Clothing to run in

[Apecouch]

I found it very cold today - my first run and was glad I had hat, gloves and jumper on. For the 60 seconds jog I had to do it on the spot as my chest too heavy. I'm truing a sports bra Monday. Also any suggestions about foot wear?

[nowster Graduate]

For your first few weeks, simply find some comfortable outdoor shoes that aren't impractical. Maybe not fashion trainers (most are not practical for running), and most definitely not wellies or stilettos. Something you wouldn't mind getting scuffed.

Later on you can think about getting proper running shoes. They don't have to cost the earth, either.

[Apecouch in reply to nowster]

Thank you.

[Dancer54 in reply to nowster]

Sainsbury’s do good sports bras and are cheap. I like their front zip ones.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.Check out the FAQ Posts for info on a range of running related topics healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Enjoy your journey.

[Apecouch in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you

[Cmoi Graduate]

Hi Apecouch , a sports bra is definitely advisable, particularly if you're larger-breasted. Post-menopausal me would melt in hat, gloves and jumper but if it's working for you, why not? Personally I prefer running-specific clothing, as I find it helps me regulate temperature better, but you don't have to spend a fortune - most of mine comes from Lidl!

Enjoy C25K - it's surprising what we can do when we put our minds to it!

[Apecouch in reply to Cmoi]

Thank you. It's my first run today - I will definitely need to buy some running clothes - I'll look in Lidl - thank you Cmoi.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Apecouch]

They have great stuff in currently.

[misswobble Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Do they? Maybe it’s coming to our branch shortly. I checked my store online yesdy but nothing doing

Much of my fave gear is Lidl and Aldi 🥰

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to misswobble]

This was in Porthmadog in Wales

[misswobble Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Ah! I shall stay alert!

It’s not been great at lidl for several seasons past though, not since the bumper bundle year of 2018 when I bought the lot! 😁☺️ TBF my niece chipped in as she had to go to her local branch to get the stuff I couldn’t. She says folks at her store clearly don’t run whereas there are loads of runners where I am. Even though I was there at 8.00 am at my branch I lucked out on some items. I drove to another branch to get a few more bits I was after. It’s all still going strong 💪

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to misswobble]

There seems to be a few runners in the Criccieth area and with a Park Run on the Llyn now and the one in Conway and at Penrhyn Castle, there is probably more demand. I stock up for the time I am at the van and have bought a few things for my daughter too, for her workouts.

[misswobble Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

That year they did matching items, eg leggings, tee, vest, hoodie, crop or bra, and jacket, in either blue/green palette or orange purple I think every race photo on here is me wearing one or the other 😀

[Cmoi Graduate in reply to Apecouch]

Finding what you're comfortable in is key Apecouch . Also, it's possible that running will change your shape - I've lost a few kg and am much more toned. Buying cheaper running clothes, at least initially, allows you to experiment without breaking the bank! I've found Lidl stuff to be great quality, though obviously there's not a huge choice of colours or styles.

[Apecouch in reply to Cmoi]

Well done Cmoi..very encouraging to hear - good point too!

[LeviathanMac in reply to Apecouch]

My wife and I buy most of our gear at Sports Direct now, most brands and there are some great prices, you don't need to spend a fortune, just watch the prices.We like Karrimor gear, great quality and reasonable prices, accurate sizing in general, worth a look and usually deals on multiple purchases, just need to search through quite a lot of options.

🙂👍

[Apecouch in reply to LeviathanMac]

😀👍

[Illtryanythingonce Graduate]

I'm a relative newbie too but I bought some running clothing quite quickly! (Partly because it made me feel like a 'runner' 😂)

I picked up a couple more tops in tk maxx today, they didn't have many to choose from in my size but found two and they were cheap!

I'm also finding layers very practical, it was chilly today when I started my run but I warmed up pretty quick and took off a layer.

[Apecouch in reply to Illtryanythingonce]

Thank you. I'll try TK max too. These shops I've heard of but never ventured in....I'll have a look. I think after a couple of weeks I'll have a better idea of what I can cope with. Good luck too...love your username by the way...

