your jogging or running paces, that may not be the right costume for this specific timeframe. It might be great for you to go trick or treating or going to a Halloween party, but maybe taking it out for a run isn't necessarily the greatest, so that may be where you might have to get created with a little snip of those scissors to make sure that you have a little ventilation. You can actually move and groove in that.
Speaker 1:Which brings up a great point Safety number one is you have to test this out before you actually go and try to run a race in it. Yes, you might get a weird look or two running around your neighborhood going. I wouldn't try it on the treadmill because there's a whole lot of extra safety issues with that of fabric getting caught getting snagged, but our races are outside. You're going to want to go ahead and test out the components, even if you do one piece out of time to make sure that you can move safely. Because, again, just because you may have something that doesn't go all the way down the floor, if you're adding bobbles to your shoes or adding extras here and there, it can throw off your balance and can throw off your gait, and I am a tripper, I can trip over thin air, so anything in a costume can literally trip me up.
Speaker 2:I don't know if I think you're that big of a tripper. I haven't seen you fumble or mumble or anything like that.
Speaker 1:I trip over my feet daily.
Speaker 2:OK, but then you keep your practicing how like gracefully recover.
Speaker 1:OK, I will accept that You'll allow that.
Speaker 2:Yes. So, friends, these are all things that need to be taken into consideration If you're choosing to make your own costume, if you're getting a costume off of Amazon which I know a lot of folks tend to do or maybe you went to their Halloween super store, maybe you've crafted it all on your own and you're really excited about it, but one of the things that really is fantastic, too, is keeping things, keeping that little kiss analogy. Keep it super simple, and one of the great ways of doing that is to let it happen, let that costume come to fruition by letting the pros take care of it. So, coach, I really can't wait to talk to Miriam and bring her on in, because we are going to talk to, indeed, a costuming pro where folks can head on over to her website and maybe just pick up something that's designed perfectly for a runner who loves costumes in mind. What do you think? Is it time for us to bring her on in?
Speaker 1:Let's do it. So if you've been around our brunch table for a while, you know that we love running, we love movement and we also love costuming and everything that entails. So we are very excited to pull up a seat to our brunch table and welcome Miriam Guerrero, the awesome genius of Flock's Sportswear. Miriam, thank you so much for coming on today.
Speaker 3:Thank you very, very much to both of you for inviting me. I mean, I feel so honored to be here with you. My English is not as good as I would love to, but I promise you I will do my best right, you're awesome girl.
Speaker 1:Don't even put that you are amazing, and I always say I'm like. I barely can speak English and that's my primary language, so I give mad props to anybody who can speak more than one language. So, trust me, this is a welcoming space and we're excited because we recently found you and we're introduced to Flock Sportswear. So I'd love to open up for you to tell us a little bit about yourself.
Speaker 3:All right, great. Oh, thank you very, very much. Well, my name is Miriam Guerrero. I've been an ad triathlete for the past 12 years so I love, you know, like running and I love like wearing very girly stuff, so it was kind of hard 12 years ago here in Mexico to find you know these kind of pinky, cute things for triathlons.
Speaker 3:So that was, you know, a little voice in my head saying that maybe one day I could do something. I didn't know anything about sewing and all that stuff, but I knew inside myself that maybe one day I could do something. So that was kind of how it started. Maybe in a while I can tell you all my long story short, but it's kind of that's. That's myself. So I've been in this running business for a long while. So I'm loving it and it's part of my life and I'm glad to be here and tell you a little bit of my life. I found my process here in the, in this business.
Speaker 1:That's really interesting. I you don't think triathlete and you don't think like wanting to. I feel like kind of like runners. Everybody has like a picture in their head and you always think of like triathletes. It's like the wetsuit and the, the crisp lines, like it's all black. There's not a whole lot of everything, so I love right off the bat. You're like I kick butt and I look good while I'm doing it.
Speaker 3:Yeah, totally, that was one of my reasons. And here in Mexico we say that it doesn't matter how you do on the triathlon, it matters how you look. So in the pictures, yeah, yes, I love that.
