5 Gifts for the Runner in Your Life

~ Chocolaterunsjudy

runnergifts

I may be going off theme today for the  Friday Five 2.0  from Fairytales & Fitness and Rachel @ Running on Happy — actually, this was the theme for the Tuesdays on the Run Linkup — but I hope you’ll bear with me and see if any of these gifts seems right for the runner in your life.

Which just might be you.

frifive2

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A simple device that cures a lot of pains

ShinTekk
I have been simply amazed at the difference in my life since I’ve been using my ShinTekk (you can read my review here). And I think that every runner could benefit from one. I don’t care if you suffer with shin splints or not, the purpose behind the ShinTekk is to strengthen your lower legs to prevent injuries.

After months of ankle pain, and now no ankle pain (except a brief ache occasionally after a particularly long run or hard race), I am a believer.

Your runner won’t ask for this, but they need it and it’s worth every cent.

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My pink worm travels with me on trips and to races

The Original Worm
The worm is also not a running gadget with a whole lot of buzz surrounding it, but it should be. Since reaching out to the Austin based company and reviewing the worm (you can read my review here), my worm has traveled the country with me and accompanied me to local races.

I love its small footprint!

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A place to track runs, races, goals, and more

Believe Training Journal
2017 will be my third year using this journal. Maybe it will be the year I actually don’t have gaps! Sometime during the year I get very busy and don’t write down my workouts, and I always regret it later — I use my past journals to look up how I was running at the same time of year, how I did in races the previous year, what I wore for a race or at a certain temperature, what I ate before a race, when I left for a race . . . the list goes on & on!

Garmin Vivoactive
A GPS watcher, fitness tracker, and more

Garmin Vivoactive HR
I love my Vivoactive (you can read my review here), and I still love it after 1 1/2 years. I love its accuracy, its ease in finding a signal, not having to wear a separate fitness tracker, and the fact that I can swim in it.

The only thing I’m unhappy with is the fact that a year later they came out with a heart rate monitor version. There is absolutely nothing wrong with my Vivoactive, but I almost wish there was.

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Sitting isn’t always bad for your health

The FitDesk Exercise Bike
Another pricey gift, but if your runner needs more cross training in their lives and wants to stop sitting too much, this might just be the ticket.

We bought mine last New Year’s — it was on sale — and while there was a slight technical issue at first and it took some back and forth to get it fixed (it’s a very small company), I’ve been happily using my Fitdesk all year long (you can read my review here).

Talk to me. Leave a comment or answer a question:

What is the one runner gift you REALLY want this year?

What company do you wish you could be an ambassador for?

What do you give to your runner friends?

31 thoughts on “5 Gifts for the Runner in Your Life”

  2. I love my Believe journal too, am on my second.
    The worm thing intrigues me…
    I would love a new watch but mine is working fine so I can not justify it (even if I have had it almost 6+ years). The one thing I have a hard time finding is good running gloves. Mine seem to be a bit tight and my hands swell a bit, then they are even tighter. I hate that.

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    1. The only thing I’d like with the Believe Journal is a little more space to write. I often have so much to add!

      My last Garmin was working just fine when I bought my Vivoactive, except for how long it took to get a signal. It was driving me insane. And I had had the watch 4 years. I don’t regret buying a new one but I know I don’t need another one now — I just want the optical HR!

      Too bad you’re not still here — I actually like a lot of the Champion gloves from Target.

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  3. Great gift ideas Judy, I wonder if santa would bring me a fit desk! I’m intrigued by the shin tekk too, though I’m not really troubled with shin splints, just the occasional sore ankles.

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    1. You just put your foot under the bar and lift & lower — it’s just that easy. I’m pretty sure they have some video on their site (or blog) — the name is a link to their website.

      I truly believe every runner needs one, and I didn’t sign up for the affiliate opportunity — I’m still on the fence, not because I don’t like it (obviously), but trying to keep my partiality.

      I’m tempted, though!

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  6. I chose the Garmin Vivoactive because I felt I didn’t really use the HRM features of my other watch, but I still feel like I should have ALL the features! I think I could sign the praises of Mizuno or Nuun all day. 🙂

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    1. I actually don’t like sweets during halfs so I gave up on Nuun and take electrolyte pills instead. Although I have to look at Saltstick again – I haven’t tried it, but they have chewables now I think. The pills can get cumbersome.

      I love my vivoactive, but I’m just curious about the whole HRM thing but don’t want to wear a strap.

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    1. I’m racing so much right now, it’s hard to keep up with the recaps!

      So no, I haven’t done it yet. Short version — while I actually didn’t find it well organized, and there were a ton of clueless runners stopping dead in front of you (both Darlene & I experienced this), I still had a lot of fun & would definitely do it again!

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      1. Generally we busy what we want, too, but we have a tendency to do small gifts at Hannukah.

        I’d be cool without them, since I always feel our trips are my gifts. But somehow stuff always seems to end up by the menorah (actually, we don’t wrap stuff either).

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  8. I asked for my current Garmin for Christmas a couple years ago. Aside from the occasional piece of clothing, I’m not a pick tech runner. My Garmin’s basic too, with just mileage and time.

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