I'm hoping I can have some advice, please, about what I should wear... I've just graduated - ran my first 5k last Monday - and am now hoping to get something to run in, instead of my White Stuff leggings and tunic top... I don't have much money to spend, though.. Please help! (I've seen the Lidl posts but I'd just like some general advice). (1) Are "real" running leggings better than normal cotton & lycra leggings? If so, in what way? (2) What about tops? The only ones I can see online are short, tight tops like professional (skinny?!) runners wear... What do YOU wear? Do you insist on a top that is loose-ish and comes down over your bottom?! I surely can't wear leggings with a waist-length top...? (3) In particular, what do you wear on a hot day? It will be warm here, soon, even early in the morning... I get so hot! Hope you don't mind these questions... I can't seem to see any pics of "real" women in running kit. I live in rural France and there aren't any running groups that I can join, to see what others wear... I'd really appreciate a bit of advice - I'm still very new to all this...
Clothing advice...: I'm hoping I can have some... - Couch to 5K
Clothing advice...
Sports direct do proper running t-shirts, which keep the sweat away from your body. Primary do these great running bottoms, with a small zip compartment at the back to store a key. I do use a running bra underneath though...it stops them moving while you run...a godsend!
Hope that helps.
Congratulations on graduating and on running 5k - it's a wonderful feeling isn't it!
As to clothing, I have some expensive stuff and some cheapo stuff but it's all running gear in the quick drying fabric. I mostly buy in shops and supermarkets in the sales rather than online. Last summer I started very happily with two pairs of capris from Asda at £12 each, a couple of short sleeved running tops from H&M and a pair of trainers that were marked down from £90 to £45 simply because they were old stock - oh and two Shock Absorber sports bras, again from the sale rail.
Shortly after buying those clothes I added a Nike racer back vest which I sometimes wear with just a bra but often with one of the short sleeved tops.
During the winter I've added long legs and long sleeves.
What with Sports Direct and Sweatshop, and various nearby outlet stores (Nike, Asics, Addidas) as well as the large supermarkets I'm spoilt for choice.
Well done on graduating 👍
I get all my gear from sports shoe.com they are amazingly cheap and good brand names . I.e. Solomon women's running T shirt £4.99 RRP £22.99.
Good luck
Thank you - I really appreciate this info!
Well done on graduating! I definitely noticed a difference between 'normal' clothes and 'running clothes' and I don't think I could go back to running in the former now. It's the sweat-wicking fabric that does it for me, you just feel lighter and your clothes don't really cross your mind. I have a couple of running leggings (only really need one though), 3 sweat-wicking running t-shirts (I would recommend getting at least two - normal length, they don't cover my bum which does feel weird if I think about it too long, but everyone else at parkrun seems to wear this kind of thing! I'm sure you could get something longer if you wanted though, like a vest), 2 sports bras (SO much better than normal bras - I have some by Lonsdale). Everything I have bought is from Sports Direct. I recommend getting some leggings with a zippable pocket in the bum for car keys etc! I am also trying a Fit Belt (on Amazon) for my phone while running which seems better than my old belt!
My staple is a t shirt and leggings. That's all I need. I only need a jacket during winter months (I used to have a running jacket but lately just been using a hoodie as I lost it), normally around late March/early April in U.K. is when I drop the jacket and just stick to my t-shirt! Soon!
Depending on your hair, for me some kind of headband is a must too, to keep my hair out of my face while I run, but any old thing will do!
If you are looking for pics of women running, check out This Girl Can or search Flickr for pictures of parkrun!
Happy running! Main thing is not to get bogged down in your running gear - just get out there and enjoy the running!
Some links for reference of what I wear:
Leggings - sportsdirect.com/karrimor-r...
T-shirt - sportsdirect.com/nike-racer...
Sports bra - sportsdirect.com/lonsdale-c...
parkrun Photos - lots of lovely runners in all kinds of gear, shapes and sizes! All enjoying running! - flickr.com/search/?text=par...
What fantastic info and advice - I'm so grateful to you, Sarah! I've looked online at these sites/images and have a much clearer idea now of what is "the norm". It's funny, when you're not used to doing any sport, to think of wearing something completely different, but I'm sure when I'm wearing it and starting my run, I'll forget about it. I'm a size 12 but only 5ft tall, so wouldn't normally dream of wearing anything like leggings without a longer top... I'm going shopping this afternoon, armed with this info. Thank you! Have a good weekend...
Glad to help! I'm a size 12 on my bottom-half too so you are far from alone in that department! I understand your feelings about not covering up, but like you say, I just forget about it! It doesn't really bother me, I'm just happy to be exercising 😊 good luck with your shopping!
I don't know what chains or shops you have in France but I like the karrimor brand which I usually get from Sports Direct in the UK.
As an alternative, cycling tops are pretty good. The hem goes down at the back to cover your bum if thats a concern and they usually have a zip pocket to keep stuff in. I've been pinching my husbands short sleeved tops now it's getting a bit warmer here and they are doing really well for me. The are also wicking fabric so keeps the sweat away and you don't 'boil in the bag' as you would in civvie clothes.
