Hello runners. How is everyone? This is the place to tell us your news about all things running. If you’re new here then we’d love to hear from you even if you just pop in and say hello. We’re all pretty passionate about running so if you’re the same then this is the place to be 🙂
Talking about being passionate 😉, as I was putting on my ever faithful running shorts the other day, I thought about how long I’d had them and how they were such a great investment because I wear them all the time. This year I started wearing them in March and am not even thinking about giving them up any time soon… well, until the weather turns really cold perhaps 🥶
That got me thinking about the other bits I’ve bought over the years and how only a few have made it to my “best ever buys” list. Despite having a couple of drawers full of running gear, I’ve been able to narrow down my list to three favourite best buys. These are my go-to items that are so comfy even though they are years old, they’ve been worn and washed multiple times and still look great and they weren’t expensive to begin with!
I bought the shorts from a little shop in a nearby town. They were a brand called Bosom Buddies and specialised in sports bras, but they had these shorts on a rail, and once I’d tried them on there was no turning back. Unfortunately the shop and brand have now disappeared so I can’t get hold of another pair ☹️
The blue top is from Nike. I picked it up in a sale for £7.99 and my friend bought the same one in orange. We are both still wearing them even though they must be at least ten years old. It’s such a great top because I can wear it on its own when the weather starts to turn or use it as a base layer when the temperatures drop further. I love the colour too and that’s always a bonus ❤️
The hot pink/fuscia top is merino wool and came from Aldi eight years ago. It’s still gorgeous and soft after all this time and it washes like a dream. I love putting this on on a freezing day in winter and the colour really brightens everything up 😎
There is a story about this purchase and I posted about it at the time with the heading “It’s all Miss Wobble’s fault….” because at the time she was always giving us a heads up of the Aldi running sales and so I totally blamed her for me having to make this purchase 😂 Thanks misswobble one of my best ever buys 🤩
So, what about you? What are your best running buys? It might not be clothes but could be some kind of equipment or accessory. We’d love to hear and also, if you can, attach a photo too.
Feel free to chat about your running too. After all, once we get the gear we might as well run to show it off 🤣
Have a great time everyone, whether you’re resting or running, buying or browsing, we hope you all have a fab week.
From your team, linda9389 , Beachcomber66 and me xxx
I think that I have got better at purchasing running gear as I have gone on. I have got quite a few shirts which I never wear now; I prefer my more recent purchases and tend to stick to them. The laundry service here is first class 🙂. I have had to invest (see what I did there) in a number of new shirts because I have lost so much weight (good excuse). I have found a brand I like and my latest purchase is a bright orange effort. It is attracting a few comments! My explanation is simple; I need it to avoid being taken out by those few inconsiderate cyclists who either don’t have or don’t use a simple bell….at least I know that they can see me.
My one remaining operational piece of kit, which has been with me since I started running, is my Kamleika water proof jacket. In cold wet weather it is brilliant…so definitely an old friend.
Time for my warm up now. Today is supposed to be a HM run; I was even thinking about a PB attempt, but the signs are not good. Last night my right quads felt tight following a quicker than usual 8k on Saturday. It is raining this morning, so the trails will be wet and muddy in parts. It may have to be an easy run, distance to be determined! Quads feel a bit easier after some yoga last night, so there is hope 🙂. Have a great week everyone.
I’m going to make a note of the brand of your waterproof jacket BC. Mine has been tested to the max recently (before the NF 10k and during yesterday’s 7 miler, and I’m afraid it failed dismally. You could even see the writing of my teeshirt through it yesterday, it was so wet. 💦💦💦💦💦💦
It’s an OMM brand cheeky. Six years on there might be loads of good stuff with different brands out there. It just happened to be the one the Running Shop ultra lady recommended at the time.Quite expensive, but it has lasted.
Thanks IP. I would say that my run went just OK. A new HM PB, but Garmin gave me 2:30:12 for 21.11k, which was 3 mins 58 secs quicker than my June HUHM; on the other hand NRC gave me 2:29:55 for 21.10k……I am pleased with the PB, but I had hoped for a sub 2:30. No matter, that will be a job for another day.
I made some mistakes. My waterproof jacket kept out the rain, but I had two layers on underneath when one would have done. So despite the tailwind, my toes went into cramp when I was changing out of my running shoes; I finished the run at my lowest adult weight ever! A valuable lesson learned, and given the rain, puddles, muddy patches and 171m total ascent I don’t think I should be beating myself up too much.
