I want to run

I've never been a runner...but I realize it's a really great form of exercise. I've been going to the gym and taking classes since before my surgery and I generally went 5 x/week for about 1-1.5 hours. I recently have had some schedule conflicts come up that have bumped my gym time to 3x/week (I'm pretty rigid on when I can go to the gym because of kid/childcare issues) so I thought perhaps I could start running (and could push a jogging stroller) to get my workups back up. The problem I'm having is getting started. I wanted to do it properly and avoid injury and burn out. I'd love some suggestions as to how to get started the right way. TIA!

Here is a link to the couch to 5K program at coolrunning.com  It is a great way to ease into it.

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

I started on a treadmill by walking.  After a while I started throwing in jogging segments because I only had 30 min and wanted to get more out of it.  Over time I got to the point where I was running the whole thing and then I started running faster.  Once I maxed out my treadmill time I was forced outside when I didn't have child care issued.  That was when I started going farther and farther.  For me it was a progression from walking 5 minutes at 3 miles per hour to running a 5 hour 20 minute marathon and subsequent 2:03 half marathon.

Good luck working up to it.

Scott,
I'm currently on the treadmill at 4 mph and do about 3 or 4 miles several times a week. What is my next step towards being able to jog on the treadmill and outside?
Also what kind of sneakers do you wear? I'm wearing New Balance 872's right now. Thanks!

I would simply increase the speed a bit over time.  Try 4.2 or 4.3 mph over the same distance and see how that works.  After you get used to it, bump it up again and keep on doing that.

My biggest issue right now is shoes.  The last ones I bought are too small because I didn't try them on at the store.  I assumed that the same size of the same shoe I had been wearing would be fine.  Get yourself to a running shoe speciality store and get fitted by them.  I usually go to Kelly's Pace in Mystic.  I am not sure of any in the New Haven area.  I am going to Evergreen Walk in Manchester at the end of the week to the New Balance store there to get fitted.  That would be my suggestion although the actual answer to your question before I got long winded is, Asics Evolution.  That has been the shoe I usually wear.

Here a article that might help!!
http://www.active.com/running/Articles/Newbie_Runners__Answers_to_Your_FAQs.htm

Best Wishes!!!

I did a walk to jog program from Prevention magazine.  It worked well for me.

Like Scott said, shoes are VERY important.  Without good shoes you're just inviting injury.  For a long time I wore stability shoes because my arch is low, but once someone watched me walk/jog I was immediately put in a neutral shoe.  It was worth the time and a little extra money to buy the shoes in the store.

Good running clothes are also helpful.  Chafing is bad...

Linn