1. I don't stretch enough but I think it could be helpful. Especially Hip Flexor/Hamstring/Calf areas.
2. Run in shoes that feel comfortable to you. I run in lightweight, moderate stability shoes (DS Trainer, Elixir). I think the concept of minimalism has merit if used right, though (Which I doubt is often the case).
3. I think STRENGTHENING can be very useful for injury prevention and overall power. Most of the lifts that would help with this (Deadlifts, Squats, Lunges, RDLs, etc...) improve core strength as well. I believe hip stability is huge in injury prevention and, if you're like me, you would include that in the core chain. Glute max, med, min work has helped me a lot in overcoming a bad case of ITBS.
4. I'm all about frequency. I think I run best off 10-12 runs per week with a long run plugged in there. It's hard to do that working a full time job and still get proper rest but still do-able.
5. I struggle with this one. I prefer not to run slower than 7:30 pace mostly due to boredom and wanting to get the run done with. I have a hard time keeping the pace under control when running by myself as I tend to push closer to 6min pace for all runs which I think can be counter-productive at times. Although I don't do it myself, I think wejo has the right idea to run as slow as your body feels like on recovery/easy days. If that is 8min pace, it is probably 8min pace for a reason and the same goes with 6min pace. Let perceived effort guide you.
6. I think all those factors go into staying healthy (add in weight lifting though). Unfortunately it is hard for the average person to have access to all of them. I think you should leave IBUprofen to injury situations only. Foam rolling 5 days per week at least two body parts (IT Band/Hip Flexor/Calf/Quad being the focus) and get a bi-weekly massage would be ideal for the working man but still tough to accomplish. I'm a big believer in doing as much supplementary stuff (weights, massage, ice, foam rolling) as realistically possible for your schedule. If you work 45-50 hours per week and you plan to get two massages, take an ice bath every day, and foam roll every day each week then you are more than likely going to stop all of it out of frustration rather than accomplishing even half of it.
7. Consistency. I think ROJO's article about repeatability is a perfect example of that. Too many guys are All-Americans in workouts and, either can't repeat or improve on their workouts therefore becoming discouraged or they have nothing left when it is time to race.
Also, you have to BELIEVE IN what you are doing. If you don't buy into your (or your coach's) system then you are wasting your time.
8. I don't read enough training threads but, I think too many people try to replicate exact workouts from great coaches like Canova or the Italian coach (Claudio?). I think it's fantastic those coaches post on here and a lot great information can be taken from there but people need to learn how to incorporate and work it into their schedule. Since I graduated college, my ability to listen to my body and understand what works best for me has helped a ton.
I was a decent collegiate runner (3:50, 14:03, 29:45) but it took me until my senior year to buy into the system I was in. Once I did that, my PRs dropped significantly. I sometimes feel like I wasted three years drinking too much, not sleeping enough, eating like shit, and thinking I could still be a great runner. You can still run fast doing those things but, if you are reading this, and you honestly think you can still run your best while f***ing around during the season, then you are lying to yourself. A guy of similar ability to me did everything right our senior year and ended up top 25 at NCAA XC while I didn't even crack the top 100.