I bought Chi Running but have not read it yet. I tend to have a short stride, high cadence (maybe from being a cyclist who spins rather than mashes -- or maybe just from being a slow, shuffling new runner!), and I think I do more of a mid-foot strike than a heel strike, though I haven't had a knowledgeable runner watch me, so I couldn't say for sure. On the treadmill I do use 1% incline and find myself running on the front, so if that's an indication, I don't think I'm a heel striker. I might be more so outside, though, with real hills.

One thing I need to do soon is go to a running store and be fitted for shoes. I bought my current running shoes, New Balance 754s, at REI because they were on sale and seemed to fit well (I learned from having black toenail with a previous pair of shoes that I needed to size up a half-size over my street shoes), but I have no idea what would really be the "best" shoes for me. I did have a quickie analysis at a fitness fair at work, and the gentleman (who works at a running shoe shop) said I overpronated with my left foot only, so I've been using a wrap-around arch support on that foot only when I run, and it feels great -- I never even notice it. But really, I need to get new shoes. Just haven't had time, with working overtime, getting ready for a new puppy, and going to the coast this weekend.

JoAnn -- great question, thanks for bringing it up! By the way, I currently only run three times a week and have still been able to improve a lot. I really think at my age (47 next month), it is best for my body to have at least one not-running day between each running day. So I run twice during the week and once on weekends, and lift 2x a week on two of the other days. Cycling will start up very soon now, hopefully 2x a week. Cross-cross training: good; running in cross-training shoes: bad.

Emily