I'm a daily runner but in the last month or so I've gotten some aching in my shoulders that is making my usual three to four mile leisurely jaunt a drag. It may have something to do with the cold mornings or the fact that I don't usually do sufficient stretching but can anyone advise me how to keep this 65+ old frame doing what it's been doing most mornings for the past 20 years.
It sounds like you my be under some tension for some reason. OR . . . you should get checked for heart/circulatory problems. Heart attack symptoms sometimes show up in the shoulders early.
I have a tendancy to tense up my shoulders on cold days, which causes my neck & shoulders to hurt a little. I have to make a conscious effort to relax my shoulders, but if I'm not vigilant I will tense up again.
You might also try looking for some weight training exercises specific to the shoulders and upper back. Try to strengthen those muscles so they are more resistant to the tension. I do lat pulldowns and standing row on a machine. Standing rows could be done with free weights but not lat pulldowns. Shoulder shrugs with or without weights may also help.