Trainers for c25k - how on earth do you choose?

[SourMilkGhyll]

As a running newbie (week 3, c25k) I'm hoping for some advice about trainers. I can't get to any shops so it's going to have to be an online purchase. Please forgive the lack of knowledge!

What makes a trainer suitable / appropriate for running? How do you recognise a running trainer?
Are there any particular names, brands or styles I can look out for?
Can I get some decent (decent enough for a beginner) for £30-£50 ?

When I started running I bought a pair of Brooks Ghost trainers and got measured for them at a proper runners store where I went on a treadmill and they assessed my running style. In retrospect I think there was a bit of smoke and mirrors about that.

I ran for a good long time and one of the most comfortable pairs of running shoes I used were a pair of sketchers bought in TK Maxx for £30 or so. A bit like these www.skechers.com/en-gb/style/15098/skechers-gorun-600-circulate/bbk

Running trainers tend to be marketed as such and they often widen out noticeably at the front. You should aim for at least a half size up from your normal shoe size as the impact makes your feet splay and they need room.

What are you using now? You don't really need anything toi fancy IMO
I have low-end ASICS which I find very comfy and should come in on budget.

Some websites have running show finders to help you choose as the choice is massive. Size up as PP said. I have wide feet so go for brands with a wide toe box. Currently wearing these

www.adidas.co.uk/supernova-shoes/FV6021.html
Have 2 pairs which I alternate ( not necessary) and now I can see they’re reduced might get another pair

This is helpful www.sportsshoes.com/shoe-finder/?kw=&cpn=1718907823&gclid=Cj0KCQiAlsv_BRDtARIsAHMGVSYLL4mMHJrtKfxxyDDYj2RVoXtsyDbGOtArUnOHGtbOnZOifS8xMssaArVnEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I got some cheapish ones online and then when I was sure I was going to continue I got some decent ones from a specialist running shop.
You can check your gait by walking across a tiled/wood floor with wet feet - just gogole for photos.

I came on expecting this to be about trainers that cost circa £25,000. I have been sorely disappointed.

My advice would be nothing too pricey. You should be able to get something reasonable in the Jan sales. I deviated from ASICS once in my life and regretted it every step of the way.

My current ones are Merrell outdoor walking trainers, but I was thinking I might treat myself to a new pair. After all, if I buy new trainers I'm going to have to finish c25k to justify them.

Like the idea of wet feet on a wooden floor. Might try that tomorrow. Might even get the paints out to try it, though on paper rather than the wooden floor!

Go to Sportsshoes and buy a neutral, cushioned, shoe for road running (ie not a stability or support shoe).
You can get very decent shoes (Brooks, Nike, Saucony, etc) very cheaply as they sell off previous years' colours. Just having a look now, and the half price Saucony Jazz is your best bet for under £50:
www.sportsshoes.com/product/sau3590/saucony-jazz-21-women%27s-running-shoes/#sku-sau3590

Don't worry at all about gait analysis at this point. It's pretty much bollocks at c25k stage, as all new runners tend to over pronate and/or heel strike - which is best corrected through developing good running form, not through built-up shoes that can exacerbate the problem.

You just need something simple, cushioned and neutral, half a size up from your usual size. And please stop running in walking trainers!!
Good luck

Sorry for hijack but can I ask @fellrunner85 how you can improve your form in isolation? I think I'm the classic over-pronating newbie which is why I mentioned the gait test because new shoes completely took away the pain for me. But I'd love to know how to correct it properly and your username suggests you'll know!

@GervaseFen I know the question wasn’t directed at me but The Lost Art of Running is an excellent book entirely about running form.

The Running Channel on YouTube has a couple of good videos on form, and is really accessible and useful for new runners - love their content. The Run Experience also has a couple of good videos on form, and also pronation.

You can also get someone to video you while you run. It’s... illuminating. You’ve no idea what you look like when you run and will probably notice weird arm flails etc that can be corrected quite easily.

But for couch25k I wouldn’t worry too much tbh - just make sure you have the basics down- running tall, try not to heel strike, aware of what your arms are doing. Dynamic stretching is your friend and don’t go out too hard.

When I first started running many years ago, I would go to specialist running shops to be fitted. I was always recommended Brooks support trainers each time. They were fugly but perfectly fine to run with. Over the years, I've realised all I need is a well fitting, well cushioned shoe, which I find much comfier to run in versus support trainers.

Note: these days, I'm only a 5km runner a few times a week to stay fit with the odd 10km if I have time. Currently, I own a pair of Saucony waterproof running trainers from Sports Direct which I'm really happy with. My PT recommended them. Waterproof essential in my case because of where I run. ASICS is another good brand in my experience.

Hi @GervaseFen ! When I started out, I was the classic overpronating newbie too, but trying to correct it with built-up shoes made me realise it just deflects the problem elsewhere, rather than helping. And since then I've seen hundreds of new runners join our running club and go through the same cycle, before all ending up being much happier in a simple cushioned neutral shoe.

This isn't helpful, but most form improvement comes with time - the more used your body is to running, the more likely you are to adapt to run well - and speed. It's hard to clomp on your heels when you're flying along at 6min miles!

But there's still lots you can do. Pull up and in, imagining a string coming out of your head, so your body is tall and straight. Look straight ahead, don't slump your shoulders, pick your knees up, and be aware of where your feet are landing - and how. Think about trying to land on the midfoot and pushing off lightly, rather than crashing down on your heel. But these things will naturally correct themselves the quicker you get. At c25k stage it's more about keeping going and getting used to running rather than worrying about form.

This is worth a read, too, if you want to think about what good form looks like:
www.runnersworld.com/beginner/a20811257/proper-running-form-0/

Super useful, thank you @LaLaLanded and @fellrunner85! I'm definitely going to check those resources. I did c25k in the last lockdown and it was the best thing I did all year. I managed to join a running club for all of 2 weeks before it closed again so now I'm just pootling around doing 5k about 3 times a week.

Place marking with interest. I'm another new runner after C25K in lockdown1, now addicted to it and should probably replace my shoes 😊 they've seen a lot of action in the last few months.