Best/worst Xmas present for a runner

rom

So we do Kris Kringle and I have ended up getting a voucher for a running shop for the last few years. Now it is useful but over done a bit at this stage. There is little thought in a voucher but there is some as at the end of the day it is hard to buy something running related for someone who seem to have everything. So what are good safe presents to buy a runner.

Good books are safe choice (as long as they don't already have it) rather than gear. So what do you think?

I have included the worst also so let us know if you have any funny ones that you got.

RacoonQueen

Worst:
Dean Karnazes books

Chivito550

Vouchers are grand. Means I can go buy what I need. Otherwise people would just presume I am a marathoner or fun runner and buy me junk which serves no purpose to me.

woodchopper

Chivito550 wrote: »

Otherwise people would just presume I am a fun runner and buy me junk which serves no purpose to me.

Many people who run find it fun regardless of pr's

Chivito550

woodchopper wrote: »

Many people who run find it fun regardless of pr's

I find it fun too.

My point was simply that most non runners assume running to mean long distances. Most running stores prove this, with most stock geared towards the longer runner. For that reason I'd be happy out with a voucher as a Kris kindle present.

ultraman1

Chivito550 wrote: »

Vouchers are grand. Means I can go buy what I need. Otherwise people would just presume I am a marathoner or fun runner and buy me junk which serves no purpose to me.

In fairness to them,ur 400 mtr time points to fun running:)

3DataModem

Perhaps - gasp - something not running related?

Chivito550

ultraman1 wrote: »

In fairness to them,ur 400 mtr time points to fun running:)

A fun run is a friendly race that involves either road running or cross country running with participants taking part for their own enjoyment rather than competition. A fun run will usually be held to raise funds for a charity, with sponsors providing the revenue to cover organisational costs. Fun runs can include novelty categories, such as wearing costumes, and age categories for child, teen, and mature. Fun runs can also be included as a side event to a marathon or other more serious races. Motorcycle, snowmobile, and other motorized vehicle events are also sometimes categorized as "fun runs." One of the biggest annual fun runs in Europe is 'la Cursa El Corte Inglés' in Barcelona with about 55000 participants.

ecoli

woodchopper wrote: »

Many people who run find it fun regardless of pr's

+1

Proud to be a fun runner. The day a runner doesn't have fun in what they are doing they might as well hang up their spikes/trainers

Itziger

ecoli wrote: »

+1

Proud to be a fun runner. The day a runner doesn't have fun in what they are doing they might as well hang up their spikes/trainers

Lads, and lassies, to be fair to Chivito, we all know what he means. The term fun run is mostly applied to races where 90% of the participants jog/walk/talk/drink. Now, call me a snob, but I prefer to think training 5 or 6 or 7 days a week and striving to improve a pb from year to year is not what a fun runner does. Doesn't mean this runner isn't enjoying it. But difference there is between the two, no?

TFBubendorfer

Itziger wrote: »

Lads, and lassies, to be fair to Chivito, we all know what he means. The term fun run is mostly applied to races where 90% of the participants jog/walk/talk/drink. Now, call me a snob, but I prefer to think training 5 or 6 or 7 days a week and striving to improve a pb from year to year is not what a fun runner does. Doesn't mean this runner isn't enjoying it. But difference there is between the two, no?

Not according to Jerry Kiernan

Gavlor

Worst: my Dublin marathon video!

Best: a kick up the hole to get me back training again.

Actually maybe the dcm video would provide said kick

thewolf_ie

Book a race you know they like.

jfh

i got the The Complete Runner's Day-By-Day Log 2014 Calendar on amazon last year & found it very useful.

mossym

jfh wrote: »

i got the The Complete Runner's Day-By-Day Log 2014 Calendar on amazon last year & found it very useful.

will probably be even more useful next year..:)

Briando

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Worst:
Dean Karnazes books

@RacoonQueen I've read his first book and thought it was ok, what is it about him/the book that is bad? Is he a fraud?
Is there a good running book you would recommend? I want to get my sister a book for xmas?

Surely the best pressie(if you had somebody rich shopping for you) right now would be a Garmin 620?

ecoli

Briando wrote: »

@RacoonQueen I've read his first book and thought it was ok, what is it about him/the book that is bad? Is he a fraud?
Is there a good running book you would recommend? I want to get my sister a book for xmas?

Regards Karnazes - if he could sprint half as well as he markets himself Bolt would be in trouble.

He is a decent athlete (in his specific discipline). The one thing I will say is that if the IAAF could learn a thing from him with regards to promotion

Take your pick

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=73261564

jlang

What ever gave you the idea I need more t-shirts? Especially cotton ones.

MrCreosote

A good present will be something both thoughtful and meaningful, but that also expands a person's horizons and opens their mind.

So something like "The triathlete's training bible" or even a subscription to Triathlete Europe magazine would be perfect for a runner.

Enduro

ecoli wrote: »

Regards Karnazes - if he could sprint half as well as he markets himself Bolt would be in trouble.

He is a decent athlete (in his specific discipline). The one thing I will say is that if the IAAF could learn a thing from him with regards to promotion

Take your pick

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=73261564

Agreed about his phenomenal self-promotion abilities. But he really isn't a descent athlete (in any sense). Average would describe him better. The one time he actually turned up to race descent athletes at the 24 hour world champs he was 2nd last (if you count the ladies results in).

likestosmile

A years subscription to the Irish runner mag..best present for a runner. Takes the hassle out of hounding the shopkeeper every couple of months. :P

plodder

MrCreosote wrote: »

A good present will be something both thoughtful and meaningful, but that also expands a person's horizons and opens their mind.

So something like "The triathlete's training bible" or even a subscription to Triathlete Europe magazine would be perfect for a runner.

Not at all - utter nonsense. No way ...

Itziger

Enduro wrote: »

Agreed about his phenomenal self-promotion abilities. But he really isn't a descent athlete (in any sense). Average would describe him better. The one time he actually turned up to race descent athletes at the 24 hour world champs he was 2nd last (if you count the ladies results in).

And there was I thinking he was a great downhiller!

dna_leri

MrCreosote wrote: »

A good present will be something both thoughtful and meaningful, but that also expands a person's horizons and opens their mind.

So something like "The triathlete's training bible" or even a subscription to Triathlete Europe magazine would be perfect for a runner.

Ya, so they can give up running and just talk about it, and their bike and their gear and their bike...

nerraw1111

Triathlete magazines remind me of the Financial Times Weekend magazine. Full of mad expensive stuff that you must own if you want to part of the in-crowd. The descriptions of the products in either magazine are equally ridiculous. And there's always one photograph that is so cringy, you have to hide it from friends...pretty much any issue with a pic of Faris Al-Sultan

tunney

nerraw1111 wrote: »

Triathlete magazines remind me of the Financial Times Weekend magazine. Full of mad expensive stuff that you must own if you want to part of the in-crowd. The descriptions of the products in either magazine are equally ridiculous. And there's always one photograph that is so cringy, you have to hide it from friends...pretty much mag with a pic of Faris Al-Sultan

Faris is a legend. The epitome of self confidence and be secure in one's self.

Enduro

Itziger wrote: »

And there was I thinking he was a great downhiller!

oops!

Tipp man running

likestosmile wrote: »

A years subscription to the Irish runner mag..best present for a runner. Takes the hassle out of hounding the shopkeeper every couple of months. :P

Yip I get this every year as a present.....also socks, lots of running socks..luckily enough I can wear nearly anything on my feet without any issues.