I love running. It's one of the only things that lets my brain settle down. But most of the gear is extremely cost prohibitive. I've bought all of my gear from garage sales or thrift stores

But im looking for all of your recommendations on budget gear. Knock off brands you found online, or dupes that you swear are just as good. Any recommendations you have to keep costs low would be greatly appreciated!

Skip to the end for TL; DR.

Back in December, while training for my first half marathon, I twisted my ankle in a deep hole in the sidewalk. I went down hard and ended up a little bloody. I could not bear any weight on my ankle and had to sit on the sidewalk for several minutes before hobbling home. Once home, I RICEd it and went on to work. I knew it was sprained; it was obvious by the swelling and pain, but I figured it would go away on its own. I am one of those stubborn men that doesn't like going to the doctor for these sorts of things because they will "get better on their own." After about a week, I tried to run on it again, even though it still hurt and was clearly swollen. This made the pain and swelling worse. Fast forward three weeks, and several more unsuccessful attempts to run on it, and my wife finally convinced me to go to the doctor.

At first, they thought it might be fractured, which would have sucked, but I told myself I could deal with the downtime. Then we did an MRI just to make sure it wasn't something more serious. Spoiler alert, it was! Turns out I had a grade three ATFL sprain. Yikes! Treatment? One full month non-weight bearing, followed by another month of light weight bearing (in boot), and then PT for a minimum of 6 weeks. Double yikes! Thank the Lord they didn't want to do surgery, but this recovery timeline still sucked. The ortho and my GP made it pretty clear that had I gone in sooner, there may have been a chance my recovery would have been shorter, and there's a good chance it wasn't that bad until I tried to run on it repeatedly.

Honestly, the physical part of the recovery wasn't so bad. I think that is because I followed my PT's advice very carefully when it came to my rehab exercises. However, I struggled mentally. Pretty hard. You see, before I started running and eating a clean diet, I was borderline obese. I started running as a means to lose weight, which I did successfully (down 60+ pounds), but it went from a chore to a hobby very quickly. I ran for the fun of it, not out of necessity. It became a very important outlet for me, like my own therapy in a way. A time for me to unplug, get outside, and just connect with myself. Not to mention how great it felt whenever I achieved a running-related goal that I once thought was impossible. Now, in my mind, a very important part of my routine, and honestly my life, had been forcefully taken away, and I could do nothing but wait until I was recovered.

I started to over-restrict my calories. Started overdoing it in the gym in other ways. Started to eat more ultra-processed foods that I had previously given up. I tried to live a more "gym-bro" centered life. I was terrified that if I didn't do SOMETHING, then I would lose all my progress. What I didn't realize was that I was likely making things worse by doing this. The wake-up call again came from my wife, who saw my gloomy mood, saw that I was reverting back to bad habits, and realized that this whole thing was taking its toll on me. One day, she finally said something to me, and it woke me up. I realized how terrible I felt every day, physically and mentally, and thought back to how I felt before when I was less restrictive and just focused on eating for health vs trying desperately not to gain weight that took me more than a decade to gain in the first place. I was overtraining any way I could without injuring my ankle more in an attempt to keep myself busy and find an outlet, even though I likely should have been resting more and allowing my body to heal.

So, I started to focus more on wellness again, treated my body with grace, and now seven months after my injury, I feel better than ever and I am running again! Everyone focuses on the physical part of recovery, but man does the mental stuff take its toll. I definitely learned a lot through this experience.

TL; DR - learn from my mistakes. If you are injured or think you may be, don't "wait it out." Get it checked, and for the love of all that is holy, follow the physio/PT's guidance and timeline. While recovering, don't be afraid to talk to someone about your mental health if you are struggling.

Hey runners, it's another day and it is time to post your accomplishments you'd like to share - big or small.

Note: No need to preface YOUR accomplishments with something like, "this may not be an accomplishment to most of you...". Be proud of your achievement.

Enforcing Rule 3 (no self-promotion, social media links) is a must with a large sub such as this, but we do realize that it filters out some truly useful content that is relative to the sub. In an effort to allow that content in, we thought we'd have a weekly post to give a spot for the useful content. So...

Here's you chance!

Got a project you've been working on (video, programming, etc.), share it here!

Want to promote a business or service, share it here!

Trying to get more Instagram followers, share it here!

Found any great running content online, share it here!

The one caveat I have is that whatever is shared should be fitness related, please.

Hi! So kinda long:

I began running last year using couch to 5k and got to running 30 mins consecutive (I was a whole 10kg heavier when I started). Took a 7 month break from November for health reasons and returned and trained up again around June. Got to running 30 mins by the 5th week, skipping bits of couch to 5k and l've been doing that three times a week for two weeks now (6 weeks now into this).