Speaker 2:I love that you feel like I need something and I'm. It doesn't exist, I'm going to help create it. I think that's such an incredible inspiration because for so many of us, sometimes we get frustrated with things and hearing you say like, hey, it's not out there, I'm just going to make it happen. But I also think that one of the things that we love specifically about your brand is that you really don't want to just make it happen just for you, because you could have very easily said you know what. I'm going to make this happen. I want to look cute for my triathlon photos, but you wanted to make it so that everyone who wears your clothing feels good and they like reflect on the inside, like out, externally. They get to like represent who they are the inside, that extra little sparkle. We love sparkles around here. So what made you decide to do that in terms of I want this to be something for the world.
Speaker 3:All right, okay, so here's kind of a story. As I told you, I'm going to make it really short because I love talking, so I will try to make it short, I promise. Okay, so it was seven years ago. I am a Disney lover, so I just found out I've been eight years ago, I just found out that there was this running races in Disney going on, so that was the perfect reason for myself to go to Disney once more. So I got, you know, the subscription for the running marathon in January in seven years, eight years ago. So I was there and I wanted, you know, to run a sub character Disney character. I didn't have anything in my mind, but I just knew I wanted to be wearing something. So when I get to the expo, I need to tell you I was kind of disappointed at that time because there was, you know like, only some skirts and some like two, two skirts, and then there was this kind of cotton t-shirts with a little print, and so I was like, oh my goodness, how come they don't have, you know, like, this running skirt or the skirt or the matching outfits? So there was this, you know, kind of the this little chimney cricket that we all do have inside. That told me at that moment, like you have to make them, you have to be here, you want something that they don't have. So I was. I heard that little boys and I was like oh my goodness. And then, no, no wait. So I kept on the you know, like the running shoes and all that stuff and the sparkles and everything you know is there. So I just ran the marathon. It was excellent, I loved the experience. But that little boys in my side myself was, you know, like keep going there. But I wanted to to not hear it, because it meant a lot. But that time I was working as a lawyer in a bank, so my life was totally different, just computer and words and that's it. But I need to tell you I wasn't like fulfilled, you can say I wasn't like feeling like very good with doing that job.
Speaker 3:Time went on. I came back to Mexico. I continued with my job and I was training in a group, in a yeah, in a group. I had these really amazing girlfriends that we were running and training, preparing for a half marathon in April. So three weeks before that race, a really terrible accident happened. The daughter of one of my really good friends died in a motorcycle accident. So it was devastating and we went with our friend and I asked her if she wanted to continue with the training or just to stop and let it go. And she was like I really need to keep training. The running makes me feel good and I want to do run that half marathon honoring the life of my daughter. So it was great for us to help her.
Speaker 3:We went to her house and motivated to continue with the trainings and in one of those trainings I had this Jimmy Cricut again told me yeah, why don't you make a go and buy some t-shirts and bring something that you are running to honor her life? So I asked her if she would like for me to go and do that and she was like, yeah, I would love that. So we were seven girlfriends and it was so. We see I was planning on going to Walmart, get, you know, like the seven t-shirts and print something and that's all set. So to be here in my town, all the runners, we are like very united and we go to run to a same park. So I don't know how come I needed 100 t-shirts. So I did that.
Speaker 1:I did that quickly.
Speaker 3:So I knew that going to Walmart wasn't my option because there were, you know, like five size M in yellow and some five in, I know, large in other colors, so that wasn't an option. I found this kind of factory where they could make them really in a rush because there was like one and a half week before the race. So we made them. They were really pretty. I started designing I don't know how my chimney cricket helped me and suddenly I told in the way to my friend that if it was okay for her that I started my brand and that her daughter could be my angel in heaven. So she agreed with that and I have her. She's my big angel, her name is Idae, she's in heaven and she is the one that helped me to build my brand and that's why I am here with you and sharing all my projects and all my design.
Speaker 2:Well, now we're going to have to put a warning on this, because everybody's going to need to have some tissues on hand because, oh my God, that's a gorgeous story.
Speaker 2:Thank you for honoring your friend's daughter's life. That's such a beautiful way, oh, wow, incredible. So that's where I feel that your designs and your clothing stands out, because it really is that little extra bit of I call it sparkle, but you're calling your chimney cricket, you're calling it something that little bit of extra shine from within that is so connected. So, prior to this, while you love the girly aspect and you love the Disney, did you love costuming? Yeah, I did?
