Starting running again. Any tips or tricks?

Wear shoes. Socks are good too. Then put one foot in front of the other. Before you know it you'll be running. Then figure out what you are running from or running to...

Take it slow. Work on some interval stuff. Running then walking then running. That is what I am doing. I recently got a lower back procedure with some shots and stuff. The Army said I don't have to run anymore. However, weight gain is an issue when you drop cardio. So I have been doing interval training on a running track and it seems to help build my endurance back up, get me back into running a little, and keep the pounds off.

I'm not a professional trainer, but I did think about staying at a Holiday Inn Express last night... ;) Good luck!!!

I am about to start Insanity MAX 30. I Dont know why i waited until i retired from the Army to get into running but that coupled with P90X/Body Beast has been instrumental in keeping in great shape. Anyone else do Beachbody programs ?
http://www.beachbodycoach.com/michaelbert

Just listen to your body. If it says NO don't push it.

For all you runners, this is a GREAT workout. You only need about a 1/2 mile of flat, open road:

Repeat this ladder interval set 1-2 times. (Each set includes 8 minutes of hard running.)

•From the starting point, run 30 seconds at a hard effort. (That means a pace where you aren’t able to speak, but can still control your form. It’s somewhere between comfortably hard and an all-out sprint effort.) Recover by turning around and walking or jogging back to the starting point. You can walk until you catch your breath and then jog back to the start. The key is to allow your breathing to come back down to an aerobic level where you can talk easily before your start your next interval.
•From the starting point, run 1 minute at a hard effort, and then walk/jog recover back to the starting point.
•Run 90 seconds at a hard effort. Walk/jog to recover.
•Run 2 minutes at a hard effort. Walk/jog to recover.
•Run 90 seconds at a hard effort. Walk/jog to recover.
•Run 1 minute at a hard effort. Walk/jog to recover.
•Run 30 seconds at a hard effort. Walk/jog to recover.

​​Cool down with an easy 5-10 minute run.

I usually do ONE set. If I do it right, the tank's empty and I'm running on fumes after that.

My advice...get a bike, you'll have a lot more fun and it's not as hard on the knees. I run when I have to, other than that I get cardio on a bike!

Take your time and work into it slowly, Shin Splints Suck. Take it from a Navy 5K Runner. Try Bike Riding (I love my Mongoose).

Always warm up also. Start at a walk then up to a jog then to a run. It gets the muscles loose and ready for the intensity of running. And then cool down and rehydrate at the end, obviously.

Being a big running fanatic. Make sure to stretch and warm-up before running. Starting back I would just focus on getting your wind back, posture and breathing. Posture is simple. Just run with your torso up and don't slouch forward. This will help prevent side stitches and over all energy use. For breathing look up belly breathing. Being a larger guy 6'5" 250 I need oxygen and a lot of it. This is something that I picked up from other runners. To make sure you continue breathing deeply during your run, periodically take a very deep breath and forcefully exhale, pushing all the air out of your lungs. With the exhalation, drop your shoulders, shake out your arms, and relax them. Then, take a deep breath and continue your run. Also a little more advanced is to learn how to run with rhythmic breathing to avoid breathing on your dominant leg. Hey and take it slow at first nothing wrong with slow. Oh almost forgot go for a run in the rain. You run faster in the rain.

The RunKeeper app has many training programs available that address the issues you mentioned.