Any tips on how to start running?

Go painfully slow. When you think you're going slow enough, slow down a bit more.

Shoes and bra must be supportive. Not necessarily expensive.

Couch to 5K is a good plan for working up to that distance. Don't try and run every day or run for an hour straight off. At best you won't have a pleasant experience probably, and at worst you'll injure yourself.

I've been running for a while now and I still have to concentrate on breathing properly (for me this means thinking about exhaling properly rather than gulping air in).

Best not to run right after a meal. I usually need to wait 2 hours. You need to be well hydrated too (as you probably know from your classes and things).

Sorry if it seems obvious, but I had to learn all these myself the hard way because I'm stubborn and impulsive

ETA: stretching, foam rolling and exercises for leg joint mobility (particularly hips) may be worth looking into as you get more into running. Can help prevent injuries.

I never in my wildest dream thought I would run - anywhere. I started just walking 10K step a day which meant a few trips around the neighborhood. I would see people running up the hill and thought: "WOW- Super Athletes".. Once I was down 50lbs, I got the C25K app and started doing it. It has you run / walk.. and it is tough at first... but you will find your form and endurance will increase quickly. I have a 5K lap I run and last week I did my best time 24:08. And those people on the hill.. I pass them Couch 2 5 K That did it for me (and a run tracker - i use Endomondo)

Forgot to mention the pains... I went though a bunch of weird stuff: Shins, ankles, HIP (x2) (That was a common one).. I attribute all of them (in my case) to my body adjusting to something I had not done in 30+ years.

Here's some advice that worked great for me, if you can't have a conversation when running, you're running too fast.

Stand up straight, don't slump forward when running and don't clench your fists.

I didn't do C25K but I hear great things about it. I just picked out random landmarks and ran to that point, next time I'd pick something a bit further and eventually I stopped thinking about it. That's when I knew I could run on my own and got a GPS watch so I would know how far I was really going.

I personally feel best running on an empty stomach, get up in the morning have coffee then hit the road. Others will say eat an hour or 2 before and say drink lots of water so experiment but LISTEN TO YOUR BODY and if you get cramps, slow down and if necessary drop to a walk you don't want injury.

For the shin splints I'd say hit a running store, sounds like improper fitting shoes or possibly you're striking your foot wrong and it's causing the shin pain.

Good luck, take it slow and enjoy.

When do you think is the best time to run?

Have a trainer review your stride and form. For the shin splints ice your legs after runs and give them a good massage throughout the day. Your legs are building new capillary beds to adapt to this healthy change - need to be patient as this will pass over time.

Throughout the day I do this routine (as I jockey a desk now): While sitting, put your right foot on your left knee and gently rock your left foot back and forth through a full range of motion 20x. Switch and do the same with the right foot and repeat throughout the day. This will stretch the lower leg muscles and help you get over the shin splints.

Good advice above. Moist important at first is to set expectations - you will need to run slow, it will feel difficult at first, and you already know why - this is very new to you! That's OK!

I was a distance runner once upon a time. Short story, after ten years and gaining 100 pounds I wanted to be my old self again and started running last September. I had the mind of an experienced runner but not the body, and I went through everything you are going through. :-)

My form was terrible. My calves tight and achy. Breathing hard. Couldn't run 1km without stopping. Often. Really often. And I used to run marathons!

Trust me, if you stick with it, it will get better.

This month I'll run 200km and am 62 pounds lighter. I'm not yet a marathoner again (not sure I want to be, we'll see) but I'm already very fit and will only get fitter and faster as I drop the remaining 40.

You don't have to run this much to get huge benefit from running, but who knows, you might find you like it that much!

The bottom line: Take it easy, build slowly, and keep asking questions. You will improve and it'll feel great.

Couch to 5k is awesome! There is a MFP group that can help you get started. Lots of good info.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/30-couch-to-5k-running-program-c25k

Also, my shin splints were pretty much erased by a good pair of shoes (Hoka works for me but there are other brands). If you have a local running store, visit them for some tips. Start slow, don't worry about speed, & just take the time you need. Maybe plan a 5k for the end of summer or early fall & work up to it. Good luck!

Go to a local school track.

Walk1/4 mile
run 1/4 mile
walk 1/4 mile
run 1/4 mile
and continue until you complete 3 miles.

Several times a week do your 3 miles, as your conditioning improves run more and walk less until you are able to run the whole thing.

Make sure you have a decent pair of shoes to help with the shin splints. You need cushioning.

If someone told me that I'd running more than 20 meters without dropping dead a year ago I'd lough. Today I can manage Half Marathon. For me it was the pace, if you think that you run slowly, slow even more...and more and keep going at the slowest possible pace than walk if you are out of breath and trot again veeeeeeery slowly.

It was my husband who showed me the pace and I couldn't believe that it was as simple as this - very slow steady run. I love my morning runs in a park before everyone else is up - good luck