Hellobee Boards

What shoes are you using? Did you get fitted for them or did you pick up a pair somewhere? How old are they? If you weren't fitted, I highly recommend going to a running store and getting help picking out shoes. The staff will be extremely knowledgeable about the types of shoes available and what will fit your needs and body/stride type.

ETA: You should go to a local running store, not someplace like Dick's/Shoe Carnival/any department store.

I am no expert (on my second go-around of C25K) but I think shoes may be an issue. I don't have issues with my hips but I do with my knees, and I think it's a combination of bad form, shoes and just general weakness. I rest at least one day after every training session and if my knees hurt really badly, I give it another day or so. I will run when they're a little sore, but not too bad, and I don't know if I'm self-correcting or getting stronger or what, but eventually as the days/weeks pass, everything sorts itself out and the pain subsides.

@TemperanceBrennan: Are your hips tight by any chance?

@TemperenceBrennan Basic isn't really a word in the running shoe world. There are running shoes and race shoes. Pretty much everything else is a matter of personal preference. I generally spend between $100-130 on my shoes. You can be upfront about your budget and they might have some clearance shoes, etc. I actually ran in Avia sneakers from Kohls for awhile until I got properly fitted - I definitely had some issues, like once I accidentally bought trail runners that were too small, so I wish I had gotten fitted sooner, but it wasn't something I needed to do the minute I started running.

I think the high mileage is the likely culprit. Four miles is what the training plan says, and that's a lot to start with, I think. How much do you walk regularly? Couch to 5k is a much more entry-level plan that you might want to check out.

@TemperanceBrennan: I usually spend about $120 on shoes. I am getting back into running, and good shoes mean that my shins don't hurt. Plus, spending that kind of money on shoes shames me into running on days I don't want to.

While you are there, you should try a pair of socks out too! Cotton socks = major blisters.