By Anne Larsen
Need
a holiday gift idea for the runner in your life? Worry no more. Every
year my personal wish list contains numerous running gadgets and gear.
So sit back, relax, grab a cup of coffee and let me be your personal
shopper! Everything on my list can be purchased locally, either at South
Sound Running, Alpine Experience, or REI.
Winter Weather Gear:
Baby it is cold outside (and rainy and windy), so treat the runner in
your life right by setting them up to tackle the elements in style!
Holiday lights don’t have to be the only things lighting up the streets,
deck your runner out in reflective gear and a headlamp! Reflective
vests, armbands, coats and hats are options. Not only will it help them
see, but help cars see them! A great running hat will not only keep
your runner warm, but act as a shield against the rain. Keep your hands
toasty warm with some lightweight gloves. Running with cold hands is NO
fun.
Entry to a Training Group or Race: Nothing gives
like the gift that keeps on giving. The gift of a training group will
not only help keep your runner motivated throughout the dark and dreary
winter months, but they will love the time spent with running partners
and come home in a much better mood (it’s proven, they will be nicer).
Loads of information about local running groups can be found in
this article.
Shoes: Every runner, male or female, LOVES new
shoes. Everyone in general loves new shoes, but runners take that love
to a whole new level. A gift certificate to South Sound Running for
shoes will certainly put a spring in your runners step!
Watch:
Now I’m not traditionally a watch person, and if you know me, you know
that’s the truth. BUT, I have a watch on my wish list this year, so this
is some sort of crazy cool watch if it’s won me over! The Nike + Sports
Watch with GPS sold at South Sound Running is the perfect combination
of giving your runner the data they want and need, but not entering
tech-overload on options they may not need. Perfect!
Hydration Pack: Yes there are a dozen plus
water fountains around downtown Olympia,
BUT many of them are not functioning during the winter months, and if
your runner is contemplating taking on longer distances, a hydration
pack is essential. Ever runner has individual preferences in what they
like or don’t like when it comes to carrying water. Some schlep it
around on their back, some rock out a fanny pack, and some use a
handheld hydration bottle. There is no right or wrong answer – unless
you buy the wrong type for your runner (just kidding! – but keep the
receipt).
Music: I LOVE music, almost more than shoes. You
want to see something disappear in a snap at my house? Drop an iTunes
card on the table and see what happens. It’s scary. New music can
motivate your runner through a treadmill workout when the weather just
gets too unbearable. Music can turn a bad run good, and a good run
great. I’m clearly not alone in my love of some good tunes…..check out
any 5k through marathon race and you’ll see an awful lot of headphones
out there!
Yoga: Umm, yoga. Balance, strength, warm
rooms…….nice people doing handstands…..umm yoga. Now I’m sure you’ve
heard of “runners high” – just send your runner to yoga and see what
happens- it’s like goofy yoga high. But be warned, if your runner is
super competitive about every aspect of their lives, they may be the
least flexible, unbalanced people in the room (which can be annoying and
very unyoga like). Just remind them, ”yoga is not a competition” and
then walk away quickly before they throw something at you. Or have them
lay their mat down next to a cyclist; they are even tighter than
runners! (Read about Anne’s conversion to yoga in
this article.)
Nuun: My obsession with NUUN is unnatural and
completely voluntary (although if you are from Nuun and reading this, I
promote Nuun all the time and would love a kickback). You can buy Nuun
everywhere; Top Foods, REI, and South Sound Running just to name a few.
It comes in all sorts of great flavors, some with caffeine (yeah!)
others without. The great thing about Nuun is that it doesn’t make your
teeth feel all fuzzy and sticky after drinking it. Sounds weird I know,
but fuzzy teeth can be annoying. Plus it tastes great.
Sweet Pain Relief: I have a three tier program for aches, pains, and tight muscles.
- Tier One: good old fashioned tennis balls. Get two tennis balls,
have your runner find a clean spot on the floor, place tennis balls
under back, hips or offending area and let gravity do its job. Now it
will hurt, but the kind of hurt that is strangely good.
- Tier Two: a foam roller or “stick” from the running store. Same idea as tennis balls, but cooler and you can do more with them.
- Tier Three: when your runner just can’t take it anymore – hire a
professional. I don’t know a runner from the planet earth that doesn’t
love a good massage. Listen to me: Buy your runner a gift certificate to
massage.
Pedicure: Someone rubbing your feet, while sitting
in a massage chair – need I say more? Treating your runners feet right
will lead to nothing but happiness. Happiness for them – equals
happiness for you! And yes, I have seen men in there!
Eye candy: Runner’s World Magazine and Born to Run:
A subscription to Runner’s World magazine is like a monthly pep talk
for runners. Any sort of inspiration or motivation is a good thing. I’ve
jumped on the treadmill at 9:30PM and watched 90 minutes of horrible
Bravo TV after Reading Runners world and catching the running fever.
It’s only happened once, but it’s happened! Born to Run is a fabulous
book, and I’m kind of a book snob. If your runner is time crunched or
always commuting, get them the audio version. A great read (or listen),
with a fun story line and some science thrown in.
Compression Socks or Calf-Sleeves: Now not every
runner is sold on the virtues of compression socks, I am. They have not
failed me yet. I don’t know if it’s mind over matter, or I just like
rocking out some pink knee highs, but whatever it is, my calf cramps
have been absent since their arrival. They are not cheap, but worth the
investment if they work!
Arm Warmers: This one took me a while. I had a pair
for about two years before I finally had the nerve to wear them. Let me
tell you this, you don’t need to be Kara Goucher to wear arm warmers.
They are practical out on the trails (which is where I normally wear
them). They keep you toasty warm, but not too hot! Try it!
Running Buddies! Priceless and I couldn’t bear to
run another step without them. If you are looking for some running
buddies, there are numerous groups around! Check out this article about
local running groups.
Special thanks to Anne Larson for sharing this article with us!
LOS ANGELES – The LA Marathon has received the coveted designation as the nation’s best big city race in the January issue of Runner’s World magazine.
SAN DIEGO – Competitor Group, Inc. (CGI), the leading active lifestyle sports media and event entertainment company, has announced a 
BROOKLYN, New York- The inaugural Brooklyn 15 Kilometer Run (The "B15"), scheduled for Sunday, April 21, officially replaces the Brooklyn Bun.
The B15 will bring a 3-loop course around beautiful, world- renowned
Prospect Park with a finish at Bartel-Pritchard Square, the intersection
of Prospect Park West and Prospect Park Southwest. 
MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. - The Pikes Peak Marathon has been selected to host the 2013 USA Trail Marathon Championships.
LAS
VEGAS – Under the neon lights of Las Vegas Boulevard and a new
mid-strip finish line adjacent to the Mirage Volcano, Sunday night (Dec.
2) runners from all 50 states and 52 countries participated in the 2012 Zappos.com Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon & 1/2 to benefit the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.