Now I need to think about GSR. No more runs above 10 miles before then, and I will probably book a physio session to make sure that everything is as it should be. Topping up on sodium now, prior to attempting any yoga; I can do without any more cramp.🙂
Morning IP! My favourite purchase recently has been my Anker Soundcore V30i headphones. Comfy, stay put, bone conducting, excellent battery life, and amazing sound quality. Didn’t you end up getting some too, or am I imagining that? 🤔
The sound quality surprised Mr Cheeky so much (I was bleating on about them so he had to have a little listen!), he bought some too - plus he has the Apple ones too and prefers these!
Oh, and after yesterday’s wet to the last stitch 7 miles on Weston prom, I can confirm they work in the rain too! 💦💦🙏
OMG the rain at lunchtime here was biblical! I took Flossie out this morning and she wore her little jacket for the first time this season! Kept her nice and dry. Better than my jacket! 😅
It was wet out there this morning so I swerved on ye olde Aldi merino long sleeve and plumped for a Sundried technical one instead. I did wear my very old hooded Aldi jacket though as I usually do. £6.99!🥰
I was squelching through a tunnel of trees on the old railway bed and a very wet bloke and his dog coming towards me through the murk and he said, “tha’s a good un” 😁🏃♀️💦.
I had to divert one the return leg as the ploughed field I needed to cross was just vile 😬
the merino long sleeves are lovely and I agree about colder weather giving us the opportunity to wear them again. My husband got me a short sleeve merino tee for Christmas so I’m spoiled for choice 🙂
I plan on wearing shorts all winter if possible as my psoriasis is much better for bare legs. I’ve noticed the posties were shorts all year round 😀
I’ve had to move the trophy off the mantelpiece as I lit the log burner and didn’t want it to melt 😁
My HM felt enough for today, given the conditions! I am still toying with the idea of attempting a metric marathon, but I may have left it a bit late this year. It seems like a risk to push further before the GSR which only about 5 weeks off. I should probably have a taper week before that, even though it is “only” 10 miles.
Famous last words, but it has been a good year so far with pbs at 10 miles and half marathon.Shame to mess things up by picking up an injury. We will see; might have a late burst of decent weather 🤣
I am expecting a burst of decent weather just because I’ve a long run on the plan 😁. Let’s see how the power of positive thinking pans out 🤞. Last year’s longest marathon training run was done in dire weather 😑. It was truly awful but I did it. Marathon day could be dire too 🤷♀️ It’s a week later this year 😏 There are more runners this year as they’ve added a half and marathon relay to the proceedings so I expect more mud. Having more people might help though. Last year there was a group from a running club and they were really encouraging to us slow coaches perambulating around the course 😁
Attempt the metric marathon after the GSR. Your legs will appreciate a shake down 😀
My average pace yesterday was 7:04/k. Rubbish weather, but it was a pb after all. Maybe I need to start a 26k run at 7:20 pace for the first 10k then build up from there (running that far keeping to 7:20 pace will require a lot of restraint!). All I can do is give it a whirl. The maths is not easy given all the changes in gradient. Is that way too slow?
Apparently there’s no such thing as too slow, especially for longer distances. We’re always being told to slow down and then some more. Have you ever checked your ideal training paces from one of those online calculators?
I will have a look for the calculators thanks IP. What I have looked at is the list which is included with the NRC Marathon app which is built up from your 1k speed. That gives an overall suggested pace. What I am trying to do is to break that down into three equal phases, starting slowest for phase 1 and gradually building up through the remaining phases….which is how I run now.
I have been pushing up the pace on long runs deliberately; I really felt the last 1k on Monday. I know that I couldn’t have kept that pace up for another 5k. I just need to find an easy first third from somewhere. Maybe best to err on the cautious side for a first journey beyond HM. Plenty of time to work something out.
if you overdo it in the first and/or second third the. You’ll have no puff left for the last third. Curb your enthusiasm ✋😁
I usually listen to coach Bennett as he seems to do the longer runs and he does do pick-ups and mini fartleks to keep us from going AWOL deep into the run.
