Motivation for the New Year

I’m humbled to say that my runs in the past month have been–ahem–somewhat spotty.  (If spotty means “nonexistent.”)  It’s a shame, but true.  My motivation has flown out the window, and holiday feasts have filled my plate.

Some people naturally have more motivation.  They get up at the crack of dawn to run.  They are committed to their cross training schedule and strict runner’s diet.  I harbor no delusions that this is an easy task for them, but they have worked the motivation into their routine so that it becomes second nature.

Me?  At the sound of the alarm many mornings, I roll over, press snooze, and come up with an excuse not to get up and get running.

So, what to do to remedy this lack of motivation?  I’m a goal girl.  I need something outside of myself to motivate me, at least right now in my life.  So, for Christmas, I bought myself a Nike+ Sportband.  I’m also a gadget girl.  New technology and gadgets thrill me, so why not integrate one into my running routine?  The Sportband gets me excited to see how far I’ve run–while I’m running!  Lastly, I’m a social media girl.  The Nike+ online community has lots of cool things: you can find friends through your email address book, challenge one another or yourself by setting goals, keep track of your progress by loading your sensor information, and more.

For now at least, the Nike+ Sportband will work as my motivator.  That is, until I’ve picked out my next race

Happy running!

-Bethy

(Pictured above: me, with my husband, Chip, at the finish for the San Francisco 2009 Marathon)

Pumpkin Bisque: Great for a Cold Winter Night

I’m always in search of a great soup recipe, especially if it involves any kind of squash, and this one fit the bill when I found a can of pumpkin sitting in my pantry.  Easy on the oregano, though.  (Too much oregano spilled into soup–who knew it would just dump out like that??–causing a too-bitter flavor.)  I found this recipe in the Flat Belly Diet Cookbook. Laugh at the title if you want; it’s got some great, healthy recipes that consist of lots of great proteins, produce and healthy fats.

Serves 4  •  Prep: 20min  •  Cook: 20min  •  Total: 40min

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 onions, chopped
• 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 potato, peeled and diced
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon oregano
• 4 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped roasted unsalted pumpkin seeds (I didn’t have any, and the soup is good without as well)
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

Preparation

Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.  Add the onions, bell pepper, potato, garlic, and oregano.  Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until the onion is softened.  Add the broth, pumpkin, salt, and pepper.  Simmer for 10 minutes or until the potato is very tender.

Transfer the soup to a food processor fitted with a metal blade or a blender (in batches, if necessary).  Process until smooth.

Return the soup to the pot.  If necessary, add water to thin to desired consistency.  Reheat if needed.

Ladle into 4 bowls and top each with 2 tablespoons of pumpkin seeds.  Drizzle lightly with the balsamic vinegar.  Enjoy with some crusty bread!

Flat Belly Diet Cookbook

Nutritional Info (per serving)

• Calories    203.3
• Fat    5g
• Saturated Fat    1g
• Cholesterol    0mg
• Sodium    450.5mg
• Carbohydrates    35.8g
• Total Sugars    11.8g
• Dietary Fiber    10.8g
• Protein    5.8g
  

Bethy’s Holiday Wish List

As the cold sets in and the Holiday decorations are hung, I start to look around the store for all the goodies I want to put on my holiday wish list.  I know it’s unreasonable to expect I’ll find all of them underneath my Christmas tree, but that’s why they call it a wish list!  Here’s my top ten for the season, in no particular order:

1. Brooks Adrenaline 10: Ok, so this technically shouldn’t be on my wish list, because I already bought them.  Monday’s my birthday and–as an early gift to myself from myself–I bought some new Adrenalines.  I’m very excited to get them on the road, as I wore the Adrenaline 9s in the San Francisco Marathon and my feet were truly happy.

2. Special Long Sleeve Running T-shirt Crew by Moving Comfort: I think this would fit nicely into my cool-weather running wardrobe.  The fabric is brushed for softness and there are thumbholes–something I look for in my winter layers.

3. Women’s Power Stretch Glove by Mountain Hardwear: I might not need these for running in San Francisco.  After all, it never gets too cold.  But these would be ideal for strolling around town with a warm cup of cocoa in hand and shopping bags in tow.