[Illtryanythingonce Graduate in reply to Apecouch]

Thank you... it took me ages to work out what to call myself 😂

I started going into TK maxx looking for work shirts so know what other stuff they have hidden away! Some branches look like glorified jumble sales, others are better organised, but there are often some gems hidden away in there!

Good luck, on the search for cool running stuff and the C25k... I'm loving both, I'm sure you will too 😁

[Apecouch in reply to Illtryanythingonce]

I'm feeling quite positive but it's early days...Good luck too - ill look online too...of course at the moment what I have will do but more dedicated practical clothing later...thanks again.

[Rennur Graduate]

At the moment layers are best, so you can take off a jumper if you get hot. Keeping warm at the moment is important as you are not running much when you start. As you progress you'll find you can run with just two layers unless it gets to 4 degrees and less. The difficulty will be staying cool on longer runs in the summer - but that's for another day. I am not qualified, as a man, to talk about sports bras, but the ladies here will tell you it's the most important piece of kit you must have.Enjoy your journey. But be warned, it can get addictive and you will soon be boring your non running friends!

[Apecouch in reply to Rennur]

Ha! Thanks for that! It's hust as well we have the C25K community....perhaps inspiring someone else would be an added bonus....

[Illtryanythingonce Graduate in reply to Apecouch]

On the note of sports bras... I think I bought one in the 2nd or 3rd week. I chose one I liked the look of and took it home all happy with myself.

Come the next 'run day' I could not get the flipping thing on, try as I might I could get an arm in, or my head, but I just could not squeeze my way through the gaps. At least I could, but it wouldn't have been a bra if I wore it how I got it on 😂

I took it back the next day and exchanged it for one with a front zip... never looked back 👍😂😂😂

[Apecouch in reply to Illtryanythingonce]

Ha! That's funny! Luckily I have a couple of close fitting ones - I think they'll be ok.

[misswobble Graduate in reply to Apecouch]

I’ve got two Aldi long sleeve base layers. I love them. They’re warm in winter or colder spring days but they’re very light and fine enough to wear under a tee.

I checked yesterday and they’ve only got short sleeved ones in at the mo

[Apecouch in reply to misswobble]

👍

[Debsyp Graduate]

Sports bras can be expensive too. I have two from M&S which have cup sizes, I wear 32gg and they fit like a dream! I also purchased a sports bra from H&M which is firm support and very comfortable too. H&M also do some reasonably priced sportswear if you happen to have a branch close by. Good luck with the C25K, have faith in the programme, it really does work

[misswobble Graduate in reply to Debsyp]

I was gifted two lovely Marks front fastening ones. I was still losing weight then though so they quickly became too big. I rehomed them via Freecycle 🙂

[Geimfarinn]

Someone mentioned layers. In my early runs that worked for me, especially as initially you aren't running much.

The average temperature here is -5°C with relatively low humidity so I used a wool jumper over a T Shirt.

But now I'm just in a T-shirt and shorts. But it's important to have something warm to wear as soon as I've finished so I carry a down jacket in the car.

Good shoes too, your knees and ankles will thank you for that.

Can't help with the sports bra problem, my man boobs are actually getting smaller with my new exercise programme 😊😂🤣

Seriously though, good luck with your journey. It's a wonderful thing to think that in as little as 9 weeks you will be running 30mins

I'm nearly finished, currently on week 8 and I never thought I would be doing this.

So hang in there, and the best of luck

[Apecouch in reply to Geimfarinn]

Well done and thank you that's very encouraging.

[Cornishblonde]

I got some good bits in Sainsbury’s too including a sports bra, I quickly invested in some shoes, which helped greatly, and will double up as walking trainers in the summer. Not far from Lidl, so I will take a look there too.

[DorsetDiva]

If you’re new to running and want to get inspired, as well as getting some good, practical advice on bras and other essential kit read ‘Running Like a Girl’ by Alexandra Heminsley. It’s the book that started me off on my running journey and I still love it. Less of a book about running, more a book about a non-runner woman doing her best.

