Best thing you can do for shoes is go to a shop that specializes in running and get them to fit you properly. This will pay for itself many times over in comfort and lack of injury. I would advise you not to try to do it yourself - you may get lucky or you may not. Take it from a guy who has had a broken heelbone and torn PF band due to less than optimal shoe fit - it's not worth it.
As far as clothes, that too is personal preference and depends on how much you want to get into it and spend. A good wicking fiber shirt and shorts was always worth it fo me, but many shorter distance runners stick with cotton tees as well. Personal preference is wqhat it will come down to for you. My advice is to wear what you have and then go from there if you need to make changes.
I second the motion on the local shop. Different brands fit differently so sizing become an issue on line. I recommend going to a good local running shop (NOT Academy Sports, Sports Authority, etc.)and getting fitted for your first pair of shoes. After that if you like them look to the internet for replacements.
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Today's mighty oak was once just some nut who held his ground!
Amen on going to a reputable running shop for shoe recommendations and fitting. It sounds like, if you don't overpronate and don't do anything else biomechanically that needs correction, you may do well with a shoe in the "training shoe" class. Generally, these are lighter in weight and less clunky than shoes built to increase stability.
You may want to check out the Runner's World website for more shoe info.
As far as clothing - anything made with the wicking "dry" fabrics is better. But a lot of that clothing is very expensive. You may not want to drop $30 on a tank top. Fortunately, some of the more economical clothing lines are starting to include dry-fit shirts and shorts (like Russell Athletics). I actually only have a couple of pair of dry fabric running shorts and one t-shirt and two tanks right now because of the cost. Much of the time I run in my cheaper cotton stuff, although that can cause chaffing on longer runs. In warm weather, I think it's beneficial to run without a shirt when possible - it helps with evaporation of the perspiration.
Thanks alot guys, I was leaning towards the store my self, I guess i posted just out of eagerness =-]. Im excited to take up running and want to do some serious distances, even though its detrimental to weight training/muscle gain.... I just cant seem to get as motivated in performing sprints and interval training. Theres just some sense of accomplishment in running distance.
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"Obsession is a word that lazy people use to describe the Dedicated."
Originally posted by ODB:
[QB] Now this guy is a real distance runner and he looks pretty fit and not at all like what you would think of as a 'skinny' runner.
I really like nike shox running shoes and would reccomend them, and they make them in a lot of different styles. They are really comfortable and cushioned, and pretty light. They are pretty durable too.
For running clothes, I think regular gym clothes are fine but, if you want to run in winter, definetly condsider getting some under armour pants and shirts or something similar.
Yea, i got a pair of brooks, pretty nice stury shoes, light, sort of comfy - they give good support, and im not used to that feeling lol!
I have a pair of underarmor long boxers i guess to wear over a pair of running shorts a friend got for me. They are shirt and go up when you run, so i need something undearneath, just feel weird otherwise. And I find when im in my 'running gear' its just more motivation...P.S. .... GO TO KMART, same stuff as a running store.... 1/3 to 1/5 the price!
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"Obsession is a word that lazy people use to describe the Dedicated."
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