Here's an old thread I started.
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ad.php?t=95322
I finally got around to my first 5k in July 2011. One year later I've completed 37 races.
Including 5k, 4 miles, 10k, and 15k.
I'm now training for many half marathons.
I obsess over the postings at active.com
It has loads of articles and you can search for races in your areas.
My first few months, I signed up for charity walk/runs in addition to real races. It let me get used to the big crowds and the distance without the pressure of having so many speedy people ahead of me.