asdfghjkl (and Yoshi, since I noticed your comment in the last post):
Besides stretching, obtaining proper running shoes is the most important thing you can do. They are a bit expensive, but without proper running shoes, consistent running can leave you exposed to serious injury, and moreover, once you run with shoes which were properly selected and fitted, you will want to run even more – the difference is like night and day.
In every major city there are running stores which can help you properly select running shoes tailored to meet your needs. The store I go to (my first time) had me run on a treadmill, so they could observe and analyze my gait, pronation, etc… and pick a shoe that was right for me. Running shoe manufacturers make an infinite combination of shoes with properties made for different types of feet and people. Personally, I’ve found that my Asics shoes are the most comfortable. They run me about $150 a pair, and I switch them out every 6-8 months or so, but I can tell you it is worth it – my knees and ankles used to get very sore, and now I haven’t had pain in them in years from running.
This is especially important for distance runners (those training for marathons in particular) and those who do a heavy amount of running on a regular basis. Any doctor who sees athletes or specializes in sports medicine (and I’ve been to a few) will tell you that it’s worth the extra cost to get analyzed so you can buy proper shoes. Unfortunately, Yoshi, I have my doubts on whether a $30 pair from Famous Footwear are going to protect you. They may seem comfy now, but they might be causing damage that you are unaware of (and if you increase running, you may notice). If you are considering training for a marathon, PLEASE invest in proper shoes. Running is only beneficial if it’s healthy!