Square Runners: Perfect Gifts for the Athlete

By John Pilecki

One good thing about being a friend or relative of a runner is that there is a wide selection of affordable (well, mostly affordable) items that make great holiday gifts sure to be used frequently by the recipient.

To help you decide what item would be appropriate for the runner on your gift list or at the work “Secret Santa” pool, several Square Runners graciously revealed what items they would like to unwrap upon their return from their Christmas morning runs.

“I think things we can never have enough of are lights, vests, or other items that make us more visible.”

Jaye Greenfield: “Massages, some cute running gear, a subscription to Runner’s World magazine, and a registration to a race in an exotic location.”

Renee Mangretta Craig: “Being a beginning runner, I want a runner’s watch—not asking for much—and I like Jaye’s exotic race location suggestion!

Sara Gorney Erbeldinger: “Wool running socks for winter. I also like the race in an exotic location idea. I someday want to run the Honolulu Marathon. How awesome that would be!”

Heather McGinnis: “A headlight, reflector lights to wear at night, a watch with a timer (since I don’t have an iphone with the Map My Run ap to record my times) … hmmmm, what else?  

Warm running gear!

Deanne Buffalari Tennant: Headband/ear warmer and gloves; waterproof jacket and hat; iPod shuffle or regular mp3 player; iTunes or Amazon gift card for music; a good pair of lightweight sunglasses; a spa gift card for post run massage/scrub; sunscreen; body glide and lotion; gel packs

A personal training session with Dolvett Quince from The Biggest Loser.

Sara Miller: New Asics! Reflective gear and headphones that wrap around the ears.

Erin Kelly: Road I.D.!

Thorlo, Smartwool, Wigwam, Feetures, or any other good running socks that are left/right specific. 

And how to eat like a runner:

Square Runner Renee Mangretta Craig and her sister, Val Singer,  maintain a Facebook page, “What’s For Dinner, Yo,” on which they share photographs and recipes of their yummy culinary creations. 

While many of their creations are original, they found one for orange-sesame chicken in Runner’s World magazine’s world healthy recipes section that they think is especially suited for runners or anybody who wants to eat healthfully.

“It was very tasty. I added extra pepper flakes in mine for a kick. When I served it for my family’s dinner, there was not even a rib of celery left over. The kids loved it!” Check out the "What’s For Dinner, Yo” page for a link to the recipe for this delightful meal.