Help! Clothes to wear for gentle running?

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

Help! I need to shift some lockdown/peri/having quit smoking chub, and would like to do Couch 2 5K. I have trainers but no other “sports clothes”, what do I need and from where? Just leggings and a sports bra? Can I wear a normal t-shirt? What about my phone, do I need something with pockets?

I’m a UK 10/12 and would rather not spend a lot of money if I can avoid it.

I wasn’t sure if this was style and beauty but I am definitely not a good fit in sports/exercise!

Don't feel self-conscious, OP. Lots of us out running are considerably larger than you!

Shock absorber bras are really good. Decathlon ones are good too. I can't be doing with the contortionist-style pull-on ones at all.

Are you planning on trying Parkrun? It's ace!

the decathlon contortionist style are around a tenner.
worth trying out.

I am doing Couch to 5K and I have this bra. I'm a 30F and it fits in my usual size, is comfortable and has three rows of normal hooks at the back so you can get it on and off easily. I see them reduced all over the place but this link has lots of sizes: www.bravissimo.com/products/wired-sports-bra-pr100/

You can wear it racer back or normal which is quite handy.

You can get them for about £30 if you shop around.

Also, don't feel worried about running and don't feel self-conscious. Whenever I see another runner I am internally cheering them on.

I would recommend M&S running leggings, or Under Armour if you wanted to spend some money. And I do find a pocket useful for keys etc. TKMaxx often has cheap sportswear. I got a great T shirt from there but a normal one will be fine to begin with. I got a cheap running belt from Amazon and that is also very useful.

PS I am also a healthy BMI but fatter and wobblier than I would like and have had precisely nobody even particularly look at me while running if that makes you feel any better.

Ah, you guys have been so helpful, thank you so much!

I know you’re not supposed to but I went again tonight - last night was kind of my own half arsed version so tonight was run one with the app. I wore an M&S bralette with a neat fitting racer tank thing over, then a long sleeved loose Breton top, and a different pair of joggers. It was fine.

I ran (if you can call lumbering like an arthritic tortoise) past some teenage lads and felt so embarrassed - but they didn’t even look twice at me.

my legs hurt a bit now, but I am so proud of myself. I recently turned 49 and think the last time I did proper designated exercise was in primary school!

Agree with posters who have said focus on decent running shoes and sports bra. The rest is less important. Sainsburys and M&S do decent sportswear. I would get shorts (cycling short style) rather than leggings and a vest just because you'll get very hot running as the weather warms up.
Gap has good running gear (GapFit range) which is often heavily discounted in online sales.

I did couch to 5k in the first lockdown and can now comfortably run 5 miles in a bit under an hour without feeling like I want to die afterwards, it’s brilliant!
Remember to stretch afterwards, and after you’ve warmed up too if your legs are feeling heavy. Stretching makes such a difference to how I feel the next day, I always regret it if I skimp.
I treated myself to kit after each successive achievement, started out with just the basics. My favorite items are from TK maxx but obviously you have to ‘drop on’ items there, they’re not all the same quality!

OP, Well done, you are doing brilliantly. Don't be afraid to post in the exercise section for running tips or chat - you will get plenty of encouragement - don't do yourself down 😀.

I second pp:
-avoid cotton
-Decathlon and M and S Good Move are good and decent value
-pockets matter (I like a back zip pocket for keys and a side leg pocket for phone and tissue, also like zip pockets in running jackets)
-bra and shoes most important
-Decathlon also good for decent quality accessories like water bottles, caps, running belts, socks (socks matter too). And trainers - both their own brand and the big names.

Enjoy!

You want a high impact sports bra, ideally compression. I like shock absorber or Nike alpha skins. They are much cheaper on eBay.

i run in normal leggings. But you can get special running ones. X

As well as a sports bra, a running belt is brilliant and for cheap clothing head to Decathlon. Their stuff is superb!

try running in sunglasses - it helps in avoiding eye contact and feeling "invisible" Also, TK Maxx are good for the bras at a good price. Don;t feel awkward or self conscience - 99.9% of people will be thinking either nothing at all or "well done her". The other.1% are utter twats and not worth headspace.

