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TOTR: Top 10 gifts for runners

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So, what do YOU want for Christmas?  Pretty much everything on my list this year is running related. (Although if Santa dropped off a new Mac under the tree, I’d be pretty stoked about that.  Right now I’m seeing that spinning ball of color WAY too often.) Anyways for this week’s Tuesdays on the Run *Holiday Edition* with Patty and April, I’m going to share some of the things I love that might give you some ideas for the runner in your life.  I’m looking forward to perusing all the other lists to add to my wish list. (Shh, don’t tell Beer Geek!) (Many of the following links are affiliate links, which means I get a little money to buy more running stuff if you buy through them.)

Top-10-runner-gifts

[Tweet “Perfect gifts for the runner in your life! All price ranges! #fitfluential #giftguide”]

Stocking Stuffers (AKA gifts less than $15)

1. Nuun – I pretty much live on this stuff.  I drink it on every run and I often drink it when I’m not running. I have it with me at the gym, when I’m running, even when I go to work at the library (Hey, it’s dry there. Girl’s gotta stay hydrated!)  My favorite flavor is the Tri-berry, but I usually have at least 3 or 4 flavors around the house and in my purse. Yes, I take it with me everywhere.

nuun

2. Feetures socks – I’ve totally fallen in love with their Elite ultra light series.  I have found that I really prefer a lightweight sock when I am wearing my Altras and these totally fit the bill!  They recently sent me some of their knee hi compression socks to try too and I can’t wait to see how those feel.

feetures-lucky13

For the Budget Conscious ($15-40)

3. PRO Compression Socks (Review) – Right now, these are my go to compression socks.  I love that they are thinner in the foot than many socks, but they give me a nice amount of compression through my calves.  I think I have these in nearly every color they make.  Bonus: they often have a discount code you can use! (CYBER will get you 40% off until November 30, 2014)

procompression

4. Arm Warmers – I have to say that these are the most amazing invention ever. I use arm warmers all the time for races. I’ve found that I can roll them down or pull them off and tie them to my water bottle or stick them in a skirt pocket.  There are a ton of brands out there, but well, I’m cheap and I love these Nike ones (yes, I realize that they are called basketball sleeves. ) (Besides, I wear so many patterns, that I need something plain so I don’t class LOL). I also have these Sugoi ones and they are warmer, but also more expensive.  And if I need that much warmth, I’m likely to wear long sleeves.

Nike-Half-DC-outfit

Got a bit more coin? Here you go…($40-$200)

5. Running Jacket – It’s nearly winter. Unless you live in Florida or Texas or someplace like that, you or the runner you are buying for will likely find a jacket useful.  I have two that I love (yes, I do have more than 2, I know, it’s a problem). I find that my Brooks Nightlife Essential Jacket is the most versatile jacket I own (review here), but sometimes I want something a bit warmer.  That’s when I turn to my Sugoi Firewall 260 Jacket (review here). I’ve had this jacket for several years now and I wash it regularly and it still looks like new.  Even better, I have yet to find weather that it’s not warm enough for. (OK, let me rephrase that – if this jacket + layers isn’t warm enough, I’m not going to be running outside!)

6. Running clothes – Every runner needs more running clothes. Yes, they do. I have yet to meet a runner who doesn’t.  Personally, I’m a huge fan of Skirt Sports (yes, I’m an ambassador, but I was one of their best customers before that…). Right now I’m loving their Lotta Breeze Capri and the Heartbreaker Skirt (reviews of both and maybe a giveaway coming soon). The capri has gotten me through several cold half marathons, but I just bought the Heartbreaker because, umm, Polar Vortex.  Last year the part that got coldest when I ran was my tush, so tights + skirt = awesome!  They also offer number of cute tops, but I’m only just beginning to delve into that.  (Need something for the man in your life? Under Armour.  Great quality, reasonable prices.  Beer Geek will be getting some of that for his biking…)

happy-girl-skirts

7. Shoes – I believe that there is no such thing as too many shoes.  Don’t believe me? This is my shoe collection…

shoes2

Now, I’m an Altra Girl primarily (they are the only shoe I can happily go over 5 miles in), but I dabble in other shoes. I also spend most of my non-workout time in lower drop lightweight shoes.  So, yeah, buy your guy or gal (or yourself) a lovely new pair of shoe in their preferred size and brand.

8. Apera Bag – Apera makes some amazing bags. I have the Tech bag (review here) and I’ve used it to drag multiple computers and running clothes all over the US and even too Ireland. Even after all of it’s use in the last year, it still looks like new. While the backpack is most definitely the most useful for MY life, I’ve also seen rave reviews of their duffel bag and their yoga bags.  With tons of well placed pockets and an antimicrobial material, these bags are hard to beat.

apera-tech-bag

Want to knock your runner’s socks off?

9. Garmin GPS watch – I tried hard to become a non-Garmin girl. I used the Bia for a couple of months. I looked at other watches in the store. I contemplated some other brands. But I couldn’t do it. I went back to the brand I loved in an upgraded model.  (Yes, there are cheaper versions of the Garmin, but I’ve never used them.)  I bought the Garmin 220.  It’s a reasonably sized watch (even on my small wrists), the numbers are big enough for me to see easily, and I find it really easy to customize. Bonus is that it’s quite accurate.  I love mine so much I convinced my dad to buy himself one.  See daughterly love at its best!

garmin

10. Treadmill – OK, maybe that’s what I really want for Christmas.  (Yeah, a new treadmill and a MacBook Pro.  Sure, that’s going to happen. Not.)  Having a treadmill in my house has been one of the best decisions we ever made.  One or both of us (and sometimes a kid) hits that thing on a daily basis. Yes, I prefer to run outside and Beer Geek always prefers his bike, but weather and kid schedules sometimes make that option impossible.  My current treadmill is a Vision Fitness and I’ve been pleased with it, but I totally have my eye on a Sole. They get really good reviews and we need a machine that can stand up to a lot of miles!

 

 Tell me, what do you want for Christmas?

(And if you need more suggestions, check out the link up over at Run to the Finish.)

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  14. I’m an Altra runner too, and I might just be able to match you in my shoe collection! I’m really interested in trying an Apera bag too. My current gym bag situation is not good! Great list!

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