Gifts for Runners: Splurges & Steals!

With only five days until Hanukkah and just 13 days until Christmas, time is slowly running out to locate that perfect gift for the special runner in your life! Maybe you want to help them celebrate their accomplishments or perhaps give them something that can help take their training to the next level. Whatever your runner needs, here's a list of splurges and steals- something for every budget.

Foam Roller
Ok, so I personally have not tried the foam roller YET, but I'm hoping that Santa leaves one under the Christmas tree for me this year! From Runner's World, "Using a foam roller can provide similar benefits as deep-tissue massage, helping to prevent injury and improve performance through the increase of flexibility and decrease of muscle tension."

Splurge: I haven't tried this but have heard that it works wonders! Rumble Rollers range in price from $25 for a massage ball or $30- 70 for an actual roller. You can find the closest retailer to you here. 

These look slightly scary but are probably great for sore muscles. Source.

Steal: For just $14.77 you can own this Gold's Gym Foam Roller, available at your local Wal-Mart.

Blue is always a good choice. Source.

Medal Rack
Every runner needs a medal rack to show off their bling! There are tons of different types and styles out there, from funny to inspirational and everything in between. Matthew and I have ordered racks from both companies below and were completely impressed with the quality of the items.

Splurge: Ranging from a single medal holder ($22) from one with room for 10 medals ($40- 130), Sport Hooks has beautiful and unique designs to celebrate any athletic accomplishment. If your runner is a run Disney fan, this is the definitely the place to look!

Some models are offered in color. Source.

Steal: Starting at $30, York Sign Shop's medal racks are simple and functional. You can even add on an extra row of hooks to almost any design for just $5. We have two of these types of medal racks- each one holds up to 26 medals! These are affordable customization options as well.

I bought this exact one for Matthew for his birthday. Source.

Tracking Device
If you've got a special runner in your life, then you know it's all about the numbers: pace, distance, heart rate, etc. Using different technologies- like a GPS watch or a running mobile app- runners can easily keep track of their all-important numbers and progress towards training goals.

Splurge: A Garmin Forerunner is one of the leading GPS watches for running. Ranging from $100- 450, they offer a variety of features based on the model type. All offer distance and pace but some offer live tracking, training plans, sharing on social media, and heart rate.

Garmin Forerunner 10. Source.

Steal: Does your runner always run with her phone? If so, purchasing the MVP package of the free app Map My Run might be the perfect gift! The free version tracks distance, pace, and splits. But for $5.99 per month/ $29.99 per year, the upgraded package also can track heart rate, provide coaching and training plans, and allow others to track using the live tracking feature.

I don't know what a power analysis is but I want one! Source. 

If all else fails, a gift card to Running Warehouse is always a hit! One of the largest online selections of running apparel and shoes coupled with FREE two day shipping and a 90 day return policy (even on worn shoes!) makes this a fool-proof gift for even the pickiest runner in your life. Matthew and I have both ordered from this company and are big fans of the easy, no hassle return process. I especially like the "Shoe Fitter" which compares different brands and helps you find the correct sized shoe in various brands.

Regardless of budget, I hope you can find that one-of-a-kind gift that will make your runner's heart happy this holiday season. Happy Holidays and happy shopping!


QOTD: What's on your wish list this year? 

My Latest Running Wish List

That's right. All that stuff you've heard about running being cheap is a bunch of nonsense! Running should be the most affordable sport/hobby/obsession. After all, it requires no equipment except for a pair of shoes. But, as most of us know, it never stops at just the shoes. 

Check out the full comic about running your first marathon over at the oatmeal.

I have been known to spend a ridiculous amount of money on races, running shoes, tech gadgets, apparel, fuel, etc. and this training cycle will be no different. For this round of Goofy Challenge training, I've already picked out the tools I'll desperately need [not really but sorta kinda] to be successful. Ignoring the fact that I made it through Dopey training without most of this stuff, the following is my latest running wish list:

• I tried on this pair of Altra Paradigms last night at Appalachian Running Company and I am definitely intrigued. The extra-wide toe box felt really awesome but there was still a great deal of stability and cushion in them. And for $130 (versus $170 for a new pair of Hokas), I think I could work these into my current shoe rotation.

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• I've heard nothing but rave reviews about Sparkle Skirts and I am anxious to try them out- especially on long training runs when I don't feel like wearing a fuel belt or a fanny pack :-) They have three pockets- one on each leg of the built in compression shorts and one large waistband pocket that can be worn either in the back or the front. Prices range from $65- 80 so it's likely I'll just be purchasing one for right now. The pattern I like the best is pictured here and called "Half Crazy" which fits perfectly, don't you think?

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• So, I don't even wear a watch but I feel like it's time for me to have a Garmin. Mainly because I'm tired of hauling my phone (and my Map My Run app) with me on every single training run. It's kinda a pain in the butt to carry it all the time. And I keep dropping it which I'm sure can't be good for the phone. I'd like to get a simple GPS watch that just records my mileage, pace, and route so I can keep track of my training. Appalachian Running Company has the Garmin 15 for $130. Not cheap, but not as expensive as some fancier models.

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Over $300 later, I think I'll be ready for this round of training! And just for reference, that same dollar amount would get me around 12 sessions of therapy :-) 

QOTD: What about you? What's on your "running wish list?"