HoldayGiftGuide

Unbelievable as it may seem, the holidays are here again. We want to remind you that you can avoid the crush, get all our personalized service and make all the runners on your gift list happy, simply by doing your holiday shopping at Phidippides! To that end, we're helping out with this handy gift guide.

Great stocking stuffers

If your runner keeps a logbook, or should be keeping a logbook, check out our great collection. The Complete Runner's Day by Day Running Calendar (the original red colored Jim Fixx log) is my favorite. It is calendared, has space for recording mileage and notes about the run, inspiring pictures and quotes and a section to record your race results. It's a handy way to create a running history library which is fun to refer to years later. If you prefer non calendared logs we have several styles to choose from. And to keep your fingers warm enough to turn those pages, we have a great selection of running gloves. For those of you looking for running themed Christmas Tree trimmings, take a look at the new Holiday Ornaments from Bay Six,.For some extra holiday energy we have a great selection of energy gels, blocks and bars.from Jelly Belly, Clif, Powerbar, Carbboom, e-Gel and Bonkbreaker. And to carry all that stuff, you may need a fanny pack, which we also have in abundance, including the iFitness minipack - perfect for an Ipod and a key. . Want to give a personalized gift? Try a Road ID identification tag. We have the forms here at the store or go to their website and select Phidippides as the "store name" - clicking this link www.roadid.com. Another great stocking stuffer is the new Guardian Light, a tiny clip on LED light that weighs less than 15 grams, can be seen from a mile away and can be set to flash or in solid on mode. Price is $15.99. A nice update to Mastervision Visor Light is the new better quality, easier to use switch version at $19.99 and the rechargeable $30 version with flashing red side lights!. And if you prefer even more feature, the new deluxe model at $30 has four white LEDs instead of three AND two red LEDs that can be set to flash mode. The unit recharges off the USB port of any compyter. All the visor lights clip neatly onto the visor of a hat or helmet.,. A GREAT gift for night time runners, hikers or bikers. And don't forget Balega Socks - they're stockings that make great stuffers!! We even have Balega gift packs ready to roll! If your runner needs encouragement to stretch, try giving him or her a Prostretch stretching aid. Having the Prostretch around reminds you to stretch those lower leg muscles and tendons. Reflective gear is a must this time of year, and we have a complete line of active and passive safety solutions. We have vests, sashbands, hats, armbands, lights, jackets and more! Stop by and check out our relective wall!

Bigger gift ideas

Ultimate Direction water packs are mostly under $50 and will keep your runner well hydrated on those long runs. We have a great selection to choose from, including the new styles for 2008. The folks at Amphipod continue to produce unique, functional top quality water carriers and have added several new configurations. The Amphipod slide on pouches work on these units as well. You can use 7 oz or 10 oz bottles in a mix or match fashion on the same cradles! The design and attention to detail is apparent in these belts. Prices range from $30 to $60. And now Nathan has really entered the water carrier market with some great single and dual bottle models and a line of hydration vests. We have watches and heartrate monitors from Timex. There are loads of shorts and tops to choose from, of course. Our fall selection is arriving now. We have warm tights and waterproof/windproof jackets for those inclement days. If you run trails or roads the Garmin Forerunners are a great way to accurately measure your distance and speed. Utilizing the GPS satellite network it provides a highly accurage distance and speed monitor and the ability to track your workouts via the onboard features in the watch. Prices range from $299 for the 405 without HRM to $399.99 for the waterproof 310XT with HRM. The unique capabilities make the Garmins a stand out gift for that someone special. And if you would rather not use GPS, try the new Polar RS300 SD for accurate speed, distance and heart rate recording and the ability to upload the data to a PC! It's priced at $249. And don't forget The Stick, a GREAT stretching and massage tool that is called the "toothpick for muscles". We carry the more popular sizes and they are between $32 and $43. And one of the most in demand items is Nike's new Sportband, a $59 wristwatch that uses the same setup as the famous iPod Kit. The watch receives data from the sensor placed on or in your shoe and records it. You then plug the USB compatible watch body into your computer and it "synchs" the data to your free Nike account on the Nike Plus web site where you can keep track of your mileage and times, share data with friends (even update your friends on your progress via automatic Facebook updates!) . It's a GREAT gift. And for you MUSIC LOVERS, Ava Wynne has just released Reason to Love, a great new CD showcasing her songwriting as well as exquisite renditions of songs you need to discover. They're in store now at $10, as well as her original CD, Never Was. What more could you ask for from a running store - gear to run with and music to listen to while you run!

Gift certificates in ANY amount

If you can't figure out what to get that special someone, take the easy way out and get a Phidippides Gift Certificate for ANY amount, bundle it with a three pack of Balega socks or gloves and you have an excellent present without racking your brain for new ideas.