What Runners Wear : Jess
accessories make the outfit.
One of the styliest runners I know and all around A+ human, Jess has been a champion of Running Wylder since I casually mentioned ‘hey so I’m doing this thing’ on a run together to Glen Canyon. I then proceeded to pick her brain on bras as we climbed our way up Upper Market. I met Jess in my past life at Old Navy but it wasn’t until post layoff that we finally found the time to run together. She’s still there, flexing her talent on the girls team + inspiring the next generation of runners.
When Lee Glandorf pitched the idea of featuring real runners talking about what they wear via her substack, I immediately text Jess to see if she’d like to be my guinea pig. Her running style is so original + unique, where she mixes the technical pieces required to run 26.2 miles with pieces + accessories that are indicative of her own personality. So on point is her POV, I kept her on speed-text for feedback as I was placing opening orders for the store.
An amazing runner, Jess has finished numerous half marathons + completed two fulls all while guiding others toward PR’s as a pacer in countless halfs. She narrowly missed a BQ this past fall at CIM by a mere 53 seconds + is looking for redemption at the Tunnels Marathon in August. She does all the social media for Run Club SF + recently led the rebrand, which we talk about a little below along with the anatomy of a good accessories stack, the importance of getting your nails race ready + why color is always a win/win.
Tell me a little about who you are.
This is a narcissist's favorite question. How deep do we want to go here? Joking. Ok well, apparel designer is my profession. While I've always known that I wanted to do something creative, I didn't think it would necessarily be this (design), but I'm really glad that I'm here. Along the way, when I got into running a little bit more, I joined the club (Run Club SF), and I've managed to unintentionally bridge those two things. They kind of feel like the same thing now, or at least they feel connected.
You’re the social media manager for Run Club SF + just recently led the rebrand. Tell me about that.
It was definitely a process. Originally I approached him (Matt, the founder of Run Club SF) with the idea of completely changing everything outside of the name and pitched a mascot, this little fog dude, and mocked up some stuff. He liked it, objectively speaking, but was like, I don't know if I look at this and I think run club, and I think what he was politely trying to say was I don't know if this is what I think of when I think of my run club. And that's fine, right? So I went back to the drawing board. He's really fixated on that winged foot, which I associate with cross country, like high school. So I started playing with text and the foot and that's how I got it, where it's like the foot is incorporated into the R. I kept the color scheme the same but updated the standards to make them a little more modern and contrasting. I had so much fun with it all.
Tell me a little bit about the social stuff you do for Run Club.
I was already making TikToks and documenting my training process for my first marathon and through that, one of my other coaches noticed. He was like, oh, you should make videos for us. I thought it was a joke. But then Matt was like, yeah, why not? I hate social media. I don't know how to take photos. So I was like, oh, OK and kind of just did it for fun, and I was helping out in the beginning. Now he's trusted me to fully take over. We work really closely - we're both connected on the Instagram account so if we get a DM, we'll both see it. I imagine it’s nice for him to be able to offload some of that work, and then for me to have the trust from him to own it. I feel like I have a lot of creative freedom there, which is great. I also get to meet so many more people through it. I love hearing from them. How did they find us? What did they think of our social media? Did they join the team or think about showing up to a practice based on that and why? Or if they didn't, why? I'm always curious about it.
So tell me about your running style.
I like to do really colorful things. I also like to accessorize a lot, and I feel like I express myself through my jewelry and fun socks. And then my sunglasses, hats, my manicure. I get my nails done in the Richmond, where I used to live. I get dip nail and it lasts so much longer. I beat the shit out of my nails doing whatever it is I do day to day and this lasts - no chipping until I get it switched out or removed. So there's always a fun color on my nails.
What's your approach to getting dressed for race day?
Oh, that's a good question. It's kind of all the same things I think about when I get dressed for any run. Maybe function moves up in importance. Do I have enough storage for all my fuel? And if I don't, do I have a plan? Like for Chicago, my sister came to watch so she passed gels off to me halfway through because I wasn't able to hold all of them. Color is important to me, too. But I think running in something that makes me feel good and I know can last long runs is the most important. I always run in a hat. I like sunglasses, too. But when I'm racing, hats almost double as a sweatband + keep the sweat out of my eyes.
How do you feel about running culture, like the running fashion boom?
I appreciate what it's doing for the hype for running and it's cool to see people styling the outfits they are running in. I don't know if everyone would say that. I'm generalizing here, but I think there’s maybe a generation of runners that are like before all this shit came along, it was literally grab your shoes, we're running a marathon. Nothing fancy, right?. No carbon plated shoes, high tech, whatever, making you fast. And there's plenty of people who have done that successfully. But I appreciate what it's done for the hype. It seems like everybody is really interested in running. Five years ago if I had said, oh, I'm in this run club, I don't know if people would have had the same reaction as they do now, wanting to know more and being very interested. It's also cool to see how people are just designing cool shit now.
How many pairs of running shoes do you have?
