I've just started week 4 this morning and actually feeling that I'm running more than walking now which is great. I have one t-shirt and Capri pants that I wear (from years ago when I did some climbing with my partner). I'm struggling to get them washed and dried between each run and would like to buy some new gear. I don't want to spend a lot of money and am finding the range of choice quite daunting. I'm tempted to buy a long sleeved top and long tights so that I won't have to buy anything again in the winter? I run in the morning at about 630 and have already noticed it getting darker and cooler. My question is will I still actually be warm enough well into autumn and should buy more tshirts or should I buy the winter stuff? Also any recommendations of where to buy affordable clothing? Do I really need special socks?
Any advice on how to get my butt out of bed at 6.00 when it's cold and dark would be great too.
Sorry for my ramble......
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Tgilhooly
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I'd go on line and have a look at Sports Direct, they do a few ranges of inexpensive running clothing, Karrimor is one of them. I bought long running bottoms two winters ago but hardly ever wear them, I don't seem to feel the cold much below my knees. Amazon have a range of good running socks called MoreMile they are shaped to your foot properly, left sock even has an L and right sock R so that your sock fits your foot properly, I have used MoreMile for nearly 3 years now and the first 2 pairs are still going strong.
Hope this bit of info helps but I'm sure others will have more to offer. Good luck and well done on your running to date, keep up the good work.
Aldi currently have some running clothing on sale. They have some Capri pants as well as full length ones along with vests and other things (i bought headphones!) They are all reasonably priced and worth a look
TK Maxx is good for picking up wicking running vests and running capris by makes like Nike etc - all my kit (except shoes and socks) are from there, very cheaply. I run in a vest in summer, or a long sleeved running top in colder weather. I'll be honest - I've never run in very cold or very wet weather, so I'm not sure what would be recommended for either of those conditions.
I have a primark top I really like, not tried their trousers. Lidl Capri pants are good - but have to wait for them to come on sale. I think I would always want ot buy bottoms with a pocket in but each to their own.
Thank you all for your helpful replies. Do not have a lidl or Aldi near me but could try TK max. I think you're probably right about not feeling the cold in your legs much and I'm presuming special running socks are a good buy over my cotton ones then?
Also try Next and H&M. They have some great reasonably priced items. H&M you would be better off getting it online as not many stores stock it. Hope this helps and stick with the running, it does get easier!
Hi, I have bought all of my running gear from asda!! reasonable price so you can buy a couple of everything. I bought my waterproof running jacket from Sports Direct. Hope this helps.
Your shoes are the most important thing, followed by sports bra.
I run in cotton leggings from Sainsbury's £10 for 2 pairs, and LS fair trade t shirts from there too (that I wear at other times as well). Occasionally this Summer I have wondered about getting something shorter for my legs, and I sometimes wear short sleeves but although I have a C25K t shirt all fancy wicking, I find techno fabrics more uncomfortable not less. I don't think you really need special socks as such but they do need not to wriggle - I've had blisters from them dropping down at the back. I go for quantity rather than buying specialist stuff - and even this winter at umpteen degrees under I was comfortable in just leggings and long sleeve top, and it is not as if I am fast.
It's an ethical nightmare buying sports wear, it seems an industry especially prone to bad behaviour - Sports Direct are not somewhere I am going again in a hurry for example (not that I am suggesting that buying Sainsbury's is squeaky clean)
Just to add my penny's worth ... Sainsburys are doing a nice, reasonable range of running pants (long and 3/4) and they have pockets! Most supermarkets are selling little pouches on a Velcro strap for holding phone/mp3/tissue - try the spinning displays near travel stuff. Also useful, little flat belt purses for tissues, phone, glasses - stick under t-shirt to keep from flapping. And, a definite yes for running socks! Either those suggested by Oldgirl or similar ones made by 'twinskin' - their two layers fit snugly, no slipping, L & R marking and absolutely no blisters!
This is my regular attire ... suitable for all but the very very coldest of runs! Back last winter (which was b***** cold!) I wore this plus a lightweight showerproof jacket (again from Sainsburys) if it was raining. Oh, and a warm thermal wooly hat was great too ... If your head keeps warm, somehow the rest of you feels OK too.
