Running into the New Year! Week of New Year's.

[Crankin]

Jolt, that book sounds good. I am just petrified that running will wear on my knees and that is why I am going really slowly. The last time I did any running at all was in 2003-2004 and I had terrible groin issues. But, so far, so good and it isn't bothering my cycling injury spots (IT band). I have to start running outside, but I have to estimate my speed by time, since I don't have a GPS. I have a 3.2 mile route I usually walk, but I will have to use the uphill to my house as a cool down at first.
I am not built for speed, either. But, I am trying to do intervals as I know they help increase fitness.
Maybe in the spring we can run together.

[Jolt]

Getting into it slowly is definitely a good idea. Have you made sure you're in the right shoes? That can make a difference too. And if you've had IT band issues (even if they weren't from running), be careful about doing too much downhill running too soon and make sure to stretch that area thoroughly.

[emily_in_nc]

Crankin, your speed is just fine! I am happy with a ten-minute mile, and I've been running for nearly a year now. In Chi Running, the author says that speed is the last thing to work on (after form and endurance), so I am taking his advice to heart -- I don't ever plan on winning any races; I just want to be fit and healthy and keep my heart and circulatory system in good working order. Even "slow" running will do that just fine! And John "The Penguin" Bingham has done amazing stuff running at a slower pace, including many marathons.

Today I finally got back to the gym after a 2.5 week break over the holidays. Ran 3.25 at a 5.5 mph pace. I purposely took it easy since I wanted to ease back into it after time off. Over the holidays I did take lots of walks, pulled plenty of lines (on our sailboat), and did a little Pilates, but no "hard" cardio, so it felt good to sweat today!

[Crankin]

Yes, I learned about the pain of running downhill when I first moved to my house. So, I have the perfect situation: walk down the hill as a warm up for 1/2 of a mile and walk back up the same hill as a cool down.
Jolt, my shoes are fine. I bought a pair of good shoes back in 2003 and then in 2006 I replaced them with the same ones. God, I am having a mental block, but I went to the running/sports store that is in Chestnut Hill because I got a $100 coupon when I did the Seacoast Century. After trying on several other brands, I settled on the same ones. They haven't been used much, except for some walking on the road in the good weather. Usually I walk in my trail runners in the winter or if I am hiking in the local woods in the summer.