Started Running!....now I have a few questions...

You will probably get a bunch of different answers and I'll address one part of your question but don't really feel qualified to answer the pain part.

Increasing your mileage like that sounds good. Make sure that every few weeks you take it easier and don't increase to give your body a rest. Also you are going to quickly get bored out of your mind running on a track. Instead go and run other places as well and jsut do the same walk run thing.  Just carry a watch and start each interval based on time. Going around in circles will drive you crazy after a while.

As for stretching. If you want to stretch before you run warm up a bit first. Walk a bit or do a little light jogging. Stretching cold muscles is not a good idea. I don't stretch at all before I run so I don' think that it is requirement at all. If you feel sore or tight after a run stretching is definitely a good thing to do in my mind.

And on another note, way to go getting started on a running program! You soon become addicted like so many of us here have . Keep posting and let us know how it's going...

Oooh, lemme jump in here....First, congratulations on getting your running groove on.  It's a good thing.

Now...to your points.  The walk as a warmup, run for a while, then walk isn't a bad thing.  If that's what you're comfortable with, then OK.  Just checking your athletic profile, though, I think you can do more running than walking.  I'd look to phase out the walk over time.  But you've got to be comfortable doing it.

The other issue, the pulling on your left leg above the knee, that's likely your ITB.  Do a search of the posts on this forum to see what folks have done to combat it....it's like the triathlon scourge.  BUT....between massage, the stick, stretching, a ton of folks have had success getting fast even with their ITB not behaving.  There's hope there. 

The only other thing I'd volunteer is that good shoes will make all the difference.  With solid shoes, your tingling AND the ITB issue may just disappear.  Go to your local running store, try a BUNCH of shoes, listen to their advice, and dial-in your footwear.  It'll help.

All the above are good ideas.

I'll chime in with this.  Do a search for CHI RUNNING or POSE RUNNING.  Essentially they are about running form.  Just based on what I've read on posts here on BT I was able to get enough info to run with better form and even at 250lbs (when I started running) I avoided shin splints and ankle/knee problems.

This may help with you shin pain.

Happy running.