I only overcame my childhood antipathy to running by starting out slowly—so slowly that the stitches in my side that had been the bane of my childhood didn’t even wake up from their slumber, so slowly that I’m not sure I broke a sweat, so slowly that people didn’t think a thing about asking me…

(A weekly note to save you from suffering the pains and indignities I’ve endured) One of running’s best features is its simplicity—that you can do it anywhere, any time, with no special equipment or facilities. I’ve even had moderately satisfying short runs in Blundstones and jeans (though I’m not recommending that). If I could have…