Oh, god. I think I have six, but I really only wear two. I run in Hoka Clifton 9s, and I need to get another pair. I have a pair of ON Cloud Surfers, which aren't really for running so I'll wear them for short distances, or sometimes speed workouts. I think they're mostly for walking, though. But I am in the market for a new daily trainer that has decent cushioning. I have other shoes that don't have as many miles on them, but I think I need to broaden my horizons right now, because I have a lot of Hokas, and most of them are pretty cushiony. Maybe I need to try a brand I've never tried. (Ed note : Jess is now a Novablast convert)
Let’s talk jewelry. Thoughts on the anatomy of a good stack? How do you put together what you wear everyday…do you mix it up for your run?
Ooo I love this question! I think a good stack is all about some visual balance plus some unexpected twists to keep it interesting. For example, I have two wavy/twisty rings that I like to wear on the same hand. On the other hand I have a fun ring that I never take off that has half frowny faces and half smiley faces so depending on how it's rotated it can be a different ring. I also like incorporating pieces that have cheeky text i.e. my "guys before fries" ring, my "fuck" earring and my "dope" necklace. I think it adds nice variety to my total stack. I also like to wear a chain bracelet above my Garmin. And for some reason, when it's a really nice and sunny day, I love to throw on my pearl choker that also has a smiley on it.
For the sake of function, I typically choose pieces that aren't too loose or jingly because that would drive me insane. For everyday wear I have the same preferences so I'm able to wear most of my day to day pieces while running.
Any sentimental value to the pieces that you wear all the time?
Nothing I would consider sentimental but I do have a few pieces I never take off: some studs in my ears and a couple rings + the dope necklace. Before the dope chain I used to wear a chain with a custom pendant my friends gifted me when my dog passed. It has an engraving of his face on it. I feel like I should add it back!
Fave jewelry/accessories brands?
I like simple/quality but affordable pieces from Gorjana. Good pieces to build a "base". I also like Verameat for quirky pieces and I typically find the more unique stuff from local boutiques. I also have a few pieces I love from Kris Nations (local, women owned brand in Half Moon Bay!)
Is there anything that you wish existed that doesn't, from a running perspective?
The sock thing - more fun socks that are functional for running. I'm also on a quest to find the perfect running short. I've gotten close…the Rabbit 4-inch Speed Up/Speedy something short, is the closest thing I've gotten. It's a mid-rise tight short. Two pockets on the side, zip in the back. It’s a 4” inseam and I think the only thing I'd want it to be is half an inch to an inch shorter. But it rides up, so it feels more like three when I run.
Give Jess a follow here + Run Club SF here.
Momentum has been building around the store, which is exciting. We’re a lean team (+ by ‘lean team’ I mean mostly ‘me’) so it’s been awesome + unexpected to get any sort of public mentions. The store was recently featured by Financial Times in an article about the running boom and I was floored to see that we were the feature photo. Never in my wildest dreams did I think we’d be mentioned alongside so many amazing brands. The reporter had reached out via DM a while ago + emailed over some questions, but I hadn’t heard anything and really had no idea if I’d even be included. A friend forwarded me a screenshot of Tom Daly’s (District Vision founder) Instagram where he shared the story while we were in Hawaii and I lost my shit. I’m now a subscriber, so the first three of you to click can have a read here.
I’m also pretty terrible at self promotion (who isn’t?) and TBH it’s one of the biggest reasons I avoid LinkedIn. My career, the things I’ve accomplished - they aren’t a big deal to me because they’re all just part of my job and I’m not like, saving lives over here. Mimi + Brigitte from Runners of the Bay reached out to see if I’d be interested in chatting with them about the store and I had a really, really good time. The ladies are amazing and I wish we all lived in the same city so we could be run buddies.
They emailed a couple days ago to let me know the episode was coming out and I had a lot of anxiety. I was convinced I had said something that would get me cancelled so I forced myself to listen to it in its entirety on my run Friday. I was surprised that it wasn’t nearly as cringey as I had expected and actually enjoyed the bird’s eye view + perspective it gave me on the last 20 years of my life. It was a good reminder to celebrate my accomplishments more, or at the very least close the computer + crack the champagne every now and then.
Have a listen if you have an hour or so to spare. I don’t think anyone is going to cancel me, besides perhaps mediocre white men.
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Hello! This is such a great series. I also especially appreciate that you mentioned a layoff openly. I was part of a +1000 person layoff this week (Square/Block), and I've just been so down. This is my fourth tech layoff in five years, and amidst All Of The Feels I've been wondering, stressing, daydreaming if there's a way that I can get out of the corporate cycle. Realizing that you turned your layoff into something so beautiful and life-affirming and true to yourself is inspiring. Thank you for sharing.
I love this series. I have only ever run in solid color (mostly black) Nike clothing, which is super boring. This is right up my alley as I want to look more stylish while running. I am also on the hunt for the perfect short, it's an incredibly painstaking quest.