The Running Thread - 2016

[DopeyBadger]

QOTD: Before we know it Christmas will be here. For those shopping for a gift for you and they want to get you something for running what items do you suggest for them to purchase? What are some odd running gifts you have received?

In the past, I've received new running tights, a Garmin 620, amazon gift card, local running store gift card, singlets, shorts, super hero shirts, and this year my Garmin 235. But the strangest of all was from my mother, Kimchi.



She thought it would make a good running food. I'll admit I was too scared to even try it.

 

[ZellyB]

ATTQOTD: I've asked for sparkle skirts before. I usually end up just buying them myself and then get paid back for it and find it wrapped under the tree later. What a surprise!

 

[cburnett11]

Late to the game here on November, work has been busy...

Miles: 166.64
Time: 26:20:30
Pace: 9:29/mile

ATTQOTD: My wife and kids know enough to try and get me running shirts sometimes at a local Nike or Asics outlet store. I have a lot of stuff already, but continue to accumulate.
More often than not, I order things this time of the year and just ask my wife to wrap them up for me... shoes, GU, etc. On Black Friday I ordered a Scosche rhythm+ HRM. When it came on Sunday, she just told me to go ahead and start using it instead of waiting until Christmas... she obviously read my mind as I "really needed" a new toy.

 

[roxymama]

ATTQOTD: My mom-in-law got me a minnie sparkle skirt and minnie shoe bows (which were AMAZING) but she clearly came right up to me and asked me my running skirt size and for the website....so I knew something was likely coming my way. Still was an awesome gift. Hubby got me the Garmin 220 (best gift ever) and I've gotten Sports Authority gift cards, boombas socks, and a Cinderella shoe necklace...cause I'm a disney runner now
Weirdest thing? Honestly nothing weird yet. The shoe bows were most unique and unexpected though.

@DopeyBadger Kimchi can be very spicy. But I make my own at home that is more fresh and less intense. It's an excellent way to get some veggies but stear clear of over-eating if you get (trying to be polite) gassy tummy. I use raw cabbage, rice wine vinegar, and a slew of korean spices and let marinate while I cook dinner. Not sure about "for running" but I like it (edit to say that it's cleary an irish girls take on it and probably super wrong way to do it if you are really Korean, so my apologies to all serious chefs)

 

[camaker]

QOTD: Before we know it Christmas will be here. For those shopping for a gift for you and they want to get you something for running what items do you suggest for them to purchase? What are some odd running gifts you have received?

I haven't received anything odd as a running gift. I have received long sleeve running shirts and a Forerunner 235 from my wife, though. I'm pretty picky about my gear and clothing so it's difficult for me to recommend anything general as so much is down to personal taste.

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

ATTQOTD: I love when DH picks out nice running tights or pullovers as gifts for me. My in-laws give Balega socks sometimes which is really appreciated.

 

[ebradley23]

ATTQOTD: Since my husband is also a runner, we usually get each other running related gifts. He knows me so well. I would much rather get a gift that's practical than romantic. For Mother's Day, I got new shoes. We've gifted each other headphones, shoes, jackets and watches.

For other family members, I usually just send links to specific items we would like. My mom prefers that method, because she says it's stressful to try and pick something out for us. The one year I didn't, she got us the weirdest gift for running. She picked each of us up a large S'well bottle, because she thought we would need something to carry water with us while we run. Obviously a 27 oz metal bottle isn't the easiest thing to carry. We love the bottles though and use them all the time. Just not while running which was the purpose she intended.

 

[RunDisneyDad]

ATTQOTD: I've asked Santa for a new Garmin 230 as my current 610 is being held together by duct tape, electrical tape and super glue and the reset button is missing which makes intervals a challenge (I use a thumb tack to reset).



In the past I've received the usual suspects, gift cards/certificates, race entries, etc.

 

[Barca33Runner]

QOTD: Before we know it Christmas will be here. For those shopping for a gift for you and they want to get you something for running what items do you suggest for them to purchase? What are some odd running gifts you have received?

The adults in our family don't really exchange gifts so it's not really an issue. I got a couple weird (quasi-humorous), unwearable (size, material) running shirts from relatives who were surprisingly supportive when I started running. I felt bad that I couldn't really wear them.

 

[Mickey's sweetheart]

AQOTD: A few years ago, my teenage son asked what I wanted for Christmas. I suggested something warm to run in, expecting him to get me a long sleeve shirt at Target or something. Instead, he went to the local running store and got me a $100 Nike jacket! I was so shocked when I realized how much he'd spent. I love it and think of him every time I wear it.

