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Thanks! I looked into them on Amazon.com and they had pretty good reviews. I agree with the stretching, before and after, and yoga between runs! But I'll add that stretch to my repertoire.

I compete with myself. I try to run faster or further than the last time. It just helps me because even if I'm only faster by half a minute, it's progress and I celebrate it. Celebrating these victories, off the scale or the wardrobe, keep me motivated long term. When I'm craving chips but I grab a bag of nuts and run out the grocery store, I celebrate that too!

I eat 30 minutes before my run... Actually it's 30 minutes before I stretch for my run. I usually have a carb source, a protein source cooked with coconut oil, and a banana. The banana helps tremendously with shin pains. And of course, I drink water. I haven't read anything on what not to eat, I'm sure empty carbs or "bad fats" would be on that list due to the lack of nutritional value. But you need carbs for long term energy (whole wheat bread, oatmeal, quinoa) and protein to build/repair muscle. You need fat for short term fuel and that energy for your workout (hence the coconut oil, but yogurt works or olive oil). It's worked great for me thus far - I can advance week to week, I don't run out of steam, I don't cramp up. I recover with a whey protein shake after my cool down.

I don't want to say I'm looking for cheap shoes, because I need good quality shoes. But $ is an issue; I run cuz I can't afford a gym membership or fancy workout program. That being said, what brand of shoes have given you the best bang for your buck? What shoes have you tried that reduced the most shin pain?

Love it!

Are you drinking enough water - half your weight in ounces? Are you eating enough healthy calories to support the training you do? And can you find progress in other areas - clothes? More reps? Stronger? The scale is just a number.

It doesn't get easier, you get better at it! You can have faith, or you can have excuses, but you can't have both

I have rheumatoid arthritis and I find myself in the same boat as Melissa. I also focus on getting out the door - some days I'm running really slow and not as going as far because of the pain, but at least I'm still moving - so I focus on a pace I can tolerate.

Good question! I'm perfectly happy with the free version. Even the ads don't bother me that much.

Hey you're still lapping everyone who sits on their couch! I only run 3 days a week, I have rheumatoid arthritis and I need rest between runs or I'm in a lot of pain. But I repeat weeks as necessary until I feel like my chest can tolerate the workouts. I just started week 4 and I started running in April.

Good shoes, and eat a banana before running. Also check your form and breathing.