By: Abby Land
Looking for the perfect something special for that runner in your life this holiday season?
Maybe that person is your significant other, sibling, or even your own running partner.
Well, what you buy that person has a lot to do with the type of runner they are. Check out the ideas below to see the great pieces from Mizuno running that I am giving to all the runners on my list.
(PS- No telling, you’ll ruin the surprises.)
Who: The Newbie
This person is either just getting into running or just rediscovering running. The first item they need to get up and going is a great shoe with the right mix of cushioning and support.
This is my sister-in-law who was running and triathlon training and then Boom – baby time! I got the cutest, smartest, most amazing nephew in the world (Yes, I am the crazy aunt.), but she became a first time mom with a full time job and no time to run. Now that my nephew is three, my sister-in-law is finding herself drawn to running again and I know these shoes will be the perfect gift to help her get up and running.
Gift: Wave Rider 18 – $119.99
Features & Benefits:
An ideal heel fit and secure midfoot embrace make this lightweight trainer feel like a part of your foot. The parallel Wave in the heel, lightweight U4ic midsole and optimal amount of forefoot flexibility all work together to make every stride smooth and flowing.
Who: The Night Runner
This person has to log their miles after work which means it is starting to get dark and chilly. They need a jacket that will not only keep them warm, but also keep them safe and visible when running in the dark at night.
As if having a full-time job and being a full time dad was not enough my brother decided it would be a genius idea to go to law school at night. Now he leaves for work around 7:00ish each morning and doesn’t get home until almost 9:00ish most nights. Yuck! He then laces up and hits the neighborhoods around their home for a few miles, but it is dark and cold (Indiana). I decided a running jacket would be the perfect gift for his nighttime runs and love that this one has a reflective front/back so that cars can see him. I have to keep him safe when he is running as I am kind of attached to him seeing as how he is my only sibling and, maybe more importantly, the parent to my nephew and all future nieces/nephews.
Gift: Breath Thermo Wind Top – $89.99
Features & Benefits:
Breath Thermo® generates heat for additional warmth
Impermalite™ Wind/Water resistant
Cinchable drawstring for increased weather protection Lock down zipper with garage Black lite™ color reflective front/back (safety feature)
Who: The Streaker
Nothing stops this person from getting their daily run in, not even freezing cold weather, they refuse to end their running streak! They need warm winter essentials to keep them streaking well into spring.
This is Sarah, my runcation buddy, we meet up once a year to run a marathon in some awesome location (Marine Corp in DC, New Orleans, etc.) and spend the rest of the year talking back and forth about our training. We text back and forth so much you’d think we were high school girls, high school girls really obsessed with distance running. This year she got the idea to do a run streak 36 days long to her 36th birthday and 239 days later she is still going. She runs through the good, the bad, and even the ugly – she refuses to stop. Now being a Charlestonian, insert warm and beautiful weather here, I have no idea how she is going to survive running through a winter in upstate New York, but she refuses to stop for the cold and snow. That means her gift will be some warm layers – that way she can keep her streak alive!
Gift: Breath Thermo Layered Tight – $69.99
Features & Benefits:
Breath Thermo® generates heat for additional warmth
Wide waistband for increased comfort
Ankle zippers with reflectivity
BlackLite™ color reflective front/back
Who: The Running Fashionista
We all know them, the person who is fully styled and always looks put together, even in their running clothes. A tee with pretty colors and slimming lines is a unique and very flattering style. Be sure to keep them at the top of their running style with some fresh new gear.
This is obviously not me. I am usually an explosion of unmatching colors pulled from whatever was on top of the pile. Heck, I have even gone on runs only to come home a discover my shirt was on inside out the entire time. I am the Unfashionista. However, my Sunday morning recovery run buddy must be twins with Beyonce because she wakes up Flawless. I just wake up hungry, how is that fair? She is the girl who always looks fabulous in that beautiful effort free way. Her run clothes fit just right, the colors look perfect on her, she has is figured out. I saw this tee and knew she would love not only the color, but the simple detailing right away.
Gift: Autumn Short Sleeved Tee – $39.99
Features & Benefits:
Warmlite® hollow fiber yarn recycles escaping body heat, creating an insulating warm layer
High moisture transfer fabric wicks and repels moisture
Black lite™ color reflective front/back
Blind Stitch™ flat lock for anti abrasion
Who: The Distance Runner
Half and full marathoners are a unique breed. They have more gear and running supplies than they have storage room, but guess what? They could always use more. This holiday season arm them with some great long run essentials. Removable pieces are an excellent way to make sure they start their run off warm and can easily take pieces off and stash them as they warm up.
I have an awesome Saturday morning long run buddy who tolerates running at my pace (read much slower than hers) because it means she has someone to run and talk with, we just wrapped up training for RnR SAV and are about to take on the Charleston Half. Since it can be really chilly when we start out and warm up quickly, seriously it can jump from 36 degrees to 62 degrees in two hours on a winter morning in Charleston, layers are essential for our long runs. I figure if she is nice enough to slow down and run with me then for Christmas I need to outfit her with some gear that will be perfect for those long runs.
Gift: Breath Thermo Wind Guard Head Band – $19.99
or Breath Thermo Running Arm Warmer – $28.99
Features & Benefits:
Breath Thermo® captures escaping body heat vapors and through physical reaction in the yarn, generates heat for overall warmth
High moisture transfer fabric wicks and repels moisture
Wind resistant shell for protections against the elements
What type of runners are you buying for this Christmas?
What type of runner would you consider yourself?
I am The Shoe Hoarder. I can never have too many pairs of shoes. I want every color, every style: Wave Riders for long runs, Wave Sayonaras for short runs, Wave Hitogamis for speed work, and Wave Kazan for trail runs. Buy me a pair of shoes and I am good to go. Are you listening Santa?
Abby is a formerly overweight couch potato who started running to get healthier and was shocked when she fell in love with the sport, the feeling, the people, all of it. She talks to strangers on race courses, runs to the side to high five cute kids, and is the person who sticks her entire hand into the community candy bowl at mile 20 of the marathon course. Abby blogs about her journey to live healthier, become a better runner, and lose the weight at BackatSquareZero. Also, find her on Twitter (and Instagram) as @BackatSquare0.