Holiday Gift Guide for the athlete in your life

It’s getting onto that time where you may be seriously wondering what gift(s) you are going to get that loved one in your life. Is this for a significant other, family member or friend who is into running and triathlons and may need an upgrade? Or is this someone who is just getting started? Maybe you need a gift just for yourself! These are all great ideas for everyone.

Most of these ideas are products that we know and have tested. Got any other favorites? Let us know!

For the athlete in your life:

1.  theyCoach Lesley gear. These long-lasting, hard-wearing hats, jerseys, shirts, and more are a great way to show team pride. And the beautiful sunrise orange means you can be easily found in the crowd at a race. Great sales on now!
2. Coach Lesley! Call us biased, but we think the gift of fitness is about as good as it gets. Whether your buddy is new to training, is ready to level up, needs help to recover from an injury, or just wants to get fit and healthy, Coach Lesley can get her there. Expert coaching on activity, nutrition, and recovery. Contact Lesley to talk about gift certificates for group runs and/or custom training packages.
3. ChelanCamp. Fitness that’s a whole lot of fun, this three-day camp at beautiful Lake Chelan is a great way to ramp back up from rest or injury, launch yourself into a new sport, or just get a great headstart on some serious fitness. For every athlete from beginner to seasoned pro, you’ll hear from experts on nutrition, training, recovery, and more. Spots are limited, so claim a space now!
4. Vyper VG1 foam roller. We love everything about this foam roller: the vibration that allows you to warm up and recover, the material its made of, the rechargeable battery. The site says sold out, so give your giftee a gift certificate so they can grab one as soon as they’re back in stock.
5. Garmin. Ever just not feel like talking? Ask a group of athletes which Garmin is best, then sit back and relax. You’ve got hours. Garmins are great for training and racing information, they last for ages, and they talk to software that will have your exercise geek happily up to her armpits in numbers and stats for days. We love that they download to our favorite scheduling software so Coach Lesley can track the success of trainees' training.
6. Sports store gift certificate. You can skimp on a lot of gear as a runner, but the one thing you should never go without is a good, fitted pair of running shoes. Super Jock ‘n Jill not only has a great inventory, they’ll help you identify the pair that fits your gait and goals. Super Jock 'n Jill has been our long-time partner, and any Coach Lesley athlete can get a 10% discount on shoes just by asking.
7. Race registration. Does your giftee love to race? Races are great for keeping us inspired to train, feeding our need for speed, or just enjoying the camaraderie of being with hundreds of other silly people who paid to get up early, stand around in the cold, run until we’re tired, eat a banana, and go home. Hey, we got a really cool shirt! And muscle cramps! Give your buddy a race: go low-key and local or complete with hotel and transportation; either way, you’ll be a hero.
8. Tracer 360 lighted vest. On sale now! These are great for staying visible and safer on dark runs or walks. And if you by chance find yourself accidentally part of an overnight relay team … (Hey, it happens!) one of these will come in very handy.
9. Flip belt. Finally! A hands-free way to carry your stuff that doesn’t bounce or ride up your waist. You can put an astonishing amount of stuff in here: phone, keys, credit cards, ID, bus pass, food, and more.
10. Recovery sandals. Post-race, it’s really great to give your feet a break but keep them supported. We’ve linked to the Hokas here, but there are lots of great brands that’ll speed recovery. Your local running store will likely have some great suggestions.
11. Speed Hound Swim Buoy. Great for triathletes, swimmers, rowers, anyone whose stuff will or might end up in the water. This one doubles as a safety buoy, making it obvious where the swimmer is in the water.
12. Hydration pack. UltrAspire makes a range of vests, so there’s sure to be one that fits your buddy’s needs and preferences and your budget. Lots of pocket variations to carry just about anything a trail runner requires, even for a long haul. Need help choosing? Check out our blog on how to identify the right hydration system. Seven Hills Running Shop located close to Discovery Park is a terrific resource for trail (or any) runners, with all kinds of hydration packs, shoes, events, training runs, expert advice, and more.
13. Running vest. It can get pretty chilly here in the Pacific Northwest, yet not necessarily so cold a full jacket is needed. A running vest is our go-to piece of gear. This Oiselle vest will keep your core warm, allowing you to go farther and stay out longer. Reflective piping helps keep you visible on the roads or trails. Zipper pockets help you keep hold of your stuff.  
14. Long-sleeve wool shirt. Ever been around a runner who’s been stuck inside too long? Yeah, give yourself the gift of peace and quiet with a long-sleeve wool shirt that gives your runner buddy a wider range of acceptable temperatures. Smartwool has all the temperature control of wool without the itch.
    
    

Especially for bikers and triathletes:

1. Bike lights. A must for anyone putting in long training miles on short days! Some places (like Seattle) require cyclists to have lights after dark, so don’t risk injuring yourself and others or getting a ticket. Read our blog on reflective gear and lights for additional information. 
   
2. Bike tune-up. This is a great time of year to get a tune-up! Bike shops aren’t as busy in the winter, and most bikers are willing to get their butts out of their saddles for a day or two when it’s frosty outside. Like stretching, pretty much every biker will tell you how great tune-ups are. And like stretching, pretty much every biker won’t do it unless prodded. So prod.
   
3. Bike shoe covers. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we’re lucky to be able to bike pretty much year-round. However, it’s not always comfortable in the rain and the cold, so we have some good gear to help us take on the elements. Bike Booties are great for keeping feet warm, even in the wet.
4. Coach Lesley swim cap. This is almost as much a gift for you or your swimmer buddy’s friends and family as it is for her. The bright orange is super visible and immediately identifiable, making your swimmer easier to find in the water or in a crowd.
   

Stocking Stuffers:

If your budget doesn’t quite extend to a hydration pack or pair of running shoes, we can guarantee the stuff on this list will also delight your athlete buddy!

1. Amphipod vizlet light up LED reflectors. These magnets go anywhere and stay in place. LOVE THEM. We put them on the dog’s harness to light up the black lab on dark paths.
2. Coppertone or Banana boat spray sunscreen. Quick and easy for athletes, we really like these for triathlons when you need speed!
3. Chamois butt’r. If you don’t know what this is, we’re not going to tell you. But your biker buddy will thank you, believe us.
4. body glide. Another product that ranks high on the TMI scale, just about any distance runner would be happy to find this in his stocking. Much better than hollering in the shower when you find those chafed spots.
5. TRISWIM Shampoo to save hair from chlorine. Lots of options, including this good one.
6. huma gels. Just watch the video. Then buy stuff. The nutrition is smart, the understanding of the needs of athletes is comprehensive. Gluten-free, vegan, and the people are funny, so what’s not to love?  
7. Coach Lesley recommends RXBARs for her athletes who struggle to get all the protein they need with the right balance of good fats. These bars are really good and taste like food, not like a laboratory.
8. Goggles, ear plugs. Swimmers will thank you for these! You can never have too many pairs of either. Consider some anti-fog to go with the goggles for a complete treat.
9. Head band. We have lots of runners with longer hair, so head bands are particularly popular with our crowd. Finding one that doesn’t slip but also doesn’t pull hair out can be tricky, so this article from Runner’s World may help you ID the right one.
10. Resistance band. Exercise anywhere! Great for building hip and glute strength – two areas runners notoriously neglect.
11. Socks. See Smartwool above or check out Balega for socks that hold up for the long haul.

Phew! We know, shopping is an endurance event all of its own, so we hope this helps. Whether the gift is for you or someone you care about, we hope someone unwraps a whole lot of fabulous miles. Very Happy Holidays from Team Coach Lesley!