You’ll sort it out as you go longer
Speaking of trying things out on longer runs, I got the Twiglets 😀
it was raining here when I set off but not heavily. I stayed local and did the 67 minute speed run with Blu Banadum, “Long, Strong and Fast”. My jacket soon came off 🏃♀️🙂
It was tough, and I stuttered a bit, but stuck with it. I sauntered home pleased to have it ticked off
Well done misswobble. I was doing really well with my work until 6pm when the computer lost a vital chunk!! Writing that bit again….I know it should be impossible….but it found a way 🤬
I got stung by a bee yesterday afternoon🙄. On the end of my thumb. Cue cartoon red thumb 😀. It came in with the logs I was hauling in 💪. My husband had no sympathy at all except for the bee, which he said would now die. It was still hanging about the dining room fireplace yesterday evening so hopefully it will be ok
I’m hoping the injection of bee venom will give me superpowers this week 🙂🏃♀️🤞
Ouch ☹️ I liked your post before I realised I shouldn't have! I’m sure that’s really painful. I can imagine you sitting with your thumb in a glass of ice cold water to relieve the throb and itch…
I found the metric marathon was a really marginal step up from the half BC. I did the Chester event, which was fab, and didn't feel any different than during/after a half. To be fair, I was about the fittest I have ever been at that point. Don't overthink it.
My thoughts reflect how I felt after yesterday’s run; knackered!! That was run at my PB pace of course. I am sure that I need to back off the pace to some degree to run another 5k. Probably too much thinking too soon after yesterday’s effort!! 🙂
Hello IP and all, the lack of photos is a real pain isn’t it ? We had a joyous HU meet up with damienair and many others at Southampton parkrun at the weekend with lots of great photos, but not one could be posted! I might try to attach one here in case it’s been fixed. It hasn’t! 😡
I, like you, love my merino long sleeve zip up for the cooler runs, a nice aqua colour. A bit dearer than Aldi, but well worth it.
My latest favourite purchases are Ronhill capris and shorts with a phone pocket on one leg. I have a lot of Ronhill because the sizing is good for shorties like me. Those pockets mean I can leave the flip belt behind on shorter runs when I don’t need to take water.
I still love my Garmin forerunner 35 (now on 2nd strap) and I won’t change it till I have to.
Then is it the practical Shockabsorber bra or the Aftershokz bone conduction head phones? Both of them are essential items for me for completely different reasons.
I hardly wear the plain T-shirts I bought when I first started c25k as the parkrun and race finisher shirts have now taken over.
Forerunner 35 here too but it’s not fully charging these days. It’s a reconditioned one I’ve had for ages 😍💪
I picked up a pair of Ronhill “Cargo” capris yonks ago and I wear them for long races as they have two deep leg pockets, a wide expanding pocket at the back, loops for gels and/or clothing hanger I think this November will be their 7th marathon. I wore them for my HM last weekend. They’re fading a bit, and I’ve had to repair the back pocket where I split the stitching from overstuffing it, but otherwise they’re fine. They were £14.99. Unfortunately they don’t make them anymore 🙁
I’ve run several marathons with it and hoping it will be ok for my upcoming one. It was a refurbished one but i assumed they’d renew the battery. Hopefully it will go the distance 🤞
Another Forerunner 35 fan here! I have looked at the nearest upgrade (without a touch screen…I just don’t like them). The more expensive watches seem to have lots of functions I don’t need, and I certainly don’t want to receive unsolicited messages from a timepiece..however “smart “ it may be. Maybe an older person’s view 🙂
I’m with you on that in regards to the watch. I don’t need a Garmin watch to express opinions about my running efficiency and effort. No thanks. My body and head tell me that. I have my Forerunner 35 about 5 years now. I turned off all the smart features as I just want to see average pace, distance and time. I haven’t a clue what VO2 max is, and unless I’m getting properly assessed in a sports science lab I don’t care. 😁 I absolutely love the watch. Just does what I want without giving information I don’t want or need.
It is so good to meet other HU buddies and parkrun is the perfect venue. We meet beforehand, run separately and then meet again at the end and for breakfast .
I only really started running in 2017 after doing C25K and joining HealthUnlocked for support and encouragement. It took me some time to build up some proper running gear. So here is a list of my all time favourites.
1. Garmin Forerunner 35 running watch. Simple, easy to use and very accurate. I record runs and walks with it.
2. Brooks GTS Adrenaline running shoes. Consistently brilliant running shoes, I over pronate so I find these very comfy. I made a mistake of buying Mizuno Wave Inspire running shoes about 4 years ago and couldn't run 2 Kilometers in them. It was an expensive mistake as the shop would not take them back.
3. Hilly Marathon Socks - I have a few pairs of Hilly socks and honestly they are still fine many years after first purchase. I only wear them for running.
