If you haven't yet, I would recommend getting some good running shoes, and keep track of when to replace them. Getting shin splints or injuring your ankle can really put you back.

For everyone starting running: when I started I couldn't run 8 blocks down the street without feeling like I was dying.

Now I run about 7 miles per day. Start small and build up. It's hard but getting that run done feels so good.

I also started to run about the same age to improve my health and weight.

Here’s a progress report from about 10 years later that shares some of the how and why I went from 0 to a solo 50 mile run in the middle of winter.

https://limestonepostmagazine.com/why-i-found-myself-running-50-miles/

Hey, that's great to hear! Solid progress ✊ I'm down to about 225-230lb now, so we're probably a similar size.

I picked up BodyGlide and put it in my thighs to help reduce the friction and that's helped a lot. Running can offer some embarrassing or nasty pains. People aren't usually shy about talking about ways to overcome them though!

I've been reading and watching videos on "Zone 2" running to build one's aerobic base. Basically, for non-race runs: slow down. When the heartrate is too high to muster a few sentences while running, you should go slower. I was skeptical, but it's worked. I guess the heart is a muscle, too, and maybe an important one. So now, every time a new song starts in my headphones, I go through a breathing exercise to take 5 of the deepest breaths I can and semi-slowly release them. It forces my legs to slow their pace.

Sorry for the soapbox moment. I wanted to say good job 👍 keep up the good work. You've made solid progress

thanks for sharing. my journey started off in a similar way and reading your progress motivates me to keep going. in the past i hated running but over the last year something clicked and i honestly cant wait to get off work most days and go run until sundown.

Yup, just get started and improve at your own pace