Forgot to add hydration belt w water bottle or Hydration vest for long runs in the heat
I third the running store gift card idea. You have to replace your shoes every 6 months and this can be pricey!
A reflective vest for night running.
Check out DC rainmaker, he reviews anything worth having. And a go girl, if she runs in nature LOL.
I second the flip belt. I was hesitant to get ti because I didn’t want anything around my waist, but I was sick of the armband which started to annoy me after a longer run. I tried the flip belt and never used the arm band again - you just slip it on and can put it at any height on your waist/stomach. I have put my phone, ID, keys and gels in it and you cant even fell them, they don’t slip and slide around at all. My cord on my earbuds is long enough to still reach my ears although I’m guessing most real runners have wireless earbuds anyway.
I also like the idea of the Runner’s World subscription or race fees.
- Apple watch, especially the cellular model. Perhaps a bit on the pricey side, but the tracking and training capabilities are outstanding, and she can use it with wireless headphones. Not the best gift if she has an android phone.
- Her favorite running shoe. If she is a serious runner she is probably going through 4-6 pairs per year.
The book Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
Runners are not that good with cross training. How about a bosu ball, a TRX, or a knockoff?
That’s a great idea, Bunsen.
I would nix the Apple watch thing. I wouldn’t touch one for running. A few runners have had success with the latest model, but Garmin is much preferred as far as GPS and interface with most online running log platforms.
Smart watches now and in the future might well be worth consideration for the latest version that can be a stand alone phone (10 a month for that through tmobile on my plan). I would guess that Apple will indeed cross into Garmins territory if the same $$ gives you phone capability in a watch. As a garmin fan I am aware it is about being more old school, because the reality is if I can get the metrics with my phone, why am I using an extra device anyway? Foot pod/gps/cadence/hrm are likely to have some way of use with an ant dongle or bluetooth etc. I suspect garmin is just hanging on in the older customer base. If smartwatches cross properly into that market, (android too of course) then garmin will have to catch up or bow out or really cut their prices for such a specific device (again, I love my garmins but I am old)
The phone metrics aren’t nearly as accurate, and many runners don’t carry a phone for runs- especially not in races. Garmin devices have gotten very sophisticated and one is about to be released that will be able to play music. I know a lot of young triathletes, and they are using Garmin, Polar and one other which name escapes me over Apple. I’m an iPhone person, but can’t imagine leaving Garmin.
I, and most of runners I know, wear garmins. We’re old and young. The phone stays in my waist pouch or pocket. The arm band holder for my phone was uncomfortable and I ended up tossing it. I do see people in the gym with them, however.
Road ID or socks. No matter how many times I ask for my favorite Balega socks, even when H whines that I’m not giving him birthday ideas, I don’t get them. Six pairs at once and you’d be a +++ in my book for life. But, you have to know which style to choose.
It really comes down to either knowing specifics or getting gift cards.
I’ll add my vote for a local running store gift card.
If she runs a lot of races, there are Medal/Race bib display racks. What about a variety of Nuun, Gu, and Picky Bars in a basket? My daughter really likes the Believe Training Journal for keeping track of runs/progress. I buy one for her every Christmas.
Good luck!
My my - thank you for all the wonderful suggestions. I do not know specific styles she likes - but I like the suggestions of brand names. I"ll get her a gift card to these stores. She does participate in several races/half marathons and she created her own medal/bib rack. Need to look at Road ID - I like the idea of her being safe!
^^ You may want to somehow check to make sure she isn’t already enrolled in Road ID or have their products. It may be something she has done that you don’t know about.
The gift card for the running store is the best idea. She would always need shoes. Lots of runners don’t use socks, so that’s iffy unless you know her brand. Fitness trackers are also a risk because expensive and if she runs with her phone it’s keeping track any way. Hydration bottles are sort of a pain to run with – some people like them but many don’t
Shoes are the things she needs the most and the gift card will allow her to get new ones.
Another idea is a breathable running jacket with a hood for rainy days.
I am going to get her a gift card to a running store and perhaps some socks. I did have a conversation with her todsy and she’s looking for a new watch. She has a garmin right now, but two issues - (1) it doesn’t have a second hand and (2) it doesn’t look professional.
Any suggestions? I think she would like to stay with a garmin.
The Fenix series, while not small, can have a face like a normal watch for workday use. It’s a Garmin. Athletic watches are really getting to be the norm in the workplace, anyway. I’m a female executive and wouldn’t hesitate to wear my Garmin to work, but I wear my FitBit instead and wear the Garmin to run.
Fenix 5, I believe, has a smaller face (42 mm) and interchangeable straps and can be set up to look like a normal watch face with a second hand. My husband wears one of the Fenix watches for work (he is in a managerial position although in a casually dressed field).
Potentially useful book for runners: http://skyhorsepublishing.com/titles/12170-9781510717909-long-distance-runners-guide-to-injury-prevention-and-treatment