So here's my background: I'm a 24 year old runner who used to be good in high school (1:54 800, 4:22 1600 PRs). Due to school, work, and other commitments, I haven't run a single step in years.
This would have been the end of the story, but a short while ago, I happened to see some old Olympic footage on ESPN classic and thought about how cool it would be to participate in something like it. So I'm setting a goal of making it to the Olympic trials (not necessarily the Olympics). I know it's too late for getting back in shape in time to make the 2012 trials, but do I have any hope for getting in the 2016 trials? I'll be 29 years old then, and I'm worried that I'll just be too old to have a realistic shot.
One more thing: any training ideas for getting back to my old shape while minimizing the chances of injury? Also, if I work at it, how long will it take for me to get reasonably close (2:00 800 and 4:30 1600) to my old PRs?