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Valentine’s Day Gifts for Runners

Valentine Day Backgrounds

It seems like we just finished putting away our Christmas fruitcake, but the calendar reads February 14th is coming up fast! The stores are full of stuffed animals, candy, plastic roses, and jewelry of all kinds and budgets. If you have a runner in your life, you may want to branch out from the usual.

You know the age old rule “Never give a woman a cleaning or cooking appliance for a gift”. This doesn’t apply to running gifts. When a non-runner surprises a loved one with a running gift, it suggests way more than hoping it helps them reach a new PR. This applies to any hobby or sport or true passion. It says that you pay attention to them. It says you take notice of the small things, like that passing comment that he needs a backup handheld Nathan bottle. It says you took a risk thinking outside the heart shaped chocolate box. And even bigger, it says that you support them.  For many people, having their own running support system sharing the breakfast table means more than a blue Tiffany box.

1. Sports massage gift certificate. For some people, they consider a professional sports massage as crucial to running as shoes. Other people may not have experienced one after a tough race or may get one occasionally. This is a great time to surprise your loved one with a gift certificate.

2.  iTunes/music card+headphones. This time of year, with this crazy cold weather, treadmills are getting a lot of attention. If your runner uses music to pass the time, some new tunes is a great idea to jazz up the treadmill time. Also, this is a great time to try out some new headphones. A few months ago, as part of a campaign with FitFluential, I tried out the Koss FitSeries for women. I tried the FitClips and FitBuds and really loved the smaller fit for my weird ears. I just found out all models and colors of the Koss FitSeries are now on sale at Walgreens for $19.99!

3. Race entry fee. Dreaming of Disney? In the middle of training for a new distance  goal? Opening a confirmation email to a goal race is  way better than a stuffed donkey. If you’re not sure about a specific race, make a coupon for one race entry and they can use it when they are ready. For those who want a little more shock value, turn this into a race vacation. A surprise 4 day weekend getaway that includes a race is something your loved one will be talking about for weeks.

 

4. Shoes. Nothing wrong with practical, especially when it comes to running shoes. If you know exactly  what they want including size, color, style, etc then you have an easy job. Check with the local running store or order online. If you have no idea, go with the gift card or surprise them with a trip to the store before you go out for a great dinner. (Look what I got!)

Saucony  Women's Hurricane 16

5. Accessories. This is a broad term for the hundreds of items that a runner can choose from. Caps, headbands, sunblock, sunblock lip protection, pepper spray, arm warmers, compression socks, funky laces, water bottles, gels/beans, books, magazine subscriptions, sunglasses, keychains, car decals, running slogan posters and shirts (Café’ Press and One More Mile are great online options), and the list goes on.

These are just a few ideas to show your partner that you not only love and appreciate them, but you offer your support and encouragement in their training. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Paige

Monday 3rd of March 2014

I bought my husband a golf ball muscle roller, he’s been wanting one for awhile and i finally found one for a good price!! http://zzathletics.com/Golf-Ball-Muscle-Roller-Massager-GBMR1.htm