I'm told by my daughter that my shoes are "walking shoes" not suitable for running. I'm now on Run 3 of Week 8 with my "walking shoes" but starting to think about rewarding myself with some running shoes when I finish Week 9.
What's the difference between "walking shoes" and "running shoes"? Is it worth the investment? Will I run faster in "running shoes"? etc.
Definitely worth the investment once you complete the C25K course, once I graduated from C25K I went to a specialist sports shop and bought proper running shoes, if you continue running after you graduate I would advise you to go to a specialist sports shop, there you will get a gait analysis and advice on what proper running shoes to buy, not sure about running faster with proper running shoes but you will feel much more comfortable and less likely to get blisters than running with walking shoes.
I've agreed to meet my daughter in town and go and get the gait analysis done and then get some shoes sorted. Thanks for the advice.
Al has given good advice, and I know he walks and runs, it's well worth a good pair of running shoes, they are lighter and more cushioned to protect your joints, you might run faster you never know, button run further more comfortably would be my aim
The first time I used running shoes it was a revelation. They sort of return the energy from the ground to your foot when it hits the ground, almost like a bounce, which means it's less work to pick your foot up for the next step. Hard to define but definitely very different.
If you're enjoying Couch to 5K I wouldn't bother waiting until you finish Week 9, celebrate the progress you've made to date and make your final run even easier.
Oh, and running socks are a real 'thing' as well. They can keep your feet warm and feeling dry in the wet and stop you from getting blisters too. They may cost more than you're used to paying but I've had a pair of Balega Hidden Comfort socks for 3 years and they still work!
Good luck with the rest of the program 
Going into town tomorrow (Monday) to get some new shoes for running. Thanks for the feedback and advice.
I got the new shoes although there was no gait analysis available. It was just a simple couching test in store and I was told I needed extra support, probably.
Not sure I noticed a massive difference except the new shoes are lighter and fit more snuggly.
Anyway I'm now a C25k graduate and my PB is now 6.3km. I'm thinking of entering a 5k event in a local village.
I started running in lightweight walking boots and bought running shoes in Week 4. As a complete coincidence, because I was really just trying to buy the most ethical and sustainable I could find in a particularly grubby sector, I ended up with minimalist shoes - so I never had all the stuff about transitioning to them. I felt as though I ran like the wind!
However, I should also say that those lightweight walking boots are not the worst running footwear I have had... that accolade goes to what until my most recent purchase were the most expensive and the ones fitted immediately after a gait analysis at a specialist running shop. My knees knocked together when I ran in those, I had trouble staying upright and the shin splints which running had cured (!) came back. I understand that if you are buying trail running shoes (which will help you not slip in mud) , gait analysis has no significance - so if you are mainly running off road (and there are many reasons to adopt such a policy if you can) you can save yourself that.
I am not at all saying don't buy new shoes this morning as those walking shoes are likely to be quite stiff in the sole and may discourage you from running in a style which touches the ground mid to forefoot, which is better for the body (but I have had a similar problem with trail running shoes that some here love!)
I like to keep my running unfussy and relatively inexpensive and in the Summer I regularly run in active (Keen brand) sandals. (It may be worth pointing out that I started running in 2012, can do over 10k and to date I have not had a running injury)
One thing I am going to suggest which I should do more from now on is, as time goes on, to consider buying more than one pair to facilitate thorough washing between uses as biosecurity is an increasing problem. I am absolutely not saying buy two pairs this morning... wait and see how you get on with those. Have fun!
Running shoes have been the difference between pain and giving up and today completing week 6 run 2. I have only worn barefoot shoes for years. Recommended for my plantar fascitis and never looked back. I didnt see the point of buying new shoes for running. So I started in canvas barefoot shoes and by week 3, I'd strained my left knee and recovered and got runners knee in my right knee and was getting twinges fromnmy plantar fascitis. I nearly gave up but a random encounter with a runner who had had similar issues renewed my hope. On their recommendation I bought Altra zero drop escalante shoes. Total transformation, no pain no more strains. If I'd been really sensible I'd have got a gait analysis but more by luck than judgement I seem to have got it right.
Ouch! I can imagine canvas shoes would rub horribly.
I have only ever run in barefoot shoes (see profile photo). I sometimes even run totally barefoot.
I did, however have weak ankles at the start and sprained my left ankle during my graduation run. I suspect it was on the point of being sprained throughout the latter weeks and swerving round a muddy patch was the last straw. (All healed now, and it's never happened again in the last four years.)
Running shoes?
Proper running shoes!
Hanging up my running shoes.......
New shoes w5 r1
New shoes new shoes
