I'd add one more thing... sometimes the treadmill is harder than running outside. This is partly for motivational reasons (treadmill is WAY more boring), but I find that strangely, I am considerably faster outside, even on hilly terrain. People are different in this regard (some find treadmilll easier than outside, others harder), but now that the weather's getting nicer it's worth trying some runs outside... You might find it's easier and it's definitely more enjoyable. I'm a type-A runner and will never walk if I'm running by myself unless I have a serious injury (like a sprained ankle or heatstroke), but my BF is very decidedly on the other end of the spectrum and when we run together, we walk for a block or two in the middle of every run (at the half way point), plus if either of us has any minor wimpy discomfort . It's a nice treat. It's definitely worth finding a training buddy if you can. I like to do a lot of running on my own, but it's totally different to run with someone and it makes the time go by faster even when you're running slower than you would by yourself. It can make it much easier to get out the door too.