Where would you start?

i think dyestat would probably be a better resource for a runner at your level, high school coaches would be more experienced in coaching someone at your level than the D3 college coaches that seem to populate most of Letsrun

To start out, just do easy distance running. Don't even start to think about any kind of event specific work until you can run 60 min a day fairly easily. Start with whatever you can handle. If you can do 30 min without compromising the next day, do that. If you can only do 10, start there. But my advice would be to just get in some decent distance running before you start to concentrate on an event.

Start off running consistently. It may take a month before you can run 3 miles, 7 days a week. Once you can do a little bit of work, increase your volume slowly. That means add 20% every 2 weeks. After you reach 40 miles per week you should be able to find other threads to start incorporating more intense workouts. Don't feel bad about skipping a day when you're first getting back into it. It takes time. Trying to rush it will only harm you. Give yourself a month before you try to do anything other than get through your runs.

I think you guys must be misunderstanding my question.

I was very serious about training and know a great deal about how to train, my question is rather should I focus initially on the mile or 5k?

I kinda feel like I will see improvements faster in the mile, making it more rewarding, and helping to remind myself what running "fast" is like, before I tackle the arduous task of a 5k.

I forget that many on here have done half and full marathons, I've never run a race further than an 8k.

I understand your question. My point was that you need to build a base before you concentrate on either. Get a few months of solid base training in and then worry about what race you want to concentrate on.

start training for the 5k, your 5k time is better relatively

If I were you, I'd find a plan online for running a marathon--one of those Runners World type plans. Try to complete one in 3:45 or 3:30. The race itself doesn't matter much (other than the feeling of accomplishment you get from going 26.2) but it's a great way to keep you motivated while you start building an aerobic base.

Do a few more and keep raising the ante on the volume of your training. In a year or two, you'll probably qualify for Boston. Then you can transition into serious 1500/5k training. When you do, you'll be so strong that you'll certainly laugh at your previous goals.

You need to start just building your aerobic strength back up, and since this correlates more directly with 5k training than mile training you can think that you're focusing on the 5k. Don't worry so much about mpw or really any specifics for the first month or two, just do as Harry says and run easy for whatever duration feels manageable. You may want to do more structured workouts, but the best bang for your buck both in the short and long run is to just start logging minutes on your feet.

Unless you're very naturally talented at the mile (which no offense, you don't sound like you are since you want to be in 5:20 shape), at your age, you're better off training for the 5K. There'll be more and better races for someone of your ability. At least around my area, it's hard to find good mile races if you can't run unattached in college meets.

Some of the responses already allude to this idea, but I think that, simply put, you shouldn't train for any specific event right now. You need about six weeks of increasing mileage (start with 25-30 mpw), eventually integrating tempo runs, fartlek running and strides. Get in shape first and then worry about event-specific workouts.

Once your fitness level is decent I would have you do a 3K-5K test effort. Then you can appropriately gear your workout paces. When you get to that stage, write, or have somebody write, training week by week. If you want to perform well don't simply take a grab-ass/day to day approach.

Best of luck.

Harry had it right. Just run until you can do an hour a day. After you do that for a year, you will be ready to incorporate some speed work.