What is a good gift to get a cross country runner?

My brother is really into cross country running. What's a good gift to get him? Something winter related might be good. He's had friends that were coughing up blood (!!!) after running in the Chicago winters. Anyone know of any good brands of face masks, etc? Or just anything else a cross country runner might need/enjoy...

What is a good gift to get a cross country runner?
A cross country runner should have Sports Slick, Body Glide, a Garmin 301 Forerunner, dry wicking clothes, compression shorts, a running beanie and gloves, Cytomax, Gu and a gift certificate to a GOOD running store. (Not Footlocker, but a SPECIALTY running store where they sell shoes on fit, needs of a runner - stability, pronation, etc., not on trend.) Don't buy cotton shirts to run in - they feel like sandpaper after about 12 miles and can cut and chafe, believe it or not. The runner's journal which is a desk calendar/datebook is also a good gift. I've personally just had so much Gu at my last marathon, I get nauseous looking at the package, but it is a necessary evil. A subscription to Runners World magazine might also be good.
Reply:sneakers :)
Reply:The Garmin Forerunner is on my Christmas list, if you want to spend that much. If you look around for the best deal on the internet, I think you can get one for about $250-$275. List price is about $350.
Reply:Find out what running magazine subscriptions he has and get hi one that he dosnt have or would like, also if he keeps his running up durring the winter time a head cover would be good, and or a new set of running cloths, you can find this stuff out at on line running links and or at any big 5 and or G I JOes
Reply:Garmin 301 Forerunner
Reply:running shoes and a scarf
Reply:Get him a gift certificate to a store that sells Cross Country supplies (like a sporting goods store or something like that). That way he can get whatever he wants. He knows best what would be the best thing for him to buy. If you buy him something I'm sure he'll love it (because its from you) but it might not be exactly what he wanted. :o) Good luck!
Reply:Gethim a sweet track suit and hot runners!
Reply:Chicago is really cold today. I live in Chicago then I know what are you talking about :) .I love the winter, snow, wind but I always running with my windstopper pants and windstopper shirt, gloves and hat are made with windstopper too. You can find good running stuff in roadrunnersports.com but basically the important thing is to stop the wind, specially in Chicago. I recommend you a nice windstopper shirt. I love it. The brand is Mountain Hardwear and fit perfect the name is Mountain Hardwear Transition Featherweight Zip. It is around $80, windstopper Tights or pants around $40-$65 which is really good price. Face mask humm I don't like but if he likes face mask you can find some goods in sierratradingpost.com windstopper or polartec windbloc fabrics are the best no more that $30. Just remember anything that you buy have to be breathable and windproof. Brands...Manzella, Mountain Hardwear, Road Runner, nike has some good gloves, hind.





good luck.
Reply:I ran cross-country for six years in high school and middle school. Running gloves are a nice thing to have. He'll need them if he plans on training outdoors over the winter. He might also need them during the season next fall, towards the end when it's cold during races. Good brands for face masks are asics, Brooks, UnderArmour, Nike, and Pearl Izumi. If you go to a running specialty store, they should have a good selection of these brands and cold weather running gear. I'm still an avid runner and last year my wife got me these awesome nike running shorts--bright green (in memory of Prefontaine from Oregon) You can find them on the nikestore website. They're not those short shorts they make you wear in the races--it's a good mix between a basketball short and a running short.
Reply:A quality pedometer.
Reply:running shoes! :]