It’s that time of year again which means it time to figure out what to get a triathlete that already has everything or is a newbie in the sport and needs some help. Well, we hope to take some of the pain out of your holiday shopping with our list of 16 great gift ideas for your triathlete.

Presented by the 2nd Annual TRIJUICE Holiday Giveaway Contest.

Stocking Stuffers
Here are some small gift ideas that any triathlete would enjoy this holiday season.

• Help any triathlete save time getting secured in their running shoes with a set of Xtenex Laces. These unique laces have an elastic core and a series of knots along the entire length of the lace at consistent length intervals. Stretch the lace and the knots disappear, release the tension and the knots reappear. The more knots between the eyelets on the shoes lessens the tension; the fewer knots between eyelets increases tension. This technology enhances footwear fit, comfort and performance. They are available in a wide variety of colors! MSRP: $19.95 (www.xlaces.com)

• Here is a little something for the triathlete who has accomplished the ultimate test of endurance or one day dreams of doing so - a Silver M-Dot key chain. The nice thing about this key chain is that it’s not made out of plastic; it’s a nice hunk of metal and has a nice price to go with it. MSRP: $7.95 (www.shopironman.com)

• Triathlon involves spending a lot of time training and/or racing on a bike which can cause chafing in some sensitive areas. Here is a product that will make a triathlete’s ride more comfortable, DZ Nuts high viscosity chamois cream. DZ Nuts is scientifically formulated to minimize the effects of chafing and burning every time they ride. MSRP: $23.00 (www.dznuts.com)

• Here is a good stocking stuffer, a pair of SLS3 Compression Sox. Their innovative graduated compression technology maximizes the blood circulation in the muscles. The supportive effect and the compression of the SLS3 Compression Sox reduce the muscle vibration drastically, which leads to less damage of the soft tissue and less sore muscles. This will improve their performance in training, competition and recovery. MSRP: $57.95 (www.slstri.com)

• A bike mechanical issue is bound to happen to any triathlete. The end result after fixing the problem could be dirty and greasy hands. How about getting them some Grease Monkey Wipes so they can cleanup after their unfortunate situation. Grease Monkey Wipes are individually packaged cleaning wipes that use an all-natural citrus formula to easily remove grease, grime, oil or other messes from skin and surfaces. They can store one in their bike bag or tuck one in their jersey when training or racing. MSRP: $11.99 for 12 Wipes (www.greasemonkeywipes.com)

Essentials
Triathlete's tend to have a lot of gear. Some of the basics include socks, tri / cycling shorts, jerseys or nutrition items. We ignored those items and came up with some other exciting gift ideas.

• Run Workouts for Runners and Triathletes is the perfect gift for the self-coached triathletes who want variety in their run training regime. Olympic-level coach Bobby McGee and world champion marathoner Mark Plaatjes team up to give athletes a complete collection of workouts and training plans. McGee explains precisely how runners can determine their training paces and how to balance hard days with easy days. Run Workouts for Runners and Triathletes includes new takes on the workouts that all runners and triathletes should practice and master, such as track repeats, hill running, and interval training. Its compact in size, has sweatproof pages, and the ideal book to take to the track. MSRP: $29.95 (www.velopress.com)

• Swimming is probably the one thing that most triathletes dread if they don’t come from a swimming background. The athlete who dread running usually get by using an MP3 players, so why not do the same for the swim. It’s now possible to do that with H2O Audio's Interval Waterproof Headphone System. Help them get revved up and through their swim workout with a water proof MP3 player. The iPod shuffle (2nd and 3rd Gen) product features a variety of earplugs sizes, a secure swim goggle attachment system, and an ergonomic design. MSRP: $79.99 - $99.99 (www.h2oaudio.com)

• How about upgrading their current watch with a brand new Timex Ironman Sleek 150-Lap with TapScreen Technology*. This is not your ordinary Timex Ironman watch; this new and highly innovative watch features three signature elements – TapScreen Technology, Target time pacer, and Labeled interval timers. They are designed to enhance the user’s performance by allowing the athlete to focus less on managing their watch during their workouts. TapScreen Technology offers effortless access to advanced lap features • Target Time Pacer, delivers distinct audible alerts and pace advice • 16 labeled Interval timers, makes complex interval workouts easy and efficient • Hydration and nutrition alarms, remind the user to refuel at regular intervals. The watches are available in a variety of men’s and women’s styles. MSRP: $89.95 (www.timexironman.com)

