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Gifts for Runners

1,532 bytes removed, 09:56, 8 October 2013
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[[File:GiftImage.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
If you're looking for the perfect gift for a runner, here is my list of ideas.
* '''[[Injury_prevention_using_Injury prevention using %27The_Stick27The 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 [[Muscle|muscles]]. It's [http://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FTheThe-Stick-6628-Marathon%2Fdp%2FB000P7NWLM /dp/B000P7NWLM $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://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=Foam&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2F3636-Inch-Extra-Durable-Hi-Density-Roller%2Fdp%2FB0028KDC82 /dp/B0028KDC82 $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://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=btr&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBornBorn-Run-Hidden-Superathletes-Greatest%2Fdp%2F0307279189 /dp/0307279189 $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://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=x&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FOnceOnce-Runner-Novel-John-Parker%2Fdp%2F1416597891 /dp/1416597891 $10 at Amazon.com]** '''Running on Empty''', by Marshall Ulrich. An ultrarunning classic. [http://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=x&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FRunningRunning-Empty-Ultramarathoners-Record-Setting-America%2Fdp%2F1583334904 /dp/1583334904 $11 at Amazon.com].** '''Eat and Run''', by Scott Jerek. The autobiography of an ultrarunning legend. [http://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=x&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FEatEat-Run-Unlikely-Ultramarathon-Greatness%2Fdp%2F0547569653 /dp/0547569653 $17 at Amazon.com].** '''Feet in the Clouds''', by Richard Askwith. On British fell running. [http://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=x&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FFeetFeet-Clouds-Tale-Fell-Running-Obsession%2Fdp%2F1845130820 /dp/1845130820 $13 at Amazon.com].** '''Bowerman and the Men of Oregon''', by Kenny Moore. The story of the Oregon coach and founder of Nike. [http://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=x&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBowermanBowerman-Men-Oregon-Legendary-Cofounder%2Fdp%2F1594867313 /dp/1594867313 $13 at Amazon.com].** '''The Silence of Great Distance''', by Frank Murphy. The story of competitive women's endurance running. [http://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=x&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSilenceSilence-Great-Distance-Frank-Murphy%2Fdp%2F0962924326 /dp/0962924326 $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://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=x&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FUltramarathonUltramarathon-Man-Confessions-All-Night-Runner%2Fdp%2F1585424803 /dp/1585424803 $10 at Amazon.com].** '''What I Talk About When I Talk About Running''', by Haruki Murakami. A somewhat rambling tale of running. [http://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=x&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FWhatWhat-About-Running-Vintage-International%2Fdp%2F0307389839 /dp/0307389839 $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://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=halo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHaloHalo-Headbands-HSHWHITE-Sport-White%2Fdp%2FB0025US29E /dp/B0025US29E $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]] 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. * '''Foot rubz'''. While it's not as critical as [[The Stick]] or a [[Foam Roller]], massaging your feet with this little ball feels great and is only [http://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=rubz&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FFootFoot-Massage-Great-Backs-Hands%2Fdp%2FB002QEY6NK /dp/B002QEY6NK $6 at Amazon.com].* '''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://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=SauconyUtliMitt&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSauconySaucony-90299-Ulti-Mitt-Black-X-Large%2Fdp%2FB0059CVCME /dp/B0059CVCME 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://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=Ultimit&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSauconySaucony-Mens-Ulti-Mitt-Small-Black%2Fdp%2FB006ZW6JGQ /dp/B006ZW6JGQ $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://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=he&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSugoiSugoi-Helium-Jacket-Nova-X-Large%2Fdp%2FB001J8CQZY /dp/B001J8CQZY Men's is $54-100], [http://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=hew&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSugoiSugoi-Womens-Helium-Jacket-Black%2Fdp%2FB002IQKW8Y /dp/B002IQKW8Y Women's is $65-100].)* '''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]] 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=
These are great gifts, but I'd suggest you ask your runner to find out what they'd like.
* '''ID Bracelet'''. Hopefully they'll never need an ID bracelet, but it's an important [[Running Safety| safety measure]] just in case. There are a number of options available, such as [http://www.roadid.com/c/RoadID Road ID for $20]. However, if they have any medical conditions, I'd recommend going with [http://www.medicalert.org/ MedicAlert].
* '''Musi'''c. Small MP3 players like the SanDisk Clip Zip ([http://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=clip&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSanDiskSanDisk-Sansa-Clip-Player-Black%2Fdp%2FB005FVNGRS /dp/B005FVNGRS $35 at Amazon.com]<span style='color:#FF0000'>) </span>or iPod Shuffle ([http://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=Shuf&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FAppleApple-shuffle-Slate-NEWEST-MODEL%2Fdp%2FB0097BEEDM /dp/B0097BEEDM $50 at Amazon.com]) are ideal for running. For better sound quality, the most important factor is the [[Headphones_for_RunningHeadphones for Running| headphones]], so give a pair of Koss SportaPro ([http://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FKossKoss-155475-SportaPro-Stereo-Headphones%2Fdp%2FB00001P505 /dp/B00001P505 $21 at Amazon.com]).* '''Running light'''. You need to talk to your runner about their preferences for [[Running Lights]]running lights. Have a read of my [[Running_LightsRunning 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_clothesWhy 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://gowww.fellrnramazon.com/?id=35454X937677&xs=1&xcust=2xun&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2F2XU2XU-Non-Stirrup-Compression-Guard-Medium%2Fdp%2FB00591U8J8 /dp/B00591U8J8 $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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