[Woody_53 Graduate]

I went to a specialist running shop. They put me on a treadmill to analyse my gait. I ended up spending £120 (twice what I would normally spend on generic trainers) for a pair of Brooks running shoes, which are a half size larger than I normally wear to allow for expansion. I consider it money very well spent, especially for the later weeks of the program.

[djwake in reply to Woody_53]

Exactly the approach I adopted- it’s paid off big time as I don’t ever worry about my feet or legs now.

[nowster Graduate in reply to Woody_53]

Yes, it can easily get expensive with fancy shoes, clothes, etc. especially if you go for the big name brands

My own kit is a mixture of stuff from Sainsburys, Lidl, eBay, Amazon and (latterly) Decathlon.

In this weather, typically my outer top is a fluorescent yellow long sleeved pullover from Decathlon, the base layer is a black Underarmour "cold" long sleeved skin-tight top (Amazon), undies from Decathlon, running leggings from Decathlon, Injinji socks (a present), cap from eBay, and gloves from Costco.

I'll wear that combination for anything from freezing to about 10°C. Above that, I'll switch to shorts, and a little warmer I'll move towards tee shirt rather than long sleeved tops.

It took a lot of experimentation before I found out what worked for me.

[misswobble Graduate in reply to nowster]

Decathlon gear is great I’ve found. I’m wearing their trail outer top a lot lately. I love their trail “baggy, multi pocket shorts. Their tees are good too

[nowster Graduate in reply to misswobble]

I find that about 50% of the gear I see being worn at my local parkrun is one of the Decathlon own brands.

[misswobble Graduate in reply to nowster]

Yes it’s always well represented in races

Their soft flasks are good too 👍

[Apecouch in reply to nowster]

👍

[Woody_53 Graduate]

...and stick with the program, the results are amazing. This site is wonderfully supportive. I posted that I had failed week five run three and someone posted "No failures, only practise runs". It's important to keep running after graduation: I had to go back to week four after a two month break.

[Apecouch in reply to Woody_53]

Thanks for sharing that - I feel hopeful and want to do as instructed to avoid any issues of injury - but I don't know what my potential is really - so comments like that are really helpful.

[Cmoi Graduate in reply to Apecouch]

Your potential is probably way more than you might think right now Apecouch 😀 Also, as Woody_53 says, do what the programme says, as that's also the best way to realise your potential. Have fun!

[Apecouch in reply to Cmoi]

👍😀

[PheasantStartler]

As others have said, a sports bra is top of the list. Mine are Shock Absorbers which do up at the back, but I've had them years (when I was into running 20+ years ago) so I'm not up-to-date with the best ones these days.

One piece of clothing I find really useful is a wind shirt/wind-proof jacket. Quite often it's the wind chill that's a problem, and I remember running in just a long-sleeved merino wool top and a Buffalo wind shirt in the depths of winter years ago. I've just been out for a run (week 1, run 1!) wearing a long sleeve running top, micro fleece, and a 2nd hand very thin Nike wind-proof jacket (thanks ebay!) and was comfortable. 6 degrees C, feels like 2 here.

[Apecouch in reply to PheasantStartler]

Well done! I'm week 1 - 2nd run tomorrow...and looking forward to it! It's incredible and I can hardly believe its me - bit by bit...

[sheffieldrose Graduate]

I agree, a really good sports bra is essential if you have bigger breasts. The investment is well worth it, no worrying about bouncing boobs and they feel so comfy if you get a good one. I currently wear Runderwear ones, I get them when they come into their sale to keep the cost down.

I also feel the cost is offset by the fact that I get my other running clothes from Decathalon which have some comfy tops and leggings with zips and tie waists at reasonable prices.

As I've got more experienced and run further, I have found decent socks and shoes have gone up my priority list, but I started with a £10 pair of running shoes from Decathalon and they were fine for some time.

[HRTHarrier]

I have been wearing ‘cold weather’ leggings to run in the recent very cold weather, and on days I don’t run! Decathlon has very reasonably priced kit.