Do you have a runner in your life besides yourself? Ever wonder what runners really want as gifts? There are the cutesy answers like new knees, speed, a firm ass and to not mess my shorts, but what are the tangible and materialistic gifts that the runner really wants?
Hint: It’s not this:
I posed the gift question on my Facebook page the other other and quickly got over 150 responses. A quick tally revealed the top 5 gifts we crave:
#5. Massages – This is the ideal gift because it is not something that people will necessarily buy for themselves. Most of us view the massage as a luxury and we try to put food on the table and a roof over our heads before getting our body rubbed down for an hour. Massages run anywhere from $50-$100 per session, but usually if you buy them in packs of 3 or more you can get a discount. Happy endings are optional and may increase the cost (and the tip).
Tip: A lot of times you can get great massage deals through Living Social or Groupon too.
#4. Winter Running Gear – This is a no brainer. Snow, wind, sleet, freezing rain and plunging temps are upon us. Everyone loves a new pair of toasty tights or a stylish long sleeved running shirt. Throw in some cheapie gloves from Target, an ear warmer, some wool socks or a few hot packs and you’ve got the perfect gift.
#3. Running Shoes – There are a few sure things in life: death, taxes and that your running shoes will wear out and you will need new ones. Shoes are a tough thing to buy for someone else – but, many runners stick to the same shoe if they have found one that they like. So, all you need to do is sneak into their house/room/closet at night with pad of paper and a pencil and write down the brand and size of their current shoe. Hopefully you will not get shot or arrested in the process.
Tip: Great online stores for running shoes (these usually have discounts and sometimes free shipping):
Running Warehouse
Kelly’s Running Warehouse
Running Shoes.com
Road Runner Sports
#2. Race entries – This is a genius idea! Like massages, running races can feel like a luxury. Especially these days when it costs $950 for a 5K where you get a brown banana and a bag of crumbled pretzels at the end. If you have a runner in your life, pick a local race and sign him/her up. If he/she is really out of shape, giving them a race entry is also a great hint to help them get off their asses. You might get your face punched, but at least you tried.
And the number one gift that runners want this year…
#1. Garmin GPS Watch – Yes, we’ve become obsessed by paces, heart rates and race times. Everyone wants to know how fabulously or how shitty they are doing at any given moment.
Garmins range in price from $129 (Garmin Forerunner 10 GPS) to $459 (Garmin Forerunner 910XT) and offer a wide range of options and features. I have something in the middle: the Garmin Forerunner 210 (with heart rate monitor). It is the perfect watch for someone who races and trains consistently, but doesn’t need a million bells and whistles. I got mine at Heart Rate Monitors USA because they have free shipping often have good sales.
Tip: If you can wait until the spring, the new Bia Sport (made specifically for women) is coming out. It’s a GPS watch in a slim, lightweight and feminine design. An extra bonus will be that with the push of a button you can alert someone of where you are if you get into a dangerous situation. It will probably retail for about $299.
So, there you have it. Happy shopping. If you want my address where you can send me the above five gifts, just email me.
Any other gifts you would add to the list? What would you like to see under the tree this year?
SUAR
