With the holidays knocking at the door, we have updated our annual Top Ten gifts for that special athlete in your life feature. Here they are arranged from least to most expensive.
Warning Number One is a Shameless self promoting plug:
1) If you or your tri buddy have any ambitions of ever doing an Ironman; “No Seriously My Training Starts Tomorrow The Everyman's Guide to IRONFIT Swimming, Cycling, & Running" by Roman Mica is a must read. This book chronicles the my first Ironman race as well as the many mistakes he made going from Everyman to Ironman It is a fun read that tells some of the best early race stories from somebody who has made every mistake in the book. *Cost $16.95 in paperback.
And if you order it from us by clicking HERE, we'll have Roman sign a copy of the book for you and your buddy or you can but it on Amazon.com HERE.
2) There’s nothing that says happy holidays like a card. How about sending your tri buddy a triathlon card? Or better yet, getting him or her an entire box of triathlon cards just in time for the holiday season. Visit Tri Santa today and get your cards before the snow starts flying. *Cost Under $25.00
3) Our new partners, the FamilyFanClub.net, an online shop where you can purchase adorable items that “celebrate support of athletic and fitness accomplishment," wants to give a really great holiday present.
With great slogans like “Swim Daddy Swim” and “I need more Cowbell”, your family can become an instant cheering section! Imagine how fun it would be to see your child or spouse wearing their “Run Mommy Run!” t-shirt during your next race?
All you have to do is visit their web site and take look at some of the most fun Holiday presents you'll ever want for your friends and family.
They are offering one lucky EverymanTri reader a free T-shirt of your choice!
Visit their site, check out their great slogans, and then tell us (in the comments section below) which shirt or slogan is your favorite and why. The contest will end December 14th, 2008. Winner will be chosen at random and must provide a US mailing address.
Stop by the store and browse our triathlon, running, cycling and
swimming designs on t-shirts, sweatshirts, buttons, magnets, stickers
and many other products. Makes a great gift this holiday season with
most items under $25.
4) The ultimate triathlete gift basket: For those of you on a budget, but with a bit of time and energy, here’s a great gift basket that you can throw together in online or with a short trip to your local sports store. It can include:
a) The basket (We'd use a nice big sports duffel bag perfect for all the stuff a triathlete needs to drag to the transition area)
b) Body Glide (Keeps the triathlete in your life from chaffing)
c) Sun Tan Lotion ( We like Bull Frog as it is water proof and non greasy and doesn’t smell like coconuts or some other fruity scent that we don’t want to smell when we're in the heat of a race)
d) Portable Wet Wipes (Great for removing the numbers from your skin or a quick cleaning up after a sweaty race)
e) Tieless “Lock” shoelaces ( A must for anybody who want to look like a Pro)
f) Number Belt (Another cool item that speeds up transitions but won’t bust your budget)
g) Headsweats Race Hat (We like the white ones because somehow we think they keep me cooler)
h) Power bars, GU, Cliffbars and any other sort of quick nutrition that your tri-buddy may use (We like snickers because they don’t make us look like pros)
i) Liquid Band Aids (great for sealing those last minutes nicks or cuts)
j) Lip balm/sun tan protection
k) Socks (DeFeet does a great line of triathlon socks with little images of swimmers, bikers and runners. You can get them at Tri Sports.
l) Fuel Belt (And NOT the Fuel Hat that holds two beer cans) That’s something that may be more useful after the race *Total cost of The Ultimate Triathlete Gift Basket is between $50 and $100 depending how full Santa decides to stuff it.
5) Polar FT60 with G1 Heart Rate Monitor/GPS: Watch Most Triathletes we know could not train without a heat rate monitor. Why? Because they are the essential raining tool. We purchased tested our first Polar this year and we're really impressed by the quality of the watch. Not only is it easy to read and use but it seems to be truly Iron name worthy for its durable good looks and racing pedigree. You can read our Review of the watch HERE. Price: 329.95
Please come back tomorrow for Part 2 of the Ultimate Top Ten holiday gifts for that special athlete