Runners - gift advice please!

[Offwhitepot]

My amazing friend is running the London Marathon this year and I want to treat her to something post race. She’s 50, I know I could treat her to usual things I know she likes, but is there anything specific a runner would appreciate?

A voucher for a sports massage? Very good for a few days after the marathon

On race day, a massive pizza and a beer.

Afterwards, as PP said, a sports Masago.
Ideally 2 days after the race.

I think it depends if you think she’ll do any more running afterwards! I would have appreciated a nice massage (probably non sport) or maybe a nice bubble bath and champagne as I pretty much gave up drinking during training.

I love a pedicure a week or so after a big run. Maybe a voucher for that?

Something treaty - doesn't have to be related to running. She might be sick of all things running after all that training! She's probably been cutting back on nice things recently too.

Things I'd have been delighted to receive would have been things like celebratory fizz, voucher for coffee and cake, Bloom & Wild flowers...

Or take her out for a drink (cocktails?) or lunch and let her bore you stupid telling you all about it! I didn't say anything to anyone who didn't ask, but would wax lyrical about it to anyone who did! It's such an amazing experience (and I'd run marathons before) that I was on such a high, I just wanted to relive it over and over.

The thing that meant most to me was crossing the finish line, opening up my phone and seeing all the many, many messages of congratulations. SO MANY people had been tracking me as I ran, so they all knew I'd finished. I hadn't even collected my bag and my phone was just buzzing. It was the best feeling, knowing that people had been following me, rooting for me, and had taken the time to send a message in that moment.
So do track her, and congratulate her when she's done - that may well mean more than any physical gift.

She's going to have the BEST day - wish her luck from me, some random on the internet!

Oh my - my feet were not in a fit state for a pedicure for quite some time! But a voucher would be lovely. That's a good shout.
I'd have told anyone who went near my sore toes exactly where to go!!

That's so lovely of you (from a 50 something attempting the marathon this year...). If you look on Etsy they have a lot of gifts that can be personalised. They have some metal trainer tags that you can have a message/name engraved on one and the skyline on the other, a range of mugs, key rings, charms etc. Or something like this with a foot mask and a sachet of epsom salts.....https://fineartamerica.com/featured/london-marathon-1-joe-hamilton.html?product=pouch

DH is running and I’ve just ordered him beetroot shots for next week. Have also ordered trainer tags (he’s running in memory of dd) and will book a sports massage for the week after.

I think a celebratory drink after the marathon, bundle of gels/ token beetroot shot, or pedicure voucher would be perfect.

Don't buy anything edible and running-related such as gels; beetroot shots; cliff bloks or whatever. This stuff is very individual, both in terms of what people like and also in terms of when they use it. For example, there's only one brand of gel I can stomach, and I only use them in marathon training, so being bought gels post-marathon would mean they just sit in a cupboard for months til the next one. Some (many) people also can't take gels at all.

Vouchers for a pedicure or sports massage are a slightly better idea; but in my experience I'd much rather be bought something I can use and enjoy straight away rather than waiting weeks for an appointment.

I would love to be bought:
Posh running socks (injinji or Hilly)
Good coffee
Cakes - eg those afternoon teas you can get delivered

Please no cheesy running tat either - keen runners tend to have piles of medals and things already; we don't want an engraved coaster or whatever (unless it's a marathon eyriri one, obvs)

Ah @Kentlassie, sending love.

So many great ideas! She’ll be meeting her daughter after the race for food and drinks so I think I’ll send her daughter some money so they can indulge in pizza and beer if they wish. I remember now she mentioned loving Thai massages from a fabulous place we both go to so I’ll get her a voucher for that too. She’s faced so much adversity, she’s a warrior and a wonderful friend. Thank you all!

Those running socks are fab @fellrunner85, will buy a pair

Oh i hope she loves them, OP - they really are the best thing for blisters, and they come in so many interesting colours too!

Are you meeting her post race? If so then a nice cold can of coke, some salt and vinegar crisps and some flip flops!. Then a huge hug.

if it’s for a few days later, then maybe some Epsom salts for the bath, fluffy socks, bottle of fizz, or a voucher for a massage.

I hope she enjoys every minute - it’s an incredible experience!