(This is long but I REALLY appreciate anyone who thoughtfully reads the whole thing and gives feedback).
Background:
Joined track near the end of HS freshmen year after running some for tennis and realizing that I was better at running than tennis. 5:45 or so mile end of freshmen year.
Improved to a 5:02 mile within a year of solid training (though a 10:34 3200m and 2:13 800m which both equate to sub-5 mile).
Did not run junior or senior year.
Or the next 15 years after that.
Fastforward to age 30 - completely out of shape, 25 lbs overweight. I commit to breaking 5 in the mile even though at the time I probably couldn't break 10.
Took up running again (read: walking/jogging) and got to a 6:45 mile within about 5 months.
I'm now at about a 6 flat mile (and 21:30 5k), 3 months later.
I'm currently up to about 35 miles/week, planning on gradually bringing that to the upper 40s within several months.
Given all that background, with optimal training, what do you think my chances are of breaking 5 within a year?
I have until Dec 31, 2012.
$1,500 for my favorite charity is riding on it, thanks to pledges from supporting friends and family.