Running Confusion

  As a new runner, I was eager to listen to whatever experienced runners had to say.  I read books on technique and countless magazine articles.  The problem with this was that there was so much information that it became hard to know what to listen to.  Which training plan should I follow?  Should my training include this or that?  It all seemed like such great information that I tried to incorporate it all into my training.  IMPOSSIBLE!  Two things can happen in this situation.  The first, over-training.  The second, discouragement.  I also tried way too hard to worry about form.
  It took a long time, but clarity came.  The answer is very simple.  First, I took common elements of proven training plans (Runners World and other fitness magazines).  These components were:  Easy Run, Long Run, Tempo Run and Speedwork.  After a 7-mile run last Summer, I noticed foot pain.  In an effort to take it easy, I was forced to get my cardio through other sources.  I experimented with the spin bike, rowing machine and Precor machine.  After my foot pain eased, I integrated the running back into the plan.
  With all of these elements in my plan, it was hard to fit them all into 7 days.  Then, I came across and article that presented a new concept: A week doesn't necessarily mean 7 days.  In fact, a week could be up to 21 days in 5k training.  For instance, you may do a long run every 7 days, but only do speedwork and tempo runs every 14 days (alt. weeks) or maybe even throw in some hill repeats to make it once every 21 days.
  The last bit of confusion, for me, came from all of the articles and books on running form.  I took one thing from all of the theories... it's more natural than forced.  Watch children run!  They are very good at it.  Why?  The don't think about it!  Slight adjustments may need to be made.  Arm swing and breathing are both very important and can be changed easy enough.  Posture is also important, but not entirely easy to change (drastically at least).  Stride length, turnover and form where the legs are concerned can be corrected, mostly by drills and logging more miles.
  Navigating into running has been overwhelming at times.  I'm not a great runner, but I've become a student of my own running.  I've never had a coach or a trainer.  The resources I've used include books, magazines, the internet and other runners (just by watching what other successful runners look like).  It was hard to get past all of the information, but one thing helped: Simplify!