Thought of something else too! Go get fitted for running shoes from a proper running store. It makes a HUGE difference when you run in the correct shoes based on your stride. Most people don't do this and have problems with their feet and shins and give up running.
YES YES YES. This is absolutely essential. Do not just go down to JJB or wherever and buy whatever is cheap or looks good, and don't buy whatever someone's else said was good for them. Everyone's feet and gait are different and you really need to be watched while you run. Most proper running stores will really work with whatever budget you've got, too, as they want to see you succeed and come back to them for your subsequent pairs.
And yes, as Mrs Robinson said, I run. I've been running for about 2-3 years now but I'm doing my first 10k in May (the Bupa 1000 london run). I can easily do 10k in training, but right now I'm working at bringing my time down a little without adding any more training days (because frankly, my schedule is FULL and there's a reason I'm not training for a marathon instead!).
