Hello Wise LRC,
Last year at this time I was gearing up for my first division one collegiate cross country season. I improved in every race and finished with a PR of about 27 minutes. However, for a number of reasons (academics being the biggest one) I have since quit the team. That being said, I ran a decent amount after the season. I was probably averaging about 30 mpw. Then once spring semester started my running curtailed and I was probably running 20-30 miles or so. In this time frame I also ran my first half marathon in 1:23 with very minimal training. After this my running plummeted and since then I have been running 2-3 times a week, 3-4 miles at a time (since about march). With all of this in mind, how long would it take me to get into competing shape again? I am talking like 15:30-16:00 5k shape again? Bear in mind I feel extremely out of shape (with regards to running) currently and I have also picked up lifting weights, but my overall weight is about the same as last XC season. I am really looking into club xc/track and I am curious as to how long I should expect this to take to feel fit again? What should my base mileage be? When should I start workouts? etc. I appreciate all responses, sarcastic and not. Thanks in advance.