Gutsy Artist

drawing_th Title Nine customer Jean Sanchirico doesn’t care much for down time, which is a good thing because she rarely gets any. Jean owns and operates a successful graphic design firm and is busy building a second career as a fine artist. She’s also a highly engaged mom to two active preteens and a hardcore athlete who almost never misses a workout.

Some gals are fit,and some gals are super fit. Jean is super duper fit. Weekdays, after she drops her kids off at school, Jean goes for a 40 to 60-minute trail run or a two to three-hour bike ride. After her morning workout, it’s off to work until it’s time to shuttle her kids to their various afterschool activities. Once or twice a week, she sneaks in a 30 to 45-minute afternoon swim. Weekends you’re likely to find Jean on the ski slopes with her family or out on a bike ride. One place you won’t find Jean is at the gym. “I hate working out inside,” she says. “I need to be outdoors.”

With two careers and a family to run, finding time to stay fit requires riding_thtremendous discipline, commitment, and enthusiasm, all of which Jean has in ample supply. When her graphic design business is busy, fitting in a workout often means working late nights in the studio after the kids go to bed. Jean would much rather skip a few zzz’s once in awhile than skip a workout.

Why does Jean prioritize staying fit? She loves feeling healthy and capable. She also loves the adrenaline rush and sense of accomplishment she gets from pushing herself and competing. Just how important are sports to Jean? Many years ago she broke her leg skiing. She couldn’t stand being idle, so she rode her bike in her cast. A good idea? Probably not.  But undeniably gutsy. You go girl!

stats_hdr

Home: Berkeley, CA
Occupation:
Graphic designer and fine artist
Education:
Rhode Island School of Design
Husband: Dick McDougald
Child: Ryan (12) and Elle (9)
Age: 43
Height: 5′ 3″
Weight: 113 pounds
Sports, past and present: Alpine skiing, mountain
and road biking, running, surfing, boogie boarding,
tennis, backpacking, and triathlons
Athletic accomplishments: Markleeville Death Ride
(129 miles and five mountain passes), cycling the Sonora
Pass (high altitude and crazy steep), winning a triathlon
with friend Kathleen Flood as part of a two-person relay team
Little known fact: Played 18 holes of golf to induce
labor with first child
Environmentally incorrect preference: Long hot showers
Guilty pleasure: Dark chocolate

workout_hdr

  • 40 to 60-minute run every other day
  • 2 to 3-hour bike ride on non-running days
  • 30 to 45-minute swim once or twice a week
    (three times a week when training for a triathlon)
  • Sit-ups and push-ups a few times a week
More

Skort Stories

skortstory21Once upon a time long, long ago at Title Nine our founder (Missy Park) wasn’t too keen on skirts or dresses, so getting them in the catalog was a tough sell. This was before we became enlightened. We thought that a skort (not the old school kind that looked like shorts in the back – ugh!) would be the perfect thing for the gal on the go. You can still look dressed up and a little girly but in a very functional piece of clothing that allows you to climb fences – or heck, even run and do cartwheels if you want.

We began offering skorts that looked stylish instead of dorky (hidden shorts with nifty stash pockets), and using technical materials to achieve the ultimate in form and function.  Soon we were working to get every skirt we saw turned into a skort (well not every skirt but close!). Our customers saw the practicality of skorts and started buying them as fast as we could make them… and they still do!

That’s how skorts were born here at Title Nine.

The End.

– Alice, Head Buyer & Merchandiser

“My middle name is Pants. Or rather I should say my middle name is No Skirts, Dresses or Anything Close. But then my life was changed by the Run Around Skort.

Folks in the office here at Title Nine were convinced if they could get one on me, I would be a convert. Years and months passed. Conspiracies were launched in an effort to have me wear one. Finally our head merchant, Alice, said she had one she knew I would love and would I be willing to simply give it a try?  I relented and the rest is history.

