Your gym won't allow you to run in socks? :)

lol, I've never tried!! I suppose they would. I just meant they wouldn't allow me to run barefoot:) I'd LOVE to try the running "gloves" that allow your foot to strike the ground in a natural way but still offer protection from the ground. Maybe Santa will bring me a pair for Christmas? lol!

Wear running shoes. It is just a fad.

Mostly a fad, probably. I posted on someone's blog a long dissertation about foot strike and all. Barefoot probably works great for 10% or less of runners. For most, it probably does not.

That being said, I've started barefoot training in the last two weeks as an "injury proofing" technique. It does strengthen foot and lower leg muscles and tendons. In moderation, of course. I've been going barefoot on the treadmill for .25 - 1.00, for about 4 or so miles a week. I came off hip bursitis and started getting some serious shin splints from chaging up my gait. Got on the treadmill barefoot the first run at .25, came off with the pain all gone.

So, it's been working for me. If you go all the way (exclusive barefoot), be prepared to scale back your mileage A LOT. Some interesting commentary on running barefoot -

therunningbarefoot.com/

I've not gone shoe-less, but switched to minimal kicks 3 weeks ago. The day after each run I've awoken fully expecting the calf pain and hamstring tightness experienced with clunkier shoes. The day after I've put my feet down on the floor, stood up and to my surprise - - no pain. My knees, already creaky, creak a bit more. However, you must ask if that is a function of age and/or longer distances, as I am also doing higher mileage with the new shoes.

One note, if I trip, or land awkwardly, it is a bit more surprising to my system than landing on my formerly fluffy shoes.

Running shoes are a fad that managed to last 40 years. Luckily they are a fad that is managing to die off with increased research into proper form to be replaced by more helpful shoes (shoes without high heels).

Good job. Good luck training and on your half marathon.

If you've never been a runner then I suggest you start with the Couch to 5k program ( coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml ). It's a 9 week program and you may find yourself taking a little longer than that to complete it.

Once you complete the 5k distance then work on doing that three times a week. Once you can run 5k three times a week then you have a solid enough base to start most beginner half marathon training programs. You might reach this 20 weeks out or 12 weeks out depending on your progress with the C25k (couch to 5k). The amount of time you have left should help you to select the best half-marathon training program. Just take a look at what's available on this site or check out a couple on the web (Hal Higdon and Cool Running come to mind).

More important than any training program though is getting your mindset right. You're probably pretty excited and ready to get started. Take note of that excitement and store it away for those moments when it seems too hard. Promise yourself that on days that you are scheduled to run you will at the very least put your running gear on and do the first five minutes (warm up time). Most of the time you'll find that once you already started, it's pretty easy to go ahead and finish.

After each run, post a blog entry on here. Let us know how your doing. Runners love to support each other and give advice.

Last but not least. We all have different reasons for running. If your reason isn't to run for running's sake, then change it. Train to run. Some people start running to lose weight, get healthier, increase endurance, etc. Whatever the original motivating factor was that made you decide to start a training program is now unimportant. Your goal, your motivation, is to be a runner, the best runner that you can be. Focus on that and amazingly enough everything else will fall into place.

I loved the Couch to 5K program. It turned me into a runner! I still have yet to run a race, but I love to get outside several times a week and go for it. For me, although I do track my time, that's not what it's about. I just love the way it feels!

As time permits, and my family gets older, I hope to be able to add mileage, but right now, 3-5 miles, 3-5 times a week works.

I agree with adigerati that the couch to 5k sounds like a good program for a new runner. I have done many other types of workouts but just recently decided to run a half marathon so am now focused almost completely on running and a bit of strength training.

I'm using the modified half training program from this site that takes 12 weeks to prepare for a half, and once you've built a base (SO important) I have found this plan very workable...it's 4 runs a week, and in 6-7 weeks I haven't missed a run yet...so the time commitment is reasonable. I work quite a bit and also travel some for work, so this plan is a good one and builds mileage gradually.

I also think that getting your mindset right is important. One of the things I am very mindful of is injury. I don't want to get sidetracked by an injury and that is one of the big reasons I'm sticking to a plan that adds mielage at a realistic rate. My sister qualified for the Olympic trials many years ago in the marathon and can no longer run much at all because she repeatedly failed to listen to her body and rest/recuperate as needed. My goal is to prevent injury first and foremost, and also to really pay attention to my body...if I'm sick, I'll rest. If I feel tired, I'll run at an easy pace. I'm no spring chicken and I want to be able to exercise and be active for decades more to come.

As a relatively new runner, it was really exciting to achieve milestones but recently I have noticed that I could easily make excuses not to run if I allow it. I have told everyone I know that I'm doing this half, how my training is going, and I have also been clear with my work that the one thing I will not sacrifice is my commitment to fitness and running...everyone has been very supportive, and now people ask me how I'm doing and I cannot tell them I've slacked off, I just can't!!!

I am lucky to have an incredibly supportive husband, and I hope you have people in your life to support you and cheer you on...but ultimately, running for me is a solo endeavor and I do enjoy that aspect...the peace and quiet, getting in tune with my body and feeling the sense of accomplishment. It IS great to share as well, and my husband got up and jogged a mile this morning, so he may be getting the bug too!!!

I wish you all the best in your journey, if you're every discouraged then blog, happy then blog, hit a milestone then blog...this site IS very supportive and has helped me out almost daily!!!

Thanks so much for the feedback! As a new runner I need all the help I can get:)

Good luck. This breast cancer walk is very popular and awesome. The one for my city took place 2 weeks ago.