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Once again, it's time for my annual gift list for the runner in your life! I am sharing 10 of my favorite things--I've tried and tested everything here except the last item on the list, but it is just so cute I had to include it. I hope you find something here you might want to gift--or purchase for yourself! Feel free to contact me with any questions.
Happy Shopping!
It's been a long time since a pair of running shoes wowwed me as much as Brooks' new Glycerin Max. I was skeptical that these stacked shoes could provide the support I need on the road. I've run in them many times now and have been pleasantly surprised by the comfort and support provided by the DNA foam. The rocker bottom has pushed me to some speedy runs--something I thought I'd never see again. They are living up to the hype!
Epic Runs of North America details 50 must-do runs in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Along with the 50 runs are 150 similar alternatives. I was pleased to see I've run many of the places that are featured, including my hometown Chicago's epic Lakefront Trail. Multiple races are featured, including the Big Sur Marathon and the Boston Marathon, along with multiple less-known races that sound really interesting. Besides the races, scenic routes are also listed, offering travelers options to explore scenic locales in their running shoes. The book contains beautiful photographs of many of the locations. Lonely Planet also has an Epic Runs of the World, if you want to go farther! These would be great holiday gifts for a runner, along with some plane tickets! I'm ready to go...
I was gifted a
Water.io smart water bottle when I attended Brooks Hype Fest in September and I have been using it since! It has become especially handy on my busy days at work when I forget to drink. If I've been away from it too long, it buzzes, lights up, and reminds me to take a sip, helping me stay hydrated. The stainless steel bottle comes with an app that you can customize to your needs. The app also integrates with popular fitness apps, keeping your water needs in sync with your activities. The bottle comes in 2 sizes: 17 and 25 ounces. There is a
carrying handle that you can order separately, making it easy to take the bottle on the go.
A good pair of gloves are hard to find, but
these Nathan reflective convertible glove to mittens are my favorite. They come in black or hi viz yellow and have reflective nubs that make you visible to cars. The index fingers have touch technology that will allow you to text or snap selfies without removing your gloves. I love the ability to pull the mitten cover on or off, depending on the conditions.
At the end of last year, I had some money left over in my HSA account and used it to purchase this
TheraGun Massage Gun. I don't know how I lived without it, but I've used it often over the past year to work on tight calves, quads, hamstrings, and my back. The ergonomic handle makes it easy to hit hard to reach spots. There are 5 different speeds--I've mostly used the lowest one--and it comes with several foam attachments for trigger point work and foot/hand needs, including that devil plantar fasciitis. Every runner should have one of these!
I also had money left over in my HSA account this year. I guess that's a good thing because it means I've been in good health. I was surprised to see that the Oura ring is eligible for purchase with HSA funds. Several of my friends have an Oura ring and after learning more about it, I decided to order one. The
Oura ring tracks 20 biometrics including sleep, activity, and stress. It tracks heart rate variability and can even detect arrhythmias. The ring comes in multiple finishes. The latest version is the
Oura 4, but the
Oura 3 is currently on sale. Information is shared with the Oura app, which is free on the App store and Google Play; there is also a membership that provides users with more detailed analyses. I am excited to try it out!
I take a lot of photos on my runs, especially when I run trails and carry
this tripod with me. I've also taken it on vacation and have gotten some really great photos using it. When completely folded, the tripod looks like a baton, is lightweight, and unfolds quickly to set up your shots. This version comes in 3 different heights--but the 51" version is sufficient for my needs. You can set up your phone vertically or horizontally. The tripod comes with a remote, which I have never used. I also like that when I'm running with the tripod folded up, it looks like I'm carrying a weapon.
Regular readers (and my husband) know that I have a sock obsession. I have so many socks that the drawer broke and to this day, sits on my bedroom floor. My husband refuses to fix it until I purge my sock collection. Sorry, no can do.
Zensah makes really good socks and I found this cute doggie pattern that I had to have. There are a lot of other patterns and styles to choose from. The compression is a win for my hard working feet!
Who gives underwear as a gift? That's what I first said when I was dating my hubs and yes, his mother gave him underwear for Christmas. How utilitarian and unfun, right? But
Reebok women's seamless wicking underwear is really amazing, especially for sweaty workouts and runs. They come in a variety of styles--briefs, hipsters, boyshorts, and bikinis--and colors. It might not seem like the most exciting gift, but your runner will thank you!
What's on your holiday wish list? Are you doing any Black Friday shopping? Have you tried any of these products? What would you pick for yourself?
These are all great gifts! I want to get them for me.
ReplyDeleteWhat's stopping you? Lol
DeleteI'm sure you will love the Oura ring!
ReplyDeleteI don't have one, but my Garmin tracks my sleep quality, stress, HR, HRV and all the good stuff. I've become addicted to these numbers and it's the first thing I check when I wake up. It has changed my life!
I am excited to see what the Oura ring tells me!
DeleteI love my Oura ring! Looking forward to hearing what you think. I am obsessed with the sleep info and HRV. I have the same tripod and love it
ReplyDeleteI just got my Oura ring yesterday and so far I really like it! It's fascinating and I had no idea my resting HR was so low (48!)
DeleteI can't think of anyone to give it to, but I wish someone would get me the running cosmetic bag filled with all the things you mentioned. And- I'm seriously considering getting that water bottle for my husband. He definitely does NOT drink enough water!
ReplyDeleteIt really does make you drink! In fact, my coworkers call me out on it--"Wendy, your water bottle is calling" lol
DeleteYou've listed many great gift ideas, Wendy! I have three of the Lonely Planet books, only mine are for cycling: Epic Rides of the Americas, Epic Rides of the World, and Epic Rides of Europe. And yes, the pictures are great!
ReplyDeleteI love their books!
DeleteGreat list! I found a mag tripod that goes on the back of your phone case, so I"m torn between that and this for myself this year!
ReplyDeleteOh that would be a great feature!
Delete