I've not discussed my equipment yet (oo-er missus!) but thought it might be useful for any newbies to hear from a fellow rank amateur. Obviously the main thing is footwear and before I asked one of the lads in the office, I honestly thought proper runners would cost a small fortune, thankfully he put me right. Dereck being the type who runs ten miles just to warm up, I knew I could trust him to steer me straight. Straight to Sports Direct as it happens, where they stuck me on a yoke that told them what kind of arch I have, then to the wall of shoes to choose, apparently I'm a high arched, yellow sticker kind of guy.
During my visit I consulted with some of their staff (truth be known I wasn't filled with confidence that they knew any more than I did, namely, sweet Fanny Adams) but I homed in on a supervisor who definitely had the air of knowledge about him and tried a few pairs he suggested from the appropriate yellow sticker range.
At which point I chose a pair that felt comfortable instead.
I walked out having paid £30 for a pair of size 14 Karrimors, not bad considering that pre Dereck I'd been convinced even low end starter shoes would cost me the guts of a ton. It's at this point I should absolve the bold Dereck of any blame, being an experienced runner he did of course advise me to go to a proper outlet and seek the advice of their trained professionals but I appear to have cocked a deaf 'un to everything but the bit where he said they don't have to cost a fortune.
And yes, size feckin' 14! Now I'm sure there are those who will decide I'm cheating as by the time I set off on the 60 seconds of jogging my toes are just finishing it but it doesn't really work that way, so there!
Kit-wise I also bought some running socks and gloves. Well, I'm not sure the gloves were particularly for running but you get my gist.
The night before my first run I laid out my gear and completely unsure just how much I should wrap up against the cold, I selected two old long sleeved t-shirts and a light rain proof jacket, with some light track suit bottoms and topped the ensemble off with a beany hat.
I was aware I wouldn't know how it all worked until it was road tested and I have to say, other than for a couple of minor problems, it worked well. And the shoes were great.
The first minor thing was I'd left the earphone cord hanging which meant it was pulling the plugs out of my ears on the jogging sections, easily fixed next run but it's the second issue that has me discombobulated. On my first run the hat was fine, however for whatever reason, halfway through my second run the hat was bobbing off the top of my head as I jogged, to the point where I had to remove it and stuff it in my pocket. The only difference between the runs is that there was a slight drizzle on the second one.
After much scratching of said dome I have decided that my head shrinks in the rain.
New shoes but not for today
Week 9 Run 2 - All the gear - some idea
W3R2 and miserable gremlin
Cheap running gear coming up
Wk7r2 in the pouring rain and it was fab!
