It’s still sunny in Southern California, but winter is around the corner, and the holidays are almost here. Whether you’re gearing up for a Turkey Trot, training for an early 2023 race, or just excited for Black Friday, I’ve rounded up the best running gifts for every runner on your list, including yourself!
WINTER RUN-DERLAND
The temperatures are dropping, but that doesn’t stop runners from getting outside and getting those miles. Stay cozy in any weather with these cold weather running gifts.
OUTERWEAR
This headband from Brooks is my absolute favorite. It’s soft and the perfect weight for chilly evening runs. It’s unisex and comes in black, navy, and light blue. Some headbands gap around the ears or slip down; this one stays in place and fits like a glove!
Speaking of gloves…mine are so old that they aren’t for sale anymore. They’re Nike and still going strong! The link below is for an updated version of the gloves. These are lightweight, so they’re perfect for a mild California winter run.
PEAK PERFORMANCE
These gifts are for the runner that’s looking to push their performance. From my favorite clean protein powder, to wearables that track more than your mileage, to injury prevention tools, you’ll find it here.
PROTEIN POWDER
This is the cleanest protein powder I’ve found. It’s from pasture-raised, grass-fed cows, and free of fillers and additives. It’s cold microfiltered and ultrafiltration processed. Best of all, it’s Labdoor certified for label accuracy and purity. Many supplements and especially proteins contain heavy metals–some have levels high enough to require the CA Prop 65 Warning on them! That’s why I review my supplements to make sure they’re third party tested for label accuracy and purity of ingredients. This one checks all the boxes.
I get the Unflavored variety and mix it with some cinnamon and vanilla extract, or add it to a smoothie. The Chocolate version is also good, containing cocoa and Stevia Reb A.
OURA RING
If you’re a fan of biohacking, several wearables can track your sleep stages, sleep quality, and other biometrics to analyze your recovery and ability to perform. I’m using the Oura Ring and it’s really helped me understand how I’m sleeping, and what impacts my sleep and overall performance readiness, so I can adjust accordingly. After more than 6 months of using mine, I can say it lives up to the hype and the cost is well worth it!
GARMIN FORERUNNER
The Forerunner series is my favorite, and Garmin just released the Forerunner 955 which includes the “Body Battery” readiness indicator. This is something I can’t wait to purchase, and I’m hoping for a Black Friday discount!
INJURY PREVENTION
Having the right tools can make all the difference. Add these to your toolkit for running injury prevention.
CALF SLEEVES
Calf sleeves have saved me during long runs, high mileage weeks, endurance races, or tweaking a muscle while walking (being pulled by) my Golden Retriever. They’re also a great remedy for shin splints! I’m a Zensah ambassador, and their compression products are my go-to for just about any minor running issue. Their sleeves are unisex and come in both traditional colors, and some pretty fun prints.
FOAM ROLLERS
A foam roller should be in every runner’s toolkit. For more on foam rolling, check out this blog post on Preventing Running Injuries.
I like this foam roller by Trigger Point for a deeper massage.
For a lighter, daily massage, I prefer a smooth foam roller, and it becomes softer with use, which has been great for helping me recover from Piriformis Syndrome (more on that in a future blog post). This cork one is a sustainable alternative to traditional foam.
This handheld roller by Pro-Tec Athletics is one of my favorites. Its small size makes it great for on-the-go and targeting any problem spots. It’s helped me target my piriformis muscle gently as I recover from Piriformis Syndrome!
STOCKING STUFFERS
Stocking stuffer, but make it running. These smaller items are a great way to fill your runner’s stocking.
SNACKS
Healthy, portable, and tasty, these Honey Stingers will fuel your runner before, during, and after their next run.
Gu Energy Gels will fuel your runner on those longer runs. The sun may be setting alarmingly early these days, but their energy levels will stay high with these gels.
Skratch is my favorite hydration drink. Clean and simple, it’s perfect after a long, hard run. This sampler pack comes with different flavors in portable packets–perfect for a stocking stuffer.
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This income goes to supporting this website. As always, ideas and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own.
