Gifts for Runners

The that time of the year... when I spend hours agonizing over what gifts to give the people in my life. If only they were all runners - I would know exactly the thoughtful, useful gift to give! And then I realize, as non-runners, they are equally clueless about what I'd like.

Well, fret no more. Here is a list of gifts sure to please any runner in your life.

Happy Holidays!

GIFTS FOR ACTUALLY RUNNING

Lube'n'Tune

Feel awkward giving your runner lubricant this holiday season? Don't. It's actually super useful.

Victory Bag

Stephen is always "borrowing" my Victory drop bag. We use it at every race - and even on a lot of long training runs (when I stash supplies in my truck). Help your runner get organized and be prepared with one of these babies.

Picky Club

It's like a wine club, but for food. GENIUS. Treat your runner to a package of delicious Picky Bars each month - and fuel them as they train for their next endeavor!

 

GIFTS TO ENJOY AT HOME

UltraSignUp Gift Certificate

Seriously, why isn't this a thing?

So it isn't a thing. Yet. But just give your runner a Visa gift card labeled "RACE ENTRIES" and a bottle of wine. Both will be gone before New Years.

Thank me later.

Quick Strength for Runners

This book is fantastic. ALL runners need to do more strength training. It breaks down weekly workouts and has great photos so you can see how to do basic and advanced forms for each exercise. Your runner will love/hate you for it, and you'll look like you did your homework.

Trail Art

I can't resist a little self-promotion! Making gifts for runners is what got me started with trail art. Bring the trails back home with a print or canvas that your runner can hang at home or work.

UltraRunning Magazine

Your runner buys these one-at-a-time at the running shop anyway. If he doesn't, he wants to. Make his life easier by gifting a subscription! Each issue is filled with race-recaps, helpful articles, and great photos. It's really like 12 gifts, for the price of one. 

 GIFTS FOR LOOKING FLY

Selfie Stick

How else can you capture a glamour shot on a solo-run?! Give the gorgeous runner in your life a selfie-stick or tripod so they can document and capture every moment of those peaceful long runs.

Turns you into:

Ay papí!

Suunto

Sorry, Mr. Shane (of Shane Co. commercial fame), she doesn't want jewelry or diamonds this year. SHE WANTS A SUUNTO! Can a diamond ring track your miles, heartrate, and elevation gain? Get her something that represents who she is - sexy, smart, and strong. Bam.

SFRC Patagonia R1 Jacket

If you're looking to impress, drop some dough on something your runner won't get herself. I love gear I can wear while running AND still look good afterwards. SFRC has a bunch of new winter product in, and the jackets are dope.

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

Runners - if you don't get any of these under the tree...

Things I love: Handful bras!

By: Maggie

Thank goodness I don't have a lot going on in the bazoonga department, because I HATE shopping for bras. They never fit right! How is it possible that we've sent a man to the moon, but physicists and humanitarians around the world can't figure out how to create a bra that doesn't chafe around your chest / leave a gap to peek down / look pointy a la Madonna ?? This will be my first executive order when I'm President.

I usually just get a cheap $10 bra because if I'm going to hate and complain about a worthless, ill-fitting bra, I'd rather not spend a wad of dough on it. HOWEVER, I heard about this awesome company up in Portland, Oregon, where women were actually designing and making REAL bras for REAL women. 

So, for example, this bra has adjustable straps that can be cross-back or straight over the shoulders. It has removable pads, so I wear it to work as a "real" bra with shaped cups, and then I remove the cups for my runs at lunch or after work. yes... Yes... YES! 

But wait, there's more! Not only is each bra basically a 4-in-1 kinda deal (2 strap styles, with/without cups), but they come in great colors. I like wearing these to yoga, to lunch, to work, and most of all - on runs! The colors are great. I've got the Purple Mountains Majesty and Freshly Squeezed Orange, but I'm eyeing the No Headlights White next... And they aren't just pretty, they are actually functional. I haven't chaffed in any of my normal hot-spots (sternum/middle of the chest strap, under my arms or mid-back with a hydration pack on). I'm not sure if the pad pockets were meant to carry a phone/ Gu packets/ keys, but they work great for that too!

