Slammer2 said:
I guess that makes sense. You're pushing more ground behind you instead of pushing up into the air and slamming back down.
I used to have this problem. Started picking up my knees and leaning forward as well as purposefully letting my shoulders go almost limp. I know, it may look all sexy to those girls around the campus to have your arms locked in a rigid 90 degree stance, but it causes your neck muscles to stay tensed and after about 1.5-2 miles my back and neck were always cramping up.
Another good question, have you looked around at good running shoes. I started running in cheap 30 dollar tennis shoes from Target.... bad idea. By week 2 I was so sore with shin splints and running just plain hurt. Went and tried out a bunch of differnt running shoes, found one that I really liked, pain is gone and I was almost 2 minutes faster because I could push myself harder without beating myself up.