Speaker 3:Yeah, I did, since I was little. I remember my mom tells me I was like in 15 years, and you know, here in Mexico we have like the sweet 15 thing and we go to parties and I mean it's not like with these big dresses like some people say, but we wear our dresses and we go to these girly parties and so I wanted these kind of really sparkle shoes, like silver shoes, and so I didn't have one. So I started, you know, like painting one all shoes that I had and deciding my own shoes and my little bag, a pair of size. You know I was putting some sparkle on it. So, yeah, I always loved that, but I never imagined that this would finish on this. No, but yeah, I stopped doing all my special things for me and myself.
Speaker 1:Yeah, oh, wow, that's amazing. So now I have to ask we know the inspiration and we know that kind of you're guiding angel where did the name flock come from?
Speaker 3:All right, that's another story. Okay so, and flock with a sea before the cave, you know it means like the flock of the birds. So I always keep telling people that we all humans well, all the yeah, we all the humans always are together, like with the persons that are just like you. I always I love nature and I love watching to all the dogs and the rats and the cats. They interact to each other and I've always wondered to myself like how come did you never find, you know, like a dog and a rat and a bird together?
Speaker 3:You always look and find, like all dogs and all the birds, and when there are the birds, they are always like the same color, the same feather birds. You never find like the red one with the black one, with the crowd. You always they are always together and I know it's an instinct, I know it's that we get together with the same, with the persons that are just like you. So that was, that is why the name of the brand, because we are always in a flock. So I always know that the persons that buy my stuff is because we are similar or we are thinking the same, so we are flock.
Speaker 2:So that's the reason why I choose that thing so the phrase birds of the feather flock together, kind of thing is exactly what I'm hearing. And this makes sense because before we started recording friends, the first thing that coach Shelby said was, oh my gosh, my design, your design, they look identical. And I've been saying that every single time that we post, that we pull up the website, the clothing looks like. Coach Shelby called you and said hey, miriam, I really want this, this and this, and you're like sure I'll make it happen.
Speaker 2:Um, and actually that's another thing I want to talk about, because one of the things that you stand apart from a lot of the other companies and there's some great companies out there, so definitely want to make sure that we say that but is that your customer service for your flock is up and beyond the call of duty? How we learned about you, was it? There was a story about you running out during princess weekend of a specific skirt and you worked around the clock to find something for one of your customers and you called her directly and you personally drove it to her so she would have her favorite costume for that race weekend. So you really do make your flock part of your extended family, is that right?
Speaker 3:totally yeah, that's totally right. And yes, I've been on the other side, as I was before a runner or author. I know what it means to to wear your, your uniform, to wear your own skin, to make it happen. I know what it feels that you want to to be the princess or I mean whatever you have in mind. So, yeah, I mean they're my family, you are my family, you are my dream come true. So how can it work and make it happen if you make it happen to me? So, yeah, you are my dream, I'm leaving my dream, so I will continue doing whatever you see my hands to make your dream happen as well as mine.
Speaker 1:So that's why I am here for, for all of you, always you can see it, though, within your designs, and one thing that really stood out to me as looking through the site and seeing the different prints, the different styles, is you do create the clothing clothing to fit the runners, not have the runners fit the clothing, which I think is a very important distinction, and you can tell looking through the. You design with comfort and the actual usability of the clothes, versus trying to create something that a runner feels like they have to become to where they're wearing the costume. The costume is not wearing them yeah, yeah, that's totally true.
Speaker 3:And, as I told you, as I use them, I know what are our necessities. I mean, okay, I need an extra pocket, okay, I need the skirt to be a little bit shorter, longer the time shirt I need it to be whatever. And yes, every time before I launch something to the market, I always wear them. And you know to see, I mean last month I was training for a marathon and so I kept, you know, like using all the different tank tops that I'm going to be launching on wine and dye, and to see if something you know rushes, and yeah, what it did here, I can't oh gosh yeah, one of them rushes at all, so I was up running up having this one, so that's what makes them the brand a little bit different, because I wore them.
