The Best Black Friday Gifts You Should Buy a Runner in 2020
Black Friday. Did you know this term originated in Philadelphia where police termed the phrase to describe the heavy traffic that would happen the day after Thanksgiving? No? I didn’t either. This also has nothing to do with this blog, just trying to help you out with future trivia nights.
This Black Friday - there’s obviously going to be a lot of online shopping. For obvious reasons. Saying that, if you have the chance to safely shop local, I highly recommend going that route to support your local businesses!
From a runner/fitness addict point of view, I wanted to give a few ideas of what you can buy your workout-loving significant other, friend, family, or hey, treat yo self (per Bart Yasso - see past blog if you’re like ‘what do you mean’). I’ll give three local and online ideas, because a mix of both could be the secret sauce this year! (Wut)
LOCAL IDEA #1
Coffee & a cute ass mug from your favorite local coffee shop
Not to give myself major props, but I love this idea. Runners specifically are known for their love of coffee (most, that is). Finding a nice roast and replacing their go-to mug with a seasonal or branded mug from that adorable neighborhood coffee shop is a meaningful gift that says: hey I know you drink coffee so this gift made sense, plus you have heavy bags under your eyes so please drink this to look human again. Love you grandma.
ONLINE IDEA #1
Why only buy a foam roller when you can get the whole shabang. This set comes with a foam roller, a double lacrosse ball (which looks questionable, yet functional), hand roller, plantar fasciitis ball, and a stretching strap. This gift says: you always complain about being injured or sore and I’m tired of your complaining after your 50-mile weeks. Of course you’re going to feel sore, you dumdum.
LOCAL IDEA #2
Rep your local running store
Purchase a moisture-wicking shirt with the stores name. Maybe send a shirt from a running store that’s in a city of the runner friend’s favorite race. They’ll love to see that you remember their lengthy-story about their half PR from 2013. This gift says: I’m buying this to show you that I listen to you most of the time when you talk to me about your running. But I’m really not following when you shout out your splits after coming back from a tempo run, but I love you.
ONLINE IDEA #2
I’ve tested all of the wireless headphones and think Apple just makes the best product, even for athletes who sweat so much it looks like they jumped in a pool (cough, cough: me). Put them on transparency mode for when you’re running outside and then noise cancellation when you’re home not wanting to deal with your children. The battery life is bomb with this Pro model and they are on sale right now. This gift says: You’re not allowed to lose these headphones because they cost me an arm and a leg and now you’re going to feel bad about whatever you got me, because this is obviously the superior gift.
LOCAL IDEA #3
Socks
I’m not kidding. Runners especially enjoy a new pair of socks more-so than any other human being on this planet. Prove me wrong. As runners, we lose our $20 pair of socks more than we’ll ever admit to our spouses which means an ungodly amount of money from our paycheck could go to socks. We don’t want to buy them, but we need them. This gift says: bitch I know you lost every single pair of socks you bought from 2019 and I’m not happy about it, but also want you to stop popping your blood blisters in from of me so I’m getting you new socks. Treat these like your new born baby.
ONLINE IDEA #3
I’ve struggled to find one that works well for me, since a lot of packs chafe my shoulders, but this Nathan hydration pack rocks my socks off (see we lose socks all the flipping time). This vest has a ton of storage that works out perfectly for long trail runs and the bladder is pretty large (unlike my personal bladder. I’ll let you think about that one). This gift says: I’m investing in you staying hydrated because I’m tired of walking into the bathroom and seeing a dark colored pee in the toilet. You never flush and it’s disgusting. Get ahold of yourself!
