Adequate budget for runners for beginner?

Cianos

Hi folks,
I did a search for this because I presume it's being asked before, but couldn't find anything.

I plan on starting up some jogging. Just something easy going at first, like the couch to 5k programme, and then continue from there.

I want to get a pair of runners, but not sure how much I have to spend on them. I don't need something top of the line, but obviously not a pair of rags that will be falling to pieces in a month either.

Is there a recommended brand/model for the beginner, how much would I have to spend and where would be the best place to buy them (I'm based in Bray).

Any help much appreciated

Krusty_Clown

Amphibian King in Bray. Tell them you want something suitable, but are on a tight budget.
I bought my Mizunos there for €90. They will recommend the best pair for you based on your running style, weight, gait and budget.

http://www.amphibianking.ie/

robinph

No brand or model could be recommeded as specific for a begginer. Go to a proper running store, not a ChampionStyleSport, and get your gait analysis done as Krusty said ( a search for gait should bring up a load of results on various shops).

Give or take a bit you'd probably be loking at €100'ish for what they recommend, but they will probably be cheaper than in a fashion sports shop as well.

yop

dont know if I would skimp on runners to be honest, its the "tool" that will keep your feet blister free (ish ) and take the force off your knees and hips. IF you can save a bit longer and get a good pair.

Enjoy the running

911sc

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Amphibian King in Bray will recommend the best pair for you based on your running style, weight, gait and budget.

what they have in stock...:rolleyes:

robinph

911sc wrote: »

what they have in stock...:rolleyes:

Which is still better than the JJLifeSportsStyle sales staff which will give you the ones with the nice go faster stripes.

xebec

robinph wrote: »

...will give you the ones with the nice go faster stripes.

But I want to go faster! Is that where I've been going wrong all along?!

RayCun

That's okay - you go buy the runners from Amphibian King or whatever - and I will sell you the go-faster stripes, for a bargain price! You can't lose.

robinph

But if you get go faster stripes then people will see you coming, your better off without them and then you can sneak up on the guy infront towards the finish easier. I have it on good authority that they don't actually make you go faster at all, no matter how sparkly the shoes are, well except for these ones which may have had some magic spells applied to them in the factory:



Edit: He has different coloured swooshes(tm) so that he knows which foot is which.

Zak Flaps

Cianos wrote: »

I plan on starting up some jogging. Just something easy going at first, like the couch to 5k programme, and then continue from there.

I want to get a pair of runners, but not sure how much I have to spend on them. I don't need something top of the line, but obviously not a pair of rags that will be falling to pieces in a month either.

Is there a recommended brand/model for the beginner, how much would I have to spend and where would be the best place to buy them (I'm based in Bray).

Hi Cianos, i started the C25K programme about 6 weeks ago. Good programme. Stick with it.
I'm afraid the posters here are correct, you'll end up paying approx €100 for a good pair of running shoes. Accept it. But they will definitely be worth it. Look at it this way, the fact that you've forked out that much will make you want to get lots of use out of them!!
Best of luck.

Zak.

tunney

911sc wrote: »

what they have in stock...:rolleyes:

For some reason I seem to have a reputation for being negative but in this case I can't be.

Of all the shops that sell runners Amphian king is the only one I would recommend.

Have they ever recommended a shoe for you that was not right for you gait and running style?
If so did they not accept it back for full refund?

Krusty_Clown

Have to agree with Tunney. The try before you buy philosophy in AK is great (i.e. take them up the road for a couple of miles). I'm sure it's on a dry day only, but is very helpful. They've only ever had a large selection when I've been there.

I did buy one bad pair of shoes there (Asics Kinsei 2) but it was my own fault, and put a couple of hundred miles into them before I came to terms with just how bad they were.

Looking at their website, they carry: Asics, Brooks, Nike, Mizuno, New Balance, Saucony, Newton, Inov-8. The only obvious brand that's missing is Adidas.

colblimp

What I think is important to mention is, the runners you buy will be good for between 500 - 700 miles of running, so you won't have to change them every month.

Firstmarathon

Cianos, I am in my 2nd week of the couch to 5k programme. How did you find it?

Cianos

Firstmarathon wrote: »

Cianos, I am in my 2nd week of the couch to 5k programme. How did you find it?

Hi there,
I enjoyed the programme and thought it was well designed for progressing at a steady pace. However, I only got as far as week 4 or 5, and had to quit because of a dodgy knee I have from a bicycle accident :mad: I am planning on starting it back up again and maybe doing 2 days a week instead of 3.

