Thanks for the advice..

I certainly think that running with so many other people will help as I will have several targets! I always run alone so never really have that target ahead of me. However, I am sure that I will lose 5 minutes to rain/wind etc and the fact that I don't have proper running shoes; an old pair of gym trainers instead, nothing like being prepared!

I can't stress enough the need for proper running shoes out on the road i did 8 miles in an old gym pair when i started running thinking this will be fine but ended up hardly being able to walk for about three weeks (stress fractures). I learned the hard way i just advice air on the site of caution when running in old shoes and listen to what your feet are telling you! I ignored them and paid a costly price!

Yes, I think that I should really be using proper footwear. However, I jog regularly and sometimes for 5-6 miles without problems. What other issues arise from not using appropriate footwear?

Even if you have had no problems so far, this isn't to say you aren't doing damage and you might find you suddenly develop a serious, long-term injury. I'm not the most sensible when it comes to running shoes (Until recently I did too many miles before replacing them), but you should ALWAYS at least wear shoes made for running. Gym shoes, or non-running shoes, are a no no under all circumstances. If you don't want to go for full gait analysis and spend £80 + on a pair of shoes, at the very least go and buy some off the shelf shoes from the running shoes section of a sports shop. New Balance have always suited me well. Seriously, it is not worth risking your health by running in inappropriate footwear.

A bit of advice I'd like to add is don't take advice from people on this forum when it comes down to which manufacturer to favour. I constantly read footwear-related posts that recommend brands of shoes that I've tried in the past and have really hated. Conversely, there are also the posts by people who would never go near the shoes that I swear by. It's a personal thing, just like almost every other aspect of running. There may, unfortunately, be a period of trial and error before you find your "perfect" shoe.
I would even hesitate taking advice from some of the staff in retail outlets, who may steer you in the direction of certain models on the basis of their own commission potential, or even that they should get rid of old/over stocked models.

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ONLY THOSE WHO WILL RISK GOING TOO FAR CAN POSSIBLY FIND OUT HOW FAR THEY CAN GO.

Good points Ped, trial and error I suppose at the end of the day.

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It's about getting out there and doing the distance, time doesn't matter apart from making it.

shoes don't matter as much as some people are making out...

my shoes cost me £20 and i haven't had any problems with them...

i know people who have spend a fortune on 'special' shoes and have shoe collections...

but not me, lol...

Managed to do it in 42.5 mins, without any time training, so I'm fairly pleased..

Makes such a difference to have people around, constant targets to overtake!!

Congratulations, that's a great time!

Today i ran 4.3 miles in the belfast marathon relay, enjoyed it, sun shone, great atmosphere, time not great but already setting new goal of 10k in june. Can anyone suggest a training schedule for my next outing, i can probably only average a ten minute mile at present.