I've always considered myself fairly fit and regularly go hillwalking and backpacking. I can walk for miles with a slow, steady plod, and am happy to do so. I'd never seriously considered running before, but a week ago I had a sudden wish to run! So I did. I had no idea of what was good practice so simply tried to walk for 5 mins and run for what I thought was one minute, but was only 30 secs (I repeated the same exercise 2 days later with a watch).
Then I thought I'd better research 'the 'proper' way to start running and found this programme. I downloaded the podcasts and borrowed a mp3 player from my son and have now completed W1r2. I'm currently running in trail walking shoes, but will try to get to the running shop this weekend.
I think I'm going to need to think about my route. My current route starts with a short road walk, then goes into the woods, but hits a small hill just as I finish the 5-min warm up walk. Starting by running up a incline is not good! I feel I can barely finish the first 60 sec run! (Although I do, as the voice is more motivating than looking at a watch).
I've also restarted doing yoga and using the yoga poses for stretching after my run, as well as a daily morning routine. I hope this will help with my stiff muscles. My calves are perfectly fine, but the inner thigh muscles are not!