They have 6 different sizes, based mostly on chest circumference. I don't think that there are underwires in any of them, so for my well-endowed sistas, you may still need your velcro straps and metal clasps... But for my fellow members of the itty-bitty titty committee, welcome to a new era of sports bras!

Website:
www.handful.com

They are also approved mastectomy bras and support the survivor community.

Oh yeah, and they're made in the USA.
'MERICA.

Things I love: Handheld bottles!

By: Maggie

I love running with water! I know I don't drink enough water every day (FYI - we should all drink half our body weight in ounces per day, not accounting for exercise. Ex: I am about 120 pounds = 60 ounces per day, and more if I exercise.) I like to use my runs as a chance to really hydrate. And I get hot and having cool water is really refreshing. 

Nathan Quickdraw Plus

My first handheld bottle was a Nathan. I copied Stephen's since I was/am an ultra noob. It was a great starter-bottle. Mouthpiece stays open, so you can really chug. Plastic is durable, but squishy. The pockets were totally rip-stop. There's a little "thumb hole" at the top of the hand strap, so you can adjust hand position. Minor complaints: mouthpiece stays open, so I would find myself forgetting to shut it and dripping water all over myself or pissed that I'd lost water on a hot, long run. I carry my phone when I run (I love being disconnected but I worry about safety and like taking photos of flowers). When I can feel my phone vibrate in the handheld, I have to unzip it to see what's up because the pocket is completely opaque. Also, the handband is kind of wide, and on my small hands I'd get some numbness in my fingers or soreness in my hand and wrist, but only on longer runs (2+ hours). I still use this bottle, but I've kind of transitioned into....

Ultimate Direction Handy 20

At first I was annoyed by the pocket and mouthpiece because I was used to the Nathan. However, now I really like both of those features. The mouthpiece (a "kicker valve," I guess) is always closed. To drink, pop it out and bend/chew it. I like it for two reasons 1) I don't spill Scratch water down my legs anymore 2) I can't chug, so I end up sipping smaller drinks over my run - which actually feels better on my stomach! The pocket is mesh, so I can see if that phone notification is important (like my new Hokas have arrived) or if I'd prefer to ignore it (oops, was I supposed to be in class?) I also really like that I can see through the plastic bottle. I get a little loopy on long runs and sometimes think I have more water in my handheld than in reality. 

I'll definitely keep both of these bottles in my rotation. On long runs lately I've been running with a hydration pack (yay, hands-free!) But for shorter training runs it's nice to just grab a bottle and go.

Trail shoe Tuesday: Brooks Cascadia 9 !!!

By: Stevie

Okay, so this is my first Trail Tuesday posting, but I just got a fresh pair of Cascadia's today and am pumped with the new update! The upper has been retooled for a more seamless fit and a lower heel provides a little more stability on the trails...the color is freaking rad too! I'm planning on a Rancho run tomorrow, so I'll have more news to report then!

Soooo bright and sexy

Suunto Loving

By: Maggie

Got a sweet new GPS to track my awesomeness. And it's awesome.

The interface is AH-MAZE-BALLS:

Like, every possible stat I could ever hope to know. I bought the one with the heartrate strap cause why not. Also, they give you an interactive graph below all of this raw data so you can display each of these stats over the duration of your run.
/swoon

Our first date. #truelove

Oofos everywhere!

By: Stevie

About 6 months ago I received a free pair of Oofos recovery sandals, and, oh, how my feet have sung! Utilizing a proprietary OOfoam, Oofos deliver a lightweight, flexible, and supply soft piece of footwear perfect for post-race recovery or a day at the beach. I find them most comfortable after a hard day on the trails when my feet can no longer stand the confinement of a running shoe.

Post-race chillin' and 2nd place finish at Stevens Creek 50k

These are also wildly comfortable for anyone dealing with plantar fasciitis, to which I can personally attest. I've had some sort of plantar funk for the better part of 7 months and have almost no pain while wearing my Oofos. This is probably attributed to the built-in arch, which helps reduce pressure on my heel. 

