We wouldn't send our child to football practice with a faulty helmet because they would get injured. If your child runs in faulty shoes they will also get injured. A large majority of the time when an athlete complains of something starting to hurt in the lower half of their body it is because they are running in shoes that needed to be replaced miles and miles ago. PARENTS: please take this need serious help your child stay injury free. Most shoes need to be replaced every 300-400 miles. Some brands/models will hold up for more miles but 300-400 is an average lifespan for the way most running shoes are made today.
If the runner already knows what works for them then it is good to stick with what works, but if they aren't sure then it is best to go to a specialty running store like Fleet Feet Huntsville, First Place Athletics Huntsville, or Trak Shak Homewood so they can receive quality help and guidance in making a proper selection. Not all shoes are engineered the same and not all shoes will work for all people. The wrong shoe will cause injury.
If you know what you are looking for then you can find running shoes online for less than retail price. Here are a few places that are worth looking at for discounted trainers:
This is the second most important training aid. It is a must. At the least, the runner needs a watch that can keep up with their duration of running and can track laps.
Timex Ironman Series
The GPS watch is a great investment for the serious runner. Excellent training tool to help runners not only enjoy their training more, but also to make progress.
Garmin Forerunner Series
If you don't write it down, it didn't happen. The greatest runner of all time, Eliud Kipchoge fully believes this and so do I. We must write down our workouts, feelings, and thoughts and be able to see that from day to day, week to week, adaptation cycle to adaptation cycle, and year to year. Running development is long-term and it cannot be done effectively without a training log.
"Believe" Training Journal by Laura Fleshman
"Compete" Training Journal by Laura Fleshman
A notebook or journal of your choice. The great thing about Fleshman's training journals is that she has motivation and inspirational content built into the training journal.
If we want to develop and make progress at anything then we must learn more about what we are doing and what we are pursuing. There are great books to read for lots of different purposes in regard to running. Let me know what you are looking for (e.i. motivation, inspiration, the science of running, etc.) and I have some great books to recommend.
These are extremely lightweight running shoes that have spikes under the fore foot for greater efficiency while racing. Cross country spikes can be used on the track, but track spikes should not be used during cross country racing because they do not have enough support or stability to handle the various terrain of a cross country course.
We live in Alabama so it's pretty simple: most of the year all we need are running shorts, singlet or running shirt, socks. Other things to consider are running half tights and long sleeve running shirts.
Nike featherlight hat is great for the warmer months (protection from sun).
Goodr sunglasses are great inexpensive option for running sunglasses.
When it gets colder, long running tights are good and a lightweight running jacket. The key in the colder months is to layer up.
Other accessories that are helpful are running gloves and something like a Buff Multifunctional Headgear.
Places to buy running gear: (Local) Dick's Sporting Goods, TJ Maxx, Ross Dress for Less; Specialty Running Stores (Trak Shak, Fleet Feet, First Place Athletics); Online (Amazon, Running Warehouse, Tracksmith). There are, of course, other places to buy, but this is what came to mind at the moment. Nike Outlet's and similar places exist.