Speaker 3:I run marathons, I run half marathons, I train a lot of hours with all the running stuff, so I can give you girls something that it's really proof that it won't happen this.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you, you really do give your blood, your sweat and your tears and the chafing as well. So I I like that you, you put in not just the sweat equity but the true sweat equity into this yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:Well, let's talk a little bit about the running skirts, because I think that when I first found running skirts, I was like finally, because I was very girly growing up and I felt like athletic wear was a little too sporty for my specific aesthetic. So when I found running skirts, I fell madly in love. But one of the things that people ask a lot about running skirts was, first of all and first of all, I should I shouldn't call them running skirts, because these skirts that you have can be used for pickle ball, for tennis, for cycling, for gosh again, triathlons, or a day at the park running errands. They're really so beautiful that they don't look like they're just for sports. But also, like you mentioned, we need to have our fuel, we need to have our phone, we need to have our keys when we're out for a group run. So can you tell us more about, like, your pockets, all of those different things that people could take into consideration, or the elastic bands, any of that stuff?
Speaker 3:yeah, sure, sure, yeah, and we have two pockets on the, on the, on the shorts. They are really really amazing pockets. As I tell you, I was training for the marathon, so you know you have to have at least six gels, and then the cell phone, and then the, the little water bottle and lots of things. So everything fitted really good. I mean, I was amazed about that, so I put that because I felt we really need that to have it to make it happen. So in one side I put up my cell phone and the keys and in the other side it was my gels and the purting bar and everything was perfect there. So it fitted really really good. Uh, about in the, in the, the band that goes to the waist, we put a different type of fabric there. It's a fabric that stretches a little bit more. I mean it doesn't make you look like a muffin, because you know there are some.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I know, the muffin top well are too tight.
Speaker 3:These ones is not, but it has this kind of stretch that I really love because it fits, you know, and it helps you to be, to feel like you are, a hug it's a hug, we're talking about and you have, like this, supporting the belly that you really, yeah, yeah, it's not killing you yeah, I really love that fabric, which is different than the one we put on the shorts or on the skirt. On the shirts, we put a fabric that stretches a little bit more so, you know, you can feel it really comfy. So you, you don't feel that it's um kind of a kind of?
Speaker 3:impression short yeah, yeah, and in the bands and we didn't put the bands on the shorts, we were just putting the inseam there, but a lot of people was telling us that we should put, you know, like the band. So it didn't go like I don't have you called.
Speaker 2:Yeah, the like the little silicone grabby one that's super tight.
Speaker 3:Yeah, so uh, we are putting now we are having something different that instead of putting the inseam, we're putting this kind of band, but not with a lot of silicone, because I just found out that sometimes when I had some others that I used for triathlon that had a lot of silicone and when you want it, you know, to pull up your, your shirt, it stayed.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, it takes three layers of skin off of it and talk about chafing, because I get, I get some chafing action from that. But I love how you did pay a lot of attention to the waistband portion and, honestly, it's really nice to see even the sizing that you offer is more inclusive, to make sure that, again, more runners, regardless of their shape or size, can really take advantage of these cute pieces yeah, I'm gonna go one step further too.
Speaker 2:Not only she is your size inclusive, which is this is really really incredible. What stands apart is that your size inclusivity also doesn't come at an extra price tag. It looks like for most of the things which usually because there is more cost in fabric, usually those you can. Um, I find that runners that do need a like a double x kind of a size usually end up having to pay more, and I don't see that with your brand. Whether somebody's wearing an extra, smaller two x, you have the exact same price.
Speaker 3:That's incredible yeah, I mean we are all the same so I don't have to charge a little bit more or a little bit less. I mean we are all the same and, yeah, thank you for calling for that. I will also love, like all your um audience, to know that we can make special sizes. I mean everything everyone that knows me and knows the brand they know that we can make special sizes. So if anyone out there like have this concern that I don't know if it's gonna fit me and I really would love to use um that tank or that outfit, please feel free to contact us, to write on Instagram and let us know what are your necessities, what you need to feel comfortable. I mean we want to make your dreams happen.
Speaker 3:That's one of my greatest slogans in my brand. So please don't hesitate to just write and tell whatever you need. I mean we can make it happen. I always tell them that as we make everything, so everything is possible. So just please feel free ask whatever. I would like, long sleeve these. Whatever your your necessities are, we can make them.
Speaker 1:So you're like a real life fairy godmother literally clothing. Yes, I'm like tearing up it's just again, I think, the passion behind it and the true drive for everybody to feel good. And another thing that really does set you apart you even have you don't have just princesses, you have a prince collection as well yes, yes, you know um.
Speaker 3:The first time I was there at the wine and dine expo, all the men's were like okay, yeah, awesome, you have all the girly collection. What about us?
