Ben, so far my biggest challenge is lower leg issues. I am a 58 year old male that just started running in the last 2 years. I ran in the 2009 Austin Cap 10K and Texas Roundup 10K and then ran the 2010 Austin 3M half. For the half marathon I participated in a local running trainng program. It was a good experience and I definitely improved but I had a lot of lower leg pain, (I'll call it shin splints), so I only did two runs per week. However, I cross train a lot in between the runs. Twon weeks after the half, while on an easy run, I developed significant pain and was ultimately daiagnosed with a severe stress fracture of the left tibia. Six weeks on crutches and I am still receiving some physical therapy, so I am not 100% yet.
My plan is to finsh rehab and get back on my road bike through the summer and when the Doctor releases me to do so intersperse short runs . I would sure like to be able to train for and complete a marathon in January or February. I have to figure out how I need to train differently because I sure do not want another stress fracture, but I really miss running.