See Jane Run

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

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

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

Lately, it’s been difficult to get myself out the door for a run.  I find excuses, reasons to sleep in or clean something.  But, when I do get out, I find rewards on the road.

One morning last week I groggily pulled myself out from under the covers and made it out for a short run down to the beach.  I stopped at one point to set up a self-timed shot on my camera.  (Sometimes I run with my camera to catch inspiring shots.)  I placed my camera on one side of some concrete stairs leading to the beach (see picture) and set the timer.  I sprinted to the other side and leapt onto the concrete wall.  (I wanted to catch a shot of my inspiring running route to make my facebook friends who also happen to be runners envious.)

After successfully capturing the shot, a woman who had been walking on the path waved me over and said, “Excuse me, I was just walking–I walk here every morning–and I saw… did you just leap up there on that wall?”

“Yes, I did,” I responded, surprised by her question.

“But you were pretty much completely stationary before you jumped!”

“I suppose I was.”

“That is… that is just impressive!  You’re really fit!  That was so cool!”  She smiled and waved goodbye as I stood there, dumbfounded.  I ran a little taller as I turned around and headed toward a cafe for my after-run coffee.

Sometimes, inspiration comes from unexpected places.  All I know is this: encouragement from a sweet stranger inspired me.

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

-Bethy

Julie, from Overland Equipment bags, stopped in the store yesterday morning to give us all an overview of Overland!

Overland Equipment started outside of Chico, CA in 1981 and has consistently produced great bags for the organized, practical, adventurous outdoor lifestlye.  Julie described Overland’s customer as not necessarily a “purse-person”–not someone who changes their handbag for each outfit–but someone who is a “renaissance woman” and appreciates the organization of Overland’s “modern-day Mary Poppins bags.”

Here at See Jane Run San Francisco, we have each thrown an Overland bag around our shoulders and marveled about how many convenient organization pockets (“org pockets”) and compartments they boast.

The bags are made with more durable and higher-quality nylon than in the past, and the straps are climbing-grade, which means you can stuff the bags to capacity without worrying about the straps breaking down under the weight.

Overland Equipment bags can stand up to travel, urban life, the demands of being a mom, and much much more.  These bags come in fashion-forward earth tones that make them products that will last for many years without going out of style.  We love them!

Check out the selection we have here at See Jane Run.  Maybe you’ll find the perfect bag for you and your lifestyle!

-Bethy