Power of Nine Winner – In More Ways Than One

This is a guest post from our gal who works in eCommerce, Amy. She worked directly with the winners from our Power of Nine Challenge and has such been in constant contact with Jamie the Grand Prize winner, organizing her plane tickets to our Title 9K in Chicago. Amy intended to write a piece focused on Jamie and her back story, who she is and where she’s from, how she found Title Nine and the like. But when she got to writing all the facts flew out the window and a description of Jamie as a person, a wonderful person, came to fruition in their place. Enjoy.

I work in Marketing. Behind a screen. Sending out any vibes I can through the tips of my fingers, rapidly pushing on the keys in front of me. Conveying to everyone how happy their excitement and pleasure in our product and our company makes me can be a challenge for a girl with a limited vocabulary. I often find myself at a loss of words and half ashamed to continually tell them they are “awesome, amazing, wonderful, and beautiful”, but in reality, that’s what they are. These women I’ve found myself connecting with are INCREDIBLE women. Incredible. They are doing their part to make the day okay. In any small way they can. Today I received the picture from our gal the Grand Prize winner from the Power of 9 giveaway, and the sight of it brought me to tears. I mean, look at her! 🙂 Her smile was and is, one of the most genuine, gleeful, proud and honestly thrilled to be in the moment photos I’ve seen in a long time. Sheer, complete, truthful joy! The look on her face wearing her new Title 9 t-shirt with a tennis racket, golf club and soccer ball in one hand, is a look I’m certain parents have the privilege of enjoying on their kids on a summer day. She’s beautiful. She’s happy. And to top it off, she had just finished her fastest mile as part of her T9K training program 🙂 She’s a teacher. She has daughters. And she’s enjoying every last moment of her summer that she can. And taking the time that I know she doesn’t have to put on her new shirt, find some props, and talk someone into taking her picture to send to the pesky marketing gal at the home office. Jamie my dear, you are a doll. You put in more than one exclamation point despite it being a grammatical error because dang it, you’re excited. We sign our emails “love”. We address each other by our initials. You’re my long lost Midwestern pen pal. Thank you for reminding me what life is all about and how wonderful it will continue to be… if you let it. If you’re open to it. You are a beautiful gal – there are far too few like you. Rock on JMG – you’re going to be great come that October race day.

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New Bras Like These Deserve an Introduction

Fall has brought us (and you) a slew of new goodies, but there are 3 new bras in the stores that we think are worth mentioning. Instead of asking you to read, investigate and ask questions, we called in a field expert (our Bravangelist Istari in the Portland store) and asked her to relay why we’re in love with these new pieces and why we can’t wait for you to try on a few. Time to get your fit on ladies! There’s a bra for every one of you in this line-up!

Lace 24-7 Bra

Meet the 24-7s pretty little sister. Made of a poly/nylon spandex this lace bra is a great new option for A/B cup gals looking for a light weight day-wear or travel bra. The internal sling system, adjustable straps and no nonsense band make this bra a perfect fit. The performance super lace gives this bra extra support and an “invisible” appearance under your favorite shirt or dress. Just like its little sister, this bra is packed with a pretty lace exterior that will charm you and a secret stubborn side that will support you from playing in the park to dining out at your favorite restaurant.

Updated Cuz-She-Says-So

Fans of the Bye-Bye Bounce rejoice! The Updated Cuz-She-Says-So provides the support of a sports bra and the shaping of a day-wear bra, much like the Bye-Bye Bounce did. Made from a poly/spandex, this bra has it all. Breathable powermesh provides great support without that “soggy” feeling, an underwire and stabilization panels provide superior lift and seam-free double lined cups support your girls from fierce workout to fabulous dinner. This bra will certainly be a favorite for C, D and DD gals.

 

 

Booby Trap

If you want a ton of firm support, but you hate wresting into your bra, this high-tech bra is for you!  It combines the fantastic hold of the 7-wonders with the ease and adjustability of the 3-Reasons. Made from a smooth combination of poly/spandex, this bomb proof bra will support you through anything. A wide chest-band creates no-roll support, while adjustable padded straps and a 3 hook back closure provide the perfect fit. (Note: For the best fit, we recommend sizing up one cup size). Just like its name, this bra is the perfect trap for your girls. From a Triathlon in Hawaii to scaling the Chimney in Yosemite, the Booby Trap provides the support you need so you can focus on what really matters.

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Finding Oneself in Leading Others

This post was created by Amy, a Marketing Coordinator for Title 9 and enthusiast for all the things Title 9 stands for – including most important of all, it’s customers. If you have an idea for a post or would like to connect with Title 9 shoot her an email.

