All the gear, no idea ... but magic shoes.

[ForbiddenPlanet]

I think of my running as being in "Phase 3". Phase 1 was initiation - C25K, and Phase 2 was striving for goals (running most every day in the autumn).

Phase 3 is now - after being on the IC for several weeks in January I have been running 7.3 km every other day, at 40 seconds / km slower average pace, and heart rate 10 bpm higher. Reason being that I piled on weight on the IC, and also because I am shuffling along in an upright stance and moving my legs as little as possible to protect the knee I injured.

I'm not too downhearted about this change. Maybe it's where I should be as a runner, because I feel no ill effects after a run, and it is no more taxing than going out for a walk. And every run adds to my structural fitness, strengthening my legs and protecting me from injury.

But then, a few weeks ago I saw Nike Vaporfly shoes on sale at half price. It is my birthday in May, which is not so far away, and so I bought a pair. 😁 I do scrimp on other running kit - for example my skimpy running shirts which I wear all year round were £4 each from Lidl; but shoes seem important to me.

Today I thought I would give them a try. What a revelation they were. I swear that after my run my legs felt fresher than before I went out. 😍It was a fairly slow trundle but the last km or so I ran at around 5 min / km, a speed I haven't seen since December. It was also great fun - the first time I have really enjoyed a run so much for months!

So, typical me, shuffling along, quite slowly, in super shoes used to break world records, but enjoying it greatly. 😂

[Hidden]

I started my C25K in the trainers I used for everything else and didn't give it a thought at the time (probably because I thought I would never need anything better). When they started to give up I bought some proper running shoes, "Pink ones" as I liked the look of them and they seemed to fit well. I am now on my third pair and would not be without them. I kept the same brand for my last pair but had to go for a different type as my old ones are obsolete. I do like decent running socks too but they are not essential. The rest of my kit is whatever is most comfortable and either keeps me warm or cool and most important, dry.

I have found that you do get what you pay for with some stuff. The posh pair of leggings my husband bought me for my birthday do feel much better than the cheapy ones I bought. I am not sure how much better I run in them, but they are more comfortable.

[ForbiddenPlanet Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Yes - maybe if I tried more expensive kit I would change my mind, but at the moment the kit I have I don't even notice once I start running - which to my mind seems ideal.

I think you are right about socks though - maybe that's the first area I should try an upgrade - from my Aldi running socks - which I think were £3.99 for two pairs!

I usually don't choose the colorway of my trainers - I just go for the one with the biggest discount! 😁 I am loving the Vaporfly though - if I see another pair at a similar discount I may be tempted to stock up before they become obsolete.

[Hidden in reply to ForbiddenPlanet]

I cant remember how much I paid for my socks but they were not very expensive, but far better than standard trainer socks. The ones I have are left and right footed and have extra padding in some areas.

[Beatlesforever Graduate10]

That's great, fab shoes for a fab comeback! 🤩 I'm with you on that front, most of my kit is also not expensive (think Aldi) but you really need decent shoes 👍 I do have a really good RonHill base layer for the winter and I love it, it's made such a difference when it's really cold outside! But I'm happy enough with the rest of my stuff 😊

[ForbiddenPlanet Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

Thank you - I love "Fab shoes for a fab comeback", it is now my motto going forward! 😍

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

What great shoes

[ForbiddenPlanet Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks Sola - yes they really are!

[GTFC Graduate10]

You enjoyed it and it put a smile on your face! That's a cracking pace too for the last km. Well done...you deserved the new running shoes!

[ForbiddenPlanet Graduate10 in reply to GTFC]

Thank you - yes, I was really surprised when I saw the speed of my last km. 😀

[Devon_straggler Graduate10]

If 5 min/km is you shuffling along, you'd think I was stood still if you passed me 🤣 Perhaps I need some new speedy shoes... hmm, shopping time! Enjoy your new footwear, I hope every run feels as great in them.

[ForbiddenPlanet Graduate10 in reply to Devon_straggler]

Some good sales on at the moment. I found that after I'd been browsing websites looking for a deal on Vaporfly my browser kept showing me deals on them as I was surfing the Web, until I saw them for half price.

Thank you for the good wishes - and good luck with your shopping should you decide to get some new kicks yourself!

[Devon_straggler Graduate10 in reply to ForbiddenPlanet]

Its not urgent at the moment but I can definitely see wear in my current pair so thinking of getting some new ones soon too break in alongside my current ones. Maybe I'll see a good deal on something soon!