With a piece of recovery footwear I'm ultimately looking for something soft, and these don't disappoint. Oofos sandals provide 37% more impact absorption, while remaining durable, providing long-lasting cushioning. Oh, and they're machine washable! How cool is that?! 

We carry all colors in the flip-flop and sandal styles at The Running Revolution Campbell. Check them out for yourselves!

Hoka Rapa Nui 2 Trail

Ever since June 2013 when I ran the DRTE Santa Barbara 100 in my Hoka Stinson, I've wanted a shoe that sits closer to the ground but still maintains the cushy properties of a beefy Hoka. While the Stinson's responded reasonably well on trails, the height often left me feeling unconfident in my footing, resulting in a slower, more tedious descent on technical sections. Enter, the Hoka Rapa Nui 2 Trail: a lightweight, low-drop Hoka, providing plush cushion without sacrificing responsiveness.

$130.00 (10.8oz)

UPPER

I've only put ~30 miles since I got them on Saturday, but those 30 miles have been a pleasure. One of my biggest complaints with the Stinson was the heel; it felt sloppy and allowed the shoe to move laterally on my foot, which resulted in some nasty blisters on the outside of my heels. Compared to the Stinson, the heel cup on the Rapa Nui 2 fits a tad narrower, securing my foot in place without feeling uncomfortable.













You'll find that the upper material is almost identical to that of the Stinson and Tarmac and even includes speed laces already laced on the shoes. The narrow heel transitions to a slightly wider midfoot but tapers off into a narrow forefoot, which became uncomfortable after a while. I found that I had to loosen the laces considerably for my foot to not feel cramped. On my first sockless run, I did get a blister from where the upper creased on top of my fourth toe. I think the stiffness will work itself out over time.


MIDSOLE

The Rapa Nui 2 uses a proprietary oversized IMEVA foam, but there is noticeably less beneath your foot. The debut run for these was in Rancho San Antonio park where my buddy, Anthony, and I did a Black Mountain ascent --17 miles, 3300'/3300' climbing and descending. The trail can be very uneven and rocky at certain sections (especially towards the top) but I was able to confidently pick a line when descending thanks to the lower profile. I even threw in a few low 6 minute miles on flat trails and was surprised by how fast they feel! It has the same "bounce" effect as the other Hokas, but overall it is stiffer and more responsive. The heel doesn't feel as chunky as the Stinson trail, and the 5mm drop keeps your foot nice and level with the ground (just for comparison, the Stinson sits at a 6mm drop.)

OUTSOLE

One of my favorite features about Hokas is the full contact sole, which provides inherent stability without the addition of medial posting. With the exception of super technical trails, I've felt really confident while climbing and bombing hills in these. The lugs are deep enough to bite into the trail and are spread wide enough to shed mud, and the forefront is definitely more flexible than the other Hokas I've tried. Surprisingly, though, I've felt a couple of sharp rocks through all of the foam in the forefoot, so I do wish it had a rock plate, even if only a thin one.

OVERALL

I'm glad that Hoka released a lower profile trail shoe that feels fast yet still provides fluffy cushioning. I'll definitely be using it for some of my slower long runs, but I'm very interested to see how it does on race day. I have a night marathon coming up in the Marin headlands which may be the ideal place to put it to the test. They'll probably feel even better after I've logged ~100 miles in them, so check back for an update!

Saucony Kinvara

By: Maggie

So at the recommendation of this crazy runner guy I know and love, my first pair of trail running shoes was the Saucony Kinvaras. I liked them so much, that I bought another pair (not pictured). I just bought my third pair to kick off this spring training season, and I'd like to reflect on how much I love this shoe. And I took some photos of a new shoe next to my oldies.



I started running last year, like, maybe 10 miles a week, if anything at all. I ramped it up to around 30 miles a week, eased into the 40s and peaked at a couple 50 miles weeks. Not much to some, but a big deal to me. Anywho, I'm guessing I racked up about 400 miles on the first pair of Kinvaras this fall. And even though they're a little dirtier, have some holes in the sides, and have lost a bit of traction, they still feel great.












