O.K., so I'm a VERY new runner (a few weeks), and I've just been doing a few time trail-type things to try and gauge my fitness. As a way of measuring my basis fitness, I've done a few mile time trials to see exactly where I stand.
A few friends and I went down to the local park to race a mile yesterday, and I won by quite a distance (which at least lets me know that I'm at least pretty talented for a beginner.) I came in at 9:27, my other friend 11:01, and the other fellow was 12:56. I was pretty surprised at how fast they ran those times, even though they probably aren't very fast to you guys (keep in mind that these guys are both about 175 lbs and 5'9 -- hardly the ideal runners' physique.)
So my question is: how long will it take me with consistency to get down to faster times? I want to be in the 15-25 min range for 5k, with a preference for the lower end (15, 16 mins or so.) What should I focus on? Sprints? Hills? Conditioning?
THanks!