Good luck with it

huskerdu

Have a look at the sticky post in Gear and Equipment which has very useful information on getting guear to start running.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056102051

Bill2673

bear in mind its useful getting a good pair of running socks such as 1000 mile, this will set you back around €14.

Firstmarathon

Bill2673 wrote: »

bear in mind its useful getting a good pair of running socks such as 1000 mile, this will set you back around €14.

I got a pair of these in Elvery sports on Friday 07th Jan 11 for €11.99 (Not on sale)

huskerdu

Bill2673 wrote: »

bear in mind its useful getting a good pair of running socks such as 1000 mile, this will set you back around €14.

My advice is to invest in runners and only invest in other stuff slowly over time, as your running progresses.

I personally find Lidl running socks at 4 quid a pair, very adequate.

Bill2673

huskerdu wrote: »

My advice is to invest in runners and only invest in other stuff slowly over time, as your running progresses.

I personally find Lidl running socks at 4 quid a pair, very adequate.

i'd agree with you for all other stuff....I just think a good pair of socks are useful. Have never tried Lidl socks, have never seen them in Lidl.

Firstmarathon

Cianos wrote: »

Hi there,
I enjoyed the programme and thought it was well designed for progressing at a steady pace. However, I only got as far as week 4 or 5, and had to quit because of a dodgy knee I have from a bicycle accident :mad: I am planning on starting it back up again and maybe doing 2 days a week instead of 3.

Good luck with it

Thanks, I have crap knees too so I hope they dont start to niggle at me in the next few sessions. Im joining a local Athletics club for motivation to keep me going as it gets very boring when I do it on my own all the time. Espeically when I increase it you longer runs. Good luck with the return 2 days is better than none right?

Jim

Quick question, slightly OT...

I've been running most mornings for about 2 months now. I do about 5k a day which makes around 20-25k a week. Right now I'm unemployed and have no disposable income, certainly none I can use to spend €100 odd on proper trainers. Right now I'm using crappy "fashion" trainers to run in. I find it ok, not too uncomfortable. I fully intend to invest in a decent pair when I get job.

My question is am I doing more harm than good by running in those shoes rather than proper ones? I'm really just running to get a bit fitter, keep my confidence up, to get myself out of the flat and to have some sort of routine while I'm unemployed. I don't have any plans to get super fit or run any marathons anytime soon.

So is it ok to continue, or should I wait until I have enough money to get a proper pair of trainers?

Cheers.

ThePiedPiper

Jim, you probably won't do any damage to yourself with low enough mileage on imperfect runners. I trained in Kenya for a couple of weeks with a guy who alternated between ancient shoes, wrecked old runners and work boots and he was flying. Apparently, the CEO of Vibram who make the Five Finger running shoe ran the Boston marathon in a pair of dress shoes to prove a point!!

However, if you can spare 20 or 30 quid, you might pick up a basic pair of Asics or some running shoe and it'll make your running a bit more comfortable.

huskerdu

RunForestRun wrote: »

Jim, you probably won't do any damage to yourself with low enough mileage on imperfect runners. I trained in Kenya for a couple of weeks with a guy who alternated between ancient shoes, wrecked old runners and work boots and he was flying. Apparently, the CEO of Vibram who make the Five Finger running shoe ran the Boston marathon in a pair of dress shoes to prove a point!!

However, if you can spare 20 or 30 quid, you might pick up a basic pair of Asics or some running shoe and it'll make your running a bit more comfortable.

+1.

It depends on how bad the runners are, and how lucky you are.

If the runners are canvas with soles thin enough to feel stones under your feet, I think you are taking a risk, even with low mileage.
If they are thick soled runners, and you don't get sore knees or ankles, you are getting away with it , but be careful.

I would agree that a basic pair of running runners would be a good investment, if you dont have any, Keep an eye in the sales and on Lidl and Aldi.

RayCun

Try to run on grass as much as possible rather than concrete

Jim

huskerdu wrote: »

Keep an eye in the sales and on Lidl and Aldi.

I actually checked them last night haha.

Thanks for the replies!

woodchopper

The type of shoe a buyer wants will depend on the intended volume that that athlete trains at. If a few runs a week is the order of the day one can purchase running shoes in shops such as Elevrys for a reasonable price which are of a reasonable quality ie the Hawks.

PS: Any unwanted runners should be sent to Kenya so we can make them faster!