Trainers

[aaish09]

Hello all, I am yet to go on couch to 5k journey. I am preparing for it, most important thing-

What trainer brand or trainers would you recommend from your own experience are most supportive and comfortable and won’t break the bank..

Many thanks

[BOBOZ Graduate]

It really depends on your feet and gait.

There are so many shoes out there.

It is best to get a proper analysis of your requirements before buying.

Many people on this site seem to use Brooks, which make great runners. I use New Balance 860s because of the wider fit and support.

Just make sure you get shoes that are right for you. You are going to need them.

And enjoy the program. It really works. And at the end you are a real runner.

Now, even an old guy like me (70), can pull on the trainers and bang off a quick 5k before breakfast.

It is a whole new world.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to BOBOZ]

Brooks Glycerin family of shoes are excellent, a little pricey but worth the money, good for you BOBOZ on running a quick 5K before breakfast, I usually wait until a hour after breakfast for my running unless it's a heatwave, I am also over 70.

[Fospa]

I concur with both boboz and Almorr, before you begin on the journey, get your running style checked out. I tried on multiple trainers in my local running shop. Trainers that looked good, really found out, were uncomfortable. Finally went for Brookes glyrcerin 17. Once I put them on I just knew they were for me. And I'd not run since I was at school. Admittedly they were double what I intended to spend but oh so worth every penny. I went from £20 Nike giving me shin splints to Brooke's in slipper like comfort and no splint issues.

[Madge50 Graduate]

There are many different brands out there, the sport shop own brands and others like, ASICS, Brooks, New Balance, Mizuno, Saucony, and others, all are very good and make shoes specifically for the sport of running.

The best thing to do is to go to a reputable shop and get a gait analysis, during this you’ll get to try different shoes, however, at the moment it’s probably near on impossible to get that done.

For me, I go for the most comfortable shoes, I like the feeling of slippers!

Some of these shoes can be pretty pricey, but if it’s something you’re into long term they’re a very good investment.

For the moment, as you’re starting out, go for what you can afford, I’d go for comfort, and shoes at least a half to one size bigger than your normal shoes- this is because our feet get warm and swell during running which means our toes may rub and bump up against the end of the shoe. (A guide is a good thumb width between the end of your toes and the end of the shoe)

Welcome to the forum, this is the best place to get support and encouragement, good luck!

Mx

[Bravenewworld Graduate]

Hi, if you go on the Brooks website you can do an online test as a rough guide, ASICS do one too. I have ASICS at the moment as that’s what I used for the gym years ago, the brooks test advised me to wear ghost 12, they are £120! So will have to wait until the lockdown is all over and I can go back to work! I have just completed week 3 and locking forward to week 4, and eventually doing the park run when we can go back to a bit of normality.( up and down the garden is leading to a false sense of security as there are no hills etc) haha.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

This might help healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[GoogleMe Graduate]

What have you got in the house right now? Where do you think you might be running? (Ideally not on hard surfaces all the time but you may not have the option)

Unless

1) you are recovering from illness and haven't been for a half hour walk in a long time

2) don't have anything to play the podcasts or run the app on

3) only have smart shoes or wellies

I am unconvinced you need to 'prepare' rather than just getting on with it today.

I started when I had a small degree of improvement in decades long illness and obese. My preparation was finding that I could park at the other end of the supermarket car park from the entrance.

I started C25K in lightweight walking boots because (see above) I didn't possess any trainers. They are not the worst footwear I've run in (that would be the most expensive, trail running shoes fitted by a professional after gait analysis...I may have liked them running round the shop but outside, my knees knocked together!) If you are not running on roads and other hard surfaces, you go for trail running shoes and gait analysis does not inform the choice of those anyway. I didn't wear any special clothing either.

I did have a smartphone for the podcasts.

(The week 1 session was a real toughie for me but that wasn't due to clothing or footwear - I only treated myself to running shoes half way through the programme when things were going much more smoothly. I still run in walking boots or active sandals on occasion, but I fell into the minimalist style of shoe by accident really because I was looking for something slightly less ethically abysmal)

FWIW to put the Brooks love-in into perspective, Brooks Green Silence (no longer available) were great (but not trail running shoes so I didn't like them for mud) Brooks Cascadia feel rather stiff and rub my heels raw so often that I have stopped using them.

One tip to consider, depending on what the shoes you buy come with, it is worth considering replacing the laces with locking elastic laces, which won't come undone and you are less likely to have problems from them being too tight or too loose.

Enjoy!

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Adidas, Nike, New Balance, Asics, Mizuno, Puma, Reebok, Saucony, Brooks, Hoka, Karrimor, Kalenji .... the list goes on.

Go to a shop and try some on, and go with whatever feels the most comfortable.

And go for *at least* 1 size bigger than your normal day shoe.

[Scruffbags1]

Trainers are all about what you feel comfortable in and not necessary the brand name. As I took on running with the app I went to a running store and had gait analysis completed for free and then bought Brooks Ghost 12. The uppers are a thin material which makes them feel like slippers. Expensive but for me worth it. I joined the Nike Running Club and they a couple of weeks ago they were giving 30% off all trainers so I bought three pairs. Nike Zoom, similar to the brooks are comfortable, the other two are too narrow and certainly not sized correctly. They both feel tight. They feel like 7s and I take 8 yet had ordered an 8.5. These two have had to go back.

I’ve been recommended ASICS by other runners although not tried them myself. So it’s about what fits you whatever brand but buy in a shop, not online so you get the correct fit. Good luck for when you start.

[Cakerunner Graduate]

Hello there and welcome! I can share my experience, which is limited compared to lots on here, but here it is....when I started I put on the ratty old comfy trainers that I had in the house......personally, although I did get a gait analysis done much later on, due to shin pain, I held off buying my swanky new running shoes until I graduated, partly because I wanted to celebrate, and they were fairly pricey so I wanted to make sure I was a continuing runner before laying out the cost.......though I will say, the insoles suggested after my gait analysis, which I did buy, were an absolute Godsend.......

So, in conclusion, you don't actually need to get them necessarily before you start, but, it would definitely be useful to have a gait analysis and try some on, with professional advice when you can. Oh, and my brand of choice is Pearl Izumi....easier once you know what type of shoe you need😊 happy running!!

[Aged53]

thats a tough question. It depends on what type of shoes fit well and you are comfortable in. I'm afraid there is no "On type fits all" solution.

[aaish09]

Thank you all, you comments helped me understanding where and how to begin!!

So, 3 days ago I went for a mini run in my current old shoes to test how it feels as I never ran in those shoes, I actually have not run in last 10 years. I have been doing some exercise sessions at home.

So next day from my mini ran, I have been experiencing pain around my ankles and I could feel a bit swelling around ankle. Quite uncomfortable going down the stairs!!

Could you please share your experience is it due to mini run or did I do something wrong. I am already feeling less motivated due to this pain.

Ps: I am quite overweight at the moment.