Present for a half marathon

[AvrilApril]

My DP is running a half marathon soon, he’s training so hard and I wanted to get him a little
runners kit (he doesn’t run normally so he has running trainers and that’s all).
He doesn’t listen to anything when he’s running and his shorts have a little pocket built in. I no NOTHING about running, so wasn’t if there’s anything marathon (or half marathon!) runners swear by?

Thanks

A belt pouch with room for a water bottle, phone and sweets, if he is likely to want these, is an option. But he'd be advised to do a practice run with it to make sure it's not going to cause problems.
Otherwise, you cheering him on down the final metres, and a nice meal afterwards 😊

Sports massage after?

Snickers (Marathon) bar

Chopped in half obvs

anti-chaffing balm for the race

Definitely a sports massage for a couple of days later. Not right away because his legs might be to sore to want someone touching them but 2 days after is usually a good option. If he’s got trainers and doesn’t listen to music then that’s probably all he needs unless you’re willing to spend a couple of hundred on a GPS watch (if he doesn’t already have one).

Hydration backpack (Salomon/Harrier/Décathlon) for when he starts training for the marathon!
Injinjie running socks (expensive but amazing)
Massage
Running shop voucher for 'gait analysis'
Running magazine subscription
A special medal hanger so he can put his medals on

Hydration backpack, bubble bath, baseline, foot balm, compede, running socks, flip belt, a frame for his medal

A sports massage after and/or some sort of belt/carrier for things/water. Ultimately, he’ll need to carry more with him than will fit in his pocket when he starts doing longer training runs. I personally prefer a belt around the waist one but some people like the hydration backpack style ones. It’s important though he chooses one himself that fits well so either go with him to purchase or get a gift voucher. And throw in some running gels too!

Thank you so much these are all amazing ideas! Thanks you 🏃‍♂️

Jelly babies for the during the run and then I’d get him a take away when he’s completed the half marathon. If he’s anything like me he’ll be hungry!

Please dont buy a running bag/belt etc without consulting him.

my BIL bought me a totally impractical belt as he knew i ran. Clueless and i went to the charity shop.

consult him.

A NOTCH achievement bracelet with a charm for the race he's going to do and another charm with a personal message.

I was going to say this.

Don't buy any running kit for him, it's very personal what works for different people. And you shouldn't run your first long event with untested kit. Ditto don't buy him food for fuel during the race he hasn't tried before or you risk 💩💩💩

Get him some decent lube to prevent chafing (squirrels nut butter or similar), Epsom salts bath salts for after and a sports massage.

I'm a runner, everything from parkrun up to 100k plus

Although the notch bracelet suggestion is also excellent if he'd wear it (I have one of these and they're fab)

That's the loveliest thing to do! I don't actually have any ideas, I don't take anything with me on half marathons. I do often feel really emotional (in a negative way) afterwards so a big hug goes a long way 🤣🤣

Best thing would be is be there at the finish line and then buy him a meal.

chinese or Indian that night and a beer. Seriously.

and a nice bath

Bring some warm clothes with you for him to wear after the race - something like joggers and sweatshirt, and something to eat and drink.

You might want to take a clean pair of socks and trainers too.

I don't think you need to get him anything. There will probably be a medal for doing the race, and he'll have a sense of achievement for having done it.

Thanks everyone! Sports massage booked for 3 days after the marathon (this was when the sports therapist recommend it to bed!) going to order the socks, chafing cream, jelly babies (I’ll pinch some 😂), a personalised card, bath salts, blister patches and something for his medal tonight. I’ll be ordering a massive takeaway on the night of as well. I’m not sure what he’s planning on doing for water, he did an 11 mile run yesterday as part of his training thing and he didn’t take any water with him??? I’ve never ran for more than a minute in my life, he says he’s fine but he came back absolutely sweating, im assuming they’ll have water stands on the route but not sure if they’re sufficient enough?

There are usually some stands handing out water on the route. Most people grab a bottle, take a few swigs and then chuck it away. You don’t want to drink too much or you’ll just feel sick and carrying a bottle around adds extra weight. Make sure he hydrates the day before and he’ll be fine. After the run he’ll likely be given a bottle of water and a banana. Although one race I entered gave away pints of beer!

If it's a big organised half-marathon there will be plenty of water stations.

He'll be running for about 2 hours, so it's best not to drink much that morning but have a drink just before the race.

Ok thanks, I’ll hold off the water bottle or anything like that then!

My DH greeted me with a medal that he had made at the end of my first half marathon. That was very touching. Other than that, chocolate milk and very salty crisps are my end of run favourites. I would echo PP about not buying kit.