The final in the gift series, this is a list of presents for your runner friends that encourage their running and are low or no cost. 
1-SOUP. Since everyone is super sick of their own home cooking, a wonderful gift that everyone will appreciate is a homemade soup. Carrot soup recipe here. 
2-BANDS. All runners should have a set of bands for strengthening hips and warming up their glutes. I like this brand. 
3-ROUTE IDEAS. You know that awesome run you did last summer that was unforgettable. I bet you know someone who would like to do it if they had the intel. Write up a route, give maps, even go as far as giving ideas for treats after at local coffee shops. 
4-DONUT DROP. Sometimes good health is a splurge we wouldn't get ourselves. Buy some treats, package them nicely and drop them at the doors of your friends, no one is going to be bummed after a surprise treat! 
5-BIKE SUPPORT. Nothing sucks more than riding your bike slowly in the cold. It is freezing. But, do it for a few hours to pace a friend running longer than you can run right now and give some socially distanced support. 
6-SQUATS. Get a friend to join you for a Wednesday night workout. You can pin their screen and feel like you are working out with a friend while they can join a new workout without feeling intimidated. 
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The second blog post in my giving gifts series, this post gives you ideas for movies that pair well with something fun to do with friends over Zoom, with your quarantine bubble or as a personal challenge. Offer these up as gifts, mail someone some ingredients and pairing suggestion and you are both thoughtful and amazing. 
1- Movie- Funke. "Passion is not the word. I am fucking maniacal about pasta." I think this guy thinks about pasta like ultra runners think about running.  
Preview here. When you are finished, get inspired to make your own pasta.  Buy some semolina flour and get to it. I used the Bob's Red Mill recipe on the side of the bag and it worked great. 
2-Movie- The Speed Cubers. Imagine that your hands can move so fast that you can solve a Rubik's cube in 7 seconds. To me that is like imagining winning the Boston Marathon or the Western States 100. Here is another movie with people super passionate about their hobby. Preview here. When you are finished, pair with a game of speed scrabble, try to set an FKT on a 500 piece puzzle or dust off that Rubik's cube and remember, comparison is the thief of joy. 
3-Movie- Free Solo. You may have seen it, but this is a pandemic people. Gather up the popcorn and even though you know what happens, watch with amazement and wonder. This feels like a human achievement beyond comprehension.  When you are finished, pair with either a Zoom call with your most adventure-ey of adventure friends and plan something great in the near future OR just start doing push ups, pull ups and searching for a van. 

I am always amazed at how many people aren't listening to podcasts. There are thousands of hours of free content out there for your listening pleasure. Nerdy science stuff, fiction stories, news, economics, anything. If you are a podcast listener, here is a gift to you in the form of 5 podcasts that you should listen to right now (and then subscribe and keep listening!) 
1- This one is a great one for on a run. Man Against Horse, Radio Lab 
​2- My Body is Not an Apology, Brene Brown, Unlocking Us, is probably more of a good listen for a walk, or a drive, but WELL worth a listen, for both men and women. 
3-The Outside podcast has quite a few good ones. This is the one that got me hooked. This one got me obsessed again. Both great for listening on a run. 
4-Dirty John. If you want to get into the true crime style of podcasts but hearing about murders on your solo runs in the dark is just a dumb, scary idea, here is one where you aren't scared of someone jumping out at you but you really want to know what happens. 
5- This one is relaxing, his voice is a meditation and nothing brings a smile to the face like a well written review of Dr. Pepper or Viral Menengitis on a 5 star scale.  Start back at the beginning as this one is no longer being produced, get on your foam roller have some down time. 

For all women 45+, this one is a true gift. ALL of the episodes are AMAZING. 
https://livefeisty.com/category/podcasts/hit-play-not-pause/

Share your podcast faves in the comments.