Gift for newbie?

Brion

My girlfriend has recently started going out for a few runs, nothing too major but let's say 1 hour runs 3 times a week? Has mentioned that she would like to run a marathon at some point. So for Christmas I'd like to get a couple of things to compliment this and if you could advise that would be very much appreciated

So far I have come up with the following two books:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Go-Faster-Food-energy-boosting-cyclists/dp/0091929326/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Marathon-Half-From-Start-Finish/dp/1408112825/

Are these recommended/much use?

I'd like to get some Garmin watch but my budget for that would be no greater than 100 euro. And I'd like to register her in a marathon for 2013 somewhere, is this possible to do?


Thanks!

spurscormac

Plenty of marathons to register for, though you would need to be careful when she thinks she'd be able to do one - don't want to push her towards one too soon or one that might be very difficult (hilly). However, marathon registration can cost anything from €30 (at a guess) to €70/80, so you need to be aware of that.

Re those books you linked, my personal opinion would be not to go with them unless she has a specific interest in reading up on such things.
Food is mostly common sense and something you have to adapt to over time and work out what works best for you individually, how long before training or racing should you eat & how much.
On the training plan book, there's plenty of free resources online for training plans.

I'd be of the opinion that a voucher towards a good running store or combining all resources towards a GPS watch would be best. There's a new Garmin out that's a little over €100, I think €120/130 or so, if you could stretch to that it would be good.
A voucher gives her the opportunity to get what she wants rather than what you think she wants.

rom

Work off this list. Have never seen those two books before. http://www.corkrunning.blogspot.ie/p/books.html

I would ask someone first if I was going to sign them up for a race. It should be their decision or else you could be to reason why anything went wrong. Start at shorter distance first (5k,10k,1/2) and work towards the longer ones.

Ososlo

I was same as your GF this time last year (new to running) and wrote my list to Santa who delivered. I would go with the other posters and say that a book isn't necessarily a great idea and not that useful. I got a very expensive book and hardly ever read it as all the stuff in it is online and there's nothing new there.

While a voucher is great, some people prefer to receive an actual present on Xmas morning;) Me being one of them!

i would say a running specialist top or bottoms. These are expensive but worth every penny. A long sleeved top with luminous stripes for winter running is invaluable. 3/4 length pants.Running bra is brilliant ideas as again, they're expensive so she mightn't want to put the money into this herself, but it's the most valuable piece of running equipment for a lady:) Believe me! Shock Absorber I find are brilliant. Get advice in your local sports shop.

Sundries to fill a stocking would be reflective armbands, gloves, hat, running socks (you can never have enough:))

But, whatever you do, keep the receipts

Brion

Thanks guys.

Hmm, thought the books would have been a popular choice!

Might skip on registering for the marathon, might feel a bit under pressure etc so might be for the best.

What GPS for €120 would you recommend? It's not too overkill for somebody running that amount?

Yeah might pass on the voucher idea.

running specialist top or bottoms

Seriously, educate me here. Have no idea what I should be looking for!

wrstan

Go into Easons, or some decent mag shop and choose a good running mag. Wrap up the December 2012 issue for her and include a 12 month subscription for 2013!

Maybe that's a bit like a voucher, but she may be impressed that you actually did a bit of research on it! (asking on here counts as research )

Ososlo

Far from expert here, but I know what works for me. Basically what you are looking for are sports clothes that have benefits that cotton materials don’t. Special technical tops and bottoms are designed so that they pull sweat away from the body. Don't buy cotton as it holds sweat. Technical clothing is lightweight and stretchy. Feels the most comfortable in general.

All the main sports shops have clothing for runners.
http://www.elverys.ie/category/Running-Clothing/0000000647

Anything you see here would be useful.

However, I would take the GPS watch above any of the above. No, I don't think it's overkill. I really believe that getting my GPS watch last xmas made me stick to running. It really gave me a focus on my runs and targets. Downside is though, that your GF might get obsessed with running and then she might end up being a nightmare to live with! I WARNED YA!

Ososlo

wrstan wrote: »

Go into Easons, or some decent mag shop and choose a good running mag. Wrap up the December 2012 issue for her and include a 12 month subscription for 2013!

Maybe that's a bit like a voucher, but she may be impressed that you actually did a bit of research on it! (asking on here counts as research )

IMO that's actually a really good idea and something I would love to receive!

wrstan

PS spending too much time checking out "specialist tops and bottoms" may not be countable as proper research :D:D

Brion

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003EGC36Q/ - recommend or not?