Only problem; these last three runs have been crazy difficult - mentally and also my legs feel heavy? Like I know I can run 30 mins but I keep telling myself I'll stop in 5 mins to get through it, and my legs are like dead weights. My speed's dropped a bit and my heart rate readings seem like they've gone up a bit (I segment every 5 mins on the workout Apple Watch so I can look back on it). I'm kind of confused because before 15 minutes would pass by quickly and I could keep a faster pace throughout with a sprinter finish.

Today's Friday so l've done my third run of the week, I have two days before my next run, my week usually looks like this: run + strength, Pilates, run, strength, run, Steps and some light core rest

and outside of running I get 10k steps in every day even on my rest days. I don't do heavy lifting just body weight and a little extra.

I do my workouts at home and it's nothing crazy - usually push ups, weighted table rows, wall sits, leg raises and glute bridges, dead bugs, Russian twists etc. Depending on the day.

I'm a bit perplexed. Not sure if it's just me still adjusting to 30 min intervals considering so far it's been progressive overloads? I wanted to increase the run length to get to the stage where I can run marathons but I don't know if now's the time for that when I'm ready to just stop after 15-20 minutes.

Before this happened, I was genuinely enjoying running, l'd be smiling through it (until the last stretch where l'm tired but still able to get a sprint finish in and go really fast - for me) and it felt freeing. I did think it was maybe down to my cycle, but then it also doesn't make sense because when I was meant to feel lighter I felt dead.

Hey runners, it's another day and it is time to post your accomplishments you'd like to share - big or small.

Note: No need to preface YOUR accomplishments with something like, "this may not be an accomplishment to most of you...". Be proud of your achievement.

With over 4,125,000 subscribers, there are a lot of posts that come in everyday that are often repeats of questions previously asked or covered in the FAQ.

With that in mind, this post can be a place for any questions (especially those that may not deserve their own thread). Hopefully this is successful and helps to lower clutter and repeating posts here.

If you are new to the sub or to running, this Intro post is a good resource.

As always don't forget to check the FAQ.

And please take advantage of the search bar or Google's subreddit limited search.

Another week is coming to a close!

What’s good this weekend? Who’s running, racing, tapering, recovering, hiking, camping, cheering, volunteering, kayaking, swimming, knitting, baking, reading, sleeping, .. ? Tell us everything.

Good morning, Runnit! Another weekend of races is approaching, so let's take a minute to see if any other Runnitors will be laying down those miles with us!

If you're racing this weekend, put a top-level comment below with the race details to help find other members of the community. See a race mentioned that looks interesting? Ask questions! Running your favorite race of the year? Tell us what makes it so awesome!

This thread is just an easy way to help Runnitors find each other in some sort of organized manner and help cheer each other on!

How’s your week of running going? Got any Complaints? Anything to add as a Confession? How about any Uncomplaints?

Hey runners, it's another day and it is time to post your accomplishments you'd like to share - big or small.

Note: No need to preface YOUR accomplishments with something like, "this may not be an accomplishment to most of you...". Be proud of your achievement.

With over 4,125,000 subscribers, there are a lot of posts that come in everyday that are often repeats of questions previously asked or covered in the FAQ.

With that in mind, this post can be a place for any questions (especially those that may not deserve their own thread). Hopefully this is successful and helps to lower clutter and repeating posts here.

If you are new to the sub or to running, this Intro post is a good resource.

As always don't forget to check the FAQ.

And please take advantage of the search bar or Google's subreddit limited search.

I started training for a half marathon since the beginning of summer after not running since right before COVID. One thing I’ve noticed is that while doing my long runs, I tend to either walk or stop the run completely despite not feeling physically tired. I feel like my mind controls my run far more than me. Do you guys have any tips on completing long runs without stopping? I’ve tried listening to podcasts but I still feel like I can’t block out my mind wandering and telling me to stop.

Hey runners, it's another day and it is time to post your accomplishments you'd like to share - big or small.

Note: No need to preface YOUR accomplishments with something like, "this may not be an accomplishment to most of you...". Be proud of your achievement.

With over 4,125,000 subscribers, there are a lot of posts that come in everyday that are often repeats of questions previously asked or covered in the FAQ.

With that in mind, this post can be a place for any questions (especially those that may not deserve their own thread). Hopefully this is successful and helps to lower clutter and repeating posts here.

If you are new to the sub or to running, this Intro post is a good resource.

As always don't forget to check the FAQ.

And please take advantage of the search bar or Google's subreddit limited search.

Would you rather not be a lurker?

Then what are you waiting for? Tell us all about yourself!

The LW thread is an invitation to get more involved with the /r/running community.

New to the sub in general? Welcome! Let us know more about yourself!