Speaker 3:yeah all the princes need a prince and we're like, yeah, totally true. So I promised it to one of those um prince that there were lost in the expo world without any clothing for them, that I would have something for them. So I'm just starting, you know, like putting something out, but all the men are responding really, really good. So this time, in wine and dine, I will be having more for all the prince prince that are there and hiding. So, yeah, yeah, and it's amazing, it's, it's so much fun.
Speaker 2:I mean. But let's be honest, princesses are great, princes are great, but what's really phenomenal are these villains collection friends. So again, what girl is? If you are a big fan of villains Princesses make your heart swoon or you love yourself some Pixar or maybe even a little bit of figment, there's something for you. And I can speak again from not personal experience, but some of the person who told us about you said that she's in constant communication with you to have things customized for her because of her preferences. So I do know that usually there are maybe some companies that say that, but there is no doubt that this is actually something that you feel very passionate about.
Speaker 2:So, friend, can we ask you a few Disney questions, because we love Disney around here as well? Sure, sure, go ahead. So you're going to be at Disney Expo for the entire run Disney season. So, friends, you're going to want to go and say hello to Miriam. Know that she's going to be super busy, but tell her that you saw her or you heard her on time for brunch, of course, and she's going to be there for wine and dine for marathon weekend, a quick turnaround and flying out to Disneyland to be at Disneyland's races. Then she'll be back for Princess in springtime. We can't wait to see her, of course. But what are your favorite characters? Oh, wow.
Speaker 1:We're the hard-hitting questions here. Yeah, that's a good one.
Speaker 2:You had to dress up as one character, and one character only. Who would it be? Okay?
Speaker 3:I think it's great.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I would say, great Merida is so under like recognized, so I love that's her, but I get that. They get that energy from you like fearless. You're going to do a go against the grain and all you need is like the extra red hair and you're totally she's already got the curls going, so yeah, I did my really red wig there.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, it's one of my favorites. I mean, I love. I'm a big, huge Disney fan, so all of them are amazing. I love all of them. But if I have to choose one, maybe I would go with Merida.
Speaker 1:I'm hoping she gets her own Princess race. I would love a Princess Merida themed race, which leads me into my question Cause, again, we love our princesses, but we do have a villain aside. So if you had to choose, are you Disney world or Disneyland? Okay, I'm Disney world.
Speaker 2:Yeah, this is the real West coast versus East coast. People thought it was rap, but it's really Disney. Yeah, I told Disney, please. Yeah, oh, my goodness. So another couple of questions that we have here is that we are big fans of brunch because, as you mentioned, we like to flock together and chat with people, whether it's on the run, during our miles or over breakfast, and we love sharing brunch. I run team sweet on my side, coach Shelby's team savory. What are you having for your brunch breakfast? I think I know, because she already celebrated when I said the words. Are you having eggs and bacon? Are you having like pancakes and French toast? Little Mickey waffle.
Speaker 3:Pancakes. Yeah, I'm pan Ha.
Speaker 1:That's all right. I still love you, even though you're on the opposite team, but I'm sorry. No, are you a coffee drinker though?
Speaker 3:Yeah Well, actually I prefer tea instead of coffee. Really, do you have a favorite tea? I love all the cheese. I am a tea lover. So every time I find these tea specialized stores, I go there and get all these teas, whatever. I mean, I am a tea lover. So you will always see me with my, you know, like this glass full of tea. I'm a tea lover.
Speaker 2:Okay, I'm a caffeine lover, so if coffee tea, it doesn't matter, I'm fine with all of it, miriam. So folks can find you, of course, online at Flock Sportswear. We're going to make sure that's an episode notes of friends. If you guys are out and about, don't worry, we'll have a hyperlink in episode notes that you can click on and go check out some of these incredible outfits. Do not be surprised, friends, if you see me rocking her entire villains collection, because I'm madly in love with it. I know Coach Shelby has already picked out some of her favorites, but people can also find you on Instagram, over on TikTok, anywhere else that we should have folks find you at.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I paint a wrist. Okay, yeah, at Flock Sportswear as well. So, yeah, you can find us there as well.
Speaker 2:We want to thank you so much for joining us and we want to also thank you so much for listening to that little Jiminy Cricket, having your angel to inspire you and to keep pushing forward and bringing more people into the flock of running and feeling like they can have that little sparkle within show without. So thank you so much, miriam.
