The Runner’s Christmas List

WORKOUT – Ran outside 9.0 miles/1:13

We’re all excited because we’re headed to Disneyland this morning!  I’ve changed so many diapers in the last 24 hours, mostly Jay’s…  That’s a lie, I haven’t changed a single one.

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Risa (go look at her last post!) first asked me to do a Runner’s Christmas List and then some other readers did too so these are all things that I personally have, own and use and think would make a great gift for someone else.  (I DO NOT receive any compensation if you buy these products; they’re just things I use, I like and I feel comfortable recommending)

For the runner whose friendship you’re trying to buy:

The Garmin 405

Hands down, the best running invention ever made… besides the sports bra.  I never run without mine except on a treadmill; I even take mine on walks with the dog and pheasant hunting.  and sometimes even to bed if I’m beating the Kenyans in my dreams.

It’s easy to use, finds satellites quickly, the customer service is great, totally worth the money.  You can get it for $199 on Amazon.  There’s newer models out, but the 405’s like George Clooney: why mess with perfection?

A tech tip: if you get water moisture in your garmin, put it in a bowl of rice which can dry it out.

For the Runner who’s a traveler and/or a healthy eater:

Gotein Protein to Go

I  love to travel and when I do, I try to always bring 2 food items along with an empty water bottle: energy bars and protein mix, not because I’m a healthy eater but because if I don’t, I get really hungry and end up buying the $18 bag of trail mix from Hudson News that looks like it has 2 servings when in reality, it could feed the entire Gosselin clan. 

^{1750 calories later, I’m wishing I had my $18 back.  and some Tums.}

So I bring protein powders with me to save a few bucks and a few thousand calories.  Y’all know I love CLICK espresso protein because it tastes like coffee, but I also like Gotein Protein To Go for non-coffee flavors, especially to add to oatmeal.  (my favorite is vanilla; does that mean I’m boring?)

A traveling food trick: Instead of a gutbomb breakfast sandwich from McDonny’s, buy an oatmeal (I like Starbucks), add some protein, maybe a piece of fruit and bam, you have a meal that’s healthy and cheap. 

And Gotein’s super easy to tote around in your purse which is great because TSA won’t think you’re smuggling drugs with your Ziploc baggies so you might just get to skip out on the full-body cavity search.

The other reason I like Gotein is that it’s low calorie. (100 cal/17 g protein)  I’m no body builder… thank you Captain Obvious replies my bat wing arms… so I personally don’t want a protein bar/mix/powder that has 350 calories in it. 

And since Gotein didn’t want to see a picture of my flappy bat wing arms that I threatened if they didn’t offer SR readers a deal, you can get $4 off each box of Gotein with the promo code ANNA. 

For the Runner who’s eternally cold (and perpetually wimpy):

Nike Running Tights

These are the newer cooler version of what I have, simple black tights:

They fit well so you don’t get crotch sag, they’re not too heavy and they’re black – always good to hide those thighs or whatever you’re smuggling. 

Unless you live in Death Valley, (wherein you have much bigger problems than I can help with) I think every runner needs a great fitting pair of running tights.  And Nike does it right.

Remember they’re tights… so they should be tight.  Don’t be self-conscious and buy a bigger size; you’ll regret doing that.

A laundry tip: don’t put your spandex tights in the dryer; the high heat can break down the fibers so wash them and let them air dry.

For the Runner who chicks dudes but doesn’t want to look like them:

BIC Bands headbands

Love the company, love the story, love the product, love the charitable donation, love ‘em.  My favorites are the Sparkle bands modeled here by my twin sister Matti:

They’re handmade in the USA and super affordable; they don’t slip off your head and there’s a ton of different styles, sizes and colors.

Another laundry tip: take these in the shower with you and gently wash with your hands instead of putting them in the washer.  This will make them last until the end of time.

For the Runner who’s a buttface when they bonk:

Running Fuel. 

There’s a million (not really, like 10) different options – gels, ShotBloks, Powerbar Chomps, Honey Stingers, Sport Beans, drink mixes, etc.  You can even get all Martha Stewart and buy holiday flavors or GU’s newest flavor, peanut butter:

I personally take GU gels for races and PickyBars for a pre-race meal (my fueling post here), but if you don’t know which your runner likes, buy a few different things for them to try out.  Like this person even alphabetized and categorized them for you:

Whatever you choose, running fuel makes a nice stocking stuffer for the runner in your life that acts like a total turd when they hit the wall.

For the Runner you actually care about:

26MileStones race bib coasters

You send in a bib (you can even get the bib back!) and it’s turned into 4 tile coasters. 

I had one made with last year’s Vegas marathon bib; I chose that specific bib because it was my 12th marathon in 12 months, a PR and the same race where I ran my first marathon a year earlier so it was pretty special to me. {One of my favorite posts}

I love that this is an affordable ($22) yet creative and personalized gift.  You don’t have to run Boston, be crazy fast or even be a marathoner – you could make one for the 10k breast cancer walk you did with your mom or the 5k run you did with your kids.

A completely selfish tip:  Put these out in the living room where everyone can see them because they’re unique enough that people will ask about them.  Niki walked into this trap yesterday… “Is this your last year’s race bib?”  Why, yes it is.  Let me tell you all about it, starting with my training 3 months prior.

And they’re great quality – the tile coasters are heavy and thick, not cheap looking and have a felt backing so they don’t scratch any surfaces.  Plus, they arrive packaged nice and neat in a little box.

And since I’ve begged and pleaded, 26MileStones has agreed to give 15% off with the code SKINNY through next Monday.  (You need to order by the first of December to receive them by Christmas so get to it!)

Do you have any favorite items to add to a Runner’s Christmas List that you like?

Tagged as: gear, holidays, i like stuff