Get a pair of Asics Gel running shoes. They're the best in my opinion.
I tend to run along canals or Sutton Park. Tend to avoid roads because of dodging pedestrians, etc. Also the fumes from traffic stinks.
When I first started running I ran very slowly indeed, then as you got better you naturally pick up the pace. Measure out a run via www.geodistance.com , couple of miles to start with, then add to it.
I couldn't run to the end of my road this time last year, then within 6 months I ran the Brum half marathon in 1hr 42 mins.
Cheers for the advice mate. I'm lucky in that there are lots of really nice places to run around here, like the 3 mile long promenade next to the beach. I tried a bit of a jog the other night, and got about 800 yards before being hopelessly out of breath and aching everywhere. What's the best way to stretch, and how long should you spend stretching before you start?
Warm up first - slow jog for 5 mins, then stretch your hamstrings, calves, quads and your groin for at least 12 seconds each. Then of course you've got to stretch at the end as well.
As for the running - well you just have to push yourself. Get a mate to run with you. That's what I do, and it helps. As I said earlier, I genuinely could run to the end of my road a year or so ago, but I just got into it somehow, and I couldn't believe the difference in myself in the space of a few weeks.