Hey everybody...I'm a nOOb here, but was directed here from another site regarding some running questions. So, here goes.

I'm currently training for a 5mi race that will be on the weekend after Labor day - about 7.5 weeks away. This will be the second year I'll be running the race - last year I finished in 50 min flat (which was my goal!), and this year I would like to beat that (crush it if possible, but I won't get too far ahead of myself here). Here are some of my hurdles (if you will):

- After last year's race (probably while training really) I developed tendinitis in my right foot, which kept me from running for a few weeks (err...months). Then laziness set in...about 2.5 months ago I decided to get back to running, trying to take it a bit slower than I did last year. So, I started a couch-5k program, which I took a little slow, so I'm not quite at 5k yet (yesterday's run was 25 mins, in which I completed 2.7mi). Is 7.5 weeks enough time to go from 2.7mi to 5mi?

- Like I said, I would like to beat last year's time, which came out to 10min/mi. As of last week I had been able to run my first mile in 8min (give or take) and the second mile in about 8:30 - I had about a 3 min walk in between those miles. 2.7mi in 25 mins (yesterday's run) is slowed down considerably from an 8min/mile or even an 8:30/mile. What are some good ways to keep up a good pace throughout a race - or to even train myself to do so?

I'm not a complete n00b to running - I ran cross country and track my first two years of high school, but that was 14 years ago, and I honestly haven't done much running in the years between. Any and all help is definitely appreciated. Thanks guys and gals.

GT