So, what stuff do I need right now?

[HockeyKat]

Cotton holds in sweat, where the tech fabrics wick it away from your body. The tech fabrics also dry a lot quicker and don't weigh you down with all that extra sweat.

Look for products that say "moisture wicking" and don't contain cotton. This includes your socks, as the sweat from your feet can cause blisters just as easily as the friction.

I find the cotten underwear and bras can cause the same issues and buy nylon underwear and moisture-wicking fabric bras (champion, or moving comfort).

I didn't believe this until I tried it.

Luckily, Target carries a line of tech gear that is very reasonable... $10-15 for either shirts or shorts/skirts. Wal-mart unfortunately only seems to carry cotton for women, or at least mine do anyhow.

Sports bras are only $$ if you are, umm, a little more well-endowed (C/D or higher), and need more support. Unfortunately, if you have the need for an underwire type like me, I haven't found many bargains.

Sometimes you can find online sales, or ebay, or outlet sales, but I recommend going to Dicks or a running store and trying on ones you like before you can buy without trying on.

 

[Zoesmama03]

I see so that is what I meant by the sweating. I understood how the cooling part actually worked but was confused by the air getting to feet anyway with different socks. But I guess with mess shoes some air gets in too.

I get that the important thing is good running shoes and most these other things come in time when you get into training more. I had some great Reebok running shoes once upon a time. I have some decent Nike Compete running shoes right now that will be good for building up endurance to handle doing a training, even C25K. these ones but in brown, so they are okay right?
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/womens/shoes/athletic/PRD~398484/Nike+Compete+Running+Shoes.jsp

These have been my main shoes for general wear the past few months. I don't go out much. Is it important to have separate running shoes only for running/training?

 

[HockeyKat]

Once I got serious about training, I got fitted at a running store, and actually the shoes I was wearing and had picked up from TJ Maxx for $25 were the exact right kind of shoe for me, ASICS GEL-11xx series. I moderately overpronate (my feet roll in) and have flat feet, so need what they call a "stability" shoe.

I had been wearing the shoes for everything, but once I got my 2nd pair, I use my first pair for around-the-town, and my 2nd for training only.

I actually got really lucky and found a 3rd pair at Kohl's for $14 (after 20% coupon) on a clearance sale, marked down from $85.


If you can't get to a running store, or aren't ready to spend the $$ (which I completely understand), here is a guide to tell what kind of feet you have:

http://www.zappos.com/runningfitguide.zhtml

 

[FireDancer]

I see so that is what I meant by the sweating. I understood how the cooling part actually worked but was confused by the air getting to feet anyway with different socks. But I guess with mess shoes some air gets in too.

I get that the important thing is good running shoes and most these other things come in time when you get into training more. I had some great Reebok running shoes once upon a time. I have some decent Nike Compete running shoes right now that will be good for building up endurance to handle doing a training, even C25K. these ones but in brown, so they are okay right?
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/womens/shoes/athletic/PRD~398484/Nike+Compete+Running+Shoes.jsp

These have been my main shoes for general wear the past few months. I don't go out much. Is it important to have separate running shoes only for running/training?

There are a couple of advantages to having dedicated training shoes but I wouldn't call it necessary. First, you can keep track of the miles on the shoes easier since all the miles are from training. Second, the wear on the soles will be solely from training and you can better gauge the wear pattern if you have questions about your running gait.

I would definitely get fitted at a proper running store at least to start out. Once you have good shoe model you can get them online or at less expensive stores down the road.

All that being said, if the shoes you have are working for you and the price is right you don't really need to do any of that.

As for technical clothing, they don't have to be expensive. Heck, I haven't had to buy any tech shirts in years since you get them at races now. Of course many have come from half marathons but there are 4 or 5 5K's a year around me that give out tech shirts with your $20 registration.

 

[FireDancer]

Since RunningWarehouse was mentioned on this thread I wanted to leave a quick review. I placed my first order with them on 7/19 right around noon and just received the package here at work about 30 minutes ago. I used the WISH team code to get 15% off (one of the shoes I ordered were Mizuno so didn't get the discount) and am completely satisfied with their service. The package arrived in almost exactly 2 days (49 hours), the shipping was free, and everything on the order was correct. I couldn't believe how light a box with 2 pairs of shoes, 2 SuperFeet inserts, 2 pairs of running shorts, and 2 pairs of running socks could be but that is one of the advantages of good running gear, weight.

I'd use them again in a heartbeat.

 

[HockeyKat]

.

As for technical clothing, they don't have to be expensive. Heck, I haven't had to buy any tech shirts in years since you get them at races now. Of course many have come from half marathons but there are 4 or 5 5K's a year around me that give out tech shirts with your $20 registration.

