Gifts that celebrate a runner’s passion continue to give for miles. Whether you’re shopping for the runner in your life or looking for ideas for your personal holiday wish list, this year’s holiday guide features gifts that help you perform better, inspire, recover and celebrate every runner. Happy holidays.
GIFTS THAT PERFORM
PEAR Mobile Training Intelligence – Real-Time Audio Coaching – $149.99
PEAR makes effort-based training easy, fun and super addictive! Forget the formulas or trying to figure out the number on your watch. PEAR will coach you as you run and guide you to making the most out of every run. A revolutionary new training tool, PEAR includes heart rate (effort) based audio coaching, with distance, pace, calories and tips based on how you’re running in the moment (too fast, too slow or just right). Just download your favorite workout and get coached – from the pros – through every run. Save 20% on PEAR products until December 30, 2012 using the code JENNYHOLIDAY.
AFX Foot and Ankle Strengthener $99
A personal trainer for your feet. Why is that important? Because with stronger feet and ankles, comes dramatic improvements in form, efficiency and the reduction of injuries. This is an absolute must-have tool (and perfect gift) for those who struggle with foot, leg and hip issues, those who are transitioning to less shoe (minimalist) and anyone who wants to improve their form authentically.
110% Play Harder – Transformer Shorts $110
Two simple therapies, one great garment. The 110% Transformer Shorts are for the athlete looking for that extra advantage. The EC3D Compression Technology offers a better fit with the tubular seamless construction and delivers an ergonomic fit to enhance muscle stability, circulation and reduce muscle fatigue. These compression shorts go one step further with cold therapy built in! Simply wear during training then slide the frozen ice sheets in the shorts afterwards. Shorts come complete with ice sheets and thermal bag. Also available: calf sleeves, Capri, tights and knee sleeve.
I wore Yaktrax in the Antarctica Marathon and through many Chicago winters and they continue to keep me vertical, on my feet and improve my form and confidence on wintery runs! They are lightweight and easy to put over your running shoes and a must-have piece of gear for safe winter running.
GIFTS THAT INSPIRE
Believe I Am – Training Diary $19.99
An old-school training diary with a new spirit. Created by professional runners Lauren Fleshman and Roisin McGettigan, it is full of inspiring quotes, notes and tips from top female athletes. The design makes you want to pick it up and write, and once you do, you’ll find help to track training patterns, goal setting worksheets, and mental training tools. It’s filled with good karma inside and out and it’s the perfect gift for the runner girl in your life.
Gift certificate to a local running store or race entry fee. $25 and up
Shop local and support your local running store or race. There’s nothing more motivating than a carrot (race) or a new piece of cool gear or clothing. A gift certificate to their favorite running store or race shows your support for their passion to run. It also gives them the opportunity to shop for what they need along the way.
Barefoot Running – The Movie $24.95
The perfect gift for anyone interested in the barefoot movement. You’ll learn foot strengthening exercises, how to develop a lighter stride, running form, minimalist shoes and more from barefoot hosts Michael Sandler and Jessica Lee – all to the beautiful backdrop of Maui. Bonus – order the DVD now and receive a free copy of the book Barefoot Running.
GIFTS THAT HEAL
Teatulia – Lemongrass Organic Tea – $8.49
I fell in love with Teatulia loose-leaf teas while staying at the Red Mountain Spa before running Rim-2-Rim in the Grand Canyon this spring. It has the stress-relieving qualities of a relaxing massage and every tea comes from a single organic garden in Northern Bangladesh’s Tetulia region. The lemongrass is especially tasty as I make my way to consuming less caffeine in my daily life. Organic black tea, green tea, white tea and herbal teas.
You’re only as strong as the quality of your recovery and nutrition is a core element in healing. Enter Picky Bars. By far the most tasty, clean and healthy bar I’ve ever eaten. Made by professional athletes Lauren Fleshman, Stephanie Rothstein and Jesse Thomas for athletes that want to eat goodness with great taste. They currently are made in three flavors; Lauren’s Mega Nuts, All In Almond and Nutless Wonder. Gluten free. Dairy free. Real food. Natural energy. You will taste their passion in every bite.
For the runner who enjoys a relaxing soak. Smartsoaks turn your post run bath into a mini spa retreat. Smartsoaks are highly concentrated with magnesium sulfate to rebuild fatigued joints and raise serotonin for increased sense of well-being, healing botanical oils from Australia and sodium bicarbonate to heal the skin from the elements.
GIFTS THAT SUPPORT
Life Sitting Gift Certificate [Free!]
This is the perfect gift if you’re on a strict budget but want to support the busy running parent, caregiver, animal lover in your life. Give the gift of time and babysit for their loved ones so they can run, train or travel to a race. It costs nothing but time and they’ll remember it for a lifetime.
Give the gift of safety with the portable answer to pepper spray. The Personal Savers Wrist Saver was created by professional inline skaters after having several run-in’s with aggressors on their training workouts. The minute you strap it on your wrist, you know it was made by an athlete. It’s light, easy and comfortable to wear. I never leave home without it.
The water bottle – reinvented. A simple and highly effective way to carry fluids when you run or walk. It easily slips inside your waist band, race belt, or pocket. Designed by runner Brian Hock, supported by runners via Kickstarter – this running product is well thought out, functional and the new bottle on the block. It’s easy to clean, holds 13 ounces, BPA-free, fits nicely in your hand for drinking on the run and is designed to fit the center of your lower back. Use the code JENNY40 to save 40% on Simple Hydration.
This is the perfect gift for the techno-geek runner. Ordinary gloves are great for keeping your hands warm, but they don’t allow you to use your touchscreen gadgets (iPod, iPhone, iPad…). Gone are the days where you have to remove your gloves to change that tune or worse yet, cut a hole in one finger. Agloves are made from real silver fibers knitted into the entire glove so all ten fingers can type, tap, scroll, swipe and play. A gift that is sure to impress.
An easy to use, inexpensive tool that simulates that of a massage therapist in loosening tight muscles. The GRID foam roller has three different pressure zones to enable you to apply varying amounts of pressure to help massage and release muscle tension. It’s the perfect compliment to any runner’s training toolbox.
UltraSpire Surge Racing Pack $115
A running vest that is MacGyver worthy. If you’re into trail running or ultra marathoning, the Surge is an incredible tool for nutritional performance. A light weight racing vest with dual side compression and two liter hydration compartment for those who prefer a bladder. The Surge has enough storage for fuel, fluid, a layer or two and other small trinkets (electrolytes, gels, lipstick) and moves you through aid stations very efficiently. It’s my new go-to running vest.
GIFTS THAT CELEBRATE
Jewelry for Runners – Sporty Jewels $35
There’s nothing that says congratulations like a running pendant or earrings! Wear them when you run, work and play. Ceremonial bling reminds us of how far we’ve come. The designer at Sporty Jewels is a creative runner who turned her passion into art. Choose one of her beautiful designs or have her create your own. She packs the spirit of a runner in every piece.
Spa-Day Gift Certificate $50-$100
I’ve never met a runner that didn’t love a massage (or manicure or pedicure for that matter). It’s a gift that keeps on giving and both therapeutic and pampering. Deep tissue massage releases tension, improves circulation and enhances running performance. SpaFinder.com is a simple way to shop for a gift certificate they can use at most spa’s nationwide and for a variety of services.
This is a fabulous way to display race medals and create an artistic impression from every racing adventure. Pick one of the designs offered or create your own! Every race finish is a gift, and now you can celebrate them every day.
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