Friday, May 12, 2017

6 Gifts Every Running Mom Wants (and They Don't Cost a Dime!)

If you didn't already know, Mother's Day is this weekend. I've seen plenty of posts about gifts for running moms. There are so many awesome things that I won't be receiving from my family. They say they don't know what to get me. That's why I buy what I want for myself.

I can always think of things that I'd love from my guys. The gifts that mean the most don't cost anything but time. I truly believe that the best gifts come from the heart. I've listed 6 ideas for gifts I think most running moms would love. If you are already receiving these things from your significant other and your kids, consider yourself lucky. From what I hear and read, most mother runners are on their own!

I got my Mother's Day gift, right here!


Go to a race and cheer her on. My family used to go to my races. Until they didn't. Life got in the way, I started hanging out with running friends, my family just got tired of my races--and I'm ok with all of it. I've been running for a long time. But occasionally my husband shows up at a race and let me tell you how happy that makes me. Even better: Go the race and make a sign for her. Those big head cutouts I see at the Chicago Marathon are fun, but the best race sign I've ever seen is with a little guy holding it: "my mom runs faster than your mom". Chokes me up every damn time I see it!

Chicago Marathon 2011. My first. My husband, my boys, and my niece.
Run with her. Unless she doesn't want you to. My husband doesn't run and if he did, we would be walk/running with 4 minute walk intervals to 1 minute run intervals. I wouldn't mind this as a one-time or occasional thing though. Actually, I'd love for him to walk with me. Even better: I'd LOVE to run with my teenage sons. My oldest doesn't run. My youngest says he doesn't want to run far. Speed work would be a-ok with me, Mister Sprinter.

My oldest with me at a Turkey Trot back in 2009
Offer to watch the kids so she can go out for a run alone. Outside. Yesterday, I ran behind a woman pushing a double jogger. She was working up quite the sweat! Boy, did that bring back memories. Back in the day when my boys were little, I used to get up at 4 am to get a run in before my husband left for work so that I didn't wouldn't have to push the cumbersome running stroller or use the treadmill. Even better: Let her sleep in on the weekend before she goes for her run.


Listen to her talk about her runs and feign interest. And don't glaze over when she blathers on about specifics. Maybe you are truly interested and do this already, to which I say, can you give husband lessons? Whenever I run a race, my husband does wish me luck either in person or via text, and then after the race, he texts me to see how it went. I like that. A lot. I just don't go into depth about the event, because, glazed eyes. Even better: Ask her about her splits. We love that.


Offer to massage her feet, no strings attached. None of this: "I'll rub your feet and then you can rub my..." NO. Just NO. She's already had her "happy ending" aka runner's high. The foot massage will be the icing on the cake. Remember, this is about her, not you. Even better: Run a bath for her with scented epsom salts after the massage. Candles and wine would be a nice touch. Maybe you'll get your happy ending after this.


Make her a post-run meal. Don't ask her what she wants. Surprise her. I run in the morning and even though I'm on a smoothie kick, I wouldn't say no to post-run pancakes and bacon. Even better: make her something she likes. Maybe an upgrade on her usual smoothies to an acai bowl. I was at Whole Foods earlier this week and Sambazon has a whole "build a bowl" pack in the frozen section. Call me intrigued.



What would you like to receive for Mother's Day? Do you like "gifts from the heart" or are you a flowers, candy, and diamonds kind of gal? Does your significant other rub your feet? Let you talk about running? Cook for you?

I'm linking up with Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday 5! I know I have 6, but hey, it's a bonus. Happy Mother's Day to all the mother runners out there!


57 comments :

  1. Replies
    1. I read the entire post to my husband last night. Hint, hint....

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  2. My family has not come to a race of mine to cheer in years! You are right I think I would like that. I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day

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  3. All great suggestions! My husband doesn't do foot massages, and I totally get that, but he does give me backrubs every now & again.

    He rarely comes to a local race (like maybe twice), but has come to almost all my halfs. He's usually trying to photograph me, so no signs (although I must admit it would be pretty awesome -- he could just pin one on or something, right?).

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    1. I've never had signs from my family...they just aren't that way. Sigh.

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  4. So true - I don't have kids but may send this to my husband. He hates feet though so that ones a no go ;)

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    1. What is it about the feet? Mine aren't even that bad! I have all my toenails too.

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  5. These are all great! It made me realize that when I talk about every detail of my run or race that my husband just may not be that interested..haha !

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    1. Mine changes the subject when I get too detailed! I know the signs now.

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  6. I'm also a gifts from the heart kind of gal. The hubby comes to some of my races (and,on occasion, also runs in them!). The kids? not so much...but I'm working on getting my (swimmer) sun to do a tri. I do get that glazed eye thing frequently...

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    1. My boys give me an "awesome" or a thumbs up but that's about it. I was pretty happy that they cooperated for the picture, tho!

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  7. These are all great tips, especially cooking a post-run meal! Sometimes we're so tired after a run that a meal would be awesome!

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    1. After every marathon, my husband goes all out. I love that!

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  8. Yes to all of these, especially watching the kids. While I love running with my little man, I also equally enjoy my time to be able to run solo. And then the offer to massage my feet afterwards? YES PLEASE!

