Running shorts - what's the best style?

[Merle]

Hi, I wondered if any of you S&B experts had any advice on which style is the most flattering.

I am in my 40s, fairly fit, size 10/12.

I've tried various shapes - long lycra, shorter lycra, classic mannish running shorts; but they always look a bit odd.

I realise that a middle-aged woman in shorts is always going to be tricky, but do any of you have any experience of getting it right-ish?

Hooray. Enjoy your running.

Wore them yesterday for a half marathon and I still think they are fab - kept me feeling comfortable in the heat.

As for my top half, however, I think I need to start a thread asking for advice on the best sports bras in hot weather...

Ah you see I couldn't possibly help you there as I am norkily underchallenged and possibly the only woman in the world who runs in a padded bra.

Wish I could motivate myself to exercise again, how do you ladies do it??
Always found Nike to be the hardest wearing sports wear.

topsi there is a lot of group exercise stuff going on; sometimes I think that without it I would never leave the sofa.

The best thing I ever did was join a running club. Most clubs now have a beginners section. There is a lot of support and encouragment and I have ended up doing a lot of races that I had never heard of.

Hi ladies, I'm just getting into running and I've started a thread in the Big/Slim/Whatever section for others who are also starting out. Or for wise words from you fitter types.

Merle- may I ask how well you could run before you joined a club? Not sure I'm fit enough yet.

I would recommend the running threads - they have the communal/supportive/encouraging thing going on.

I waited until I could run 10k in under an hour. I was nervous but I had a friend in another club who kept on about it. When I started I was put in the womens' beginners. When the coach asked me how far I could run and I said 10ks there was an audible gasp - as if I was an olympic athlete. Two years on a lot of the women in that group are also running 10k in well under the hour.

I say all this because I needn't have worried about not being fast enough to join and also because I think a lot of clubs now have a beginners' section, especially for women.

Merle- there was an audible sigh of relief when I got to your last sentence. I'll look about when I feel ready.