Starting couch25k: what running gear do I need?

[Wannabemamas]

It’s happened. Just checked my weight and it’s way more than what I imagined I’d be. I have just let myself go for too long eating whatever I liked and fancied whilst having a desk job and little time to workout because of DC. Anyway, enough with excuses, I just need to get on with it now and do my best. I figured couch25k would be a good way to squeeze in some workouts when I don’t have time for a full gym class. I have running shoes and gym leggings, however, because it’s so cold, I don’t know what I should wear on top. Any recommendations?
Also a few other random questions:

• where do you put your keys?
• is an iphone holder (the one that goes on the arm) a game changer?
• what earphones should I use? I have normal wired ones and they always fall from my ears
• are running socks worth it?

A really good supportive sports bra.

I wear long sleeved technical tops in the winter with a zip for temperature regulation as you warm up.

Keys in a zip pocket or a waist belt. Running socks are worth it but cheap running socks are fine, karrimor etc. I don’t run with headphones for safety reasons so can’t advise on that.

Shock absorber sports bra. Best ever. Sports direct have a good sale on at the minute. I've gone through lots over the years (replace every couple of years).

I get warm when I run, so if it's 0 or - something, a long sleeve base layer. Cheap. Running gloves. T shirt and leggings until March. Then shorts.

Yes, arm holders are great. Mine is from asda.

Generic ear pods about 12 quid from amazon.

The only things I spend money on are trainers and bra. Everything else is cheap.

Good running playlist is a must. I have a different one each month.

Primark trainer socks work for me.

Agree with shock absorber bra.

I prefer a waist belt as I find the arm ones rub. I use cheap over ear headphones from Amazon.

Good daps, a good bra (shock absorber run are v good) and a shit tonne of resilience. Good luck!

i agree about sports bra and half decent trainers - you can sometimes pick up older trainer models cheaply, eg Asics not Asda, normal ankle socks have always been fine for me (half marathon distance) - its quite cold right now and as week 1 of c25k is mainly walking i'd go with a fleece over a t-shirt or dry wick sports top, if its less than 5c then full length tracksuit bottoms for me.

I wear a light weight body warmer (it’s not but that’s the closest sort of thing) - that has a few zipped pockets for keys, phone. It also sort of covers up the bounce of my boobs so I don’t ever feel self conscious about that.

There's quite a lot of walking in couch to 5k so I would layer up a bit initially and see how you get on - long sleeve top, a hoodie or windproof - whatever you have, a hat or a buff to keep your ears warm.

Agree about shock absorber - the only sports bras I will wear, I've tried many and the blisters are just not worth it.

I have many running belts, they're all shit and I only buy leggings with pockets now. I think an arm band is the least worst option tbh.

I hold my door key in one hand and phone in the other.

Good running socks are absolutely worth it.
I prefer a waist belt for keys and phone.
I have aftershoks none conductor head phones, so can still hear the environment. They were expensive but I love them.

My top tips - a cap to keep the rain off
If it's cold start with gloves on, easy to take off and shove in a pocket when you get to hot.
Get something high vis to wear - in the winter visability can be shit even in the daylight.

Good sports bra, proper running shoes, go and get your gait tested at somewhere like Runners Need. A light if your going to be running in the dark, my head torch broke yesterday and although I stuck to paved roads there were lots of blackspots and I nearly took out a dog walker. When cold I wear a thin long sleeve base layer, long leggings, thin gloves and a thin hi-vis waterproof (I think mine's a cycling brand). I can easily put the waterproof round my waist if and the gloves in the pocket if I get too hot.

My goodness I just googled the Enell sports bras which I've used for a long time and £69!! wow - for the first couple of weeks an Asda sports bra would be fine, a shock absorber would last longer but have fun :-). Which C25K app are you going to use OP?

Defiantly a decent high impact sports bra, if you have a big bust try this company that have lots of options and sizes
https://boobydoo.co.uk/

bbc podcast about sports bras

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001sdv9?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

Worth getting to know what brands of trainers suit your feet- too stretchy and the balls of your feet slide around, too tight can cause blisters. I am half a size bigger, as if you get into longer distances your feet can swell slightly.