Enough with the life story, here's what I love about them. I CAN WEAR THEM SOCKLESS. My feet like to be naked. The shoes were great from day one- no blisters, no rubby hot-spots. I still prefer to wear them sans-socks unless it's cold or wet (yeah, yeah I'm not some tough ultra shmuck). I did get a chance to wear these in the snow, and they (understandably) were a bit slippery. I have never trail run in ice and snow, so while it was fun, I felt like Bambi on ice.

I also liked that the shoes were LIGHT. Like SO light- I am used to running in shoes like the Asics Nimbus- which, while cushy and pillow-like, now make me feel like a Clydesdale. The Kinvaras remind me of soccer cleats- they are supportive and have enough cushion that the bottoms of my feet weren't sore on the longer runs BUT they still let my feet really connect with the trail. It's just me, my foot, and the Kinvara making magic out there.

One complaint, and I'm not even sure if this is really an issue. But the laces are a LITTLE short. I had a hard time tying a double-knot until that crazy runner guy showed me how to tie my shoes. So thankfully I can manage, but Saucony, if you're reading this 1) Hook a sister up with a sponsorship. If you think about it, slower running = more advertising time on the course!! 2) Make your laces like 5" longer.


P.S. Are you there, Saucony? It's me, Margaret. I'd also accept a position in your legal department in lieu of sponsorship.

Brooks PureCadence 3 first glance

By: Stevie

These are only my initial observations. I haven't had the chance to put any serious miles on these...yet.

$120.00 (8.6oz.)

We just received our shipment of the Brooks PureCadence 3 and, wow, what an update! Part of the PureProject line, the Cadence 3 blends the benefits of a lightweight, low-drop (4mm) "natural" shoe with a touch of support, resulting in a plush yet responsive ride.

UPPER

The stiff heel counter provides noticeable support and locks my heel firmly in place without feeling overly snug. The lateral sides of the heels feature a unique design in which the corners are rounded, reducing initial pronation. I've worn the shoe sockless multiple times and am pleased with how soft the materials are; however, the forefoot is a bit stiff, and I can feel the overlay dig into my toes when it flexes. Hopefully this will work itself out after a few runs. Built on an anatomical last, it opens up into a roomy toe-box, and although it's narrower than the previous model, there is still plenty of room for toe splay. Probably the coolest feature, though, is the widened Nav Band which wraps the midfoot to provide mild support for over-pronators. 

Less important, but still worth noting, is the color! The aqua blue (which I've dubbed Blow Pop Blue) looks fantastic. It's a shade rarely seen on running shoes.

MIDSOLE

The cushioning is noticeably softer than most other shoes I've tried in this category because of Brooks's use of Biomogo DNA, which is an eco-friendly biodegradable midsole. This is especially important since I burn through the PureProject line fairly quickly; around 200 miles.

OUTSOLE

A wider platform in the forefoot allows you to strike evenly without having to overthink your stride. The flex grooves are well thought out and provide a smooth transition from heel-to-toe. It'll probably handle just fine on hard-packed firetrails and loose singletrack, although I wouldn't trust it so much in wet conditions.

WHAT'S IT ALL MEAN?

I'm really excited to put some miles on these, but without being able to justify a new pair of shoes right now, that'll have to wait. Brooks doesn't spare anything when it comes to form and function, and the PureCadence 3 is a perfect example. It'll work well for neutral and over-pronators alike and is the ideal option for those looking into a more natural ride.

Altra Lone Peak 1.5

 By: Stevie

Working at a running shop has its perks. Flexible hours, inspiring aspiring runners, geeking out on the latest-and-greatest tights, and most importantly, free shoes. During the 4 years that I've worked in speciality running, I've been lucky enough to acquire an unhealthy amount of shoes from nearly every imaginable, and reputable, company. Reps often seed shoes to sales associates in specialty shops in order to encourage the staff to run in their products, making us more knowledgeable, and thereby growing brand awareness. Because I've run in a broad spectrum of shoes, ranging from the highly cushioned, highly supportive Brooks Trance to the brutally minimalist Vibram Fivefingers, and everything in between, I thought it would be fun to do some write-ups on my favorite products and those which have fallen short.