4. Chamois Half Zip Running Shirt by Nike: If I could choose any half zip top this season, this would be the one.  A nice choice for running on cold San Francisco mornings, it boasts a kangaroo pouch in the front with a hidden key pocket inside.  Plus, it comes in this great violet color!

5. Jasmine Hoodie Jacket by Prana: When this hoodie came into our San Francisco store, we all immediately noticed the eye-catching henna screen print on the back.  It comes in black and winter white and is a great wrap for lounging or taking a walk to the farmer’s market in Noe Valley on a Saturday morning.

6. Spibelt Running Packet by Overton: Just about everyone here at See Jane Run owns one of these great running pouches–everyone but me, that is!  The Spibelt expands to hold a cell phone, ipod, keys, and more.  I think it’s about time I invested in one as I choose my next event and get back into the training spirit!

7. Nolan Hat by Pistil: Again, this hat shouldn’t be on my wish list, as I already own it!  Pistil has such a great selection of cute winter hats that also keep you warm.  I had a hard time choosing, but this one fit the bill.

8. Alexis Printed Sports Bra by Moving Comfort: Who says a sports bra has to be bland?  This Moving Comfort bra gives you the best of both worlds: functionality and fashion!

9. Sportband by Nike: I’m just beginning to learn about all the running gadgets that are available, and I’m especially excited about the prospect of knowing how far I’ve run without having to map out my run online.  The Nike Sportband works with the Nike+ technology (transmitted through a sensor in your shoe) and gives you information about your distance, time, pace and calories burned.  And you can easily upload your workouts to your computer and the Nike+ online community.  Pretty cool.

10. Coffee Quote Mug by See Jane Run: I had to include a See Jane Run specialtiy item!  Besides, it’s the perfect stocking stuffer and ideal for my post-run hot chocolate!

What’s on your wish list?  Happy Holidays from See Jane Run!

-Bethy

SkirtChaser 5k Series: Why I Work at See Jane Run

“Bethy!”

Amidst my panting and the pounding of shoes around me, I turned to see who was calling my name.  I was thinking it was probably one of my fellow “See Jane Runners,” but instead I turned to find a woman grinning at me.

“Bethy, thanks so much for helping me find this great bra!  I love it!  The girls are happy!!”  a customer I had fitted for a bra just a few days prior smiled at me as she ran by my side.

It’s moments like those I remember why I work at See Jane Run.  I remembered her from earlier in the week, trying on bra after bra until we found the right fit.  When on the same day she registered for the SkirtChaser 5k, I told her “see you there!” unsure if I would, but thinking it would be nice.

Who knew that she would seek me out, in my “See Jane Run” technical shirt and running alongside three other Janes?  So what was the highlight of the race for me?

Not the 9:00 minute pace (a personal achievement considering I’ve done little running since the San Francisco Marathon).

Not the Skirt Sport fashion show.

Not the delicious beer and snacks after the run.

Not even the cute skirts we all ran in.

It was the mid-race shoutout from a happy customer and fellow Jane.

As Jane says: “May you live long, enjoy dessert and never stop laughing.”

-Bethy

(Pictured above (L-R): SF Jane Sara, Web Orders Guru Jen, SF store manager Kristen, myself and buyer Reshma.  Pictured below (L-R): SF Janes Kristen, Sara and myself.)

Run Club Wednesdays at 6:00pm!

Last night was the first Run Club outing for See Jane Run San Francisco!  One of our Janes, Sara, led the group on a run from the store.  It was a great success, and we hope to see more of you here next week!

Staff Pick: Mountain Hardwear Butter Zippity

Never has an athletic top been more appropriately named!

I bought my Butter Zippity last winter, and was stoked to find out that our See Jane Run buyer decided to stock them again this year.  This top is multi-purpose: I use it for running, hiking, lounging, and coming to work!

This half-zip is made of Mountain Hardwear’s Better Butter™ fabric: it’s 89% polyester (for great moisture-wicking action), 11% elastane (for a nice stretch and shape retention), with soft microfiber jersey and a sueded finish (for a soft, next-to-skin feel).  The Butter Zippity also boasts a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) of 50!

At See Jane Run San Francisco, we’ve got this Mountain Hardwear top in three great colors: Rum (a burnt orange color), black and grasshopper.  I highly recommend adding the Butter Zippity to your winter running wardrobe!

