Running advice

[midgetjen]

I have agreed to support a friend in running in a charity 10k in May, and am a complete beginner! We are starting couch to 5k and are going to get involved in parkruns - but shamefully I don't even have a pair of trainers! I don't want to spend a fortune but would like some advice from anyone who runs on what essentials I might need that I haven't thought of. I am hoping to keep it up after the 10k so happy to get things that have some longevity too. Thanks in advance for any advice!

If you want to listen to music whilst you run and dont have headphones yet, look at jawbone ones. They're much safer as you can hear what's going on around you. DH got me a pair for xmas and it's a revelation.

More important tho is a good running bra and trainers.

Go to a running shop and do a gait analysis see which trainers they suggest e.g if you pronate feet certain ones are better ( you can then look online for same model sometimes last season colours are cheaper )
Good sports bra
Tk max for running leggings and t shirts
Do the c25k and follow it closely repeating weeks if needed.
NHS c25k app is good

I second the advice to go to a running shop for gait analysis - absolutely worth the time invested.

Forget brand names or visual preferences - I was convinced I was a 'Nike' customer.... until the running shop brought me out a pair of Saucony and Asics for me to try that they said would be best for my feet and running style.

I tried them both on and couldn't believe how much better they felt - like they were designed just for me.