Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Great Gifts for Runners

Tis the season for giving. Christmas is my favorite holiday and finding and giving the perfect gift is my favorite part. In any given year I normally have one or two gifts that are real hits, and the rest are enjoyable, but not super exciting. This year I wanted to help out those looking for gifts with some of my favorite gifts for runners. (A few of these may be on my wish list this year too.)

Socks

Regular or compression, I can always use another pair of running socks and they seem to be one of those things I never get around to purchasing for myself. Balega are my favorites for running and I love these compression ones for long runs and recovery. In our house Santa brings socks and these would be a great stocking stuffer.

Pedicure

Running does a number on my feet and few things feel better than a pedicure after several months of training. I know I can paint my toes myself, but sometimes it feels good to be pampered.

Nice Yoga Mat 

I didn't realize how much of a difference your mat makes until I got a nice Lululemon one for Christmas last year. As much as the frugal part of me doesn't want to admit it, there is a huge difference between the $20 mat and the $70 mat. Yoga is a key part of my running routine.

Fitbit Charge HR

Since I have been sidelined from running for a bit, I would love to have more feedback on my workouts and overall activity levels. While there are still some issues with the accuracy of the step information, the heartrate part has been pretty well reviewed. (I may be giving this to myself before Christmas.)

Gym Bag

I am still carrying around the gym bag I used in grad school 10 years ago. It has stood up really well, but there are so many cool ones on the market now. I would love something with a separate spot for shoes and maybe a waterproof pocket or place for a yoga mat. 

Foam Roller

If your runner don't have one, this is a great gift. Foam rolling is one of those things I have a love/hate relationship. It hurts so good and has been a great addition to my training.

Massage

This is the ultimate present for a runner. A good massage can loosen tight muscles and help with the soreness most of us walk around with. Finding a good place close to your area is key for this one.

Hair ties, headbands and your runners favorite fuel (I like Honey Stingers) are also great stocking stuffers.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.