(Pictured: me–third from the right–sporting last year’s orange Butter Zippity after hiking Mt. Diablo with friends.)

-Bethy

Clinic: Adidas Running

Chris, our friendly Adidas Running representative, came to See Jane Run San Francisco to tell us all about the latest and greatest in Adidas Running technology and products.

Of all the running shoe brands See Jane Run carries, Adidas is the oldest.  Adi Dassler made his first running shoe in his mother’s kitchen in 1920!  Adidas has come a long way since then.

See Jane Run currently carries three Adidas Running shoes: the adiSTAR Ride 2 (a neutral shoe), the Supernova Sequence 2 (with stability for low to moderate over pronators) and the adiSTAR Salvation (for high stability support).

All of Adidas’ running shoes have a decoupled heel that deflects the impact while running.  This means, instead of the heel being constructed of one solid mass, there are two plates that slide over each other as your weight shifts, causing a smooth transition from heel strike to toe-off.  Very cool!  Adidas shoes have a great plush feel, but also plenty of stability for those of us who need it.

Check out the Adidas shoes we carry, and next time you’re in the store, try on a pair!

-Bethy

Staff Pick: Balega Lady Ventilator Socks

Kristen, our manager here at See Jane Run San Francisco, is singing the praises of the Balega Lady Ventilator running socks:  “These are my favorite running socks!  They are super thin, very light weight and seamless.  The material is soft and it feels like you are not even wearing a sock.”

Balega’s Drynamix fabric keeps feet cool by wicking and evaporating moisture quickly.  “Like the package says, it is really an air conditioner for your foot,” Kristen commented, “They keep my feet cool and dry.  I sweat a lot when I run or workout, so it’s nice to find a sock that prevents blisters and keeps your feet cool and dry.”

Kristen owns several pairs of the Balega Lady Ventilator socks and she attests to their great performance:  “I ran my most recent half marathon in them and my feet felt great!”

Balega Sports is also a socially-consicous company.  They have partnered with Ethembeni School, a school for disabled and disadvantaged students in South Africa to provide scholarships and supplies.  They have other social initiatives as well.  Read more at Balega’s website.

So come get a pair at See Jane Run today.  Your feet with thank you!

-Bethy

Red Tag Sale!

We’re very excited about the red tag sale we’re having here at See Jane Run this week!  Everything with a red tag is 50% off retail price!!!  Plus, we’re marking down new items every day!  Now’s a great time to stock up on apparel, so come in and treat yourself to a new sports bra, running short, or performance top!

-Bethy

Baked Pasta with Sausage, Tomatoes and Cheese: A Simple Pasta Dish That Reheats Well for Leftovers

Sometimes, you need a quick throw-together pasta dish after a run.  This is a great dish with interchangeable parts (substitute a veggie option for the sausage, whole wheat pasta for regular, etc.) that makes lots of servings and is great leftover.  It’s another recipe I found on Heatlh.com.  Enjoy, Janes!

Serves 8 (1 1/2 cups serving size)

Ingredients:

• 1 (1 lb.) package uncooked ziti (short tube-shaped pasta, I used a whole-wheat variety)
• 1 lb. hot turkey Italian sausage links (I think I used sweet Italian sausage)
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 (14.5 oz.) cans petite-diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• cooking spray
• 1 cup (4 oz.) shredded fresh mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup (4 oz.) grated fresh Parmesan cheese

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat.  Drain the pasta, and set aside.

Remove castings from sausage.  Cook sausage, onion and garlic in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until browned, stirring to crumble.  Add the tomato paste, salt, pepper and tomatoes, and bring to a boil.  Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Combine cooked pasta, sausage mixture and basil.  Place half of the pasta mixture in a 4-quart casserole dish coated with cooking spray.  Top with half of the mozzarella and half of the Parmesan.  Repeat layers.  Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until bubbly.

Cooking Light, November 2003

Nutritional Info

• Calories    413 (26% from fat)
• Fat    11.8g (sat 6.1g mono 2.2g, poly 1g)
• Protein    24.1g
• Carbohydrate    53g
• Fiber    4.5g
• Cholesterol    49mg
• Iron    7.9mg
• Sodium    941mg
• Calcium    265mg

- Bethy