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  9. Lol at the foot massage trade. Do you actually KNOW my husband? I know I'm lucky that my husband is a runner, so he's with me at races, waits for me at the finish line, and we get to do our once or twice a week run together. Of course, he has this tendency to run in front of me, but at least he waits!

    My best mom moment ever was the time my oldest son ran across the finish line with me. Not only was it a joy to run with him, but it was a personal victory for him after a nasty divorce and weight loss.

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  10. If they don't want to do a foot massage, pay for a pedicure. I paid for my mom to get a pedicure for her birthday, and she loves them. I know runner's feet are funky, but that's why there are professionals.

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    1. I know I love a pedicure--just got back from one! They always want to use the cheese grater on my heels--to which I say no thank you!

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  11. THIS IS THE BEST POST EVERRRRRRR. You really got up at 4am?!?! I may have to start doing that once this next baby arrives. I'm scared! How often did you do that?

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    1. I did run at 4 am at least 2-3x/week. It was me, the skunks, and the newspaper delivery guys. I went to bed really early--lights out by 9 pm. You get used to it, you do! It was kind of scary at times, yes.

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  12. I'll rub your feet... lol!!! You crack me up probably because you are so real! haha!!
    Hope your sons and hubby read this and take notes!

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  13. I'm not a mom, but I'd still love all these things :) I hope you have a great Mother's Day!

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  14. Happy Mother's Day to you, Wendy!

    I hit the jackpot with my guy. He comes to my races, has massaged my feet, asks me about my runs, he has even ridden his bike to meet me halfway during a marathon when the roads were closed. I know I'm lucky that he's super active and so he gets it.

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    1. You are lucky! But he's an athlete too, so he gets it. I'd love any of these things. But now I have my tribe and that makes it ok.

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  15. I would love to get a foot massage from my bf! Even though Bret runs too, I try not to get into too many details about my running, lol!

    And it's great when you have your loved ones there to cheer you on at a race...it's a great feeling.

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    1. Wouldn't a foot massage be so nice? My feet aren't even bad!

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  16. These are all great! My husband does most of them!! :) I was so thinking about what will happen when we do have a second kid. Oh goodness I do not want to have to push a double jogging stroller. Oy.

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  17. Yes. All great. Would love to have support at a race or company.

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  18. LOVE this!!! That's right... only I get a happy ending on Mother's Day;)

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  19. I hope you have a great Mother's day Wendy! I love this post and yes, the best things don't cost a dime! My hubby is coming to Mayfair 5K Saturday night, that is because he has VIP access to the sponsor tent. Close enough, he will hold my bag, maybe we should bet on a picture and I will get a cold glass of wine. Good enough! He always asks if I was speedy but I know he only wants a yes or no answer- LOL! That's why we have friends!!! XXOO

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    1. You know, that would be an idea for Zooma and some of these "womens' races"--a VIP tent for the significant others. With a TV (sports) and beer? Maybe a beeper to let them know when we are approaching the finish line? Hmmmm...

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  20. Foot massage....yes! I like time on Mother's Day to go for a bike ride with my mom friends and have Starbucks and my husband and sons usually oblige!

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    1. I"ll go for a bike ride Sunday morning--solo. But that's ok!

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  21. I love all of these! I wish my family would come to races. They do but I have to ask my husband first. "Are you planning on coming...?" And then he hesitates before he answers. I should stop asking because it's such a downer!

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    1. That's why I stopped asking! I'm happy that I have my tribe.

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  22. I would love to sleep in and not have to cook! My husband trims and files my nails - is that weird?! It's the best thing for me!

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    1. He could massage your feet while he's clipping, just saying...

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  23. Caveman and kids came to races back in the day when it was a novelty. Can't remember the last time they did that. I'm fine with that. I don't want to run with my hubby. His sweat spews and he tends to get ahead of me and I get ticked. The meal gesture would be nice but it'd be a disaster. He will come to the tri with me because he knows there's a real chance I'll die. Honestly I'd go for a sweet note.

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    1. The extremes we go to to get our spouses to come to our races! I don't think I'll do a tri, tho.

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  24. Foot massage. Always works for me. Or, if you are Ridley, just a serious cuddle!

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    1. I get plenty of cuddles from Cocoa! That's why I have a dog....

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  25. I'll take that "let her go for a run alone without having to wake up at the crack of dawn!" That is very very real.

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    1. It's probably one of the best gifts a running mom could ask for!

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  26. Aww, these are definitely great ideas! :] Post-run/workout meals are the best! :P

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  27. Happy Mother's Day, Wendy! Great post! We make a family weekend out of the Chicago Marathon each year, though my husband doesn't always come :-/ My oldest son has run it with me since 2014 and we will doing Chicago as well as the MCM together in October. My son's fiancee cheers him on from certain mile points and is sweet enough to wait FOREVER for me to come along. I love the presence, rather than the presents, for any special day!

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    1. Yes! My husband can be a stinker at times, but as long as my boys come through for me, that's all that I care about.

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  28. Happy Mother's Day!!! These are all amazing gifts!!! All I want is to be able to run and my family always lets me do that, because otherwise I would be come an insane monster....lol

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