Holiday Gift Guide: Runners
Runners like toys. There’s no getting around it. Someone that’s into fitness will love getting some running toys for the holidays. Last year Michael’s mom gave me a gift card to a nearby running store for Christmas. Best present ever! I desperately needed a new pair of running shoes.
If you have a runner in your life, here are a few of my favorite things you might want to get for them:
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Nathan Speed 2 Waistpack with Two 10-Ounce Nutrition Flasks–I have one and I love it. It worked great for long training runs. I used it when I ran Hood To Coast. It’s a must have for any runner. I like that it doesn’t slosh around too much either.
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GUs–A runner needs fuel. I like GU brand personally. I’ve tried almost everything out there and decided that GUs tasted less like chemical burning than most of the “energy” things out there. Get a case for your runner.
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Garmin!–Oh my gosh! If you bought this for the runner in your life they will LOVE YOU. When I was running a lot I desperately wanted a Garmin. I was such a nerd about my stats and really wanted one of these babies to track all of it. I never got a Garmin but that leads me to my next item…
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Polar Heart Rate Monitor–I never got a Garmin but I absolutely love my Polar HRM. It absolutely changed the way I worked out, for the better. Being able to properly track my calories made a huge difference in my weight loss. I love my HRM and would never go back to not using one.
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Running Shoes–New Runners often make the mistake of buying cheap shoes. Sometimes it’s about commitment, we aren’t sure we’ll stick with it, we don’t have the money, etc. But investing in a GOOD pair of shoes will make a world of difference. Bad shoes = injury. Take the time to get fitted for good shoes. And then buy them for cheaper online. 🙂
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Tune Belt Sport Armband for iPhone/Blackberry–A cheap little stocking-stuffer that will make your runner happy. I prefer to have my music when I run or workout and this makes it easy.
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Smart Wool Socks–I don’t wear anything else when I workout. I love my SmartWool. They feel great, they never give me blisters, I don’t sweat in them. They are the perfect socks in my opinion. I have thick pairs for snowshoeing or hiking, thin pairs for running. Love!
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Compression Tights–Finally, my favorite fitness item I own is my compression tights. Michael got them for me for Christmas last year and I love these. They feel so fantastic. Compression tights are a lifesaver for people training for long distance runs or cycling events. They work great during events and also for recovery afterward.
Lots of fun toys for the runner–or great ideas for you to make your holiday wish-list. Enjoy!
QUESTION: What are your favorite running items?
Ingunn
There’s a great Garmin deal on Amazon today! http://www.amazon.com/gp/goldbox/ref=pe_36550_21884500_pe_gb_skin
Lisa Eirene
Ooooh!!!! Tempting!!! 😀
Becky
This is such a great list. I have almost all of these things and I couldn’t live without them!
Lisa Eirene
I feel the same way!
Leah @ L4L
These are great. I am getting Huz a reflective running hat and waterproof jacket – mandatory in the winter here in the Pacific Northwest!
Lisa Eirene
A reflective hat is a good idea. I have a reflective vest to wear over my jacket when running but rarely use it. Because let’s be honest, when winter comes I’m more likely to head to the gym instead of running outside in the dark, cold or rain!
Katie
Do you have any input on a sweatband for running? I realize it’s not a huge deal, but just wondered if you found any you particularly like more than others? I’m running my first 5k this Sunday and I already know from training I sweat quite a bit.
Thank you!
P.S. I LOVE reading your blog daily!
Lisa Eirene
Thanks for reading, Katie!
I use Bondi Bands. I love them. They work great. I sweat a LOT. They are definitely soaked with sweat by the time I’m done working out but they keep the sweat off my face.
Good luck on your first 5k! You’ll be hooked. 🙂
Katie
You’re very welcome! Thank you for posting such inspirational and entertaining stuff every day.
Thank you for the recommendation. I realized that I didn’t have one and thought why not ask someone who clearly uses one more often than anyone else I know. I’ll be looking into that after I’m done writing this.
Thank you! I’m very excited about the 5k because as little as it may be to some people it’s a HUGE accomplishment for me. I’ve never been an athlete and I’ve never been able to run more than 3 minutes before I started this program. I’m already coordinating with my sister in law about signing up for the Shamrock Run this year.
Lisa Eirene
I’m glad you like it, Katie. It’s nice to hear feedback from readers once in awhile. Sometimes I feel like I’m talking to myself. LOL
You are going to do great on your 5k. My first 5k was hard. I hadn’t trained enough and I got the flu right before. I was in bed for two weeks and totally not well enough to run. Which program did you do?
Katie
Yeah I can see how you might think that, but I tell everyone I know that’s on the same journey as me to read your blog.
Thanks! Yeah I read how you had quite the tough time before your first 5k. That would be awful! I did the Run5k program for 8 weeks. After my 5k this weekend I’m going to start the Bridge to 10k app.
Lisa Eirene
Good luck! Let me know how you do. 🙂