What does a new(ish) runner want for her birthday?

[thenewaveragebear1983]

I’m a new ish runner (6 months) and I run regularly now 5/6 times a week doing fairly good distances.

It’s my birthday soon, what do I want from Dh ?? I’m thinking- anything I should get for autumn/winter running? Any nice running kit? What about a wind proof jacket? Any luxury type thing that’s not essential but nice to have?

Links would be great! Budget probably £60-£80??

Some trainers from a shop which analyses your gait?

A running jacket would be great. Try to get something bright and/ or reflective for visibility on those darker mornings or evenings.

Find runmummyrun on Facebook, join a fab community and get some of their lovely kit.

Alternatively look at tikiboo or sturdy by design for brighter bottoms.

Flip belt or similar to hold keys and phone.

Bonne conducting earphones so youncan listen to music but still be aware of surroundings

gait analysis is pointless unless you run mostly on paved surfaces

What clothes are you wearing now? 6m in I was still in regular capri trousers, had no lycra at that point.

Heart monitor... garmin...

My best purchase was my Bluetooth headphones, shock absorber and my running watch (although that was a bit over your budget)
I just pick up clothes if I see something in the sale (I have far too many running tops!).
I bought a flip belt for long runs but I’m undecided on whether I like it or not.

Soft shell full zip windstopper (? Gore Mythos range)

Bluetooth earphones e.g Jaybird

Good headtorch for early morning/eve runs

Buff/snood

I do have a waist belt thing. I mostly run wearing cheapy leggings and top (they were from Lidl!) but I am always tempted by the lovely co-ordinating tops and trousers. Maybe some 3/4 length ones? Any really nice brands you’d recommend?

I have a Fitbit so don’t need a running watch yet.

Llijk I do run almost exclusively on paved surfaces with occasional treadmill, so maybe gait analysis and trainers is something to explore.

I’m not a professional but I go against the above and say gait analysis is brilliant.
I’ve had it done and the bloke was absolutely spot on and the trainers I have are unbelievably comfortable and do what I want them to.

A running waterproof. I got my so thin it’s almost see through Montane one 50% off at sportshoes.com...was about £60 I think.

Gait analysis is deinfitely worthwhile if you're running nearly every day. And then you get some lovely new trainers!

I get all my running stuff from Sainsbury's! Leggings, tops, jackets. I don't run as much as you so maybe big brands are better for lasting longer, I don't know, but it's worth a look as you could get a whole outfit for your birthday from that budget. I don't like the usual black/grey so got some lovely purple/teal/blue items.

However, if you'd like new trainers then the gait analysis idea is better. I kept getting shin splints in my last ancient pair but haven't since I got the fancy ones post-analysis.

New runner here too. I've just asked my dh for some bone conduction headphones.

Yougo I love the idea of nice pretty coordinating running stuff, will definitely look at some of those

NbeeWhat are bone conduction headphones??? Or is that a typo?

Nbee I have just googled! Interesting!

I want to get to a shop to try some but not sure where. Looked online at John Lewis but they don't stock any. The idea is that you can listen to music/podcasts etc but still be able to hear cars etc and be able to speak to people without removing them from your ears.

Entry to a 24 endurance event.

Having started in bog standard and fairly cheap gym and running gear I've now started coveting the cool designs you see people with - like little miss leggings, um bongo running vests and so on. I've got a Simon's Cat running t-shirt I often use for parkrun now, I like a lot of these designs.

Seconding the recommendation for Tikiboo leggings or capris

Running sunglasses?

A Garmin vivosport

If you're going to be doing a lot of distance running, a backpack water carrier is a godsend - by far my favourite bit of running kit (I use it for anything over 5 miles in the summer when it's warm, and over about 7 in the winter). Get one with straps across the front to make sure it's secure.

I wish I had a decent waterproof running jacket - I think you have to spend big to get a really good one though.

You can never have too many running socks (in my view) - great top-up gift!

A proper running watch is much better than a fitbit - definitely worth investing in.

Any decent running shop should do a gait analysis as part of the trainer-buying process. Go somewhere that has lots of different brands available.

Decent lighting, if you're thinking ahead to Autumn. So many runners out there are not adequately visible - even when they're running on pavements.

For a 'free' sport, it's surprising how much money you can spend!!