Runner's World Cookbook Archives - Mom Works It Out by Angela Gillis

It’s the holiday season, and you might be looking for a gift for the runner in your life. I’ve created a gift guide to help you get the best gifts for the runner in your life. Sometimes, it’s hard to find the right gift, so I thought I would help you out this year by giving you a list of things a runner might want and need. Hasn’t 2020 been hard enough? Welcome to my gift guide for runners.

Running Belt

All running belts are not created equal, and the personality of your runner comes into play. Is your runner a minimalist, or do they carry a boatload of stuff like me? A more minimal list runner will enjoy a Flip Belt or Fitletic Infinity belt because you will forget it’s even on. I prefer to run with an Orange Mud HydraQuiver Vest Pack 2.o because I need a lot of water. The belt a person chooses is personal preference but is a greatly appreciated gift.

Headphones

Headphones are fabulous for runners because we all like listening to the tunes while hitting the road. Find a great pair of sweatproof headphones that will take a beating, and you will always win. I prefer running with AfterShokz so you are able to hear your surroundings while running.

Running Nutrition

Find out what running nutrition your runner uses for stocking stuffers. It’s hard to find out what to put in a stocking stuffer, but any runner that runs long distances will need some sports nutrition. It’s something we all need but never know when we’re running out of when training. If your runner is training for a big race, this gift will come in handy during those training weeks.

Running watch

A running watch is expensive, but it’s a gift every runner will appreciate. I don’t recommend an Apple Watch as a running watch; therefore, I have included many different running watches with varying price points. The watches range from $149 – $600+. I have always used a Garmin watch (currently using the Garmin Fenix5 Sapphire), but there are other brands to consider. I hesitated to put this on the list because it’s an obvious choice for runners, but in the end, a watch is something we all put to fair use.

Mighty Audio Player

The Mighty Vibe Audio player allows the runner to ditch the phone and listen to music. Mighty plays your Spotify and Amazon Music playlists and podcasts offline without a phone, screen, or Internet connection. No data or WiFi is needed for playback – leave your phone at home and take your streaming music anywhere. You can connect your Bluetooth headphones to the audio player and go for a run. I like using this on my longer runs, so the battery on my phone doesn’t die, but I’m still listening to my jams. You can get 10% off your purchase by using the code “MOMWORKSITOUT10” at checkout.

Music Subscription Service

A music subscription service gift card is perfect for a runner. If you’re going to get them a Might Vibe Audio, you need to get a subscription to Spotify or Amazon Music to sync those playlists. Apple Music is also a formidable choice for a gift. These subscription services can get pricey throughout the year, but receiving a gift like this would lessen the load. AND it’s a gift your runner can use when not running. It’s an all-around gift! You can give a month of service or 3+ months.

Shoe Fan

A shoe fan might sound crazy, but it’s a gift most runners wouldn’t think to buy for themselves. I live in southeast Texas, where it’s humid, which leaves the running shoes slightly soggy. And just because it’s raining doesn’t mean you can’t go for a run. Water and running shoes don’t mix, and a shoe fan will make sure your shoes are correctly dried and not left to be stinky.

Cookbooks for Runners/Healthy Eating

Runners love to eat things like pizza, tacos, and beer. Running affords people a particular lifestyle, but training all those miles means we need to take care of our bodies. We need to provide proper fueling for long runs or hard workouts days in essential, so why not give a cookbook with delicious meals that are tasty and balanced for runners.

Miscellaneous Gifts

Pro Compression socks are always colorful and functional. These socks provide a true graduated compression for use during running or recovery. These socks would make a great stocking stuffer. Pro Compression always has great sales. Right now, you can get 64% off three pairs of socks. Only want one pair? Use code “FF40” for 40% off.

Headsweats provides headwear and clothing to keep you cool during your hottest runs and warm you up when you need it most. Try the Repreve collection of apparel, which 100% REPREVE® Recycled Polyester Pintec fabric and made from plastic bottles.

Workout clothes get stinky so give the gift of cleanliness with HEX Laundry Detergent. HEX “Creates an invisible shield to protect fabrics against odors, stain re-absorption and other damage — like pilling, and loss of stretch and wickability. Keeps your clothes feeling new wash after wash after wash.”

Running safety is not overlooked by runners, but most runners don’t run with IDs. Having a Road ID is a way to have an ID on you if something happens on the run. You can even add extra information such as allergies and insurance information in your online profile. Road ID is a gift that keeps your runner safe.

NightTech Gear running shoe lights are the perfect gift for early morning runners. Running shoe lights allow your runner to run safely on the roads with visibility by vehicles on the streets and helps with tripping over rocks or other road debris. Trust me; I once ran over a road sign that I didn’t know was there. If I had these lights then, it wouldn’t have been a problem.