Speaker 3:Thank you. Thank you very, very much for giving me the space to share my story and to tell a little bit more about myself and about the flock. So thank you very, very, very much, and I am hoping to see you at one and time.
Speaker 2:We will, oh yeah.
Speaker 3:Thank you very much.
Speaker 1:I really, really enjoy Miriam. Just the pure joy. I know I said it while we were talking to her, but you can feel the passion and the love and just the pure drive to make the runners feel good and have fun and feel their best and I just, I'm quite frankly in awe.
Speaker 2:It's really funny too, because after we had the opportunity to talk to her, I received a text and the text was from my friend who told us about her and she's like, hey, she's making a special costume for me because I don't like showing my legs. I just don't feel comfortable. I'm a bit more modest in how I work with things. So she was showing like all the different designs that Miriam had sent her way to make sure that she was super comfortable. So when you guys heard her say to reach out, she's really not kidding.
Speaker 2:She's not saying that just because we're on the podcast. There's true proof of it. So if you are scrolling her website, like I tend to do now before bed, with fully looking at all of the beautiful items that I want to make my own, and you see like I don't know, I'm not really big into like a crop top or maybe I would like this to have sleeves. Reaching out to her is a great idea, but we also do know that by the time that you guys are hearing this, it's possible that you are in a crunch and you need a costume. Turned around stat, and I don't know if she's got fairy godmother, like express Amazon Prime type delivery.
Speaker 3:Maybe she does.
Speaker 2:You'll have to reach out to her about that. But we also have some ideas for you guys to maybe use some of the things that you have on hand or you can grab out of store really quickly so you can cost, custom, make your own fun and inexpensive costume. Now, coach, I feel like this is like your jam, because I feel like if there was a reality show where we just threw you in a room full of stuff and said, go costume, you would make it work out of a project runway.
Speaker 1:I was about to say I'm like is this like project runway? Am I getting the costume design? I really I do love it and I credit I do have a creative player that I I'm not boastful about, but I do recognize that it's one of my superpowers. And when I'm in a crunch and I need some sort of costume or a theming or what have you, I turn to accessories because I mean, let's face it, I have a lot of accessories Most people do, or things that they can tweak and twiddle with and make an accessory. So well, I love Miriam's outfits.
Speaker 1:Sometimes, again, like you said, time just gets away from us. We don't have time to order it. So, starting with a Blake canvas, a plain colored tank top, a plain bottom, what have you? And we talked about maybe staying away from the wigs, but headbands are usually okay if they're a little bit less on the ornate side. So, turning to that, maybe getting some sleeves I know she has a bunch of those as well. You can get some fabric paint. Do that and really give a nod to what you're trying to costume without going full gorilla.
Speaker 2:I think what's super important too, when you guys are thinking of this, is almost thinking low tech in that regard of like, think back to the good old days and what can you actually do? That may be a little bit more low tech. Like is it? When you see an old bed sheet, it's very easily something that you can actually just see as like yards of fabric and you can turn that around. If you're crafty I can't sew to save my life, but I am definitely I can pull out the big guns, meaning the big glue guns, and glue things together to make it work. So, thinking that you know working with when you're crafting skills, pulling up some inspiration online, maybe through Pinterest, heading over to YouTube, finding ways that you can make it work for what it is that you have in mind. But I'm curious, coach do you start with like an idea of what I want first and then you look for the things, or do you let the things dictate how you actually decide to?
Speaker 1:costume. Most of the time I have like taking run Disney, for example, since I thought the forefront taking a character and what makes that character stand out and what makes it recognizable, and then I kind of work backwards from there and talking about old school iron on iron on patches, iron on letters. I did that when we did our monsters ink costumes. That was a very low ticket, low effort costume. That was still fun and all it was was my regular running shorts, a glittery tutu, a black tank top with some iron on letters and some heavier eyeliner. Right, right.
Speaker 2:And one of the best costumes that we saw that weekend was and I've seen it before at other like parties and stuff like that was a jellyfish just a clear umbrella with like that was. So cool.
