Runners... how do you carry your stuff?

Get one of those little bumbags that hold a water bottle on the side and put your phone and keys in that. My son does marathon running and swears by Hoka running trainers.

One of the best pairs of capris I have (because most leggings are too long!) are from Lidl

On that note - Lidl sometimes have running kit in and it's not too bad for the price

Sweaty Betty leggings have a pocket for a phone and a small pocket for a key on the waistband.

On water, generally it's better if you have the water in you in advance rather than carrying it. I find early in the morning, I might not have the chance, or very hot/ very cold weather can be drying, and a small bottle for a mouth-wetting can be nice for comfort. I've got 150ml bottles from Decathlon that are good for this. It's 10k+ that more is useful for drinking as you run.

I need a waistbelt (or pack for long distances) as my phone is too big for pockets. It's also good to avoid uneven loading. Not such an issue at C25k stage, but long term it can cause issues from assymetric form.

Also - check your local parkrun. It’s a great supportive community.

I have a waist belt but I only use it on exception. Buy running pants with a side pocket and back zip pocket. Phone in side and keys in back. Don’t need water, if you do just carry it

I would go to decathlon at Surrey Quays ahead of Westfield. Their running stuff is practical and reasonably priced. If you are running in London parks, quite a few have water fountains which can save you carrying water.

I have a bum bag too that I wear around my waist. Not all my leggings have a phone pocket.

My question is about when I need to carry more things. Sometimes I go elsewhere afterwards or stop to do food shopping. Yes, I know these things aren't really ideal, but they suit me. At the moment I use either a backpack that moves around a bit or a cross body bag. Running bags are all too small for what I need so I wonder if someone can recommend a cheap-ish hiking bag that would be more stable.

I don’t run these days, but when I did, I tied a key to my shoelaces, and didn’t take anything else.

Yeah, I'm also not really into the SBs. I prefer M&S Goodmove, but my favourite leggings and shorts are from Voxy and they do running shorts.

I know a lot of people really rate these leggings. I have a pair and they are ok but imo definitely not worth the price (even on sale). I’ve lots of different brands of leggings and these I wouldn’t repurchase.

@EdenFromTheEast as mentioned above... l used the NHS C25K. There is also a facebook group for it which l found helpful.

This app has pre and post stretches. I've been running 4yrs now and l still use them

Trainers fitted at a Runners Need/Up and Running/local running shop. Get some specialist socks too, massively reduces chance of blisters.

SweatyBetty Power shorts or leggings, phone pocket down your leg, zip pocket for keys on the back. We have a “runner” key that lives on a hook so we don’t end up carrying bunches.

Underwear- anything that’s comfortable but think about the movement angle… chaffing from lace is not something you need. 5 back of bog standard plain elastic briefs/seam free from M&S does the job for me.

Sports bra - THAT FITS!!!! I see so many women running with everything jiggling around and for me that would be so painful. Also can chafe if not correctly fitted.

Cap/Hats etc- your choice.

Sunglasses- Goodr is the “cool” brand at all my local races, the brighter the better! And only £30, they never slip.

Don’t forget SPF or you might find yourself with some cracking tan lines from lengthy time outside!

Don’t expect too much of yourself too soon and celebrate all your milestones (first km, mile, 5km, first time running 30min non stop etc!)

I have a free train running vest that I use in the summer, my current running shorts have a pocket though so put my phone in there. In the winter I have a running gilet and phone goes in the pocket. I hold my water bottles when running, i use a hydration back pack for long runs

I have a flip belt for phone and keys and on a long run I carry a runners water bottle

@EdenFromTheEast
This is the NHS one

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/nhs-couch-to-5k/id1082307672

@EdenFromTheEast

This is a nice straightforward programme which gets you to running for 35 minutes in 8 or 9 weeks. (It’s called couch to 5k but actually the runs are measured in time not distance.) When you finish it there’s another similar app that takes you to 10k.

Or there’s an NHS couch to 5k app which lots of people like, you can choose your ‘coach’ from people like Jo Whiley and Sarah Millican. I used both apps but preferred this one because the coaching got on my nerves a bit, I like listening to other stuff when running and the interruptions used to annoy me.

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/couch-to-5k-runner/id448357306?ppid=e5d0a260-8a8c-4f79-b92a-6a5080677256

Posting to say that if you do feel like you need water for a short run, that’s absolutely ok too! I take a bottle with me even if I’m just going for 20 minutes because I sweat a lot and get really dehydrated.

Good luck @EdenFromTheEast , hope you enjoy the shopping and the running! 😊

I wear shorts for probably 3/4 year, I feel sweaty just thinking about leggings! But I know lots of people do wear them, and prefer them over shorts. I wear sunglasses or a very light cap (it's probably half the weight of a standard baseball cap) if it's sunny.
The annoying thing is I generally wear glasses during the week so if I go out in the evening after work, I have to put a pair of contacts in to enable me to wear sunglasses. ...

What programme are you going to follow?