Starting to run is easy. All you need is a pair of decent shoes and the outdoors (running on treadmills is boring as hell). But don't forget the importance of your form.
Despite modern science and super-cushioned shoes, runners still get injured at unbelievable rates. I bet none of your runner friends are injury-free. Many have nightmare stories. I almost became one of those stories.
Since running feels natural—and there's evidence that humans evolved to run—I went for it, not paying much attention to my footwork and arm movement. But after a few weeks of going all in, I started to feel pain all over the place: knees, shins, feet, even my neck. It surprised and scared me. I almost quit.
Our ancestors were runners but we're not. Most of us stopped running around after we grew up. We swapped the playground for desk chairs and couches. Our running muscles atrophied and lost form.
It turns out that there is a proper way of running: drive the knees high, step directly below my center of mass, hit the road with my forefoot.
Once I started focusing on form and strengthening my feet muscles, all my pains went away.
So, before you lace up your shoes, focus on, and fix your form. Your body will thank you.