Holiday Gift Guide For Runners

Cyber Monday Shopping

Do you know why today is called Cyber Monday? Back when most people had dial-up internet service at home, the Monday after Thanksgiving was the day that people would do on-line holiday shopping using their high-speed internet access at work–on their lunch breaks, I’m sure!

Now that most of us have high-speed internet access at home, Cyber Monday doesn’t make much sense. As much as I pledged to #RespectTheBird, I’m pretty sure my husband got a jump-start on some Black Friday deals on-line, while I was in the kitchen baking our Thanksgiving pies. When he asked me what I want for Christmas, I decided to put together my holiday gift guide for runners.

Most of these items are under $50 and don’t require precise sizing.
(I’ve included Amazon Affiliate links in case you are doing your on-line shopping!)

1.  Warm headband. I will wear a hat when it really get cold, but even when it’s in the low 40s my ears get cold, so a warm headband is essential winter running gear. This Nathan® HeadGasket™ headband has LED lights for visibility and ear bud pockets on the outside for improved comfort.

(Click to view Nathan® HeadGasket™ headband on Amazon)

2.  Lightweight but warm gloves. I need gloves when I run in the winter, but I can’t stand it when my hands get too warm mid-way through my run. I’ve found that lightweight running gloves are perfect when temperatures are in the 20s or 30s. There are a lot of running gloves to choose from, but these Armour® Stretch Gloves from Under Armour look really nice.

(Click to view Under Armour Armour® Stretch Gloves on Amazon)

3.  Headlamp. I can’t believe I’ve been running at o’dark-thirty for years and haven’t put a headlamp on my wish list before. After I saw one of the women in my Moms Run This Town group running with one, I’ve been wanting to try it myself. This Petzl headlamp is smaller than others, but looks like it would add just enough light to my partially lit streets when I get out before dawn.

(Click to view Petzl headlamp on Amazon)

4.  Arm warmers. Another running “essential” I don’t have yet is arm warmers! They would be perfect for those days when short sleeves aren’t quite enough, but long sleeves are too much, or for race days when you have to wait around in the cold before you warm up. These Saucony Drylete arm warmers come in fun colors and offer 50+ SPF sun protection.

(Click to view Saucony Drylete arm warmers on Amazon)

5.  Compression socks.  Speaking of fun colors, compression socks have gone from boring black to bold and bright. I wear compression socks on long flights, during races, and for recovery after a hard run. I just love this argyle pattern from Zensah.

(Click to view Zensah compression socks on Amazon)

6.  Garmin Forerunner 10.  This was on the top of my list last year, and one year later I am still loving it. If you need a GPS watch, this one has a really nice price point (in the $130 range).

(Click to view the Garmin Forerunner 10 on Amazon)

Did you go shopping on Black Friday?