I have found most of the tech shirts (other than the Princess) to be for men. Also, I prefer the singlet type for summer in NC. Flabby white bat-wings for everyone to see, but it's so hot I don't care.

Fortunately, Target has them for $10 or less, and I found an ASICs one at TJ Maxx yesterday for $6.


Any suggestions for economy priced compression shorts? I am tall (34" inseam) and would prefer them to be long enough to prevent chafing. Body Glide seems to wear off at about mile 10 for me lately, and I don't really want to have to start carrying it.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Any suggestions for economy priced compression shorts? I am tall (34" inseam) and would prefer them to be long enough to prevent chafing. Body Glide seems to wear off at about mile 10 for me lately, and I don't really want to have to start carrying it.

How economical? I bought two pairs of Nike Pro 5" compression shorts from Running Warehouse a couple of weeks ago that I really like that were $25 a piece (without the 15% discount). RoadRunnerSports.com has a 6" compression short that's their brand that's almost $30 but I LOVE them. Excellent seaming and feel higher quality than the Nike ones. I wear compression shorts under my lightweight running shorts as regular running shorts have the tendency to ride up and they don't with compression shorts on.

Frank - I, too, had an excellent experience with them. I loved everything I got and will definitely be ordering from them in the future .

Oh, and I definitely recommend going to a running store. I went to one about a month ago, had my foot/arch measured, ran barefoot on the treadmill, tried on two different pairs of shoes he picked out, ran outside with them on, ran back on the treadmill, and ended up with a pair of Asics for $104 and he'll take the shoes back within 30 days if I don't like them. I came home and checked several websites for the same shoe and the cheapest I could find was $99 so I think I got a lot for an extra $5!

He was also mortified that I came in wearing cotton socks [I wasn't running that day and I got a whole lot of cotton socks!] and gave me a pair of moisture wicking socks for free [even though I told him I have several pairs at home but I don't turn down free socks! ] as he kept telling everyone "Cotton is rotten!". My feet don't sweat much but I've found that good moisture wicking socks that are made to prevent blisters are awesome! I bought a 3 pack from RoadRunnerSports.com (they're purple/pink) that indicate which sock goes on which foot and have extra material/support in the most blister prone areas. They're great.

 

[HockeyKat]

How economical? I bought two pairs of Nike Pro 5" compression shorts from Running Warehouse a couple of weeks ago that I really like that were $25 a piece (without the 15% discount). RoadRunnerSports.com has a 6" compression short that's their brand that's almost $30 but I LOVE them. Excellent seaming and feel higher quality than the Nike ones. I wear compression shorts under my lightweight running shorts as regular running shorts have the tendency to ride up and they don't with compression shorts on.

Frank - I, too, had an excellent experience with them. I loved everything I got and will definitely be ordering from them in the future .

$25 isn't too bad, esp if you layer in the discount.

My main thing is to not spend a ton of $$ on something that won't work, if that makes sense? I am okay with laying out the cash for something that I know won't wind up sitting in the drawer after one use...

Are you male or female?

I am female (well, duh, Kat), and wear a running skirt. I have found that the mesh shorts that come with the ones I have just don't do the job, and it's so hot here that the body glide wears/sweats off during long runs.

I got a pair of men's asics shorts on clearance ($8) at Dick's the other day that I am going to try out. I have been buying more and more men's clothing/socks/shoes lately, as it seems to be more suited to my size and build - 5'8", 175 lbs (working on getting to 150), and with size 10 feet. I just moved to men's running shoes and love them so far, and the regular sized running socks are a lot more suited to my feet than women's.


Oh, one more thing... my local Dick's here is having a 25-75% off lowest marked price sale.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I'm female I'm 5'4" and bought these from RoadRunnerSports:

They come down to just above my knee. I like them more than the 5" Nike Pro compression shorts as they do not move at all and they have a little zippered pocket on the side. They also make a true knee short (I imagine for people taller than I am):

I bought a cute running skirt from www.runningskirts.com but the skirt rides up and the shorts underneath are so small. They have capri running skirts that look cute but their stuff is kind of pricey.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Is there a way to block a website or call a company and request them to block your credit card? I was just "checking" Running Warehouse just to see if there were any good deals and found Mizuno tank tops for $14 . So of course I had to get one...or two.

 

[crewmatt]

Haha, I have a road runner sports store right by my house. I spend WAY too much money there. I love their stuff. They have these rain jackets which are easily the best 85 dollars I ever spent. I have a few sets of their 5 inch shorts for guys obviously.