If the goal is weight loss, I hear that strength training is a must. Big muscles use more energy just to live.
[QUOTE=Christopher]
If the goal is weight loss, I hear that strength training is a must. Big muscles use more energy just to live.
[/QUOTE]
But…but…Big muscles also weigh more than smaller ones. Where’s the weight loss in that?
As for the rest of this, one of Leroy “Satchel” Paige’s Rules For a Successful Life was “Avoid running at all times”. Ol’ Satch, he’s my hero. 
[QUOTE=Arien]
Everything I’ve read on the Cool Running boards say not to worry about speed until you’ve been running for several months. Speed will come as you get used to running. If you try to run faster now, you’ll either exhaust or injure yourself. Also you shouldn’t increase your distance by more than 10% every week. It’s tough but you have to be patient. I am still at a glacial pace but I know if I keep up with it, I’ll gradually get faster.
[/QUOTE]
Thanks Arien, that’s pretty much what I’ve been doing so far, going slowly and increasing distance very slowly in small increments. I’d just love to lope along at 6mph but I’m being patient so that I don’t hurt myself. The Cool Running boards look great too - thanks for the reference.