Real Running’s Holiday Gift Guide

This Hat Keeps Me Warm on Long Runs in the Snow

The driving rain, dark mornings, and stores jammed with holiday kitsch tell me it’s time to start thinking about gifts for friends and family.  Real Running has you covered with the first ever Real Running Holiday Gift Guide.

Buying for runners is hard, in part because the big expense in running is shoes, and in part because runners really don’t need any of the stuff that is marketed to them. Heck, we barely even need shoes. Nonetheless, here are some tips that should help you navigate through your shopping experience.

Buying shoes is usually a bad move, since runners are very particular about what they put on their feet. Most of us are fiercely brand-loyal and have worked hard to find “our” shoe. One option is to sneak into the closet and steal product numbers and sizes and just buy another pair of the same shoes your runner already has. Another option is to add a different set of shoes to the quiver. For example, maybe your runner has been running off-road in her regular shoes? How about some trail shoes? Go to the local shop with the details of her regular shoes and get an equivalent fitting trail shoe, from the same brand, of course.

The real trick to gift-giving is to find something your runner doesn’t really need, but would think is really cool. Here are some ideas:

• Satellites. Is your runner still logging miles with his old Timex watch from 1992? This is cute and everything, but why not an upgrade to a watch that tracks time, miles, elevation, heart rate, course, laps, effort, and looks cool at the same time? Garmin and Suunto make some excellent options.
• Tunes. Sure, they make holsters for that old-school MP3 player your partner lugs around, and he can technically use that iPhone for tunes, but they make MP3 players now that are far better suited to running. Get an iPod from Apple with a personalized message engraved on it at Apple’s online store. Slick.
• Threads. Those nasty old race shirts from three years ago have to go. Most runners are too cheap to buy the nice stuff, but we wish we had it, for sure. This time of year, jackets and thermal gear is a nice option.  Or maybe some warm up clothes? Sweat pants and sweatshirts for before and after a workout are always a fine choice.
• Words and Data. Most Real Runners can read. And most of us would love a subscription to running and health magazines. Or sign your favorite runner up with an account at a site like MapMyRun.com or FavoriteRun.com where she can track workouts, get custom training plans, or create and share running routes.
• Vacation. Here’s how to go top-shelf this holiday season. Find a warm-weather race destination, get a hotel room, some plane tickets, and register your favorite runner for the race. Of course the bonus of this is that you get to go, too. Double bonus if you’re also a runner. There are races every weekend in places like Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Florida. Most of the big races have travel packages already put together for you.

Of course, not all gifts have to be big-ticket items. In no particular order, here are some inexpensive gifts all runners need more of:

•  Fuel. GU, PowerGel, or whatever your runner usually uses make for great little gifts. Don’t buy too much. Those things do expire. Don’t overlook hydration. Those drink mixes and electrolyte supplements are a welcome addition.
• Protection. BodyGlide. There’s never too much BodyGlide.
• Warmth. Cheap cotton gloves and hats (check your local dollar store) make great winter race day warmers that your runner won’t feel bad about leaving behind.

But clearly, the best thing you can do for the runners in your life is shake your head, smile, and wish them luck as they head out into the rain, wind, snow, and darkness this holiday season to feed their addiction to logging miles on foot. So might I suggest the old standby gift?

• Coupon Book of free passes from family events, household chores, and other obligations for running purposes. Make these in mileage denominations so your runner has to decide how to spend them. “Your mother is coming over? Here’s my 12-mile coupon. See you in two hours.”

Happy Holidays from all of us here at Real Running!

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