The Demo Site

(December 4)

The Holiday season is upon us. If you’re shopping for friends or relatives you probably have a runner on your list. So what do you get the runner in your life? Or what do you tell Aunt Edna to get YOU instead of her traditional pair of cotton socks? The Biz Runner wants to help you out.

I have reached out to fellow runners and asked them for some suggestions. The following – in no particular order - are their answers:

Frayed Laces, Brooks ID runner and author of: www.frayedlaces.com

“I'm a poor grad student and am always asking for cheap things. I think a fantastic gift idea would be an assortment of new running gels. From my experience, runners tend to buy gels that they know work for them. Why spend money on a gel you may not like? But I'm always open to trying out new gels for free. So why not give your running friend an assortment of brands and flavors? I hear GU even launched a special gingerbread flavor for the holidays. And, if you're super cheap (like me) hit up a local marathon expo and try to grab samples of clif bars, gels, etc and give those as gifts. If there's one thing runners can't get enough of, it's food.”

http://www.guenergy.com/


Deena Kastor, (does she really need an introduction?) www.deenakastor.com

1. Matching ASICS beanie cap and gloves
2. Garmin FR60
3. The book Born to Run
4. USATF membership
5. Subscription to Runner’s World

Here’s a link to the specific matching set Deena recomended:
http://bit.ly/69gDiu

The Garmin:
http://bit.ly/6dIlFX

Born to Run
http://bit.ly/4oYi5S
http://www.usatf.org/MEMBERSHIP/

Runner's World
http://bit.ly/5on3R2


Theoden Janes, Entertainment Editor for the Charlotte Observer and author of the blog:
http://obsruntheoden.blogspot.com/

“I already have the GPS watch, a hydration belt, a Road ID, subscriptions to running magazines. I don't run with music so no need for a new iPod. I Like to pick out shoes and clothes myself. Not saying I don't want anything for the holidays, but what I'm ALWAYS in need of is ... moo-lah for races. Unfortunately, Active.com doesn't offer gift certificates (this is a real shame, by the way). So here's my suggestion: Hone in on a race you've heard your loved one talking about, write a check or assemble cash in the precise denomination, then dress it up a little according to what the race is. For instance, if it's the Peachtree Road Race, maybe present the check in a basket of peaches. If it's the Country Music Marathon in Nashville, you could slip the cash inside a Keith Urban CD. The gift of money is only as impersonal as you make it. Plus, remember that the idea behind gifts is to give people what they want -- and what a lot of us want is yet another shot at a PR.”

To look up races:
http://www.active.com/
http://www.marathonguide.com/races/races.cfm


Dane Rauschenberg, Lawyer, author and runner who ran 52 marathons in 52 weekends http://danerunsalot.blogspot.com/

“Two great gift suggestion are:

1. ROAD ID. No runner should be out and about without proper identification. When I was recently hit by a car while cycling I was 100% happy I was wearing mine.

2. A Race Registration fee. Find out a race someone you care about wants to run and pay it for them. It is a great way to show interest in their running career and also helps put them in motion to begin training for it. They do not want to let you down.

http://www.roadid.com/Common/default.aspx
http://www.active.com/
http://www.marathonguide.com/races/races.cfm


Biz Runner Note: Another cool gift? Dane’s book about his experience running 52 marathon in 52 weekends: http://bit.ly/4Fa5zJ


Lindsay, Author of the Chasing The Kenyans blog:
http://www.chasingthekenyans.com/

1) RoadID bracelet/anklet/shoetag -- Safety first! The RoadID usually provides an extra strip of reflective material for added visibility on morning/evening runs and the contact/allergy information on the tag would be invaluable in case of emergency.

2) Running gloves -- It's cold (in most places) in the winter! It's nice to have a couple pairs of gloves in the rotation.

3) Compression socks -- Not only to help with recovery from a run, but also to keep a runner warm in general in the colder weather.

4) Arm warmers -- Moreso for fall/spring running in my opinion, but a fun craze recently.

