Runners - how do you manage to look stylish?

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

I have just started couch25k and I am keen to make sure that as autumn and winter draw in I don't let poor weather and lack of suitable clothing stop me from getting out.

What do you all wear to keep cool but warm to start with, dry if it's wet and also look reasonably stylish?

I don't have megabucks to spend, but could do with at least 2 sets of everything.

[RubyLovesShopping]

I did a mass order from the clearance section of sports direct then spent my money on some vv good trainers. When it's wet I just get. No issues with keeping warm I'm usually sweating after the first few miles

[gintastic]

I have primark stuff. Comfy, cheap and looks fine :-) just got a top and trousers for £18, grey and pale pink.

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

Miles Ruby ?! I can only dream of running that far at the moment!

Are there any brands that you can recommend? I get very sweaty, but am thinking that i would like a windproof thin jacket and maybe some 3/4 length shorts/trousers.

[Meglet]

If it rains I just get wet. It's the only time it doesn't bother me.

I've got some decent hairbands, with rubbery grippy bits, so my ponytail doesn't come loose after 50 minutes and my fake diamond Primark studs give me a bit of bling .

[feetheart]

Sports Direct - online or in store usually have sale stuff, I think most of mine is Nike but that is only because that was what they had. I also have a great top, 2 x windproof jackets, a few pairs of socks and some gloves that I got from Lidl
As for stylish - not so much but then I go red in the face after about 1/2 mile and stay that way for the rest of the run - good Celtic complexion

Best thing I did when starting Couch25k was wear any old stuff at the beginning but invest in a good pair of running shoes after a few weeks when I realised I was serious about it.

Good luck with it but beware that it can get addictive (says she who is doing the GNR in 2 weeks time and getting excited :)

[overmydeadbody]

I wear karrimor stuff from Sports Direct. In Winter I wear long running tights, sports bra, vest top and then a long sleeved running top. If it rains I get wet, it doesn't bother me, I'm wet anyway from all the sweat as I run long enough distances to get warm and sweat.

I do have a thin running jacket I sometimes wear in the rain but my god it makes you sweat buckets as it's waterproof and so doesn't breathe, so you end up just as wet on the inside anyway, it is pointless unless it is bitterly cold and pouring down.

I do also wear a hat and gloves in the coldest bits of winter, because even though I get hot and sweat if the air temp is very cold my extremities just go numb despite the heat inside.

You shouldn't worry too much about looking stylish to run, you just need to look like you are in the right gear. No one is going to look at you and judge you on your style (or no one that matters) the most important thing is you are comfortable and not too cold or too hot.

Yes two sets of everything is the way to go. I wash my running gear on a 15 minute quick cycle right after running, before the sweat dries, and without any detergent ( I heard this can eventually wear out the elastic in lycra but I could be wrong). Then once a month or so my running gear goes in a normal wash with detergent.

Good luck and keep on running!

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

Thanks.

I struggle to look stylish for the other 23 1/2 hours of the day, so doubt that I'll achieve anything like stylish for my running in all honesty!

I'm off to the sports direct website for a look.....

What about better running shoes feetheart - what makes a good pair - do sports direct do those too?

[BIWI]

Why on earth would you be worried about looking stylish when you're running?!

I second everyone else - Sports Direct is where you need to go. The range of running stuff that they carry is Karrimor.

I have running tights, a short sleeved t-shirt and a wind-proof jacket.

I also have a thin, long-sleeved t-shirt that I bought from Uniqlo that is supposed to have thermal properties. I used to wear this underneath the short-sleeved t-shirt when I was running in the winter.

Re running shoes - it's definitely worth going to a proper running shop and having your gait analysed, so that you know what what shoes to buy/if you need tailored in-soles.

[fossil971]

Running stuff is on the specials at Lidl, or is about to be - check the website.

I am not much of a runner but I did go to a proper running shop to get my shoes, I still got them from the sale shelf but they are vv comfortable.

Decathlon normally have T shirts in so many colours you could probably get one in your season if you wanted rather than that pink which is everywhere, brilliant prices.

[feetheart]

Definitely don't get your running shoes from Sports Direct the first time. Find a specialist running shop and get your gait analysed - they stick you on a treadmill and make you run whilst they film your feet/legs (which makes my DC laugh hysterically as I HATE the thing and cling on like a droning woman!) They can then tell what sort of support you need and which shoes will suit you best and therefore stop you getting injured. This will be the most expensive bit about running but it is the most important.

[feetheart]

drowning woman though DC would probably say that droning is appropriate too.

Thanks for the heads-up about Lidl stuff coming in and yes to everything being bloody pink, that goes really well with a red, sweaty running face >

[fossil971]

Looks like gloves/jackets = winter stuff rather than tops and tights is coming up in Lidl.
Good luck with your couch to 5k.

[SneezySnatcher]

I got most of my stuff from the Adidas/New Balance outlets near me - do you have any nearby?

I just got some running gear from Aldi too, which is fine. Definitely worth looking at what they have on offer in the 'middle aisle of mystery'.

