You might want to try running for time instead of distance. Try jogging at a slow pace for 15 minutes (or more if you feel comfortable). Gradually increase your running time, but maintain your pace. After a period of time, increase you're pace for the same route you've been running. Example: for a week you run at a comfortable pace for 30 minutes. Now go and run the same 30 min run "faster" and see how much time you can shave off. Now go and increase you timed run (instead of 30 min., say now 40 min.), but still at you're "comfortable pace". Another step to try is to run a timed distance one way, and then to decrease you're time "on you're way back" Example: running 20 minutes away from you house, then "backtrack", trying to get back in less then the 20 minutes it took you to get to you're "halfway point" (of course take hills into account).
The most important aspect of running is to enjoy it. Running is all mental (excluding injuries of course). Run most of you're routes in loops, backtracking can get monotonous. Really try to enjoy it, because if you can't, every minute can be "hell". As mentioned before, listen to you're body as well. You're knees and joints will take an incredible pounding (get good running shoes). As for clothing, the less you can wear and stay comfortable, the better (10 degrees outside I'll wear shorts, short sleeve coolmax shirt and a goretex jacket, maybe a hat if it's windy) Remember, you're body will be putting out a lot of heat after just 10 minutes of running). I could be wrong, but luker could be wrong. I thought the only time I had a problem running the doctor informed that I had shin splints, and I thought he (doctor) informed me that it was from running on some grass fields (soft surfaces was the cause) I could be wrong (over 18 years ago).
Fatman, wearing heavy clothing in summer months is just plain stupid in my opinion. I think the feeling is you sweat more, thus you'll loose more weight (not too healthy). I used to live in upstate N.Y, and when I ran up there, it was shorts and a Goretex coat. Remember, in only 15 minutes of running, you're body puts out an incredible amount of heat. The key is not to let you're body sweat evaporate to quick when it hits the air (thus with goretex coat acting as a windbreaker, you really do stay warm, also remember that most of you're body heat is lost from the head and upper body, so if you had a wool cap on, you'd stay even warmer).