Running

I'm gonna start doing some non-serious running to shed the paunch I've been developing over the last couple of years. However, the only trainers I have are New Balance M576s, i.e. a classic old school running shoe and not the Tron-esque contraptions I see in 'proper' running shops. Are these likely to be OK or am I about to fuck my body up completely?

They dont look up to much to me.

In the same way internet bike recomendations are'nt worth the paper their written on. Running shoes are best bought from a decent running shop. At least the first time. Running shoes can be broken into three general groupings.

Support (highly structured, and often highly cushioned shoes)
Structured (mildly structured, medium cushioned, and what most people require)
Cushioned (neutral shoes that are'nt more cushioned than those above, its just that cushioning is the only function)

They following points are important.

Body weight.
Type of foot (flat/high arch).
Type of gate.

If you are particulary heavy you will need a lot of support and cushioning.

If you have a high arch, forget internet recomendations and get proper advice in a shop. If you have flat feet buy supportive shoes. If like most people you have an average arch, you will need either plain cushioned or structured shoes depending on your gate.

By type of gate I mean how your feet strike the floor and how they continue through to toe-off. Most people land on the heel (need cushioned shoes), and roll the foot at a slight angle, in towards the big toe (need structured shoes).