Lyria, shoes are a HUGE factor. I usually have one particular brand/model that I use. I tried buying a different model from the same brand that was higher priced and theoretically better, but found the toe area was shaped differently and didn't work for me -- OK for short runs, but not for the long runs, very uncomfortable. I even ended up losing a toenail from those shoes because it bruised the nail bed on one toe (TMI, I'm sure!) I went back to the tried and true model and no problems after that. So once you find something that works, just stay with it!!

Got rained on today, just a little :). The rain was nice, the humidity not so much, but all in all an average run. I've run 2.5 miles these past two weeks. Next couple weeks I'm gonna do 2.75. I'm gonna do 5K by Thanksgiving ;).