And not a bad call on the magazine idea


In terms of clothes I saw these few bits:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Womens-More-Mile-cushioned-running/dp/B006K0NFT2/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dare-2B-Lightweight-Reflective-Windshell/dp/B0073O5VS2/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Time-To-Run-Womens-Favourite/dp/B000ZKUZ2I/


yay or nay for any of these?

Ososlo

Brion wrote: »

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003EGC36Q/ - recommend or not?

And not a bad call on the magazine idea


In terms of clothes I saw these few bits:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Womens-More-Mile-cushioned-running/dp/B006K0NFT2/ - BRILLIANT YES DEFO
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dare-2B-Lightweight-Reflective-Windshell/dp/B0073O5VS2/ - NOT FOR ME PERSONALLY. I DON'T EVER GET COLD ENOUGH TO WANT A JACKET WHILST RUNNING BUT MAYBE SHE WOULD BENEFIT. If getting a jacket i would be sure to get one with reflective safety strips. Black is not great on winter days/evenings
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Time-To-Run-Womens-Favourite/dp/B000ZKUZ2I/ - PERFECT - NICE AND BRIGHT FOR WINTER RUNNING


yay or nay for any of these?

see in bold

Ososlo

Brion wrote: »

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003EGC36Q/ - recommend or not?

only saw that bit now. While I have a Garmin with HR monitor, I don't know anything about that model so one of the others might help out here.

Brion

Thanks Ososlo. Which Garmin have you got?

I've been reading the negative reviews on the 110. It seems that it really doesn't hold up too well in wet weather which is a major concern.

Ososlo

Brion wrote: »

Thanks Ososlo. Which Garmin have you got?

I've been reading the negative reviews on the 110. It seems that it really doesn't hold up too well in wet weather which is a major concern.

I have 305. It's a much older model and I think it was more expensive than the one you linked to. Don't know exactly as it was a gift. It's much bigger than the 110 (like a brick!) but brilliant in wet weather. Never caused me any problems in the past year and it's used 5 days a week. Couldn't recommend it highly enough.

rom

Ososlo wrote: »

I have 305. It's a much older model and I think it was more expensive than the one you linked to. Don't know exactly as it was a gift. It's much bigger than the 110 (like a brick!) but brilliant in wet weather. Never caused me any problems in the past year and it's used 5 days a week. Couldn't recommend it highly enough.

Great watch but they are discontinued so you have to pay like 200 sterling for a new one now when I bought mine for like 90 sterling a year and a half ago. As discontinued there will come a time where garmin don't have to support it any longer so you can't get a repair etc. Other than shorter battery life on the 305 compared with latter models it was an excellent watch and way less issues than my 610.

Now this is a good deal. http://www.sweatshop.co.uk/details.cfm?ProdID=8061 It will work with Bluetooth or Ant+ heart rate monitors should you want to get one at a latter stage. Also it will play music to bluetooth headphones so no wires. Something like the jaybirdgear are great so no need to bring an ipod. It also transfer activities by wifi to the motorola website. As I have said on other threads I would use this watch if there was just a lap button on it so I could do intervals but its perfect for a newbie as you put it. The only thing is may be big on a woman's wrist. I have small wrists and its fine but there is also the option of getting a smaller strap for it if this is a problem.

RayCun

could try the garmin forerunner 10
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056739216

Brion

Thanks for that. I contacted amphkingwest about it so just waiting for a reply, I'm not sure if he's still doing some sort of deal on it. At least it's waterproof!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Womens-More-Mile-cushioned-running/dp/B006K0NFT2/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Time-To-Run-Womens-Favourite/dp/B000ZKUZ2I/ - Can either of these be bought any where in Ireland? Would rather do that than spend on Amazon if I'm honest.

rom

Brion wrote: »

Thanks for that. I contacted amphkingwest about it so just waiting for a reply, I'm not sure if he's still doing some sort of deal on it. At least it's waterproof!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Womens-More-Mile-cushioned-running/dp/B006K0NFT2/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Time-To-Run-Womens-Favourite/dp/B000ZKUZ2I/ - Can either of these be bought any where in Ireland? Would rather do that than spend on Amazon if I'm honest.

You are going to pay more for the socks anywhere in Ireland and tops like that are available in heatons for a similar price. I think 12 euro.

ebay is best value for the socks. I have been getting them (men's version) from this guy for the last few years. http://tinyurl.com/cahm7g9