[trixymalixy]

I have Karrimor stuff from Sports Direct too. I have a thin jacket thing that I sometimes wear, but mostly I just get wet if it rains. In fact I prefer running if it is a little bit wet as it keeps me cooler and fewer people will ge out walking and getting in my way!

[trixymalixy]

I have the blue version of this

[CointreauVersial]

Most of my running stuff is Nike, bought half price online in the Next sale. I also have a few bits from Sports Direct.

I wear running capris and teeshirts in the summer, moving to long-sleeved running tops, showerproof jacket and even a fleece when it gets nippy.

I think it IS important psychologically to look reasonably OK when exercising; I find it helps with body image and confidence if you don't feel like an old bag lady while out for a run.

[EATmum]

TK Maxx is good for running gear. Sometimes they even do running clothes for women that aren't pink (shock, horror).

[CaptainWentworth]

I wear an old baseball cap when it's raining- obv not waterproof but does a good job of keeping the rain out of your eyes. I have a nike waterproof jacket I got from TK Maxx but have a bit of a love hate relationship with it because of the bin bag effect with it getting all sweaty inside- I saw a Rab vapour rise lite jacket in the sale at Cotswold and wondered if that might be more breathable (although presumably less waterproof)?

In general I would say make sure you buy wicking fabrics rather than wearing old cotton tees, which will be more uncomfortable if you get wet from sweat/ rain. I sweat a lot and find nike dri-fit tops much more comfy than the Adidas equivalent, although dont have much experience of other brands.

I also find icebreaker tops great in cooler weather and I wear them loads for hiking, skiing and when it's cold in the house too. Expensive but look for them on offer- they're great. They don't wick sweat away like man made fabrics but are still warm and comfortable even when damp.

Bottoms wise, I always run in tight fitting capris (or full running tights when cold) as shorts ride up - anything baggy will have more chances of moving around and chafing somewhere I find!

Sorry for essay- I've thought about this far too much clearly! Feetheart I am also doing the GNR- first half marathon and I'm so excited! I live in Newcastle and they've put the banners up on the Tyne Bridge already!

[snowlie]

I spend enough time in my running gear to care about how i look.
Always wear hats and sunglasses for glare and wind - baseball in summer, running beanie in winter, controls hair.
Don't compromise on a good sports bra - boobs jumping up and down is not good. Same goes for shoes - get your first pair from a running shop. I don't like the Karrimor stuff - dh bought some to begin with and the quality is poor....the tights are see through which looks bloody awful! The socks were a disaster too - I recommend x socks.
Ronhill is well priced, their tights have a good sized back pocket which can take an iPhone, which will save you buying an arm strangling armband. The fit is fairly flattering and they are comfy. Unfortunately they focus more on practicality rather than style, so I tend not to buy my tops there.
You'll need to layer but not yet, a light top and a jacket should see you through till October and that's when you should know whether running is something you want to do long term.
I'd buy one good quality outfit and wash it straight after - it will dry really quickly, the good quality stuff I bought 8 years ago it still looking in good condition. When you figure out whether it's the sport for you and the season cools down buy more.

[snowlie]

Oh and don't go too matchy - it looks a bit naff....good luck!

[Eliza22]

God, I never think about looking stylish whilst running. I spent a lot on shoes though. That's important, in order to look after knees and hips.

[carrie74]

Agree with getting decent trainers that have been chosen to suit your gait, find a decent running store. Also a good sports bra.

After that, when first started out, I just would run in old Ts or vests and yoga pants. After running for a while, I started investing bit by bit in more technical kit, and I do find it much much better.

I wear RonHill tights / capris, which must be getting on for 8 years old, and only now am I thinking about getting some more. I wear Sweaty Betty or Lululemon vest tops (SW usually bought from ebay, Lululemon was when on holiday in US), as I like the range of colours, and still technical fabrics.

When cold, I wear an old thin fleece over the top, which if cold enough outside is usually enough, but I also wear a headband (RonHill I think) to keep my ears warm, as I get awful, awful pain in my ears even in Autumn. And thin gloves (I wear H's cycling gloves) if v cold. I tend not to run if torrential rain, but if drizzling, I just get on with it, it doesn't bother me.

[RubyLovesShopping]

Yes lots of running stuff can be found on eBay, new though I don't much fancy it smelling of someone else's sweat!
Sports direct clearance section always has karrimor stuff. In summer I wear sports bra vest top and shorts, in winter I wear long running tights sports bra long sleeve top and gloves . I am always so hot and sweaty I don't really care much what I look like!!

[alwaysrunninginheels]

I'm with snowlie that I spend enough time in it to want gear that looks good too. Sweaty Betty is great- especially at sale time. Ronhill running tights are great- agree the pocket is big enough for iphone and a key. not so with sweaty betty tights imo. I go with layers that are thin and easily removed. And always were glasses and a hat. The anonymity is good- especially when you start out.
Captainwentworth another GNR virigin here.