Already our 3rd Annual Bay Area Title 9K is coming up next month which makes me realize that its truly incredible how things pan out. Two months ago I had no idea that I would be lucky enough to start working with the Title 9K team, and on top of that, meet the people that I have. One gal in particular, Miss Irma, has blown me out of the water. In my attempt to market the race in any way I could I found a local running club in San Jose and reached out to their director in hopes of something, anything. Little did I know on the receiving end was an energetic, kind, and motivated mother passionate about running with others. I’ll stop now and leave you with Irma’s rendition of the birth and development of not only the Mom’s Run This Town San Jose chapter, but Miss Irma herself. Cheers my dear, here’s to you.

Every person experiences life changing events (LCEs) in their life – both positive and negative.  As a social worker and runner, I firmly believe in the power of exercise to undo the negative effects of LCEs.  I started running after I got married not only because I needed to lose weight, but to do something that was just for me, amidst the togetherness of a committed relationship.  I continued to run through the pre-mature deaths of my twins, Lucas and Larissa, and then after the births of my daughters, Sophia and Samantha.  As a mom, running took on new meaning. I wanted my kids to know that “being healthy” doesn’t just happen – you work hard for it, like everything in life that’s worth working for.

I thought I would be done with any significant LCEs until my kids went off to college.  Wrong!! Last year, my husband got a job in the heart of Silicon Valley, San Jose, CA.  The stress of moving across the country and being away from all our family and friends took a toll on me – I gained 15 lbs and had the hardest time adjusting to our new life here.  So, I started running again after the holidays. The problem:  running alone is not my forte and the runs for the local running groups didn’t fit with my schedule.  If I were to run first thing in the morning or after work hours, I would have to bring sleepy and/or hungry kids in the jogging stroller. And who wants that at their 7 AM run or 6 PM run?  Not me – and they’re my kids!

What was a running mom to do?  Enter Moms RUN this Town (MRTT) – a FREE nation-wide running club for moms, by moms.  The name intrigued me because I believe moms (and women in general) run the world and if we had the opportunities to do it on a larger scale, the world would be a much better place.  Since there was no chapter in San Jose, I contacted the founder and found myself as the new chapter leader of Moms RUN this Town-San Jose!

At first, I recruited moms who I became friends with through my kids. Mid-morning, we would run with our jogging strollers, then let the kids out to play and have lunch.  Exercise time for mom and the kids get a play date – a match made in heaven!

My first consistent running partner was Ellen, mom of 2, who hadn’t run for over 5 years.  Yet, after only 2 months, we completed a 5K in less than 35 minutes – a PR for both of us!    After that race, MRTT took on a whole new meaning for me.  I made up some fliers and put them out at local running stores, coffee shops, supermarkets.  Then, I got really bold and started handing them out to women I saw running or walking with a stroller or with kids. I became part of a larger group of like-minded, strong moms who did RUN their corner of the world.

Junella, has young four kids, works part-time, and gets up at 5 AM to run since she is training for a marathon and a 5K obstacle run in October.  Patricia, who has grown kids, has run/walked a half marathon every month since June of this year.  Melanie is mom to a 4-legged “kid” and is training to run her first marathon this October.  Truc-Co last ran in college (over 10 years ago, but she’ll tell you it was only 5 years ago!), yet since joining MRTT, she has been running 3-4x/week while pushing her 2 year old in a jogging stroller!  She has signed up for the Title 9K (her 1st race), a half marathon and a 5k obstacle race.  She has also perfected the art of opening snacks and juice boxes and picking up various toys that have been tossed out of the jogging stroller all while maintaining a 9-10 min/mile pace.

In the 3 months since our group started, we’ve grown to include 30 women with varying running backgrounds (1st time run/walkers to experienced racers) and in various stages of motherhood (1st time moms with new borns to older moms with grown kids).  We’ve created a community of running moms who inspire and support each other. Every time I log on to our Facebook page and read their posts and comments, I am humbled by their strength, dedication and kindness. We each know what it takes to make the time to run when you’re a mom.

For me, MRTT was what I needed to get back on track to the healthier life I wanted to have.  It was not just the physical act of running that helped to mitigate the negative effects of my LCE.  It was the social, mental and emotional connections made through running (and specifically from running with other moms) that contributed to my life adjustment and satisfaction.

When I found out about the Title 9K race series, I thought it would be a great first race for our newer-to-running moms but also for our seasoned-running-moms.  The fact that it was for women only and accommodated strollers was a bonus! Most of us have only run with strollers and most races don’t allow them.  Also, having it be all women gives it more of that community, “we’re all in this together, no matter what your pace may be” feeling.  Lastly, since 9K is not usual race length, we’re all sure to PR!!

MRTT, Title Nine and the Title 9K Race Series all have the ideal of women as powerful and influential at their core.  We matter – to our families, our communities, our countries and the world.  Our lives are full of LCEs
that can threaten to stop us, but the rhythm of running keeps moving us forward one step at a time.