 

[Jenn_niven]

Not to be all contrarian are anything, but my Garmin 235 is actually pretty close to what my treadmill says I have run. It took a couple of weeks to get that way, but now it's almost the same.

How did you get it to come close?
Thanks!

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

She thought it would make a good running food. I'll admit I was too scared to even try it.

But its rejuvenative, fresh, pure, raw, organic, functional, artisan, trans-fat-free, and gluten free!

Seriously, kimchi is probiotic which is good. Although I would not recommend it the night before a race.

 

[rteetz]

QOTD: Before we know it Christmas will be here. For those shopping for a gift for you and they want to get you something for running what items do you suggest for them to purchase? What are some odd running gifts you have received?

I can't say I have ever gotten an odd running gift but I have gotten plenty of athletic type clothing to wear. I have also gotten shoes. This year I don't need shoes. I wouldn't mind more clothes but I want bluetooth around the ear headphones. I currently just use the apple earbuds but they fall out and of course have the wire. I have Beats studio over the ear wireless headphones but I don't want to wear those big things while running. If someone wanted to really be nice to me I would want the new apple watch series 2 with built in GPS so I wouldn't have to carry my phone while running.

 

[Ariel484]

QOTD: Before we know it Christmas will be here. For those shopping for a gift for you and they want to get you something for running what items do you suggest for them to purchase? What are some odd running gifts you have received?

I haven't ever gotten a running-related gift...I mostly get Disney gift cards when it's gift-giving time. I am so picky about what kind of gear I like that I'd probably resort to giving a gift certificate/card or some kind if I were buying a gift for a fellow runner (Amazon, etc.).

 

[Ariel484]

I can't say I have ever gotten an odd running gift but I have gotten plenty of athletic type clothing to wear. I have also gotten shoes. This year I don't need shoes. I wouldn't mind more clothes but I want bluetooth around the ear headphones. I currently just use the apple earbuds but they fall out and of course have the wire. I have Beats studio over the ear wireless headphones but I don't want to wear those big things while running. If someone wanted to really be nice to me I would want the new apple watch series 2 with built in GPS so I wouldn't have to carry my phone while running.

Even with a GPS, I still carry my phone when running. Good thing to do for safety.

 

[rteetz]

Even with a GPS, I still carry my phone when running. Good thing to do for safety.

I probably still would too as I am just so used to running with my phone now.

 

[run.minnie.miles]

ATTQOTD: I have been debating for months about buying a GPS watch... I think Santa might bring me an apple watch 2. I also have a good feeling my parents will give us a disney gift card for our PHM trip... that's kind of running related, right?

 

[dis_or_dat]

ATTQOTD: I only just got into running more seriously last year, so no running related presents for me. Since I'm picky, I just drop huge hints to my husband about what to get like: "This is what I want for Christmas" . This year I've secretly signed up for a half in February, so I'm going to get him to agree to it as my present ... as well as doing the 10k for the Rebel Challenge.

Yeah no expert here either, as said above to slow your cadence you want to lengthen your stride, which be careful as stepping farther ahead of your body can cause knee/other joint pain (best form is landing under you as far as I've read). Personally I think your times are already really fast so I wouldn't say right now you are inefficient at all. I know other fast runners that look almost like they are walking that have fast turnovers/cadence. Also, I think height comes into play too, like shorter legs usually are quicker turnovers, which to me isn't a bad thing and can be a good thing for fast times. Are you wanting to slow your pace then? Again I'm no expert so take my ramblings with a grain of salt, just trying to wrap my head around wanting to do this I guess.

I'm short: 5'3". You're right about not wanting to overstride by having my foot land in front of me. I think that's why it helps when I concentrate on landing with my foot under me because I can feel I'm having a more natural back kick vs almost none at all. I think it gives me more power with each step and a slight increase in speed with a slight decrease in cadence. For example, I did it on my last interval for speed session on Tuesday and I was hitting closer to 6:40 instead of 6:56 and my cadence was closer to 200 than 205-210. Usually I pump my arms faster to help with a higher turnover to increase speed. I might try bounding for a few steps today - exciting! Love learning new things from this board!

 

[dis_or_dat]

Even with a GPS, I still carry my phone when running. Good thing to do for safety.

I probably still would too as I am just so used to running with my phone now.

Without a phone, how would you listen to music/podcasts?!

 

[rteetz]

Without a phone, how would you listen to music/podcasts?!

The apple watch can store music and connects to bluetooth headphones.