I went to M&S and got leggings (with a pocket!) and sports bra. The jewellery was on already, not part of the running outfit, excuse my slippers, and I will obviously cover up my tummy in a tee. Am I an athlete now 😂?

Running in sunglasses is an excellent idea and something I thought about last night actually.

Yes, you are a runner! Leggings looks great. 😀

You run, therefore you are a runner. Welcome 😊

Echoing everyone else who is saying to avoid cotton like the sweaty plague that it is, and spend your money on good trainers and a decent bra. Once you have those, your next most important buys are decent socks and leggings (to avoid blisters and chafing) then a top. But the trainers and bra are the key things!

Sunglasses are a good shout, and headphones. I like to listen to podcasts while I run, it’s like having a friend chatting to you. I can’t get on with running to music, personally, although I know many people swear by having some tunes going.

Perfect. You are definitely a runner.

Just chipping in to say

1. WELL DONE (and also watch out. I started with couch to 5k and ended up running 20 mile fell races when I could’ve been safe on the sofa without mud in places I didn’t know I had. Fertility treatment has screwed my motivation but once this last cycle is done I’m going to get back into it.)

2. don’t buy shock absorbers without trying them on, they come up really small - I’m usually 30DD/32D, but my shock absorbers are 34E. They are good though, and don’t chafe.

www.marksandspencer.com/flexifit-non-wired-full-cup-bra-a-e/p/clp60439504

Forgot to say - I wear these bras for running, HIIT (lots of jumping), strength training, everything. They aren't sports bras and are less supportive than eg shock absorbers - but I am about the same size as you, OP, and they work fine for me and are so much comfier and easier to get in and out of 😂. When I had bigger boobs, I needed the heftier sort, but wear these now for sport and normal use.

Thank you all for being so nice! I did my second proper run tonight, in my new kit, sunglasses, and red lipstick. The heart wants what the heart wants. I didn’t walk any of the run parts this time - last time I had to skip the seventh one.

Well done OP! You are doing brilliantly! I've also just started the C25K and like you I didn't have anything to wear either. There have been some brilliant suggestions for shops upthread but I also managed to get a couple of bargain bits from Sports Direct and a good sports bra from M&M.
Going slightly off topic here but is there a c25k group near you? Some running groups have sub groups. Ive joined one and its brilliant - its made it so much easier doing it as part of a friendly and encouraging group. I dont think i would have stuck to it on my own.

Well done!

Run three - done! @TeaChocKitKat do you mean you run with other people? Or just connect online? I think I am too self-conscious to run (lumber!) in company. There was some big jubilee event on in the park today and it was SO busy, thank goodness for sunglasses!

I run with other women. I found a local running group with a sub group of new female runners. All ages, all shapes and sizes and all either doing or recently done the c25k. Theres a really supportive whatsapp group and a run twice a week. It always runs at the pace of the newest woman. Theres lots of walking and chatting as well as slow running. They show you how to pace yourself - i realised when i was running alone i was trying to run far too quickly for a newbie and thats why i couldnt run far. Its a brilliant and supportive group.

It mu

I was going to suggest Marks and Spencer. I have their yoga leggings, which I sometimes wear for running. I've also just bought some of their running shorts; those with a Lycra short underneath. The quality doesn't exactly match my Sweaty Betty clothes but it's very good value for money and I have lots of it.

Well done! It's addictive, the running, especially as your stamina improves. Do you have a smartwatch to track? I found that encouraging also.

Also agree with suggestions of running club (they have all different levels, from beginner) and Parkrun when you feel ready.

Just popping back to this thread having completed the second run of week three (!). I have a sore knee, or more my leg to the left of the knee rather than the actual kneecap. I think I might need other shoes? You were all so helpful before, any shoe recs? I really do not want to spend a bomb, and my feet are small (UK 4/37) but very wide.

Decathlon is excellent fir reasonably prived running gear.

wrt knee - rest it a few days.
concentrate on core strength and stretching instead.

running is hard on knee joints, c25k is slow enough for most people to grow strong along with cardio.

consider a session with a physio if your knees are still squeaky after a few days rest.

if the shoes are relatively new they should have enough cushioning to protect your joints.