Is running while sneaking considered hitting the crouch button and moving with holding the shift button? So getting that sneak perk where you are no longer penalized for running while sneaking would be moving without holding the shift button then?

I don't know about you, but I run by default. Holding shift makes my character walk.

I mapped the default run button - I just hit it to run/sneak run, and then hit it if I want to walk.

When I'm in contact with bad guys, or moving into a combat situation, or simply moving through hostile or potentially hostile areas, I'm always in sneak-run, and always with a decent firearm leading.

It actually prevents your companions from charging in and initiating combat early, and it gives Rex the opportunity to growl if he senses something/one (much like Dogmeat in F3). If yo are using EDE, you could find yourself stalking something half a map away though (just joking, but his sensors are ridiculously good).

Unfortunately, this still does not answer my question, let me try to be a little clearer. When I hit my crouch/sneak button, My toon goes in the crouch/sneak position and if I move forward she moves pretty quickly (Sneak run?) When I hit and hold the shift button she sneaks more slowly. Soooooooo.... My question is, does moving fast while crouching/sneaking give me away more? Am I better of holding the shift button while crouching/sneaking to better maintain surreptitiousness? Also, does mean that getting the "Silent Running" perk (Running no longer factors into a successful sneak attempt.) will let me just run without being detected i.e. after you get Gray Foxes hood in oblivion and have ridiculous amounts of sneaking capabilities? :ninja:

Yes, running while in sneak mode acts against your sneak checks unless you have Silent Running.

With 100 sneak and Silent Running, you can pretty much walk up and grab people by the balls and they STILL won't know you're there.

Yes if you run while sneaking your more likely to be detected.
If you get silent running then your speed no longer factors into your detection while sneaking.

Yes, until you get silent running.

There's a toggle run/walk key you can map. Easier then holding shift.

Let's you move quickly in sneak.

You are the most stealthy when you're not moving and not holding a weapon. Before you get silent running. Move slowly and don't have a weapon in your hand. After you get silent running you can sneak quickly and hold a weapon.

Having a weapon holstered or not does not count against your sneak checks. In some cases, having a weapon out can be BETTER, like if it's a two-handed weapon and makes you move slower, since the only things you can control about your ability to remain hidden are the speed at which you move (slower is better unless you have Silent Running; then speed and armor class don't count against you), your armor class (light, medium, heavy), and the amount of light touching you.