On my legs I wear either Karrimor leggings or capri style joggers. I might get some vest style tops for when it gets really warm.
Hope that helps a bit
Thank you - yes, this does help! Not sure WHY I didn't think of borrowing my husband's cycling tops...Great idea. I'll buy one of my own, but try one of his too...
'Real' running leggings ARE better than cotton/lycra as they wick sweat away from the body and leave you feeling cooler and less sweaty. Ditto technical tops/t shirts. Nearly everyone I know regardless of age/shape/size wears black lycra leggings (tights) or capris with a technical t-shirt or vest in a brighter colour...It's practically uniform ! The idea of wearing a cycling top is good because they're specifically longer at the back. You could try a man's technical top if you wanted one really big and baggy but honestly a form fitting one will be cooler....Hope you can find something to suit but seriously, ditch the cotton, it get so heavy and wet.
Thank you... It's hard when you run completely on your own (which I love) to even picture what other people wear. I'm going to try really hard to remember this, and go out to buy black leggings and a (semi) bright top! Really appreciate your comments...
You can get a running top which is quite wide at the hem, and is long enough to cover your butt. I think they call it a "trapeze tank". They look really good. I noticed folks wearing them last summer and thought how cool they looked as I expect you get some updraught! You don't want a baggy top as it will irritate you. When it's really hot you can wear a running vest or tee shirt. My fave one is a £10 Tesco one. All the supermarkets do their own running gear so you really don't need to fork out much. Running tights are probably a bit thicker than gym pants. Run tights may have a tie cord at the waist, a pocket at the back and or ankle zips. All run gear is dri-fit these days, thank goodness. Saves you getting cold after your run too!
Thank you - so helpful! You can tell I'm a novice and even the basic info is something I've got to learn... I'll see if the French supermarkets have anything similar, but armed with all my new-found knowledge am off to Decathlon this afternoon!
Decathlon stuff is good, and not too expensive 
My key points are trainers that work for me, a good sports bra and leggings that have a pocket for my house/car key and my inhaler. If you take your phone with you (recommended) then many people like to wear it on their arm in a holder. Some people put it in a pocket. Don't put it down your bra, it gets all sweaty!
Happy shopping!
Hadn't considered taking my phone, so thanks for that advice... I went to Decathlon and bought leggings and a top...but bought an XL top because I couldn't bear to buy the skimpy (to me) ones! I'm short and things don't fit me properly, and I sew ( a LOT, it's my job!) so I thought I'd try it then alter it as I need to... I also bought a belt with little pouch so (hopefully) I can keep my iPod dry when it rains! Appreciate your reply!
Matalans sports range is worth a look. I have several vests and t-shirts from there that just cover my bum. They also have a good range of running trousers but not all of them have key pockets, so check if you need one. Happy shopping!
I'm still mainly in full length cotton leggings and long sleeved t shirts - that I wear non-running too. When it is especially cold ie minus 10, l'll wear a short sleeved t shirt on top of my long sleeved. When it is especially hot ie over 25, just short sleeves and capri length running leggings bought in sales from M&S and Sainsbury's.
I did buy some cycling stuff in a sale (cycling stuff is insanely expensive normally) and was given some so I am going to try that out, but mostly for cycling - I do like the design lower at the back and not riding up. It seems to be heavier weight than a lot of techno fabric stuff - the lighter weight stuff I find really weird and uncomfortable from the moment I put it on and far from wicking, it makes me feel really wet and sweaty. I'm usually almost home before I feel cold and wet in my cotton.
Decathlon do a lovely running skirt! It comes with built in under leggings and has some natty pleats to the back and it's not expensive
decathlon.co.uk/trail-runni...
Ooh! Sounds lovely... I will see if they've got one in stock!
Great minds Emmy9 ! I was just searching for gear last night, found the NB trainers I want at sportsshoes.com, and will visit Sports Direct for their Karrimor clothing. It's a bit exciting going out and buying proper running stuff isn't it...xx
I'm in France so it's a bit different but I went to Decathlon today and bought running tights... Capri but I'm 5ft tall so they almost reach my ankles! Couldn't in the end bear those short tight tops so bought an XL even tho I'm a 12s.... I run alone, on quiet French country roads and font want to scare the farmers..... I bought new trainers the other week but still need to break them in.. Love my old faithfuls but they were €13 and kids (size 35!) so am worried about my joints if I keep wearing them! It IS funny..... I've never willingly gone in a sports shop in my life until recently! xx
Any shirt will do. Running shirts are nice, but often come with event entries. So if you're planning on some fun runs and races don't bother. Any leggings will do, but in the summer I like short tights. They're not so floppy around like regular shorts. Don't worry about your shirt not covering your butt. Running gear is different from regular wear - just look at any man running in tights without shorts. Wear whatever you like.
Bold patterns and bright colours are highly encouraged and make you go faster. At least that's what I tell myself.
I'm afraid I bought basic black leggings and an XL muted coloured top.....so it's long! I'll bear in mind you advice next tine and get fluorescent patterns.....but I hope you're right and they speed me up.....I need all the help I can get!
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