Lots of luck with your shopping and future all-weather running Cheers, Linda
Hi, just to chip in last winter I wore long running leggings and a long sleeved running top, bought from DW Sports on a buy one get one free offer. I also bought a showerproof jacket for very cold, wet mornings, but usually ended up taking it off and wrapping it round my waist, as I get very hot when I run. I also have MoreMile socks, they are very good. As GoogleMe says, shoes and sports bra are the most important things, then I would say whatever you feel best running in. Good luck.
I buy my gear in Decatlon (decathlon.co.uk/#) it is a good price and very good value for a good quality products. I am not sure about delivery because I send it to Spain and my family send it to me in Ireland. but I am sure you will not have any problem to the UK.
Marks and Spencers!!! I bought a pair of their running leggings in March, and they wash and dry very quickly, and in spite of running almost every other day, they are still good. They have a zipped pocket which is useful. Can't remember the price, but not a lot
Cold weather running Buff Its a must for me wearing a Buff and I forgot to say earlier. Helps keep the cold air from making me wheeze (I'm asthmatic) then when I've got used to the cold air it folds up and pops into my jacket pocket.
Cold weather running Buff Its a must for me wearing a Buff and I forgot to say earlier. Helps keep the cold air from making me wheeze (I'm asthmatic) then when I've got used to the cold air it folds up and pops into my jacket pocket.
Echo the comment about Sports Direct - they are VERY cheap for well known brands. I have never been comfortable running in shorts, but they had some Lycra rugby ones in my size and they are wonderfully comfortable and £2.99 each at the moment!
I have just bought myself a micro fleece and a highly ventilated jacket in my super large size for less than £20 total.
They also have socks in my size (12-14) at less than £1 per pair. These have transformed my footwear experience... sounds daft but putting trainers on over my old tennis socks was ridiculously uncomfortable. Now they slip on and the socks aren't too tight so my toes don't go through on each long run.
A cheap running shirt and 3 quarter running leggings from sports direct are good easily dry. Make sure you have proper running shoes again sports direct have a machine for you to put your feet on which tells you how you lay your feet which sort of running shoes are right for you. I paid £30 for shoes they are super and got shirt and leggings for about £15 in total, well worth it.
A cheap running shirt and 3 quarter running leggings from sports direct are good easily dry. Make sure you have proper running shoes again sports direct have a machine for you to put your feet on which tells you how you lay your feet which sort of running shoes are right for you. I paid £30 for shoes they are super and got shirt and leggings for about £15 in total, well worth it.
Primark Running socks are excellent £2 for three pairs and so comfy. The rest of the primark items also look fairly good but I have not tried them. I tend to buy from TK Max or SportsDirect. I would say a cap is essential for rainy day running
I don't have a lot to add because all was mentioned before but just want to say that besides the shoes the running socks are quite important. I've got very cheap ones, three pair from Runners Point (I don't know if it exists in the UK) and one pair from Lidl. They are all of different styles and go up until just above my ankle so there's no danger of them dropping down on the back. I still get blisters in the arch of both feet with every run but I think it's more because I "renewed" my blisters every other day and they have no chance to heal. But I like them anyway as they keep your feet dryer and they support a lot. I ran with normal socks, also declared as sport socks but not proper running socks, 2 weeks ago and my ankle was making very strange "bubble noises". I can't explain it, sorry, but something was definitely wrong. On the next run, again with proper running socks, this strange ankle thing had disappeared completely (and hasn't come back since then).
Concerning running tops: I have a jacket for winter (bought it from Lidl last year) which is warm enough but not good at keeping you dry. I bought another lighter one from Aldi which is perfect (and better if its not that cold). Now I usually go in a simple H&M cotton Tshirt. I also have one of these function runners tshirts (again cheap and from Lidl) which is pretty good at keeping you dry but has another problem: It smells! It still smells sweaty after a 40°C laundry but is fine after a 60°C one which is too hot (according to the label inside). Does anyone have the same problem with these shirts? I really like the way they absorb the sweat and dry fast and everything but this smell...
Thanks for all your replies, lots of good advice. I have purchased some extra bits and bobs (including socks) from Sports Direct. I am amazed at their cheap prices, everything seems to be on offer. I was less impressed with their sneaky addition of a 99p mug into my basket which I luckily noticed before paying! Now I really have to keep up this running malarkey...........
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Cheers, Linda
Its a must for me wearing a Buff and I forgot to say earlier. Helps keep the cold air from making me wheeze (I'm asthmatic) then when I've got used to the cold air it folds up and pops into my jacket pocket. 
Wk6 Run 3 - I did it!!! 
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