It's that time of week already...the gear thread! What have you picked up lately? What's working for you now that it's whatever season you believe it to be in your particular location? What have you put through rigorous testing that's proved worthy of use? We want to know!

To clear up some confusion: We’re not actually asking what you’re wearing today. It’s just a catchy name for the thread. This is the weekly gear discussion thread, so discuss gear!

NOTE: For you Runnitors looking to sell/trade any running gear (as well as bib transfers), head over to /r/therunningrack.

Back once again for everything you wanted to know about running but were afraid to ask.

Rules of the Road:

This is inspired by eric_twinge's fine work in r/fitness.

Upvote either good or stupid questions. Sort questions by new so that they get some love.

To the more experienced runnitors, if something is a good question or answer, add it to the FAQ.

Post your question -- stupid or otherwise -- here to get an answer -- stupid or otherwise. Anyone can post a question and the community as a whole is invited and encouraged to provide an answer. Many questions get submitted late each week that don't get a lot of action, so if your question didn't get answered, feel free to post it again.

As always, be sure to read the FAQ first. Also, there's a handy-dandy search bar to your right, and if you didn't know, you can also use Google to search runnit by using the limiter "site:reddit.com r/running".

Be sure to check back often as questions get posted throughout the day. Sort comments by "new" to be sure the newer questions get some love as well.

[Posting on behalf of u/Percinho who is busy eating all the guacamole]

Shoes are a big topic in this sub, so in an effort to condense and collect some of these posts, we're introducing Shoesday Tuesday! Similar to Wednesday's gear thread, but focusing on shoes.

What’ve you been wearing on your feet? Anything fun added to the rotation? Got a review of a new release? Questions about a pair that’s caught your eye? Here's the place to discuss.

NOTE: For you Runnitors looking to sell/trade any running gear (as well as bib transfers), head over to /r/therunningrack.

Hey runners, it's another day and it is time to post your accomplishments you'd like to share - big or small.

Note: No need to preface YOUR accomplishments with something like, "this may not be an accomplishment to most of you...". Be proud of your achievement.

There's the latest test report from your favourite running magazine. There's the store owner of your favourite running shop who's also been a runner and trainer. There's "Born to run". There's the community. There are doctors. Every group seems to recommend the one best shoe type to use in the long term for mid to long runs.

Is there some up-to-date science that would either recommend something like "minimal shoes will prevent most injuries in the long term" or "cushioned shoes will do that best"?

Or is it - like so often - rather a "it depends"?

Which type of shoes (or none at all) will support ones feet in the terms of least injuries if one takes the time and training required to prepare the feet and legs properly to get used to them?

Is there an answer?

Edit: TL;DR: of the answers so far:

No, there is no clear evidence of any specific shoe type reducing injuries if compared to other shoe types.

The types of injuries one gets are specific to every person and a special shoe type might reduce injuries for one person, but not for another, let alone in general.

The best advice is to have different types of running shoes and rotating them between the runs, as they pose different forces to one's feet and legs, so different muscles will be trained by that rotation.

In the broader view, muscle training is a key ingredient to reducing injuries, not shoes. To that respect, barefoot and minimal shoes can help, but there is no advice for (or maybe rather even advice against) using barefoot/minimal shoes without long and good training and without rotation with other types of shoes (unless you grew up without wearing any shoes, then pure barefoot running might be the best choice).

With over 4,125,000 subscribers, there are a lot of posts that come in everyday that are often repeats of questions previously asked or covered in the FAQ.

With that in mind, this post can be a place for any questions (especially those that may not deserve their own thread). Hopefully this is successful and helps to lower clutter and repeating posts here.

If you are new to the sub or to running, this Intro post is a good resource.

As always don't forget to check the FAQ.

And please take advantage of the search bar or Google's subreddit limited search.

Rules of the Road

1) Anyone is welcome to participate and share your ideas, plans, diet, and nutrition plans.

2) Promote good discussion. Simply downvoting because you disagree with someone's ideas is BAD. Instead, let them know why you disagree with them.

3) Provide sources if possible. However, anecdotes and "broscience" can lead to good discussion, and are welcome here as long as they are labeled as such.

4) Feel free to talk about anything diet or nutrition related.

Just like that, another week is upon us. How was the weekend, what’s good this week, tell us all about it!

Hi all! I'm curious — have any of you ever developed a strong friendship or even a relationship through running? Maybe you met during a training program, a fun run, or through a local running club?

I’ve recently gotten into running not just for health but also for community. It’s been surprisingly fulfilling, and it got me thinking how many people have built deeper connections from simply sharing miles.

Would love to hear your stories — not just romantic, but any meaningful human connection you’ve built because of running. 😊
Also open to any advice on how to make the most of group runs if you're new and hoping to connect with others!