What is the one 'must have' gift for a runner? I think it is an iPod. Yes, I often like to run sans music in order to just meditate and commune with nature, and sometimes I like to spend my time chatting with my running buddies, but sometimes I really enjoy listening to music or devouring a novel via Audible.com.
Even if the runner you're shopping for already has an older MP3 player, maybe it's time for a new one. David gave me the newest iPod Nano for my birthday a while back; I didn't think I needed a new one because my old one - one of the first ones - worked fine. But, I LOVE my new one. It takes great video, and that is so handy in races. If I want to shoot videos at a race, I have a great digital camera for that, but I don't carry that when I race; I do, always, have my iPod. This has enabled me to take videos of myself and friends at start lines and immediately following races. I even took videos during the Marine Corps Marathon with my Nano.
Another nice touch is that all iPods can be engraved.
This iPod is amazing. I've even downloaded TV episodes onto it. Here is an idea: Get your special someone an iPod, and download a variety of podcasts. I like to listen to NPR's "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me" and "The Sunday Puzzle." I also listen to "This American Life." Of course you would want to download a variety of running podcasts as well as a variety of great running music.
Another idea is to create several playlists. Make one labeled FAST, with really upbeat music and one labeled LONG RUN with at least an hour's worth of slower tempo music that would be a pleasure to listen to during a long run.
Also, purchase a couple of great audio books on iTunes or from Audible.com, and download them onto the iPod. Do this, and that special friend will truly know how much you care.
Here are some ideas of books that a runner would like: What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami, 50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days by Dean Karnazes, and Lance Armstrong's It's Not About the Bike.
So, that's it. That's my number one suggestion of a gift for a runner.
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