I never use trainer socks - just use thin ones with no bulky seams or a wide weave.

Have layers so if you get hot you can unzip / take off and tie around waist.

I use a waist bag but they do have to be tight around the hips and no bigger than you need otherwise it bounces up and down and is annoying. In the summer you can get ones which have a drinks bottle attachment as holding a container is a pain.

Oh and iphone holder will also hold a key and the in-ear headphones with the loop over your ears have always been good for me, i tend to only use one and keep the other hooked over the top of my t-shirt so i can hear what's happening around me.

I have running shoes and gym leggings, however, because it’s so cold, I don’t know what I should wear on top. Any recommendations?

Good, fitted running trainers
Good, fitted running bra
Merino wool baselayer on winter Eg
Gym top over the top
Robust activity leggings Ron Hill are pretty reliable for this
Lightweight breathable, windproof, showerproof, high viz jacket something like this

• where do you put your keys?
Shoelace round my neck

• is an iphone holder (the one that goes on the arm) a game changer?
No, o find them irritating.on winter I put my phone in my jacket pocket, and get leggings with pockets in

• what earphones should I use? I have normal wired ones and they always fall from my ears
I love my wireless bone conduction Aftershokz ones. Earbuds always fall out of my ears.

• are running socks worth it?
I really like merino wool running socks in winter to keep my feet warm without bulk. I get mine from Howies

I started running 18m ago on couch to 5k and I'm now training for a half marathon

Get a decent pair of trainers. They don't need to be super expensive but I started with a crap pair and once I started running 5k they weren't comfortable. I bought an expensive pair once I realised I would continue running.

I only buy leggings with pockets now as I found I hated having something strapped to me. I sweat a lot and it irritated me.

I have short sleeves and long sleeves but I run in a gilet at the moment as otherwise I would get too hot.
Good luck!

I started running in my gym trainers, which were fine for treadmill but shit for outside. Having my gait analysed got me into proper trainers, which makes a massive difference, as I need stability ones, thanks to shit ankles. Mizuno work for me.

I would suggest a decent sports bra from the outset though. In fact, I think more girls would keep doing sport in high school is they had a proper sports bra as pe kit. I feel like a viking, ready to go to war when I strap myself into mine.

I don't tend to take a drink on a 5 or 10k, but I do chew gum, which seems to regulate my breathing- which was always my issue.

Oh and I have light up arm bands. Dh says he can steal me a high viz from work, if I want one.

I did C25K last year and found quite quickly I needed a decent sports bra to start off. I also found I got very hot very quickly so layers are better than something long sleeved that you can't take off (I would wear a tshirt with a thin sports jacket type thing over the top, which wasn't too bulky to tie around my waist!). I found the armband for my phone an absolute pain in the bum - I later decided leggings with side pockets and a zip pocket for keys etc were a game changer. My favourite are sweaty Betty's (pricey but worth it, also can get some bargains on Vinted etc). I never bothered with running socks, I just used ankle socks pulled up over my leggings. And eventually I invested in a new decent pair of trainers!
Re headphones, I use AirPods and wear a sweatband type thing (hygge bands were my favourite ) over the top to stop them falling out. Also helps to keep your hair back and head warm on chillier days!

I just started back tonight but on a treadmill so not outdoors yet but I ran for years.

Very light training jacket, you get hot quickly, long sleeve running t shirt (technical) for winter. Sports bra. Leggings that don’t fall down, absolutely crucial, worth spending money on in my opinion. Gloves ideally light running gloves. I use a running belt for phone and keys. No to running socks for me, I don’t get on with them, but others use them especially when running in shorts to get the full effect 🤣.

I wouldn’t bother with gait analysis. If you’ve got a comfy pair of proper sports trainers (not fashion trainers) that fit they’ll be more than fine. I don’t see the point on gait analysis from a shop full stop… but that’s for another thread.

Echo the first 2:3 weeks or so have a lot of walking, so something warm to wear on your top and some gloves.
A good bra.