Running Advice

You may have decided to give running a go but have perhaps only run on a treadmill or not done anything since school. This section and the information in the above links are just to give a few pointers that others new to running have wanted to know before taking the plunge to either run on their own or to join one of our social runs.

Don’t forget that everyone is welcome to join us on one of weekly runs – we are friendly & encouraging.

See the Home page for more details.

Kit - Shoes

When starting out there isn’t any need to go mad & buy anything special until you are sure that running is for you. A decent set of trainers, that are suitable for road running will suffice. Whilst we may go off road there isn’t any need initially to have more grippy running shoes or to have different types for trail or fell too.

There are several good running shops:

Run Forest Run in Matlock
Running Form in Burton upon Trent
Derby Runner in Spondon, Derby

It is best to try before you buy in the shop, as sometimes your running shoe will be a different size than you are used to. It’s also a good idea to use a shop treadmill or just a little jog around the shop!

e.g. you may normally take a size 5 shoe but for running you may end up wearing a size 7, this will be dependent on the make & your personal comfort. It won’t necessarily stop black toenails but it may help with bruising.

Gait Analysis

Later on, when you are sure that running is for you, you may want to get a gait analysis to determine your running pattern before you buy any expensive shoes.

They are likely to charge a fee that is refunded if you buy a pair of shoes. However, if you mention that you are in the running club those 3 shops will give you a discount (as at March 2026).

To aid the analysis, it is best to wear comfortable running clothes, a pair of socks you typically run in, and your current running shoes. This will help them to better understand your running history and wear patterns. Basically, you will be running on a treadmill whilst someone will either use slow-motion video gait analysis, or by a manual approach. This will assess your foot strike, pronation, and overall biomechanics. Trained staff can then accurately determine your foot type and recommend the most suitable shoe based on support level, size, width, and activity.

Kit – Clothing

Ensure that you are wearing comfortable clothing that is breathable and moisture-wicking, such as nylon, polyester, and bamboo. These fabrics draw sweat away from the skin to the surface of your workout clothing to be evaporated. This keeps you dry and feeling comfortable throughout your workout. Fabrics that hold the moisture can make you feel hot and then cold, and can cause chafing.

Whilst cotton absorbs moisture into the threads, i.e. not wicking, if it has been treated for waterproofing and moisture-wicking, or used for low-intensity exercise, cotton has many benefits for working out, like its breathable fabric, easy washing, and hypoallergenic qualities that are comfortable for those with sensitive skin.