Mother’s Day: 10 great gifts for a running-mad mum
Mother’s Day is fast approaching and you still haven’t found a gift for your mum? Why not swap the traditional bouquet of flowers for a pair of running shoes or a cap? Nearly 50% of women now run, so it makes sense to choose a gift that matches her passion. Here are a few ideas to win over runners’ hearts, and mums’ in particular!
As running has grown over the past few years, trends have followed suit, and the list of essentials keeps getting longer. Having stylish kit and accessories that reflect your personality has become a real source of motivation. Brands have understood this and expanded their ranges with increasingly bold colours and patterns. Just look at the start line of any race: no two runners are dressed alike! That works in our favour, since it means more choice when picking out a Mother’s Day gift.
Everyday essentials for female runners
➜ Socks. Yes, this accessory may seem a little frivolous, but it means a lot to runners. It is the small detail that can brighten up a training session! For Mother’s Day, we found the ideal pair. Technical sock brand Sporcks and its “Girls can do anything” design are sure to win over more than one mum. The model comes in several colours, so there is always a spare pair waiting in the drawer. Other fun designs are perfect for the occasion too, such as “Amour toujours” or “Wife. Mom. Boss”.
➜ The cap. Whether it is raining or blazing hot, it is one of the essentials in any runner’s starter pack. It can also become a genuine fashion accessory. Every brand has got involved: Ciele, Compressport, Buff, Kiprun, Salomon… There is something for every budget and every taste! But one brand stands out from the crowd: Kinetik. The Breton company offers original, feminine designs in punchy colours, florals and leopard print. There is plenty to choose from, and many designs are also available as headbands.
➜ The bag. It is almost as well known as an urban legend: a mum never goes anywhere without her bag! Running is no different: water, keys, tissues, nutrition, phone… you need to be ready for anything. Often associated with trail running, a hydration vest is just as practical on the road or in the city. It needs to combine comfort and practicality with plenty of style! Once again, Kinetik offers original, feminine designs. Plenty of unisex models are available too, including those from Salomon, which come in several colours. But Kiprun has really raised the bar in this category with a vest designed specifically around the female body. With lower-positioned soft flasks and a better-placed fastening system, this hydration vest takes the pressure off the chest!
➜ With hard work comes recovery too! Looking after your mum matters. There are plenty of recovery accessories and skincare products to choose from. The trusty massage roller needs no introduction: it has become a go-to tool for easing muscle soreness. Arnica-based products can also help relieve muscular tension. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, arnica could quickly become your mum’s favourite post-run treat. Weleda offers several gift sets featuring a selection of arnica products: roll-ons, massage oil, shower gel… Your mum will have everything she needs!
Finding the right shoes for your mum
➜ It is the very essence of the sport: the running shoe! But finding the right shoe for her stride is not always easy, and mums can quickly get lost in the options. What drop? Which model? Carbon or no carbon? That is the question!
To help your mum with this mission, there is nothing better than taking her to see a specialist. Stores such as Terre de Running offer a detailed treadmill gait analysis, with advice tailored to the runner’s level and type of practice. Brooks, Asics, Adidas… there are almost as many shoe brands as there are different feet. With expert guidance, she can find the right model for her foot and her stride.
Share the next starting line with your mum
Now that your mum is fully kitted out, it is time to get serious! Mother’s Day is a special occasion for sharing memorable experiences with your mum. And what could be more spectacular than a starting arch?
➜ A race entry. We all know that entries for some races have become like concert tickets: highly coveted, and gone within minutes of going on sale. Paris Marathon, adidas 10k de Paris, Semi du Mont-Ventoux or Marathon International du Beaujolais, these races are increasingly popular and increasingly expensive. Yes, inflation has reached running race entries too! Paying for one is a wonderful way to ease the financial burden on runners, while sharing an unforgettable, emotional experience with your mum.
➜ A personalised poster to remember the moment you shared. Personalised gifts are a thoughtful way to show you care. Races are intense experiences that deserve to be remembered, and what better way to do that than preserving the route itself? Set in a beautiful wooden frame on a white background, personalised with your mum’s name, first name and finish time, it is an original gift that will look right at home on the living-room wall!
➜ An Andros nutrition pack. All that training would not be possible without proper nutrition before, during and after exercise. Andros has created nutrition packs based on the distance being covered, so your mum will not have to worry about a thing: her fuelling plan will already be sorted! To help her try new products, individual bars, gels, fruit purées and gummies are also available. You can even put together your own personalised pack based on your mum’s favourite flavours.
Technology at mums’ service
Although running only requires your legs and motivation, technology is playing an increasingly important role in the sport: watches, heart-rate monitors, smart scales, bone-conduction headphones… The choice can be daunting! For your mum, we recommend sticking to the essentials: a watch for health and performance, and headphones for enjoyment and safety.
➜ The watch. Whether runners are heading out for a short or long run, intervals or an easy endurance session, a watch has become almost inseparable from the run itself. There are countless brands and models, from the simplest to the most sophisticated, and from the cheapest to the most expensive. Features such as GPS tend to cost more, but they also provide extra reassurance for trail runners and anyone heading out alone in the woods. Finding a model suited to your mum’s needs and type of running should therefore be straightforward. A watch is also useful for tracking health metrics and monitoring progress.
➜ Bone-conduction or air-conduction headphones. Music and women’s safety are recurring topics in the running world. Headphones from Shokz help address both concerns. Bone-conduction technology lets runners listen to music while staying aware of the sounds around them. Your mum can run to the rhythm of her favourite songs without compromising her safety.
This list is far from exhaustive and works for any occasion: a celebration, a birthday, Christmas… There is never a shortage of good opportunities to treat your mum!