Top 5 Father's Day Gift Ideas for the Running Dad

Well, Sunday, June 15 is right around the corner and you haven't a single idea of what to buy your father or husband as a Father's Day gift. Choosing the right Father's Day gift is always an adventure, as most men don't have the need for a bunch of little knickknacks; most men prefer big expensive toys such as boats, motorcycles, and power tools. If your special someone on Father's Day is a runner, today is your lucky day because this article outlines the top 5 Father's Day gift ideas for the running dad.

1. Running Shoes- This may seem like a simple and thoughtless idea, but it is probably the best Father's Day gift idea that there is for a runner. Shoes are a runner's best friends. They are what separate a runner's feet from the hard asphalt of the road and if replaced at proper intervals, they absorb most of the impact created by each step. Any running dad would appreciate this gift, for the age when men become fathers tends to also be the age where injuries start to creep up more. Furthermore, this is a fabulous gift idea for a new dad. Adjusting to the additional costs created by having a baby, new dads tend to try to cut their expenses by limiting what they spend on themselves...including increasing the amount of time they try to get out of a pair of running shoes. For the dad who does that, this gift might just save him some shin splints.

So what type of shoes do you buy? The easiest thing to do is look in the closet and see what Dad is currently using. Buy him the same exact ones. Running shoes aren't the type of apparel where you need a new look every time you get a new pair. They are about performance and once a runner finds a pair that performs for him, he usually sticks with that make and model.

This gift can be purchased at just about every store that sells name brand athletic shoes. The Finish Line and Dick's Sporting Goods are two stores that have a decent selection. You should be able to find this gift up to the last minute, but the more time you give yourself, the better chance you'll have of getting the model shoe that you're looking for. Expect to spend anywhere from $50 to $120 on this gift.

2. Wicking Shirt- Here's a term that you may not be familiar with. A wicking shirt is a shirt that draws sweat away from the body. This is a great Father's Day gift idea for the new dad, because most new dads can't justify spending $25 to $50 on a workout shirt.

A wicking shirt will help Dad stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Also, as men get older, their skin changes and often they can find cotton tee shirts causing severe skin irritation when working out. This problem is a lot more common than most people think, but often the results of this irritation are so embarrassing that it may not even be mentioned. Buying this gift idea for Dad may not only eliminate some pain and stinging when running, but it may save him the embarrassment of talking to someone about his problem.

Several discount stores sell wicking shirts for as little as $7, but these inexpensive knockoffs don't always get the job done. For a shirt that will definitely be effective, look for Under Armour. This shirt has a polyester/spandex blend that not only pulls the sweat away from the body, but it minimizes movement of the shirt, thus eliminating irritation. Under Armour is usually in stock at Dick's Sporting Goods, but can also be purchased at www.underarmour.com.

3. Running Shorts- Just put on a pair of mesh basketball shorts and go, right? For the running dad, that might not be the case and a good pair of running shorts may just be a great Father's day gift idea. A real pair of running shorts will be lightweight to promote mobility. They will have a built in liner that replaces the need for underwear. This is a wonderful feature as this liner will provide the needed support, but eliminate the chafing often created by underwear bands. Finally, a good pair of running shorts will also have a key pocket.

Asics and Under Armour both have good running shorts in the $30 price range. There are generally a very short and a somewhat short style. If Dad doesn't have a real pair of running shorts, he may be more comfortable in the somewhat short style. These can be purchased at most stores that sell running supplies.

4. Race Entry- A great Father's Day gift idea for the running dad is to enter him in a 5K. It doesn't matter where it is that much, but pick a race that's about six weeks out. That will give him time to seriously train. This is a great gift idea for the new dad as he is adjusting his schedule to accommodate his new duties and may be neglecting his training. This gift is more precious that anything tangible as this is the gift of time.

To find local races, check your newspaper or go to www.active.com. Race entry is typically $20 to $30.

5. Running Movie- In this sport, inspiration is perhaps more important than perspiration, and often the right movie can provide great motivation. A few great titles are Prefontaine, Without Limits, and Four Minutes. Give yourself time, and you can purchase any of these titles on DVD at www.amazon.com for approximately $5 to $20.

This is a great gift idea for a new dad because not only will you be providing him with a terrific movie, but you'll be giving him a break from Barney. Just as a word of caution, Without Limits may have a scene or two that's not appropriate for the kids.

Father's Day is right around the corner. Especially if this is his first, make this a memorable Father's Day with one of the top 5 Father's Day gift ideas for the running dad.