Compression Socks
http://bit.ly/8DHMIw




Ryan Hall, (See Deena Kastors bio above)
http://www.thestepsfoundation.org/

A pair of Asics Arm warmers
http://bit.ly/6sgU8K


Biz Runner Note: another gift idea – how about a donation on behalf of your friend/relative to the Hall Steps Foundation (a charity that funds programs to create a better life for youth living in poverty in the United States and abroad)? http://www.thestepsfoundation.org/



Kristina Pinto, aka The Marathon Momma
http://www.marathonmama.competitor.com

“My recommendation to running moms is to stock up on "disposable gloves," those cheap knit stretch gloves you can get at Target for 1.50 for 2 pair. It's so annoying to dig around for gloves when you just want to get out and run, and you can get 8 pr of gloves for $6. That way you can get lots of colors, have gloves to ditch in a race when your hands get warm, and lose them here and there without having blown a lot of money. It's just one less thing to worry about as a running mom in the winter! I have one pair of expensive ASICS mittens that convert to gloves, which I wear when it's really cold, but otherwise, I go for those simple knit gloves from Target.”

http://www.target.com/
http://www.amazon.com/180s-Ultralite-Convertible-Running-Glove/dp/B001I90BEW/ref=pd_sbs_a_4

Thad McLaurin, aka Runner Dude
www.runnderdude.blogspot.com

“On the practical side, one gift I think most any runner would appreciate is a waterproof seatcover to protect their car seat from wet, soggy clothes after a hard run. On the inspirational side, an item that would make a great gift for any runner is the book, Once a Runner by John L. Parker Jr. This wonderfully motivating novel will make even a couch potato want to get up and run! On the wishlist side, I think any gadget-loving runner that doesn't have a Garmin Forerunner® 405CX, would love one. He/she would have to have been a really good boy or girl, cause these things are dang expensive. (I must have a little devil still in me, cause I still haven't gotten one.)”

Seat Cover:
http://www.jeffgalloway.com/detail.aspx?ID=1

Once a Runner:
http://bit.ly/5cUHzH

Garmin
http://bit.ly/8cpjm4


Val, aka, Marathon Val, a runner who loves to cook and author of the blog:
http://chicagomarathonval.com/

Running:
* iPod touch
* Spibelt - great to hold your cell phone, Gu's, etc.
* Under Armour - I love my Under Armour pants for winter runs

Cooking: it's soooo hard to just pick since I love everything in my kitchen! But, if I had to pick, the one item I couldn't live without is my food processors.

http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/
http://www.spibelt.com/
http://www.underarmour.com/
http://www.consumersearch.com/food-processors

The Emerging Runner, author of: www.emergingrunner.com

I'd say my top pick for an inexpensive and useful gift for a runner is the SPIbelt. Under $30 and one size fits all. I use mine often to carry ID, money and a small phone. It really comes in handy for longer runs. On the higher end I'd say a pair of good compression running pants. They are typically priced from $50-$90 and they provide lots of benefits during the run (support, warmth) and after for recovery. I have Nike but any of the big brands would make great gifts.

http://www.spibelt.com/
http://www.nike.com/nikeos/p/nike/en_US/

Jeff Galloway, (See Ryan Hall's bio) http://www.jeffgalloway.com/

The one gift that could be given to a running friend is a coupon for a run together. There is a bonding that occurs when runners run together. Long distance running friendships continue with a cell phone call once a week, when one of the "partners" is on a run.

Different types of runners would benefit from different gifts

* Beginners--a run-walk-run timer that vibrates when it's time to do one or the other.
* Time goal runners--coaching from someone who can understand the needs of the runner
*Runners over 50: a copy of my book RUNNING UNTIL YOU'RE 100

http://www.jeffgalloway.com/detail.aspx?ID=49
http://www.jeffgalloway.com/detail.aspx?ID=24



The Biz Runner

For those that like to run with music the standard ear buds that come with iPods can drive you crazy. No matter what you do, they don't fit very well in your ear. YurBuds is the solution. Unlike the engineers behind the iPod ear buds, YurBuds are actually DESIGNED to fit in your ear! You put them over your iPod ear buds and they transform your buds into something more comfortable and they actually stay in place. I came across these right around the time of the NYC Maraton and gave them a shot. I 'm still using them. They work great. Your recipeint will not be disappointed.

One last suggestion - I wrote about the book back in July and Deena also recommended it above: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. I've said it before, it's impossible to overhype this book. If YOU haven't read it you should. Treat yourself. If you know a runner that hasn't read it, give them a copy. They will love you for it.

https://www.yurbuds.com/
http://bit.ly/4oYi5S



My thanks to everyone who took the time to respond and help out their fellow runners. Happy shopping and happy running.