$115.00 (9.9oz.)

A few weeks ago the new NorCal sales rep for Altra approached The Running Revolution (where I've worked for the past 3 years) and asked if we would consider opening an account with them. I had the pleasure of trying an Altra 2 years ago, the original Instinct, and while I wasn't entirely impressed with the shoe – it felt clumsy and an update away from being viable – the idea excited me. Flash forward to the end of November 2013, and I'm singing a different tune. I'm pumped to have found one of my favorite pieces of footwear, the Lone Peak 1.5.

Altra, as a company, impresses me for a variety of reasons: 1) As an extremely young competitor in the speciality running shoe industry – 3 years young – they are number eight in sales 2) Although they have a solid concept, there is nothing revolutionary or gimmicky about it 3) They look great. I'm not one to (always) match my shoes to my outfit, but damn, do they make it easy.

So, let's talk deets.

UPPER

Because I do the majority of my runs sans socks, a comfortable upper is essential, and the Lone Peak 1.5 does not disappoint. While not completely seamless, it does a fantastic job of staying practically frictionless. I've done multiple 10+ mile trail runs in these sockless and have never once felt a hotspot or chaffing, which bodes well for longer distances. The materials, while airy and breathable, have so far been durable; oh, and they're vegan friendly for those counting. :)

The heel counter is fairly flexible, resulting in a very pliable, plush fit, and although the heel has never felt sloppy, it does tend to allow my heel to slip, most noticeably when climbing. It hasn't been a hinderance, just more of a nuisance. The shoe widens noticeably through the midfoot into an expansive and roomy forefoot, which allows for ample toe-splay and swelling during long runs. An asymmetrical lacing pattern provides additional support and helps to relieve pressure on the top of the foot. Another cool design feature is the use of velcro on the heel to which you can attach gaiters. I love thought-out products!

There are almost no overlays on the upper, except for a protective toe-bumper and semi-rigid synthetic rubber panels on both the medial and lateral sides, which makes for an excitingly flexible feel.

MIDSOLE

The entire Altra footwear line utilizes a zero drop design, meaning that there is no difference between the height of the heel to that of the forefoot. In theory, a zero drop shoe helps the runner land more on the midfoot, increasing efficiency while decreasing impact. More traditional shoes, in contrast, are designed with a heel-to-toe differential of 10-14mm. Because I run the majority of my miles in the Saucony Kinvara (4mm drop), I wasn't expecting to feel a difference. The first run proved me wrong. My calves were noticeably more sore than expected, but after a few weeks my muscles strengthened and the pain receded. 

Another benefit to the Lone Peak 1.5 is the wide platform upon which your foot sits. They utilize a full-contact sole in order to provide more ground contact, which improves stability without the use of traditional medial support. The downside, however, is that I've found the shoe to be a bit unresponsive descending technical trails. There's a lack of precision that isn't as noticeable in other narrower, more form-fitting shoes. It's still a sweet ride, regardless. And, the 23mm stack height provides enough cushion for pounding out mile after mile.

OUTSOLE

Constructed with a one-piece outsole, the Lone Peak 1.5 has an interesting repeating triangle pattern that digs in well to most terrains. The lugs provide a sense of security in wet conditions and are spread far enough apart to shed mud, although I did find them slipping a bit on loose gravel. They've sandwiched a rock plate between the midsole and the A-Bound layer (a cushioned layer under the insole) instead of between the outsole and midsole which makes for a softer, less stiff ride. My biggest gripe: I only have about 100 miles on them but have already shredded a few of the lugs on the lateral side. 

WRAP-UP

I love Altra, and I love my Lone Peak 1.5's. While they probably won't be my go-to for every trail run or race, I am pumped to have a cushioned zero-drop option. For anyone curious about experimenting with a more natural ride designed specifically for trails, these are for you!

It's serendipitous that Maggie decided to review Monkshine at the same time I wrote this because the shoes actually pair well with this brew. While they both lack a certain technical quality, they are solid performers and will be reliable on any given day. 

On the Pacific Crest Trail!