There are thousands and thousands of multisport products out there that would thrill your triathlete. After all, ours is a gear-and-gadget obsessed sport. Great gift ideas include race entries*, coaching services, massages, and of course, anything that produces data.
*Check out our 2014 Race Calendar!
Here are our recommendations* for unique, local triathlon gifts for the athlete in your life . . . only 12 shopping days left!
TRAIN
For the swim, we recommend trying the unique "Eney Buoy." Created by world champion open water swimmer Eney Jones, the Eney Buoy is an improvement over the traditional pull buoy because the buoyancy can be adjusted. "There is a screw cap at the end of each blow molded cavity and when the cap is removed water can be placed inside. This allows an increased work load and a more intense training capacity; ideal for early and midseason workouts." Christmas Cheer, get yours here. (Pro triathlete Ben Hoffman poses with the EneyBuoy2 elf.)
Lest you feel overwhelmed with the myriad bike products available on the market this season (check out the full list from 303cycling here), may we recommend something on the simpler side, proving loyalty to our great state of Colorado? Polar Bottles are an amazing product made right here in Boulder . . . and new to their limited edition line is the Colorado flag version. The insulated bottle fits in all standard cages, keeping fluids cool during long rides.
A proper gait analysis is to the runner what a bike fit is to a cyclist. In order to achieve maximum efficiency with minimum risk for injury, establishing the best possible form and stride while running is paramount. Boulder Center for Sports Medicine's exercise physiologists are expertly trained to analyze your gait, stride, footfall and body dynamics to greatly improve running form.
"This evaluation will identify any anatomical, structural, or strength/flexibility factors that may contribute to pain or injury. Then you will run on the treadmill for a few minutes while we take rear and side view video clips of you running. We will then go through the video with you looking for any gait nuances that may contribute to pain, injury, and decreased performance. We then teach you how to change your gait for the better and may also modify your shoes, recommend different shoes, or discuss orthotics as necessary." This is a larger-ticket item for the holiday wish list, but well worth it when compared to the potential cost of injury.
FUEL
Two of our favorite local fuel companies, Skratch Labs and Breeze Bars, make some of the best all-natural hydration and gluten free food options. And, they both are offering holiday specials.
From Skratch Labs, you can purchase the "Holiday Gift Box of Love Skratch Starter Pack" for $45 (a $56 value). Skratch says, "That's a $56 value, for just $45. And that's not even taking into account that whoever you give it to will be forever in your debt which, after all, is really what the whole gift giving thing is all about anyway, right?" Order here.
From Breeze Bars, this is the perfect stocking stuffer: "This is a great option for any holiday occasion! Your exclusive Breeze Bars Holiday Gift Bag will have 1 snack size bar of each flavor. Original Peanut Crunch, Chocolate, Cranberry, Maple Almond, Nut Free Sunflower, and Cocoa Espresso." Only $5! Buy them for all your teammates - the snack size is perfect for bento boxes and jersey pockets. Order here.
On a larger scale, you can bring your athlete choice nutrition all year long. The Feed, brought to you by the Garmin-SHARP team, has put together a cyber fueling service paralleled by no other. They say, "Pro athletes invest years perfecting their nutrition. The Feed has done this work for you. We have hand picked the best products and tell you when and how to use them to be your best. The Feed is a perfect gift for every cyclist, runner, triathlete, skier, crossfit athlete, and everyone that wants to eat and feel better. . . We are your soigneur. We deliver the perfect sports nutrition to your door, every month." You can give your triathlete the gift of The Feed by choosing the size of the box, and the length of your subscription (1 month and up). AND, right now, get free shipping off orders over $50, and 50% off your first month.
RECOVER
The off-season is the time to recover from the cumulative effects of months of hard training and racing, and also the time to address niggling injuries and make adjustments to form and fit. This is not only true of the body, but also the mind.
First on our list in this category is a visit with physical therapist and triathlon guru, Bob Cranny of Altitude Physical Therapy. It is well known in the triathlon community that a visit with Bob will not only address that nagging Achilles or twinge-y lower back, but your mindset toward racing and most likely a conversation about the attitude you hold in your heart for the sport. Bob has been racing triathlon since the sport's inception in the early 80's, and has treated many, many elite and professional athletes (including Chrissie Wellington).
A gift certificate to one of his five locations (Boulder, Longmont, Wheatridge, Lafayette, Englewood) for a running gait analysis or injury prevention/strength & fitness assessment ($150 each) would be appreciated by any multisport athlete. Just give Bob's assistant Ashley a call and she will set you up with the best location and a gift certificate (303-776-3800).
Our second mind-body recommendation is the ancient art of acupuncture. Now if that thought makes you squirm, or if your western roots cast doubt on the efficacy of this eastern practice, consider a visit with Dr. Donna Mitchell in Longmont. Dr. Mitchell was not only trained through the Biomedical Acupuncture Institute in Beijing, China, but she is also a board certified anesthesiologist. Yes, for all of us nervous-nellies, Donna is able to sit down with an athlete and explain, in neurological terms, how acupuncture works, and bring credibility to the healing attributes of what seems like a mystical process.
Additionally, Donna is uniquely qualified as a muliple Ironman finisher and veteran of the sport. Yes, she understands not only your body's aches and pains, but the emotional trials and tribulations of the sport (acupuncture is also hugely effective with anxiety, depression, allergies . . . ). Call Caroline in the Timbre Integrated Health office and she will set you up with a gift certificate that is sure to make everyone feel calm and bright (303-772-9660).
One of the greatest gifts an athlete can receive is a tool for strength of mind. For the first time, specific mental training tools for triathletes are available. In the form of real course videos to be viewed while on the bike trainer, voice-over narration provides specific instruction for mental training exercises. According to the Cyclevidz website, "You can use our indoor cycling videos in your triathlon, spinning or cycle training sessions! We’ve taken the huge archive of CompuTrainer Real Course Videos and combined it with narration by Craig Howie, one of the co-authors of The Four Pillars of Triathlon, and made it available for VOD and DOWNLOAD. The series is in four, approximately fifty minute volumes, created to help push and inspire you in your indoor cycle training sessions." This powerful series, applied during the winter and early spring months, will help any athlete reap huge rewards come race season. Watch a trailer and order here.
Happy Holidays!
*None of the individuals or entities listed here were aware they were being included in this list. No promotional items or fees were exchanged for inclusion in this list. These are just some of our favorites, pure and simple.
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