The first time I had to stock the ice machines back when I was working on the seventh layer of Hell. Had to push a pallet of bagged ice a little shorter than my self (I'm about 6' 2") and about twice as wide (no comment on my width, but it's substantial) from the ice cream freezer all the way to the front of the store to fill the machines (at both entrances, by the way). With no help, of course.

Definitely a "My. Heart. A. Splode." moment there.

I actually just got back into physical fitness in feb, so I know where your coming from. The main thing is to take it slow, and dont push yourself too hard. Baby steps will help you more then a giant leap (which can lead to issues).

Keep yourself hydrated. Lots of water before and after your workout. Streching is very important as well. Pretty much common sense things all said.

I play on my departments ultimate frisbee team, and our first practice, My heart rate didnt settle back to normal for several hours after. It was quite worrying. Im still kicking though.

I've been running fairly regularly (2-3 times per week), and I find that if I just want to stay in shape and maybe lose a little weight on the side, it's best not to strain myself too much. What I mean is that if you feel the lactic acid buildup, slow down and wait for yourself to catch your breath. At the moment I'm trying to shave myself down to an eight minute mile (my runs are usually about four miles), and I haven't been sick for awhile. Now that I think about it, running really strengthens the bones, immune system, and respiratory system. No bias, but I really think running is the best sport for a busy guy that isn't a bodybuilder, because it offers so much in so little time.

back to you-- The first sign of improvement is to see that you can "run" without stopping to walk. Don't worry about your speed, just make sure that you're fitting into the definition of running (never have more than one foot on the ground at the same time). Then, you can gradually pick up you pace and distance.

Good for you, man. I started back running today, also, although it hasn't been nearly as long. A couple of important things to remember: Make sure you stretch(a comprehensive list can be found here), make sure to drink a lot of fluids during the day but not necessarily right before you run, and remember to pump your arms, rather than let them sit, it'll help you with your pace.

Indeed! This topic is timely for me, as I just started my park jogs three weeks ago after over a year of near-lack-of-exercise. I started it up because the scale told me something shocking; I'd blimped up to 230 pounds (medium-large frame 6' 1" 30 year old male), and my 'comfortable with me' weight is about 190. Yikes! Time to do something.

My park jog is about 2 miles (lots of up hill paths), and I do it every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I started off at just over 28 minutes to make the circuit and have it down to just under 26 minutes now. I started off with a fast walk for 2 minutes, then a jog for 1 minute, repeat, etc. I'm to the point now where I can do a 1 minute fast walk / 1 minute jog for the duration of the journey with only moderate discomfort.

Some things I've found out during these painful weeks:

1) Don't make your strides too long! If you are 'leaping' instead of stepping you'll land yourself in a world of hurt.
2) Don't lift your feet up too high! Not only will you look like a jackass, but you'll have more impact-related issues to worry about. Jog/fast-walk with your feet just barely above the pavement
3) Stretching afterwards is just as important as stretching beforehand! Don't just jump in your car after an agonizing jog and praise the Gods that be that you survived; spend at least as much time on the 'cool-down' stretches as you did on the warm-up stretches!
4) Don't lash out/shout rude comments/try to trip joggers/runners that speed past you without so much as a gasp or a pant. You're going to run into people in much better shape than you, and while knocking one of them over as they blur past you may feel good in the short-term, it won't help you in the long-term.
5) Eat at least half of a large banana after a vigorous jog! Your sodium potassium pumps will thank you!
6) Keep a journal of your progress! Not only will it help you beam with pride if you beat your previous week's jog times, but it will also serve as a guilt-founded incentive not to skip a day.

Agreed. Only subsitute "I'd watch it" with "I'd rather pluck out and devour my own eyeballs than watch it."

When I started, I could hardly make it 1/4 mile without feeling like I was going to puke. Of course, it was like 100 degrees outside and 100% humidity at the time too.

Start off slow, keep your mileage light, and join a running club as soon as you get comfortable with long runs over 8 miles. I find that the weekly commitment of a weekly long run of 10-18 miles keeps me motivated to stay in shape.

Also, cross train. I just started getting into cross training on the suggestion of a number of other runners in my club. Doing so helps you prevent injury.

As an older runner who just got into distance running about 3 years ago, I have to say that the sport is almost entirely about a combination of willpower and the ability to recognize the difference between pain and injury. Pain is constant. If you're doing over 15 miles/week, you WILL be in pain most of the time. You'll get good at ignoring the trivial stuff, but it will always be there.

Knowing the difference between muscle soreness or low level joint pain and actual damage is something you'll get with time. During the first 6 months, EVERYTHING will feel like a life-altering injury. This is one of the many reasons to start slowly: you don't know enough about your body to know what you should just suck up and gut through.

I was going to say Simon Pegg

Pick up a copy of Mark Verstegen's book Core Performance. I have been working my way through the program and have noticed a tremendous difference.

First thing in the morning. Best time.

Mornings are for sleeping. Evenings are for working out. Let's you burn off any frustration from the workday.

thought you ran out to get a game...bummer! lol

I haven't played squash for a while now, 4 years.
When I am picking it up one of these days, I know
my butt muscles will hurt so badly of the explosive
runs and reaching for that damn ball.
No crude jokes please

And yes, tried running. Doesn't do anything for me
except making me tired without any reward...
I need competition!

Just wanted to give another big thumbs up to the Couch to 5k program.

I tried and failed to get into running numerous times in the past. Turns out I was doing too much too fast, getting too beat up, and thus giving up. With the Couch to 5k you've got a clear cut way to ease into things.

In two months of the program I went from having a hard time running a single mile without stopping to comfortably running 3 miles in 30 minutes as advertised.

Some time after that I started on a beginner half-marathon training program. Conveniently, the entry point to that program was about a 3 mile run, a perfect follow-up to the Couch-to-5k, and I successfully ran the Boston Athletic Association's half marathon last October as my first race.

Additional tip: Podrunner.com also has a 5k-to-8k program, for those runners that are looking for a post 5k schedule to stick to.

I figure I'll be there by the end of the year. =)