Runner Insight

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I know it’s hard to pick out gifts for people that are interested in things that you don’t have the first insight about, but that’s why I’m here: to help you with that issue. I am going to guide you through potential gift ideas, and help you with, at the very least, the runners on your gift list. Some of these ideas you will see have universal appeal to anyone who is active: walking, bicycling, running, working out, playing sports, etc.  As I have been running for over 15 years, it’s safe to say that during that time I have used most (but not quite all) of these gift ideas that I have compiled into a list for you. 

To make it easier for you to pick out just the right gift or gifts, in my free eBook “Gifts For Runners – More Than 50 Unique and Creative Gifts For the Runner in Your Life” (Fill in the webform just below or click here to get your own free copy) I have listed the items in different categories.

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To follow up the blog post from about ten days ago on the Top 5 Gifts For Runners, today I’ve included the easy and inexpensive Ten Appreciated Stocking Stuffer/Gift Basket Gifts For Runners. . .

The links are active, and they should all be formatted to open in a new window. So you can click on them to see pictures or get more information or order online and not lose your place on this page. 

If you’re actively searching for gifts because this is a gift-giving season, why not stuff a stocking or a pumpkin or an Easter basket for your runner too?  Imagine their delightful surprise when they suddenly find a stocking or basket filled with all sorts of running goodies.

• ¨ Running socks – The double layered ones by WrightSock that they sell online and at the running store are great, and are specifically designed to help alleviate the problem of blisters.

• ¨ Chap Stick/Lip Balm – Obviously these come in all kinds of flavors, and have SPF (sun protection factor) in a lot of them too, which is nice to protect your runner’s exposed lips from the drying and burning rays of the sun, as well as from the cold, winter winds.

• ¨ Gels/Goos and Power Bars – Sporting goods stores will carry all the different energy gels and goos and power bars. If you don’t know what makes them special, and how they function, I’ll give you a little insight here. Athletes are burning calories (energy) at a very high rate when they are working out or practicing or playing. The energy bars and gels are a way for your athlete to get a quick shot of energy that is easily accessible for the body to use immediately, part way through a run or game or set or match.

• ¨ Energy Beans/Honey Beads – Again, another way to get a quick boost of energy is from these specially formulated jelly beans or honey beads.

• ¨ Bath salts – This one and the next will provide your athlete’s aching body, joints and muscles with well-deserved relief after a grueling run or workout.

• ¨ Massage oils – Ditto.

• ¨ Pocket Warmers – These hand warmers are great for athletes out in cold or chilly weather.

• ¨ Stretch Gloves – The stretchy knit one-size-fits-all gloves are very inexpensive, but great to keep the chill off. And once my hands are warmed up, the gloves are not too bulky to stick in my pocket, or tuck into the waist band of my shorts or running tights.

• ¨ BodyGlide – BodyGlide is an anti-chafing glide-on substance that comes in a stick, like deodorant. A lot of athletes, especially runners will have spots on their body that are more susceptible to chafing due to the continuous repetitive movements, mile after mile.

• ¨ After Bite – This is an easy-to-carry anti-itch stick for mosquito and bug bites.

These small gifts are great as filler in a stocking or gift basket, and most of them are usually fairly inexpensive, too. So you can really stuff it full for very little cost, and your favorite runner will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

How ’bout it? 

-Vision Runner

Popularity: 2% [?]

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What better time of the year than today to share my thoughts on gratitude with you. And since I like to compile videos, there’s one at the end of this post for you to enjoy too!

Since I received “The Secret” DVD about the Law of Attraction as a Christmas gift in 2006, my awareness of what I have in my life and what I want to have come into my life has become significantly sharpened. 

Honestly, not a day goes by that I don’t give thanks for all the awesome and wonderful things in my life.  And it’s not just the big things like my health and wonderful relationships, but the little things too: like a sunbeam coming in the window, and my cup of Starbucks and the beautiful weather and driving by the love park, and having the opportunity to sleep late.

Someone wise once said “The enlightened give thanks for what other people take for granted.”

I have learned that by being grateful for everything I have in my life right now, even better things are coming…

I really do have it made: we’re living a great life that’s getting even better every day.

…And I am so happy and sincerely grateful for all of you who read my blog.

…And I am so happy and sincerely grateful for all of the positive feedback we’re getting on the stories we’re posting on the website/blog.

…And I am so happy and sincerely grateful that people are enjoying the free eBook I wrote “Gifts For Runners” (that you can download right now by filling in the web form on the side bar or below this post).

…And I am just so happy and sincerely grateful that you’re having a great day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy the video…..I made it for you…

How ‘bout it?

- Vision Runner

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Imagine giving a gift that your runner will use every time they head out the door to go running. If you’re not a runner, you are probably flabbergasted at the thought of having to come up with the inspired gift idea that your runner will treasure for many runs to come. Well, you can now set aside your “flabbergastion” and confusion.  

Yes, it’s true; you can give a cherished gift that will make your runner curious as to the source of your insight, and they’ll wonder how in the world they ever lived without it! But keep them guessing. You don’t have to tell all your secrets.

