<p>I get my shoes here in the Boston area at a store called Marathon Sports. A small running store like this looks at your feet, the way you run and walk and tells you the right brand and stle for your foot type. This is well worth the few dollars extra per pair you might pay at a Sports Authority and get no advice.</p>
<p>Would second the idea of going to a specialty running store & let the employees earn their wages by helping you find the right shoes for your feet–there IS a difference. Also, be sure they get you large enough shoes so you don’t get black toes.</p>
<p>Comfortable socks (like my favorites–Thorlo) are also very important so moisture is wicked away & you have cushioning w/ no blistering.</p>
<p>Personally, I love walking. Running is a serious medical risk for me. My docs are happy with me sticking to walking, which I can do very briskly. Comfortable shoes for walking is key–I try never to buy shoes I can’t envision walking the larger part of an entire day in so I am not discouraged from walking due to tired or sore feet.</p>
<p>An easy way to add more activity into your life is parking further away from our destination & walking from wherever you park your car to the destination. Also walk up & down stairs instead of using escalator/elevator. Each little bit adds up and is easier to fit in than very long exercise sessions that are oh-so-easy to put off indefinitely.</p>
<p>I use New Balance because they have EEEE sizes - they are generally very good with very narrow and very wide feet. There are different kinds of shoes for different body and feet issues and different styles of running. You pay more at the specialty shops but they offer knowledgeable service.</p>
<p>I find that chafing is a problem when you get over three miles and use compression shorts 7-10 inch inseam to solve that problem. You can just run through it and your skin will harden but it can be a pretty painful process.</p>
<p>I had one other problem about 13 years ago when I got up to five to six miles per day and that was bloody nipples. A common solution was band-aids but I found that to be an expensive solution so I looked again and found that Vaseline would work too. I think that’s the reason for performance running clothes (I don’t have any of the high-tech running shirts, shorts, pants, etc). The problem was caused by friction with clothes.</p>
<p>For me, I consider jogging speeds from 4-5 MPH and running above that. I am far more efficient above 5 MPH than below that speed and I feel that I have more injury issues jogging as there is more pounding as opposed to your heel striking the ground and then curling off your toes. The rounding can also stretch your calf so the tightness doesn’t build up during the run. If your cardiovascular system can’t support running at 5 MPH, then it doesn’t matter - you have to jog outside of short sprints above.</p>
<p>Mousegray - I am joining you. I started running when the first signs of spring arrived here, a few weeks ago. I do have a mile route, I run 1/3 of it (or less as it is up the hill) then walk 1/3 and again run. I have not seen much improvement yet. I actually prefer to run alone . My goal is to be able to run the entire mile . I do not care about the speed. Just endurance 
Running witht he dog helps…</p>
<p>I put gel insoles in my running shoes because I have weird feet and I find that it helps enormously in keeping my joints comfortable.</p>
<p>I used to run but gave it up years ago when I developed plantar fasciitis. I recently got a bicycle and have started doing most of my errands that way. My fitness is improving MUCH faster now that I’m not limited by the state of my feet and knees. If running doesn’t work for you, consider cycling. For one thing… it’s fun to go fast!</p>
<p>Plantars Fasciitis is one of the big five running injuries. It’s also common in other sports like tennis and basketball. One triggering cause is using running shoes that are worn out. There was a long discussion on PF on these boards last year I believe. For some, a knight splint, stretching and good running shoes cures the problem quickly.</p>
<p>I am a competitive runner and I am frequently asked “how do I get started?” The most important thing is to go SLOWLY. The main reason people “hate” running is because they start out too fast. You should be able to hold a conversation- if that means walking with some slow running thrown in, so be it. Gradually the time spent running will increase. The key is to stick with it and extend your time out there. It helps sometimes to run/walk for time rather than distance. That way you are a little less competitive with yourself and less inclined to get discouraged.
Shoes- I agree that you should go to a specialty store. After you find what you like (and purchase from them since they spent the time on you), you can order online in the future. I wear a range of shoes, but it depends on your particular feet and gait. I personally think Asics and Saucony have some of the best shoes right now, but Nike Vomero is a good neutral shoe. Top shoe on the market, in my opinion (and this is sort of a passion of mine) is Asics Kayano. It is plush with some stability. It is also expensive. I think you get what you pay for when it comes to running shoes.
I am addicted to my Garmin 305 GPS running watch, which makes things very interesting and provides you with all sorts of data. Reserve that purchase until you decide you like doing this!</p>
<p>mousegray - it takes time but you’ll have fun putting those playlists together. I did mine from a collection of CDs plus a few songs purchased from iTunes (ok…a little more than a few). One of my favorite running songs is “What is Love” - always puts me in a good mood too!</p>
<p>Include the theme from Rocky on your playlist. Trust me on this.</p>
<p>The best way I have found to keep running, especially through the winter, is to sign up for a race a few months ahead. Hal Higdon has training schedules for all distances, including a 5K program for “novices” (walkers). [Hal</a> Higdon’s 5-K Training Guide](<a href=“http://www.halhigdon.com/5K%20Training/5-Kwalk.htm]Hal”>http://www.halhigdon.com/5K%20Training/5-Kwalk.htm) I went from barely running a mile to a half marathon in about six months, running three days a week. (At the moment, I need to take my own advice.)</p>
<p>Another great program is the “Less Is More” regimen on the Runner’s World site. DH qualifies for and runs the Boston Marathon every year using it.</p>
<p>OK, went on that “power walk” just as I said (couldn’t change my mind once I announced it here, could I?). I made a new playlist, laced up my shoes and hit the road with my dog and it was actually kind of fun. One thing that helped was everyone here saying that it was OK to walk instead of run/jog. I always felt that it wasn’t really exercising if I wasn’t running and so pushed myself too much. Interestingly, I noticed that I ended up doing quite a bit of jogging. I guess I was inspired by all the posters here, and also it was the first beautiful spring day in living memory!</p>
<p>I think I will mix it up with biking so I don’t tax my knees too much in the beginning.</p>
<p>Kelowna, good to hear you’re also starting! We have the exact same goals (modest). I jogged/walked a mile today and (probably 40/60, but with lots of alternating) and hope to be able to jog that entire mile comfortably eventually. Anybody else want to start? It’s true what they say about exercise being a mood lifter. I’ve felt good all day!</p>
<p>For those who find the treadmill too boring, try putting a television set in front of it and putting in a video. I did that and started watching movies 30 minutes at a time. Then I decided to watch tv series that I had missed. The episodes, however, run 42 - 46 minutes. So that encouraged me to watch the whole episode and increased my time.</p>
<p>I don’t want to run. I’ve heard too many stories about the injuries and problems so am quite happy with walking. My question is, what is a good pace to have as a goal? I’m up to 4.0 mph for the whole episode. Is that enough?</p>