I want to run. What do I need?

[Mrsfrumble]

I need more exercise. Unfortunately I'm too skint for the gym or classes, but I do have 3 free mornings a week when DD is at nursery and a large park nearby.

What's the bare minimum I need? I figure running shoes, sports bra and top with zip-up pockets so I don't lose my phone and keys. Where's a good place to buy these?

Also, any general tips? I don't think I'm horribly out of shape; I walk 2-4 miles most days and I walk fast, but haven't done any proper running since I was on the cross country team at school and I'm 38 now

TIA!

Spend the most money on shoes and a bra. Bottoms with a zip are more useful than a top I would say. I can't bare bring cold so wear lots of layers whilst I'm out then overheat I have friends who wear shorts and vest virtually year round.

Couch25k is a good training programme to get you started (it's an app).
You might want a phone carrier to strap onto your arm to play music and to track your progress

Sportsshoes.com has good deals. You don't need anything too fancy and you don't need the bounciest most cushioned despite current marketing. Names you may not be familiar with like asics mizuno saucony all make great shoes.

Don't do too much too soon, I'd start with run a minute, walk a minute, and go from there.

Stay safe, stay visible, and take a drink - you can get running bottles that are shaped to be held when you run.

Running is more fun with others. Google 'park run' and join your local one. It's a fun run every weekend, 5 k. You measure your time and you'll soon find new friends at the same pace.

Good luck!

Sports direct, and spend most on shoes and bra.
You can pick up running tights with a zipped pocket and a phone carrier for little money.
I can't run without a headband as I hate cold ears!

You need a sports bra (to start, the Tescos ones are fine), and some form of trainers - yes, you'll need better ones in a few weeks, but to start with you'll only be running a minute at a time. Once you've decided to continue sportsshoes.com is great as their prices are so cheap. Don't take your phone or hold it in your hand, and stick your house key in your bra.
Then buy some running tights on ebay - they have a zipped pocket for phone and keys, or you can get a phone pouch to go on your arm - £4 or so from sports direct.

To get started, do the Couch to 5 k plan - you can download the podcasts from the NHS website, or there are apps which let you use your own music. Run really slowly - the slowest you can without walking, and be proud of yourself for doing it!

shoes and bra
anything else you can get cheap
try the couch to 5k plans, you can get them as an app, but I printed mine off and stuck it to the fridge, then just went out with a watch. I think as you walk already you will get on fine, running is a great time efficient exercise, v good for your mood as well as physical health. Personally I wouldn't enjoy running with other people (too s l o w) but see how you feel.

Good for you

I took up running a couple of years ago and have never felt better, mentally or physically. I'm old and slow but I don't give a shiny shite. :)

I'd say as a minimum the best trainers and sports bra you can afford at the time. Some bog standard running shoes will do to start you don't need to spend a fortune. A phone holder is great too. The dreaded Sports direct have em for about £5

As you progress, if you want to get more stuff then I'd think about getting some running clothes, cotton has a tendency to get soggy and chafe, so some leggings and a top would be a good idea. Lidl have some fab stuff.

Happy running

whether or not a cheap spots bra will do depends on the size of your breasts! I have to pay £££ :(

Good for you.
Yea shoes and sports bra most important- I get sports bras in m&s. Everything else can be pretty cheap-try decathlon if you have one near you, or even Aldi periodically do cheap sporty kit. I put keys in trouser pocket.
You'll almost certainly need some thickish running socks and maybe a headband too (in winter)- both of these can be found cheaply in somewhere like decathlon.
Maybe an arm strap for your iphone? Look on ebay.
If you're an absolute beginner any old trainers will do to start off but once you get going you need to get fitted properly in a running shop. Good running shoes generally cost £60-70 though you can find offers. I used to run quite a bit and they would last about a year. They can last much longer if you're not doing much distance though.

Personally I think proper sportswear is worth investing in, but see if you like running first. I have some cheap sports stuff that I got from Matalan but it doesn't ventilate properly, so I roast withing minutes. I have some Nike leggings, adidas shorts and Adidas Nike and Reebok t-shirts and the difference is huge. Try sports direct and see what they have on cheap.

I don't wear sports bras (I know, I know) but I'm not huge of nork so appear to be getting away with it so far.

Arm or waist band for your phone. I prefer waist as armbands make me tense the arm and then I get stitches.

My key goes in my phone holder.

