Skip to content

Running with Rhyno: Top 10 Gifts for Runners

Winter has arrived in all its bitter cold glory. Bah humbug.
web1_Rhyno-running

Winter has arrived in all its bitter cold glory. Bah humbug.

You’re wrong if you think I’m going to tell you to suck it up and get your butt out the door. I can sympathize. Over the past few weeks, it has been bloody cold. Friends, it’s time to break out the balaclava. Even I, the champion of no excuses, have had a challenging time getting outside.

Last Sunday, I headed to the Penhold Regional Multiplex to run above the hockey rink for 30 minutes. It’s a great option, if you don’t mind dodging crowds and hockey pucks. Mixing up your routine can be fun. But I don’t want to make this a habit as I prefer to be outside.

As they say in the running world, “it’s not a matter of bad weather; it’s a matter of bad clothing.”

So dress smart and stay warm.

With that in mind, ’tis the season for goodwill and gift-giving. And I have not met a runner who doesn’t like to be on the receiving end.

My gift to you this year is a list gift options for the runner or the wannabe runner in your family.

1. Sneakers. Be sure to take a look at his or her sneaker collection before you lay down some cash. Keep the receipt.

2. Gift certificates to a running or sports store. We can always find something to add to our collection. Check size.

3. Race Entry. Sign your loved one up for a race. Run it with him or her. Caution: if the runner runs 5K races, don’t sign him or her up for a marathon or ultramarathon.

4. Coffee cards. Runners love their coffee post-runs.

5. iPod or music player. Give the gift of music and don’t forget to load the device up with your runner’s favourite tunes.

6. Running belts. There’s so many types of belts out there. I generally wear a Nathan hydrapak to carry my keys, cash and iPhone. I also own a Spibelt, which is perfect for carrying small items.

7. Garmin or other sports watch. Runners love numbers. We love to recording pace, distance, and time.

8. Headlamp. Does your runner run early in the morning, or in the evenings? Help them light the way.

9. Pedicure. Ever see a runner’s feet after a race? Enough said.

10. Frame a race picture of the beloved runner in your family. Personally I like to spread the humour by framing a “bad” race photo. There’s no shortage of those out there.

Happy holidays.

*****

Find Running with Rhyno on Facebook and @CrystalRhyno on Twitter. Send your column ideas, photos and stories to crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com.