4. Decathlon running shorts. I have 4 pairs of incredible running shorts from Decathlon. They have built in zip pockets on the waist band which allows me to pop in a debit card, parkrun barcode and key fob from my car without them jiggling around. The elastic waistband keeps them secure and comfortable.
5. I usually don't like taking a phone with me when I am running. However I have started to bring my phone on long runs and find a podcast great company. When I do take my phone I use a pair of Shokz Open Run bone conduction earphones which are great. A present from my Sister.
6. My collection of hard earned race T-Shirts and especially parkrun T-Shirts.
I need to invest in a good proper water proof running jacket for the winter. But I have now a pretty good collection of running clothes and other bits and bobs. So other than having to splash out for a new pair of running shoes once a year it is an inexpensive hobby now. Well that's if I'm not shelling out money to travel to the Netherlands, Southampton and putting Diesel into my car at weekends to travel for parkrun tourism. 😀Other than the hundreds of Euros my parkrun addiction costs me, it's a very cheap hobby. 😀
I do that too and have just had a lilac colour land and I didn't think I’d like them but I do, they're lovely. Probably not the best colour for this time of year but hey ho.. I’ll try and attach a photo…. Nope doesn't work.
With you on the Adrenalines Damien; and the Forerunner 35 and the shokz. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but the Nike HM and Marathon programmes have really helped me to increase pace on longer runs. Shokz were the key to accessing the plans.
🤣🤣 Of course it’s a cheap hobby 🤣 I daren’t add up what it costs plus all the race fees, etc!
That’s quite a list Damien! But it sounds as if you’ve got it sussed.
I loved my Brooks Adrenalines and wore them for the first few years of my running life and then discovered that I needed orthotics so they had to go ☹️ I’m not surprised you love them.
Here’s to happy collecting for all of us in the years to come 🤗
Tricky question IP. So many things I'd hate to do without. My Shokabsorber bras are an essential, I have loved every iteration of garmin watch I have bought, and my Shokz headphones are absolutely fabulous.Clothes wise I have one discontinued pair of Nike shorts that I love, but this year bought some SB ones that I also love. On the shoe front, I have stuck with Hoka Cliftons through several iterations.
I also have many other items of clothing and kit that have been far less successful 😍 and am possibly a bad person as I shrunk my Aldi merino top 🙈
Managed an 18k run today (mental confidence boost for my HM); my leg is definitely grumbling just now, but isn't as bad as when it flared up the other week. The plan is winding down now so I'm hoping to nurture it through the next three weeks in order to make the start line 🤞
You shrunk a merino top!!! Ouch, I bet that hurt 🤣 I once shrunk a jumper and it came out of the washing machine this perfectly-formed tiny size. It looked so cute but it was never going to fit me again ☹️ I didn't know any children then to give it to so gave it to a charity shop for their children's section 🤣
Great news on the 18K 👍 That HM is yours for the taking. It wouldn’t be a proper race without some drama for most of us, would it?
Thanks for asking about the knee. I managed 3K last week before the ache started to flare up again and then yesterday I tried again but had to stop around 2.5K. It’s still not right. I’m taking a whole week off to try to get rid of it once and for all 🤞
That's the worst isn't it - not knowing how long to wait. I left about 10 days this time because I knew how the odd short run kept aggravating it last time. I have a definite pull in my quad this morning so am rollering it and will ask the sports massage guy tomorrow what he suggests. I may just walk my 15 min recov run tomorrow, which means it will get three full days off between the 18k and the next run. Options, options! Prayers, prayers. Crossed everything 😍
This is a good question IP. I have gone through a ton of gear over the last seven years, but there are a few faves that I turn to repeatedly. I have a pair of Nike run shorts that I use for all my races. I have a number of others for regular training days too. And I just bought a Craft tank top that I love wearing with a pair of arm sleeves. I love them because I can keep them up when I leave in the cool morning, and roll them down when it heats up later on. I also have a buff I use year round and as for shoes, right now Hoka Bondis for road and Salomon Sense Rides for trails. I love them both. I also have a pair of Hoka Carbon x for faster efforts but they are discontinued now. Really love the lightweight feel of them. My Salomon vest is an old one and on it’s last legs but I love it. Finally my old Suunto Ambit peak 3 watch is built like a tank and can take a beating but is dead simple to use too. The battery really lasts too.
Yesterday I did my longest training run of this block , 40k through some new forest tracks along the Trans Canada trail and I am wiped today. Legs are still a bit sore still, but otherwise good. I may or may not have seen a bear too! He was quick and not close enough to know for sure.
