Running trainers for the barely beginning wobbler

Asics for me too. Cheap because you are a beginner and also suitable for wide feet and ridiculous high arch of mine.

I wear my first ever pair for gardening and painting now because I can't bear to part with them even though the have no grip and holes!!

Congratulations on starting your running journey- I found the c25k the hardest part. It gets easier!!

size wide feet, I have high arches which have a tendency to roll onto the outer edge (over pronation?)

Try Nike Zoom Vomero or Pegasus. I have a narrow heel and Vomeros work better for me, but Pegasus are ok too.

That will likely have a lot to do with it. Things can literally weigh us down sometimes. Often a run will help, but not always...sometimes a bit of yoga and relaxation is more helpful, it can take time to know which to choose.

On the basis you found R2 ok, I would go on to W3R1 next but with a spirit of curiosity about how it will go, rather than dreading it. Do not beat yourself up if it doesn’t go as well as you’d like, congratulate yourself for trying!

musicalmistress don’t stress. You don’t have to stick to the schedule. If you found the last run hard, repeat it before going on to the next. Or go into the next one with an open mind and see how you get on, you can always go back to the last one, or keep repeating until you feel ready for the next stage. There’s no deadline and whatever happens, just being out there running is an achievement!

Also - some days always (no matter how long you have been running) feel harder than others, sometimes for no apparent reason

musicalmistress amazing isn’t it! V effective warm up for ankles and shins . I’m just doing mine now before I go out for R3W3, hopefully before the rain arrives! I’m building back up slowy after horrendous plantar fasciitis.

Only just skimmed the thread so apologies if this has been said. Go up a size.

I get mine online from sports shoes (you can search by price).

I personally like Asics best, but we are all different. I'd recomend you don't spend too much on them until you are confident that the ones you have are comfy enough.

I've never had my gait checked and I've never bought shoes from a proper running shop as I just can't justify the expense (says the person who spent £200 on a watch for running), but I may be lucky. Other people swear by gait analysis, some have been given bad advice. I only didn't at first as I didn't want to spend a fortune on something for a fad. Then I never got round to it. After 8 years of running I know what works for me and what doesn't

Have you downloaded the free app, I found that great motivation as well as a good guide.

I used to wear the top Asics, Kayano i think, I ran a lot and then stopped because of spinal surgery. I went back to get a new pair but found them too narrow, my feet have spread in flat shoes. I love Saucony (however the feck you spell it!!)

Good luck and keep going!

I didn’t get on with Brooks - it sure why. I have a neutral running action - maybe some are better for particular running actions. But - but don’t assume. I once bought the next version of a favourite runner online and it was so uncomfortable!

I use saucony and Brooke's both excellent and either likely better than your current shoes.

OP it's worth building in some strength work too - many running injuries occur because of a lack of muscle strength/support - the NHS app has some useful short workouts

I use saucony - but ds loves ON. Each to their own.

I really rate Brooks trainers if you need a bit of arch support and are classed as a ‘heavy runner’ which is anyone with a bmi over 27 apparently. I’ve just bought the Ravenna 10s and they’re great, very supportive and comfortable. They are pretty expenses but I got my from sportsshoes.com for half the usual price and they came pretty quickly.

The worst pain I got was down to bloody ballet pumps! Apparently slipons are the devils work as far as podiatrists are concerned.

Re shin pain- before your run, lift your leg and write’ the alphabet in the air with each foot to warm up your ankles and shins. This should help prevent it

Well done OP.... I’m not much of a runner but I’m giving it a go... thankfully I got my shoes fitted in January so that bits sorted. Last year I really hurt my Achilles and was out of action for a long time. I think that was as a result of running in old trainers ( even with orthotics in) so be careful. If you have average feet and no problems then buying a cheap pair will no doubt be fine but where you have other issues like wide feet and over pronation then you can’t just stick a random pair on because they they happen to work for someone else. I also have wide feet and over pronate ( but inwards ) and have a pair by Brooks. I actually had to get orthotics fitted for my shoes a few years ago because I was getting arch pain and knee problems so a pair of shoes on its own might not be enough. All of this is a ball ache right now but just keep it in the back of your mind if you find yourself with problems down the line ( over pronation can also cause issues with hips or back). I got my orthotics fitted at a very whizzy biomechanics place in London but they were worth it.

It depends on the shop - and if the staff know what they are talking about! The shop we go to is owned by a runner, hosts weekly runs and all the staff are mad keen runners. They don’t push the most expensive ones and will rummage in the back of the store for old stock if they think it will be good for you.

I was fitted at a very good sports / running shop, well recommended etc and had the whole fitting experience. I spent £120 on a pair of ASICS and they were okay but never really felt “right” despite the man in the shop telling me they fit well (they did feel comfy in the shop). The £30 ones I got from M and M online have been the best ones I’ve ever had. I’m not sold on the whole fitting thing. I think you can tell if they’re comfy or not. I guess there’s the whole neutral / support thing. I’m neutral so maybe that makes it easier.

OP please don't buy a pair on-line, wait to get fitted properly. I can recommend Saucony, they do a normal and wide fit. I think Brooks also do a wide fit shoe. I actually found that going for a mens was a better fit for me, wide foot with high arch.

www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/how-to-stretch-after-a-run/

I love Asics.

I'm going to be 'that' runner and say that I have found no discernible benefit to the whole pronation thing.

Wide enough is key for me. Otherwise I get pinched nerves.

I got some very wide hoka one trainers from sports shoes.com - they are a neutral shoe I think but you could always put insoles in