I usually write one column about this time of year for the friends and spouses of runners who are wondering what to get them for Christmas. For runners the gifts can range from the very expensive to the inexpensive stocking stuffers. Many of the gifts are specific to the runner. The most obvious gift is a pair of running shoes. This is one of those specific gifts. Most runners have a specific brand name and size that they like. Buying an off brand may not fit the runner’s style of running and cause a strained muscle or joint. And to make matters worse most brands have about a dozen models to pick from. So, be sure you find out the runners shoe size and width, the brand they use, the model of that brand, and a receipt just in case they want to exchange them.
More gifts of the expensive range comes down to the “watch” a runner wears while running. Besides the telling of time these watches can record the route they ran, the pace they ran, how many hills were on the route, the heart rate, and how many calories the runner burned on the run for starters. Some runners like to listen to music or lectures on running while they run. The ear buds and technology today lets a runner listen to almost any type of selection they like. And some versions are so small and wearable that the apparatus does not interfere with the run.
With the cold weather approaching a running outfit is always a good choice. The range in price can be from expensive to a moderate range in price. Some are water resistant for rainy days and also provide protection from a cold wind. Some running suits also are lined to provide warmth on very cold days. A step down from a complete running suit is the shirt under the suit. Most are made from a material that wicks away the moisture from the skin and keeps a runner dry. Running with wet clothes on a cold day can make for a very uncomfortable run. Most running suits have a hood attached to keep the head warm and dry. For shirts it may help if it is a ‘turtle neck’ variety to keep the neck warm and prevent cold air from getting inside the shirt.
