pressie for after running a marathon...

[thelastgoldeneagle]

My friend is running her first marathon this month. If you're a runner, what would you really appreciate afterwards? Thought about prosecco, bath salts, nice socks for aching feet... what do you think? What sort of food do you eat after a marathon? Thanks!

Epsom salts for a recovery bath, blister plasters, comfy slippers with arch support. Food is tricky as sometimes your stomach kind of closes up after a long race, so I tend to not eat much (only half marathon experience, but I know I'm not alone in this), so something that will keep til later if necessary.

What a nice thought though.

Fab, thanks, GrandChamp, will add those!

I’d go for a bottle of her favourite tipple. I’m not hungry after a marathon for at least a day and when I do feel hungry I crave weird things so I’d avoid food. I wouldn’t appreciate bath salts or socks as I have plenty!

I like to be taken out for a really large glass of wine and for the taker to make a magnificent fuss of my finisher’s medal

Failing that - voucher for a pedicure. My feet go to bits during training: blood blisters, toenails falling off, the works.

(Buoyed to see other post-marathon non-eaters - I can’t either, and everyone insists I should be totally ravenous and thinks it’s weird I’m not!)

My favourite things after a marathon (i've done a few) are-

Beer
Takeaway
Chocolate
A film

I usually don’t feel like I’m having the full value of a pedicure as I never seem to have the full complement of toenails!

My best friend sent me a little star shaped pin badge the week before with a hand written message from her 2 DC about bringing me luck - I wore it on my race bib and was chuffed to bits with it

But I also second a bottle of her fave booze or chocolates because she'll probably have given up both if she's only a month out

My friend did me a hamper containing fluffy socks, bath salts, foot cream, magazines, chocolate, crisps and a marathon trainer tag - was much appreciated!

A voucher for a sports massage (although may be a bit £££)? My friend came with me and cheered me on near the finish line and that was priceless. I’m not sure if that’s possible?

I've recently run my first. The best gifts were Oofo flip flops (got those beforehand though), being treated to breakfast a day or two after and a (nice) full body massage in the days after.

I wasn't hungry after and didn't drink any alcohol for a week after.

I second the massage - really helps with recovery!

Or a voucher for a spa day or spa treatment. Doesn't have to be very expensive, could be an entry to a lido with a sauna or similar if your friend is anywhere near one. The one I am thinking of is the Thames Lido in Reading but there are loads of them.

A couple of years ago I recovered from a half marathon at this place in Cologne - it was wonderful and not expensive to go in, but it is a rather long way to go! www.claudius-therme.de/en/

I'm a marathon runner. Sometimes they have someone there doing post race massages. You could see if you could book one (if that's an option).

My mum always meets me at the end with 2 snickers a banana and a can of coke.

Ooh, some great ideas, thank you all. Her feet are in a bit of a mess with black toenails so not sure a pedi is right for now... but a massage is a great plan.

Bottle of wine and a voucher for the local takeaway. Ive done 2 seriously tough ones and the thought of a glass of wine kept me going.

So, massage voucher and hamper including wine and takeaway. Fab. Thanks :)

A lift home from the station.
Proper podiatrist session.
Massage.
Deep heat for the day after.

If you look online there is some good Runner’s jewellery. Things like silver bangles with motivational running quotes engraved on them. You can also get shoe charms, same sort of thing but a silver bar that fits on your laces with a quote or a picture.
Or you can have her race bib turned into a set of coasters.
Maybe look at medal hangers so she can display her medals in style?
All available online.

Another runner popping in to say what a lovely friend you are 💐