I don't take water. I rarely need it on a 5k and there are fountains on my route.

Good footwear is a must. I have Adidas supernova at the moment but also like the flexi soled shoes. I think Nike are overpriced. I'm not brand loyal so just buy whatever I can afford that feels comfortable.

Download a couch 2 5k app and you're good to go. The NHS, Zenlabs and Active apps are all similar and good.

Oh and music. I need good music.

Don't assume that just because you walk loads that running will be a breeze. It's completely different even if you go super slow. I remember how horrified I was about my complete lack of fitness... If you find yourself horrified don't give up. You will get fitter surprisingly quickly.

Good sports bra, good trainers and a bit of self-belief.

Clothes made from technical fabrics that wick moisture away, dry quickly and don't flap are valuable but not essential in the early days of c25k.

You can do it.

Asos have loads of really nice sportswear now. A really good sports bra and good trainers is a good start.

Thank you for all the advice and lovely encouragement! I do feel a bit daunted, but I think it will be really good for my mental health as much as my fitness, so I do really want to try.

What's a realistic budget for shoes? I'd like to try them on so will probably be buying in-store rather than online. I was planning on taking my phone for tunes and tracking; is an arm band definitely better than popping it a zipped up pocket? Will that be too jiggly and annoying?

Good bra, Good trainers, something to keep your hair manageable, & whatever you feel comfy running in otherwise. My neighbour runs in jeans & a crisp shirt (the sort that needs ironing|!). I run in old dad clothes & my son's old socks. (I actually bought my dad shorts in a charity shop, they have deep pockets, no need for a zip up anything).

Rather than lycra shirt or bottom I rate lycra sleeves & a stretchy neckbuff as the next most useful items.

My phone fits snugly into my arm sleeve so doesn't move at all. It would do more jiggling in my pocket, I reckon.

I haven't paid more than £60 for pair of shoes. I prefer asics and sauconcy and either go to the asics outlet or shop around online. Shoes are very personal though, so you need to try a few on first.

you could start with a long fast walk if you're feeling a bit daunted about running. With the london marathon on the horizon, theres loads of people training at the moment, all shapes, sizes and speeds. No one will bat an eyelid.

www.sportsdirect.com/running/running-shoes/womens-running-shoes

If you can get to a sports direct they have shoes as cheap as £20. I'll remind myself to go next time I'm in the UK. There's no £20 shoeage where I live!

You really do need to try them on. My current ones are a size 7 but I can also be a 6 or 6.5. It depends on the shoe not the brand in my experience.

You might need to go a size bigger for running shoes.

There are some C25K threads on MN so it might be worth joining one for the company & advice. I started the programme in August & I'm running 10K once a week now.

I found any old trainers were fine up to a point, but about six weeks in my knees started killing me & several experienced runners told me it was likely to be shoe problems. At that point I visited a running shop where they filmed me on a treadmill & advised me on what sort of shoes I needed and that's made a massive difference.

Sports Direct do cheap stuff for running in too.

Shoes and bra are very important but as some pp have said, good running tights that wick sweat and don't fall down are good. There's nothing worse than trying to run with falling down tights or knickers. Nike are excellent and if you can get to decathlon they do brilliant running tights (and everything else you could possibly need) for cheap, about a tenner.

Okay! Shoes, bra and running hoodie with zip pockets all purchased, within budget. I have some decent, thick leggings which will have to do until I can afford proper tights.

I'm helping at DD's nursery tomorrow morning, so Wednesday morning is the big day! In the mean time I'll download C25k on my phone and find a group on here to join.

Thanks again everyone for all your advice and encouragement

Good luck!

Good luck for tomorrow. I started running 4 years ago, it's so worth persevering. Just go slow and steady. Try to get a decent app, it makes so much difference having an attainable goal, try to find somewhere flat to run (I'm in hillsville and even now can be ready to give up if I hit the wrong route on the wrong day). I'm so glad I started. I've run up to half marathon, I'm fitter than I've ever been, I have an amazing sense of achievement when I reach a new goal (10k in 56 minutes at the weekend, fastest ever, already aiming for 55) and I'm modelling a positive behaviour for my DC. I've stopped a few times, redone c25k a few times, gone for a walk a lot of times. Running is a journey and it's ok to go off piste. I hope you enjoy it half as much as I have.

10K in 56 minutes at the weekend

Wow. That's seriously impressive!