A bear!!! OMG! That would definitely make you run up the nearest tree! Do bears climb? (Must check that out just in case I see one on my country roads 🤣) Have you ever seen one on your runs?
I think feeling wiped after running 40K is probably normal Decker! No doubt your legs will recover pretty quickly and you’ll be raring to go again soon as you are so experienced at this level of mileage.
That’s quite an impressive list of favs there. But of course with your mileage you will have very well worn items that have proved themselves over and over. It’s funny how, when we probably have loads of gear, we still go to our few favourites first ❤️
All the best for the rest of your training and enjoy 🍀
First time seeing anything bear-like for me. I’ve seen deer, coyotes, foxes, but no bears. They should not be this far south, but there have been a number of sightings to the point where signs get posted to warn people.
Yeah the kit choices are almost superstitious for me now 🙂 I feel I have better luck in some gear over others
It's so hard to pick favourite running kit. My current road shoe rotation are all Asics. I love my toe socks and only wear Injinji. I'm back on track with weekly miles but haven't been doing any longer runs or faster 5k's. We've got a few days down in Margaret River so hoping to hit the trails. Our snakes seem less scary now I've read Decker weekly update.
In terms of deaths per year there looks to be nothing in it between snakes in Australia and bears in Canada…..so maybe a question of how you would prefer to go if you were really unlucky and met either creature in a bad mood!
I once saw a grizzly bear statue, in perfect proportion to the real thing, outside a store in Canada and that was terrifying enough! I couldn’t believe the sheer size of the animal 😱
They come in different sizes. Some of the stuffed specimens I saw in airport lounges were unbelievably large; imagine all of that charging at you at 30 mph. The advice is stand still, make yourself look as large as possible and, if it keeps coming at you, wave your arms and yell! Thankfully I didn’t have to try any of this. Walking on a flood plain with bear spray in hand did feel a bit scary though.
The most essential items for me are ShockAbsorber bras and Runderwear knickers.
We have a large upscale retail outlet near us, which amongst many other sports brands, has an UnderArmour outlet and a Nike outlet. Relatives who visit from time to time (yes I mean you my lovely son) tend to dip in there and buy me stuff. So I have more tops and leggings / capris / shorts than I reasonably know what to do with, alongside the obvious parkrun milestone shirts and event shirts. Both brands seem good quality and durable, some of my stuff dates from when I started running in 2015.
I am somewhat large of boob (hence the first point). For a while, Bravissimo sold cup sized clothing alongside bras. I have an excellent running jacket from those days with standard running top sleeves, but lightly padded panels on the front and back and a hood. Fitted but with plenty of boob room. I wouldn’t be without it in colder weather.
I have had health issues in recent times that have led to running-adjacent purchases. I have an excellent pair of Urban Poling walking poles, designed for hard surfaces rather than trail (an angled ‘bear paw’ thing on the bottom rather than a point). I also have a small back pack with water bladder system.
Shoes, I have variously had Brooks, Mizuno and Saucony. I get annoyed when the model changes and something I like becomes something i don’t like. Currently have Brooks Glycerines and Saucony trails. Both unfortunately supporting day to day walking these days.
Socks often get forgotten. I can’t say I have any great recommendations other than I don’t much like the double layer ones and I hate ‘trainer socks’ that don’t cover my ankle.
I have some Shockz bone conduction headphones but mostly go without music.
I have several wonderful sets of Icebreaker merino wool layering, I prefer the lighter weights.
That is an impressive collection of kit Mrs C. I read the boob bits with my eyes closed to avoid embarrassment!
That is a really tempting shop to have on your door step. I have a tiny local running shop about 15 minutes drive away. They get me everything I want, give me lots of advice and a nice cup of tea when I drop in at a quiet time. I wonder if I spend too much there…..🙂
I am hoping to get down there for the GSR in a few weeks time. If you could arrange some decent weather, that would be very much appreciated. It will probably be winter up here by then.
Boobs are always safely wrapped and out of sight. However as a breast cancer sufferer I am used to exposing them to all sorts of people…. Will do my best on the GSR weather, beware the great south westerly. The first time I ran it was the day after a named storm. Not much fun.
Hello Coddfish ! It’s lovely to see you here again 🙂
That’s quite a haul there! I forgot to mention my bras but then again they never come into my list of my most favourite bit of running gear 🤣
Do you tend to go for a few favourite items over others? I know I do despite having a couple of drawers full of stuff but then I end up usually wearing the same things 🙄
It’s really great to see you here again and I hope you stick around x
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