• Here is a gift idea for the female triathlete in your life, a SkirtSports RaceBelt Skirt – Made for female triathletes of all shapes and sizes. This cover-up-styled skirt can easily be worn for the run portion of a triathlon. The neat feature is that is has integrated snaps for their race number, so they don’t need to worry about safety pins while the silicone waistband gripper holds the RaceBelt Skirt in place. MSRP: $42.00 (www.skirtsports.com)

• Here is a good book for any triathlete, Unthinkable – by Scott Rigsby. After losing both of his legs in a car accident at age 18, Scott battled his way back from depression and addiction to achieve the unthinkable—become the first double-leg amputee ever to cross the finish line in the sporting world’s most grueling and prestigious competition, the Ironman Triathlon. Scott has since become an inspiration to hundreds of thousands of physically challenged and able-bodied athletes the world over. Unthinkable documents Scott’s remarkable journey. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Scott Rigsby Foundation, a Georgia-based non-profit organization dedicated to inspire, inform, and enable physically challenged individuals with loss of limb or mobility to live an active lifestyle. MSRP: $19.99 Unthinkable (Hardcover) (www.scottrigsby.com)

Special Items
The state of the economy is affecting everyone; here are a couple of excellent ideas that would be appreciated by any triathlete and get you a nice hug this holiday season.

• Staying properly hydrated during training or a triathlon event is a key component to the ultimate success of the athlete's day, especially if they are focused on long distance triathlon events. Here is a great product to help them stay properly hydrated while out on their bike. The Speedfil Hydration System is an aerodynamic, 1.2 liter, easily refillable, hands free mounted water bottle. Probably the most expensive and BEST water bottle you can ever buy them. They even have the SpeedSok to go along with it to keep fluids cold. MSRP: $99.95 and $19.99 (www.speedfil.com)

• Sharpen their cycling performance and knowledge with the new Garmin Edge 500*, a lightweight GPS-based cycling computer. It comes loaded with features, such as tracking their distance, speed, location and elevation with a high sensitivity GPS receiver. It also can track their cadence and heart rate. Once their done they can connect the Edge 500 to their computer to analyze their performance. A prefect little gift for those triathletes wanting to advance in the sport of triathlon. MSRP: $399.99 (Edge 500, Cadence & Heart Rate) or $299.99 (Edge 500 with basic features) (www.garmin.com)

• Race entry fees start to add up after a while. Some athletes may find it tough when it comes time to register for next year’s races, especially if he or she participates in longer distance events. For example a Half Iron distance triathlon might have an entry fee in the $180 to $250 range per race while a Full Iron distance triathlon event could have entry fees in the $300 to $525 range per race. Depending on the location, there could be additional travel and hotel expenses on top of that. A great gift would be a cash gift card from your local bank with a pre-determined amount of money that they can use towards race entry expenses. This should bring a smile to their face.

• We aren’t the only one suffering in this brutal economic environment, the darn airlines are as well and they are gouging the triathletes with extremely high baggage fees for bikes as well as increased ticket fares. If you have a triathlete that will be traveling to a race via an airline and you have frequent flyer miles, how about gifting them a plane ticket with your miles. They would sure love you then!

Ultimate Gifts
Here’s are a couple of unique gift ideas that are great to consider and will work for you if your holiday gifts don’t have a price limit or you want to give them something really special.

• An Ironman Finisher’s Trophy - It takes countless hours and several months of swim, bike and run training for the ultimate event, an Ironman 70.3 or Ironman Triathlon. Going the distance of 70.3 or 140.6 miles and crossing the finish line deserves more than just a finisher's medal and t-shirt. The Finisher’s Trophy will definitely help show off / recognize their commitment, dedication and accomplishment. The only requirement with this gift is that the recipient needs to have finished an Ironman sanctioned Ironman 70.3 or Ironman race. Price: $695
(www.ironmantrophy.com)

• TRIFEST 2010 - How about a winter getaway in Tucson, Arizona that will give her or him a jump start on the triathlon training season? Enjoy the warm weather while he or she is out on the sunny roads climbing Mt. Lemmon or Gates Pass, running on scenic trails or taking advantage of everything else TRIFEST has to offer: Multisport Health & Wellness Expo • Free Group Rides & Runs • Affiliated Training Camps • Educational Conference • Meet or Train with Professional Triathletes MSRP: ?? (www.trifest.com)

Don’t forget to check out the 2nd Annual TRIJUICE Holiday Giveaway Contest. Contest runs December 7th – 12th, 2009 at http://www.trijuice.com/