I also used the coolrunning C25K, followed by the "hal higdon spring training" program - which I got from hanging out on the coolrunning boards (now part of the active.com boards, which don't seem to be quite so good these days).

I was starting out over 40 for the first time and one thing I found is that the programs took a lot longer for me to complete (instead of three months for C25K, it really took more like 8-9). For a long time, I felt like I was doing something wrong, but after hanging out on the running boards, I realized that the programs are really only a starting point and that I wasn't the only one making such slower progress. Nothing really clicked for me until almost a year in and then I started to feel like a runner.

I have a running log on runningahead.com and that site is very good for getting advice from really experienced runners and there's a lot of fun people on those boards too - many of them are self-described "back of the packers" and some are really fast. There are also lots of discussions, blogs and advice on the Runnersworld website.

I have practically every book ever written on running (a lifelong habit of buying a book about it, rather than actually doing it) and after reading them all from cover to cover (hal hidon's books are good and john, the penguin bingham's books also) and I've realised that they all pretty much say the same thing. The main things are "go slow", "progress at your own pace" and "just get out there - no matter what your age, weight, pace etc. you'll have company".

Now, one thing that does make me mad is that it's practically impossible to get any kind of running shorts with anything between a 3" inseam and capri-length. If you're like me and you don't want your thighs on show, the summer doesn't have a lot of options!