The Run Around Skort is simply awesome. Alice gave me two and I have run, bike commuted to work, gone out to dinner, walked around Lake Merritt and even took a photo of me in one for my Mom. It is extremely comfortable, dries super quick, and I feel fashionable wearing it! I still adore pants but I am happy to now have to change my middle name. ” 

– Janis, Director of  Operations

More

Failing Enthusiastically

“Success is moving from failure to failure enthusiastically.”
Winston Churchill

Some may feel sorry for, or even derisive of, the Sarah Palins, Martha Stewarts and Carly Fiorinas of the world. My own response is often tinged with a bit of envy, “Wow, I bet she’s learning a lot.”

Success may be the kindest teacher, but failure is a very efficient one.
Never do I learn more than when I am in the midst of a colossal failure.
It’s this kind of learning which delivers a confidence, a confidence forged best in the furnace of failure.

So here’s to having not only the confidence to risk failure but the enthusiasm to embrace it. Let’s start now:  sharing and celebrating our failures and the learning that came with them.

Can’t get enough? Read about Title Nine’s Annual “Big Mistake” Contest. There is a method to the Madness.

More

Emily and Alice’s Picks

merch_grp
Our in-house style experts have put together their must haves for this Summer. Emily and Alice weigh in on their favorite Title Nine items – creating the perfect ensemble no matter how you want to spend you summer!

Emily’s Picks

emily1

To go to the beach in
Whoa Nellie Hat – Perfect protection from the sun and to cover up post-swim hair-do.
Sure Bet Swim Separates– I love the amount of coverage and support for my girls.
Split Second Tunic– Keeps me cool and protected from the sun.
3-in-1 Super- Skirt– I throw this on over my swim suit when I’m running to grab a snack at the beach.

To go running/ to the gym in
Quicker Knicker– These don’t ride up when you run (a personal pet peeve of mine) and are a perfect weight so you don’t overheat in the summer.
Paradigm Tank– 2 things about this: Fit and Feel. Doesn’t cling to your body and is super lightweight without being sheer.
Last Resort Bra– Hands down the best bra for larger chested girls that want to run without the bounce factor.

Everyday wear
Breeze Hoody– Layer over a tank and you have the perfect cool summer evening wear.
Super Cali Shorts– I usually don’t wear shorts but, these are the exception. Cool cotton and long enough that I feel comfortable.
Breeze Dress– I fell in love with this as soon as I tried it on. Yummy lightweight fabric and great fit. Plus, no shelf bra so you can wear it with your own bra!

alice1Alice’s Picks
Weekend Wear
Aaaahhh Hoody – No seriously this is what I say every single time I slip this bad boy on!
Wonder Dress – Super useful built in bra
On-Guard Slap – Toe protector alone makes this a good investment for me. No more stubbing my toe (on my door way) as I run out the door.
Stash Satchel – Those frou frou purses have never really worked for me.

Casual Work Wear
Run Around Skort – I’d wear this comfy cute skort every day if I thought the other buyers wouldn’t make fun of me
Jolie Sleeveless Tank – nice and soft and super comfortable but sorta dressy

Day at the Beach (with my 3 Dogs)
Dream Hoody – You have to wear it to believe it
Stay Put Swim Collection – stays on no matter what you end up doing at the beach
Pipeline Board Shorts – Just the perfect thing when you don’t really want to be so “showy” at the beach

Running Buddies
Carefully Crafted Front Closure Bra – love this bra! Goes from work to workout – comfortable, supportive, and wicking enough for both
Paradigm Tank – Have to agree with Emily on this one. My go to running and riding tank, super light,super soft
The Last Running Short – knit waistband on a running short – need I say more?
(more…)

More

Title 9K

The 7th Annual Title 9K is upon us folks! Bring your family and friends out to join in on the celebration at the 7th Annual Mother’s Day t9k in Beau-ti-ful Boulder.

The gals will run while the dads, pals and the t9 team will be there cheering you on. Go ahead and skip brunch and make it a day of activity the entire family can enjoy. And don’t miss the race post party rock out to the live music, enjoy the tasty treats, and get a well deserved massage.

Where? Boulder, CO at the Boulder Reservoir
When? May 10th, 2009. Mother’s Day!
What? A scenic 9k+ (a tad over 6 miles) run, jog, or walk on dirt roads and trails.
Who? YOU! First timers, repeaters, elite runners, joggers, walkers, skippers, strollers

View our pics from the fun that was had last year

[nggallery id=2]

More