Cheap and practical clothes to start running

[sanityisamyth]

I hate the way I look. When I met my now ExH (14 years ago) I was a fit size 12 and felt really good about myself. Far too much food and a 5 year old child down the line I'm now a size 18, can't jog for 10 yards without getting out of breath and have no energy.

An ex-colleague of mine has recently started running (she's got a very active and supportive family) and says she's now beginning to feel really good on it.

I'm starting to feel inspired. My problem is my DS as he's only with his dad 1 day a week but I'm unexpectedly not working at the moment so I might try doing some exercise!!

I have absolutely no idea where to start but I've heard good things about C25K so I'll download the app. What about clothes? I have no suitable trousers (jeans or PJ pants aren't going to help!) and no trainers as I'm living in my jodhpur boots.

What brands would be suitable? The trainers worry me most as I've 2 knee stabilisation operations and they severely hyperextend with no knee cap groove so they've got to be very supportive and cushioning.

How much roughly am I looking at? I don't want to get ripped off if I don't stick at this!!

Thanks

Bump

Lidls look like they are going to have some leggings in at the weekend their fitness stuff is cheap but normally lasts a year. I tend to size up abit. Alt I’ve had some M&S ones with a good high waist & pocket, and equally some cheap ones from sports direct be fine.
Trainers it really depends on your running style, some people say the wet foot test helps, (look on you tube) I’m not so sure. You may need to go get tested to see if neutral, cushioned or overpronator (ie does your foot roll in or out when moving). Given your knee issues maybe start with fast walking to see how they adjust? £50 prob good budget for every level trainers if shopping online like sportsshoes. com or upto £100 if in a shop. Good luck the couch to 5 k app is brill for getting into running.

The most important thing for you will be getting the right trainers, because of your knees. Find a running shop near you, and they will analyse your gait and advise you about the best shoes, and whether or not you need insoles.

As far as clothes are concerned, Sport Direct or TK Maxx are all good sources of good value/cheap leggings and t-shirts.

C25K is brilliant, but you do need to be able to go for a run 3 times a week (every other day, with a rest on the seventh day). However, even by the time you get to the end (9 weeks) and will be running for 30 minutes, this will take you no longer than 40 minutes - 5 minutes warm up, 30 minutes running and 5 minutes cooling down.

I started running at 48 and quickly found that I could run in cheap cotton leggings and t-shirts but a decent pair of expertly fitter running shoes made all the difference.

You need to protect your joints and tendons.

Splurge on the shoes in a proper running shop where they offer gait analysis. Then you can get a pair of cheap and cheerful running socks and leggings from Sports Direct. Don’t forget a sports bra, M&S do some reasonably priced ones.
Any t-shirt or hoodie will do on top for now.
C25K is brilliant, have fun!

Is running a good idea with those knee issues, plus the extra weight (I think our weight hits the ground with squared force)? It sounds like OP shouldn't start vigorous load bearing exercise. I want to suggest rowing, spin, cycling or swimming instead.

I have some Primark running trousers and top, they're fab. But do get some decent trainers as you don't want to mess up your knees and feet. Brooks is a good running brand.

Go to sports direct for some running trousers (karrimore ones have a convenient key pocket), running shoes (mine were £50) and get a decent sports bra (mine is M&S). Do the c25k for a couple of weeks then get yourself to a parkrun each Saturday - I'm one of the slowest, some people just walk, but it's inspiring (kids, elderly, dogs - all welcome)

I started 5 months ago, still very slow but at least I run 95% of the course!

I teain quite hard and find Primarl brilliant for running tights - look for the ones with a zipped pocket at the back of the waist, and tops. The crop tops/bra thingies aren’t enough support for running, so I tend to wear two (having first taken out the cup padding) and layer over a long line tank top. Probably the whole thing for under £30.

But spend properly on shoes. As others have said, go to s running shop and have your gait tested. Ask them to recommend a range of shoe types rather than one brand. Once you’ve tried and used a pair, you can shop online for similar, at a lower price.

And the C25K is brilliant. Keep at it, but don’t fell bad if you need to replay a week. Go at your own pace.

But the other thing to remember is, as my trainer said to me the first time he put me through my paces: “You can’t out- train a bad diet”

Thanks everyone :) some fab advice!!

I kinda forgot about the boob issue. I'm a 34JJ. I do have a sports bra that attempts to keep them fettered so will see how that goes. I'm limited to Bravissimo really on that front.

I will definitely look into the gait analysis but that involves bolstering my self esteem to run in front of some muscly Adonis when I've not run anywhere for over 20 years!!!

Enell bra if you are large of knocker. Nothing moves in one of them babies.

The right trainers and a proper high impact sports bra are the things that really matter. Otherwise any old leggings and a t shirt can do the job for starters.

Loving that @thenightsky will research.

I like the Park Run idea mentioned upthread too. I just need to find which one my ExH does (he's recently taken up running) and avoid it like the plague.

I have this front loader

(34F)

Agree with everyone that the key thing is good trainers & a sports bra. Tk maxx & sports direct are my go to for leggings T-shirts' etc. I also quite like H&M & gap fit (using one of their many 40% deals!)
If you have time to add in something else I would suggest either yoga or swimming once a week as they will help build up muscles & give you less chance of injury.

I would say get fit & strong before running. Mixture of walking, high intensity exercise & lifting.

Running is quite complex, a massive amount of repetition each session & high-impact.

Run if you love running but to get fit & strong, do other stuff first to avoid injury from overuse, etc.

I think it's the Swedish health service that have a great PDF on lifelong exercise & I read this there.

Deffo a decent sports bra and trainers. I have leggings and top from Sainsburys and they're cheap and been brilliant.

C25k sounds brilliant but I've not used it. I mapped out a 3k route and just told myself I needed to get round it. Whether I ran it or walked it didn't matter. The key is to getting out 2-3 times a week at least.

I know you're set on running OP, but with your knees being the way they are, have you thought of trying swimming first?

"I will definitely look into the gait analysis but that involves bolstering my self esteem to run in front of some muscly Adonis when I've not run anywhere for over 20 years!!!"

I used to think like that. It really held me back when it shouidn't have done. Because what I didn't know, and you ouod not possibly guess from the outside looking in, is just what a friendly and mutually supportive bunch of people runners actually are. My local 'adonis' (young, fit, handsome, actually wins or places in events) is genuinely happy for me with my veteran results - and says so.

The ones in a fair-analysis shop might be a good source of info on local running clubs with a fab beginners' group.

Decathlon or Sports Direct (if you don't mind the management reputation) or TKMaxx are all good places for inexpensive and fit-for-purpose running gear. Also check out tops sold for cycling, as they often have better bottom coverage

H and m and primark do nice sports gear that is not expensive. Parkrun is fab, for any ability, run-walk or even briskly walk. Usually really friendly and have a newcomers briefing to explain how it works

Decathlon for the clothes is fantastic and very reasonable. Decent bra, you shouldn't bounce at all, and shoes definitely needed. You'll lose weight quickly when you get into it, so I wouldn't spend too much on clothes, just make sure your tights/leggings have a drawcord so they don't slip.

And good luck, you'll be a runner before you know it.

@JiltedJohnsJulie Thanks :) I do swim and I now have more time to swim. I was thinking of alternating the running/swimming days. I did have a bike/cross trainer in the house but it really aggravated my previous coccyx fracture (yes I'm a disaster) so that put me off.

@AuntieStella that's really positive!! Glad your shop Adonis is helpful. Maybe I'll be brave!! X

Thanks everyone for the advice and support. I'm actually looking forward to doing some exercise again (something I thought I wouldn't say)