Speaker 2:That's it so cool, seriously, something you could very, very easily make. So, not allowing yourself the excuses of I'm not creative, knowing that, again, with the modern times of YouTube, anything can be done, but of course, we also know that maybe you've got a lot of other things on your plate. So, keeping it simple again, making it a little bit more of a time friendly, budget friendly and, as coach has said, really working and shopping for the things that you have. Now, some of the other things that I think can be taken into consideration is that there are times where sometimes, trying to craft it on your own, if you're going to five or six different stores, it may add up in cost. So definitely think about streamlining it, especially for the run, because it's again, at the end of the day, you still want to be able to be comfortable in your running clothes.
Speaker 1:Well, people get really how should I say this? They get a lot of worry about their shoes matching their costumes. I'm sorry, it's okay If you're running and you're going out there, your shoes don't match. I really don't think any costume. I'm thinking of that. I saw that was the last thing I even looked at, considered or worried about.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think that's what we need to take into consideration.
Speaker 2:So if you guys are really big into costuming parties, where you're actually going to a Halloween costume and you're looking to bring home the trophy and title of best costume of the night, okay, that may be where you may have to get every single detail perfectly or at least around here in central Florida, definitely, because we have so many creative folks that work at the parks.
Speaker 2:But all in all, at the run, I honestly don't even remember what I had for my shoes, much less what you had on for your shoes, especially for any of these really early mornings or late nights, because we see a lot of Halloween run parties or Halloween runs that go late at night. No one really cares. If you feel like it's absolutely something that's super important to you to have your costume match your shoes, that would be where, if you have an old pair that you're likely never going to wear again, you can pick up some fabric spray on paint and go ahead and give it a new freshening up. I would still be very cautious with that, though. If you're wearing older shoes for a run, please make sure that it's a shorter run, because you really don't want to use some of those older, older running shoes that have very little bounce anymore and potentially into yourself, for the sake of a costume.
Speaker 1:Now one hack that I have seen is taking some felt fabric and taking a hole puncher and making a hole punch on either side of the fabric and creating almost like an inklet of sort, so it drapes over the shoe and it can give like, if you're looking to have black shoes, for example, you don't have them and you want more of that look. You can have it just kind of draping over and it kind of gives that aesthetic without going full force. Again, to each their own. Some people like it, some people don't mind the chafing aspect of that, but I did see that a little bit at Run Disney especially. I think somebody did it for many shoes.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think, again, there's a lot of, because of a lot of access to crafting supplies where you can do a lot of those different like foam on or glue on, so I feel like nowadays, sewing isn't quite as required. Definitely, though, it helps whenever you have a chance to be able to have that skill or to have a bestie with that skill. Hey Coach.
Speaker 1:I was going to say I'm like when you're talking about the sewing and I'm like I thought for a split second you're going to say, just call coach, I'll be like I do.
Speaker 2:Yeah no, I know you have a lot on your plate so I'm not sending folks your way quite yet. I would, at this point I'm going to suggest you guys call Miriam for the sewing, because coach some other things going on.
Speaker 2:But you know, just running a business, no kind of that, that, just those kind of things still having a family, all that jazz. But with that said, coach, you do have some really great ideas of some really quick custom costumes that folks can make. That do take very, very, very little, I guess, like extra stuff. So let's talk about that because I know it was in the, it was in our newsletter and I can't wait to get into it a little bit.
Speaker 1:So I had a lot of fun creating things, because we all do have our own running style. We each have our own running personality and every once in a while it's okay to kind of poke fun at our running crazy that people love to point out. So why not embrace it? So maybe taking your running gear and making that a full costume and really playing it up. We have the treadmill runner, we have the marathoner, we have the run club social butterfly, aka basically, you could just dress up as coach Christine.
Speaker 2:I feel like I feel like the social butterfly is literally like, absolutely speaks to my heart and soul as I just got back from a walk to go meet another group of folks for a run today. It's just so much fun if for me, being a social runner, that's for sure it definitely gets a little extra pep in my step. But I do love it because it doesn't take a lot. It's just quite literally embracing your run gear and creating your costume around who you would consider yourself mainly to be like, from the sprinter to the marathoner. I hope and I mean I can only hope so very much that somebody does decide to embrace that marathoning costume and take it to like work.
Speaker 2:You're going to be super popular if you do for the record because I'm not going to give it all away. But again in the newsletter lots of great tips and over on the social media page for sure.