Being a runner myself for more than 15 years, I can attest to how much a runner can truly appreciate a thoughtful running gift, and you don’t have to sacrifice your self-respect by giving them the ubiquitous box of cordial cherries or resorting to the brightly colored toe socks, or whatever else you happen to walk by in the drugstore in a desperate search for something even slightly appropriate.

I know, I know….it’s not quite that bad…maybe.

To help you out, I’ve written an eBook that you can get for free. It’s called “Gifts For Runners – More Than 50 Unique and Creative Gifts For The Runner In Your Life”  It’s written in an easy to read, relaxed style in a quick downloading .pdf file format.  It’s yours at absolutely no cost, just by clicking on the link above or you can more easily fill in the form just below. There’s also a link in the sidebar under “Pages” if you know someone that wants to download it later.

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In the meantime, here’s an excerpt with my Top 5 Most Appreciated Gifts For Runners….the links are active, and they should all be formatted to open in a new window. So you can click on them to see pictures or get more information or order online and not lose your place on this page…

• Road ID – Most runners don’t carry any sort of ID with them as they head out for their run. Not because they don’t want to, but primarily because it’s inconvenient. You may not have thought about it, but it’s very difficult to carry a wallet or personal ID in the flimsy little bits of wick-away fabric known as running shorts. If it crossed my mind, I might occasionally remember to take a piece of paper with some general contact information on it. After a couple of runs, it would become worn and difficult to read, and I would toss it, and then forget to make a new one.

When I received the Road ID as a gift, I was thrilled to have something so small and light weight, with all my important contact information right on it.      

The Road ID is personal identification gear with your info laser engraved on a tag that’s easy to take with you, easy to read, and it comes in many different styles and colors.  I was given both the wrist band and shoe ID style. The wrist band Velcro’s around my wrist like a sports watch, bracelet-style. The Shoe Id attaches via Velcro to my shoe laces, and it just stays there, until I change out running shoes every few hundred miles. By having both kinds, if I forget to put my wrist band on, I always have the Road ID on my running shoes. They also have an ankle style and shoe pouch style. You can even choose a cool picture or logo to put on the dog tag style (Fixx ID) that will capture your runner’s unique personality. While I hope no one will ever have to use my Road ID for its intended purpose, it’s just a good layer of protection for me and peace of mind for my loved ones.

• Flashers/Blinkers/Safety Lights – I’m a big believer in being as safe as possible. And the primary way for a runner, walker or bicyclist to be safe is to be seen. Again, this was something I had never even considered using until I was given a safety flasher as a gift.

What better way to provide your runner with a bubble of protection than a blinking light that can been seen from half-mile to a mile away? Flashers and blinkers now come in all sorts of sizes and shapes; they are lightweight and the batteries last a long time. They even have flashers that clip right to your running hat! I often wear two or more, one on the brim of my hat, and at least one on my waistband. 

• Running Pocket - Now, I know this probably wouldn’t occur to the average non-runner, but to an avid runner, this is a coveted treasure. I searched high and low, long and hard for just the right clip-on pocket to run with. I knew exactly what I wanted; I just had a hard time finding it.

Most of the pockets I found weren’t really designed for running. They were bulky and bounced around a lot. It wasn’t until I was in Illinois visiting family, that I found exactly what I wanted.      

At the local running store, there it was: the perfect running pocket.  It was made by Amphipod. This handy piece of equipment is great, because it doesn’t bounce around at all, and it’s flat so it hangs comfortably on my running shorts.  The built-in pocket in running shorts is oftentimes too small or there isn’t one at all.  There are certain things I like to carry with me when I’m out running, such as Lifesavers, Chap Stick, my house key, and an extra battery for my mp3 player; not to mention sometimes I want cash or a Starbucks gift card for my caffeine fix on the way home! I can carry gels or energy beans with the pocket, and it’s great to have for races, too. 

• Pedometer - I don’t know any runner who wouldn’t love this gift. I love to chart my running mileage, and if I take a different route, I always want to know how far I have run. Omron makes a good one with a tether on it, the HJ-112 so you don’t have to worry about losing it. And it actually works for longer than two to three months, like so many of them that we’ve tried. We’ve had the Omron HJ-112 for probably a year and a half or two years now, and it’s still working great.

Most pedometers have several different functions on them, from time and date to counting mileage and calories to counting total steps versus aerobic steps to memory functions. Although the Omron HJ-112 doesn’t have a “talking” feature, it’s nice to have one that talks, that way I can just push a button and keep my eyes on the road. 

• Subscription to a Running Magazine – My favorite is Runner’s World, but there are other choices available as well. Just imagine, every month when they get their new copy of Runner’s World they will be thinking of you! And it’s just the thing to keep your enthusiastic runner motivated all year round!

Hopefully that gets you started with some great ideas, and don’t forget to get your copy of the free eBook I wrote for you:  “Gifts For Runners – More Than 50 Unique and Creative Gifts For The Runner In Your Life” .

How ’bout it?

- Vision Runner

Popularity: 31% [?]