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Gifts for Runners

2,230 bytes added, 13:16, 7 December 2012
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* '''[[Injury_prevention_using_%27The_Stick%27| The Stick]]'''. No runner should be without the best [[Massage]] device. I use mine every day, and it makes a big difference, helping me avoid injuries and easing sore muscles. It's [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FThe-Stick-6628-Marathon%2Fdp%2FB000P7NWLM $32 at Amazon.com].
* '''[[Foam_Roller| Foam Roller]]'''. If your runner already has The Sick, then the Foam Roller is the other great tool for keeping their legs working. It's [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=Foam&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2F36-Inch-Extra-Durable-Hi-Density-Roller%2Fdp%2FB0028KDC82 $25 at Amazon.com] for a good quality version that will last.
* '''Books'''. The recent bestseller 'Born to Run' is well written and entertaining, as well as thought provoking ([http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=btr&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBorn-Run-Hidden-Superathletes-Greatest%2Fdp%2F0307279189 $11 at Amazon.com]). I've included some other book suggestions below, focusing on entertainment rather than technical advice. ** '''Once A Runner''', by John L. Parker. Often considered the best book on running, and a worthy read. [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=x&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FOnce-Runner-Novel-John-Parker%2Fdp%2F1416597891 $10 at Amazon.com]** '''Running on Empty''', by Marshall Ulrich. An ultrarunning classic. [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=x&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FRunning-Empty-Ultramarathoners-Record-Setting-America%2Fdp%2F1583334904 $11 at Amazon.com].** '''Eat and Run''', by Scott Jerek. The autobiography of an ultrarunning legend. [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=x&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FEat-Run-Unlikely-Ultramarathon-Greatness%2Fdp%2F0547569653 $17 at Amazon.com].** '''Feet in the Clouds''', by Richard Askwith. On British fell running. [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=x&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FFeet-Clouds-Tale-Fell-Running-Obsession%2Fdp%2F1845130820 $13 at Amazon.com].** '''Bowerman and the Men of Oregon''', by Kenny Moore. The story of the Oregon coach and founder of Nike. [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=x&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBowerman-Men-Oregon-Legendary-Cofounder%2Fdp%2F1594867313 $13 at Amazon.com].** '''The Silence of Great Distance''', by Frank Murphy. The story of competitive women's endurance running. [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=x&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSilence-Great-Distance-Frank-Murphy%2Fdp%2F0962924326 $18 at Amazon.com].** '''Ultramarathon Man''', by Dean Karnazes. Dean seems to be loved and hated by an equal number of people, but I enjoyed this book. [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=x&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FUltramarathon-Man-Confessions-All-Night-Runner%2Fdp%2F1585424803 $10 at Amazon.com].** '''What I Talk About When I Talk About Running''', by Haruki Murakami. A somewhat rambling tale of running. [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=x&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FWhat-About-Running-Vintage-International%2Fdp%2F0307389839 $10 at Amazon.com].
* '''Halo Hat.''' This is by far the best [[Running Hats| running hat]] I've found, and I wear mine for every run, regardless of the weather ([http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=halo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHalo-Headbands-HSHWHITE-Sport-White%2Fdp%2FB0025US29E $22 at Amazon.com]).
* '''Offer to crew'''. A different gift is to offer to crew your runner through a race or training run. Crewing an ultra is a big undertaking, so don't make this offer lightly. Another option is to offer to drive so the runner can do a long point to point run.
* '''Gloves'''. I've come to love gloves that have a finger cover to make them 'convertible mittens', as they work in a wider range of temperatures. The best I've found are the [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=SauconyUtliMitt&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSaucony-90299-Ulti-Mitt-Black-X-Large%2Fdp%2FB0059CVCME Saucony Ulti-Mitt] which comes with the light and has a place for it to clip on that works well. They're not the cheapest gloves, being [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=Ultimit&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSaucony-Mens-Ulti-Mitt-Small-Black%2Fdp%2FB006ZW6JGQ $50 at Amazon.com], but they are worth it.
* '''Sugoi Helium Jacket'''. This jacket weighs less than 3oz, is windproof, water resistant and is my favorite. ([http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=he&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSugoi-Helium-Jacket-Nova-X-Large%2Fdp%2FB001J8CQZY Men's is $54-100], [http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=hew&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSugoi-Womens-Helium-Jacket-Black%2Fdp%2FB002IQKW8Y Women's is $65-100].)
* '''Race Entry'''. Races can be pricy, so buying your runner a race entry is a nice gift, but make sure it's a race they want to do!
* '''Socks'''. While socks are unexciting, they make a good fallback. Buy the type of socks your runner normally wears, as a different sock can change the way their shoes fit. If you runner is not using good socks, then consider giving them a modern technical sock. See [[Blister_Prevention_and_Socks| Blister Prevention and Socks]].
=Other ideas=
* '''Running light'''. You need to talk to your runner about their preferences for running lights. Have a read of my [[Running_Lights| running light guide]] for more details.
* '''GPS Watch'''. I recommend the Garmin 310XT for any runner, but there are cheaper options and smaller options, so read [[Best Running Watch| Best Running Watch]] before buying.
* '''Compression Sleeves'''. These sleeves are all the rage, and for [[Why_compression_clothes| a good reason]]. They make a nice gift, but they have to be sized correctly, especially the calf circumference, which makes it tricky for them to be a surprise gift. Of the many calf sleeves on the market, I'd recommend the 2XU Sleeves ([http://go.fellrnr.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=2xun&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2F2XU-Non-Stirrup-Compression-Guard-Medium%2Fdp%2FB00591U8J8 $40-45 at Amazon.com]).* '''Race Entry'''. Races can be pricy, so buying your runner a race entry is a nice gift, but make sure it's a race they want to do!

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