Speaker 1:The race collector. I mean, you guys are going to have to tag us and let us know which one spoke to you the most. But the race collector, like you can obviously tell, are a little tongue in cheek humor and personality throughout these graphics.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. So we can't wait again to hear what you guys, or what kind of creative costumes you guys, are coming up with. So, as these seasons continue rolling through, we start getting into our official race season, we start getting into more costuming. Please, please, please, do tag us on social media, because we want to share, we want to highlight all of your awesomeness. But, coach, we also have a little bit of recipes going on. So what do you bring into the Halloween French table over from Team Savory?
Speaker 1:Oh, there was so many good ones. I don't know.
Speaker 2:I mean, I feel like it's Halloween time and I feel like this is this is when my side of the table starts to shine.
Speaker 1:I think that's the hardest part is the fact that I feel like sweet really does rain supreme, going into Halloween and Christmas and all of the different seasons that we are embarking on.
Speaker 2:I know this is my favorite time of year because finally I get people on my side, especially like the minute the new year starts. I lose everybody, Like everybody just decides to go by the wayside and go to team. Go by the wayside. See how I said that.
Speaker 1:I was going to point that out.
Speaker 2:I was pretty proud of that Now I can honestly say like this is like where I get to come into my own and I'm like welcome on in friends. I've had a seat for you all year long, so she's not gloating at all.
Speaker 1:No, I didn't just at all.
Speaker 2:So I think we've been talking a lot about some of our favorite. One of them has been the pumpkin, and we've been you're still traumatized from that, so I'm not going to ask you to put any kind of pumpkin on your side of the table, but I, on my side of the table, am going to embrace some of that baked goods and I love bread pudding. So I'm going to have some bread pudding for an easy Halloween breakfast. If you guys are getting out the door you're doing a Halloween family fun run, some of these bread puddings can be thrown into a crock pot and you wake up to it.
Speaker 2:I feel like it's just that perfect little bit of sweet, definitely a little bit of extra carbs, plus talking about making things work with what you already have at home. I love bread pudding because it essentially works with leftover bread and gives it a whole new life, and you can always get very creative with it. So if you wanted to add pumpkin and make it a pumpkin bread pudding because it's that season, great. If you want to just go traditional style, we'll throw that in there. So I can't wait to hear you guys tell us all about if you love bread pudding as much as I do. So, coach, what do you bring into the table?
Speaker 1:So mine is definitely not the most, I don't know, michelin star type recipe. But you know I have a kiddo and I'm a big kid at heart, so I'm going to pull out some hot dog mummies and they do make vegetarian hot dogs for the record. They are good but I just love them and it's a really good dish to have dinner, brunch, breakfast, lunch, whatever, I think.
Speaker 2:I would have those right now.
Speaker 1:Well, you can even get creative and roll some everything bagel seasoning on the outside, so they kind of look extra spooky and I just a fun little go to and it's a great grab and go as well. Little protein, a little carb, little whimsy. So definitely going to be dropping that there. And yeah, there's toppings galore. You could even put a little paprika on outside and make it look like a super scary. All right, now I'm kind of creeping myself out. Yeah, coach you went too far there I can go dark.
Speaker 1:I just don't like it and I reel back really fast.
Speaker 2:Okay, well, friends, you'll have to let us know what are you bringing to your Halloween brunch table this time of year as well. And admit it, you know you guys are officially on Team Suite from the rest of this year on. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, again, we want to give a big shout out to Miriam at Flock Sportswear and again check that out in Episode Notes, friends, because she really is incredible. She really is welcoming all of us to flock together, since we are birds of a feather, regardless of our pace and place, wherever we may be. You're all welcome here.
Speaker 2:We want to give you guys a huge high five. We want to ask you to, please, if you were out for a run and you're heading back home to rehydrate and refuel with some of these spooktacular treats that we included in the newsletter, and while you're recovering and you're resetting and you're getting ready for your next costume to run, take a quick second walk away from the hot glue gun and go ahead and rate us on Spotify or Apple or tag us in your costuming process. We want to see that as well with the hashtag TF brunch on Instagram and over on the Facebook community page. Don't forget, friends, we are still rolling through the decades over on QuickBite, so check that out. Drops on Wednesday. We're going to see you again when it's time for brunch, where we're going to keep serving up more miles with a side of not so scary miles.