If you’re interested in joining Mom’s Run This Town San Jose you can find their information here. Live in another part of the country? Find your local chapter here, or become an Irma and start your very own!

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Live Dangerously

A word from Missy to kick off your next season, adventure, day or challenge…

Go ahead and eat it, even if it’s past the 5-second rule.
Skip the anti-bacterial soap and let your immune system do the fighting.
Skip the antibiotics…chances are it’s a virus.
Let your child work with knives. The learning will astonish you both.
Take that job offer, even if, especially if, you think you’re under-qualified.
Take that trip to an undiscovered part of your world.
Yes, your son can walk to the store by himself.
And, your daughter should learn to build a good fire.
And even if you think you haven’t trained enough, do that race anyway.
Live dangerously…learning awaits.

How do you live dangerously? Tell me.

On the Fly Dress Campfire Cookin Rollick Print Crew
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Mentioning Unmentionables

Anna Blake of Infinity Farm first caught our eye with her bra humor. A gal who isn’t afraid to voice the idiosyncrasies of trying on a bra is someone we’re obviously going to get along well with (have you seen our Bounce line?!) and when we heard she runs her own horse training business we fell in love. Well, and maybe the fact that she found her perfect riding bra at Title Nine. Thank you Anna for taking the time to blog and to share.

I’m going to be blunt about sports bras- not trying to offend anyone, (or exclude either of my male readers.) If you work with horses, or dogs for that matter, you should probably be wearing one. The good news is that they have improved!

Note: No one wants to model, or even see a sports bra, so I chose this photo of Clara in her fly sheet. It has that certain look sports bras lack.

Back in the dark ages women were not expected to do anything un-ladylike enough to worry their underwear. Still, they were laced up tight, and elastic hadn’t been invented yet, so I am guessing they were shallow breathers. Early feminists threw away their corsets for a more full lung approach to the world, but I’m not sure how many of them were riders. Some of us do ride and we can become distracted by a certain contrary wave motion happening in our front torsos. It’s hard to focus on rhythm, and seeking that horse/rider oneness, while some part of your anatomy is jumping up and down, and name-calling in a heckling sort of way.

It was always a challenge, but once I came to dressage, home of the sitting trot, I clearly needed a better solution. Department stores were useless, so I scoured tack catalogs, took my best guess, and placed the order. That sports bra arrived with not one bit of elastic anywhere. I mounted up and went for a trot. The good news is that there was a graveyard-like stillness on my front torso. The bad news is that nothing else moved either, especially my lungs. Its truss effect also managed to round my shoulders, so now I was riding hunched and clamped and flattened and deflated. But at least the bra was expensive. I went back to buying a size smaller and layering.

That was then, this is now. When I was preparing to start riding my young mare I thought I might buy her a starting present, but I got myself one instead.

I had been getting catalogs from Title Nine and there were pages and pages of sport bras, labeled in ways that were more amusing than offensive. Strength of support is categorized by a barbell symbol. Three barbells should be good for riding. And there is a local store. (Unsolicited opinion, Title Nine does not sponsor me.)

Ever had a ‘fitting’ like this? I am not the sort to volunteer, but someone had to know more than I did. I left my ego at the door and when the clerk said to throw my hands up over my head, I did it with abandon. Not too mono-bosom, not too elastic- I could breathe and move my shoulders. They are less expensive then tack catalog options and returnable for a full year.

I remember when I finally got a new horse trailer. I left the old trailer with the dealer and flew down the road, checking the rear view in happy disbelief. Trailer technology had really improved in 34 years. My old trailer was like dragging a box of rocks.

I guess this new sport bra experience was kind of like that. Two months later, I am on the brink of zealous. So nice to focus on my horse’s movement, stay cool and breathe, simultaneously!

At the risk of too much information, (but why stop now?), I come from a long line of German women who use bras like pockets. It was common to see women pull hankies, cash, keys- you name it- out of their underwear. It’s a good tradition. Frequently I ride alone and I like to keep my phone handy for safety. These new age sports bras can pack along a smart phone. At the trot. Impressive, isn’t it?

(Titillation-free zone:  I chose my words carefully in this post. Internet search engines sometimes bring the unwanted visitor looking for that p-word that rhymes with corn. I hope they are very disappointed with my blog.)

Anna Blake is a full-time horse trainer and riding instructor based out of Colorado Springs. Anna’s clients are both two and four legged. She spends her days training horse and rider using the classic method of dressage, training relaxed forward gaits, and ads a touch of her own slightly unconventional approach and a positive sense of humor.  If you and your pony are in the Colorado Springs area and are looking to rekindle your bond riding to music, Anna Blake is your gal. You can find her blog here, and learn more about her business here.

 

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