Shoe and Kit Information

Running kit can be as simple or as complicated as you wish. Running is
generally an inexpensive sport but the cost can add up if you buy all the
latest gear.

We sell a range of sportswear, look at our shop page.

The one thing you must definitely have is a good pair of specialist running
shoes that are chosen to suit your running style and running surface. Good
running shops will be able to analyse your gait and advise on the best fit
and style of shoes.

Also, ladies should remember to buy a good sports bra as this will make life
much more comfortable whilst running.

For other equipment, make sure you dress for the weather – layering under a
waterproof but breathable jacket is a good choice in winter. If you are
running alone we suggest you always carry a mobile phone in a pocket or on a
belt in case of emergency.

Running Shoes

The main makes of running shoe are Saucony, New Balance, Brooks, Asics and
Mizuno. It is best to get them fitted at a running shop, where the staff
will put you on a treadmill to see how you run so as to choose a shoe which
is suited to your gait.

Please please don't go to a fashion sports shop and buy some shoes from
someone who doesn't know about running and different surfaces, you will end
up sore or even worse, injured plus out of pocket!!

There are several good shops in London, and there is Sweatshop which is
behind Notcutts Garden Centre in Maidstone, exit junction 7 and go up the
road and you will see Notcutts. Ask for a discount for being a member of
SLJ!!

Bat and Ball Sports in Sevenoaks are also helpful, they have a gait analysis
machine which looks at your gait and gives you an option of 4 suitable shoes
depending on your preference, cost etc. It is best to avoid weekend visits
here as it is full of mums kitting their kids out with new football boots
etc for next term, going at lunchtime or early morning may get you more
attention!!

Bras

Some of our members have jog-tested some sports bras, read their reviews here.

As a female runner you will surely be aware of the importance of a good
running bra, but do you know why? Running causes your breasts to bounce and
this movement creates stress on the Cooper’s ligaments which are the
connective tissues which hold your breasts up.

With age these ligaments slacken and breasts begin to sag, however, running
can accelerate this syndrome. A recent study undertaken by a team at
Portsmouth University found that breasts moved in a 3D figure of eight and
the study suggested as a woman runs a mile, her breasts bounced 135m.

The report found each breast moved independently of the body by an average
of 9cm for every step taken! Sports bras have been specially designed to
absorb the shock of bouncing and reduce stress on the ligaments which cause
breast sag.

As you begin to think about winter kit please do yourself a favour and treat
yourself to a new running/ sports bra.

When looking for a bra you need one which provides the support you need
without restricting your movement or breathing. Therefore you need the
perfect fit. To this end it's always better to go for one that comes in cup
sizes. Small, medium or large isn't good enough, having actual sizes helps
you pick the right one for you. Many favour larger or smaller women and are
design specific to the breast shape.

The material will need to be one that draws moisture away from the body.
Most sports and jogging bras do this but it's always worth checking. Some
have patented fabrics that draw moisture very well. When you've found your
ideal jogging bra consider buying several. The average sports bra should be
replaced after around 30 to 40 washes. Ensure your sports bra is washed at a
low temperature and dried naturally to help it last longer. Overall having a
good jogging bra will be a god send and something that will really help you
enjoy your jogging more.

Expect to pay somewhere in the region of £20 - £45 depending on the type you
choose.

Look at Less Bounce, Wiggle, Bourne Sports, and Booby Doo. Many will let you
order three or four and try the wobble test in the comfort of your bedroom
and then send back those that don't fit.

John Lewis, Marks and Spencer and specialist underwear shops may all have
something that suits you too.

Running Watches with GPS

You may notice that some of the ladies who now run with SLJ wear a GPS
Watch. They are an optional piece of kit but many people find them useful.
If you do decide you'd like one, expect to pay between £90 and £300 depending on which         model you choose.

Running GPS watches use satellite technology to calculate your speed and
distance. They can measure the speed you are running at, the overall
distance travelled, and can contain many other features such as distance
based alerts and details of average speed and maximum and minimum speed, not
just over a session, but over individual laps within a session.

GPS is a very accurate method of recording this information, but can suffer
near large objects or enclosed areas where satellite signals can be
disrupted. Accelerometer foot pods are an alternative to running GPS pace
Watches. They are not disrupted indoors or around objects, but do not
measure altitude.

A GPS watch that measures distance can tell you precisely how far you have
run as well as how fast you are running. Some running watch systems, like
Polar, also feature a longer-term “odometer” that can log your distance over
a much longer time-frame, the watch storing your cumulative distance over
the course of weeks or months. These watches are often packaged with
software that includes an electronic journal, so you can download your
sessions directly onto your PC.

While each GPS timepiece has something unique to offer, if you’re looking
for a watch with just about every major feature runners commonly need, you
could do worse than to use the Garmin Forerunner watch line as a starting
point. You may also want to have a look at Timex, Suunto and Polar GPS watches to              compare the features they offer.