J-Man, I started running when I was in 5th grade and never stopped till 12th grade.I ran track and cross country, did the 400, 800, mile and 2 mile in our meets and did fairly good, my favorite running event by far was cross country racing. Remember Bill Murray telling that slow kid at camp in that movie back in the 80's, "Run like woody the wabbit, woody the wabbit" as sad as it sounds it worked for me and got me pumped up when running through the woods like a mad man on a mission, lol My best mile is 4:39, best 2 Mile is 10:19, best 3.1 Mile (average cross country race) was 17:10.
Anyway, The General gave you some good advice, try and get a breathing rythum down, that's the most important part of running, next comes speed, you need to gain speed and how you do that is by running wind sprints.
Run for 100yds as fast as you can, then slow way down and jog for the next 200 YDS, then sprint 100yds as fast as you can. Essentially your building speed and endurance at the same time by doing this. When you try to attain the goal, there's several options avalible: either you run flat out and try and kill your self and maybe, just maybe make your goal, or you pace your self, start out fast for the first 100, then try and get your breathing under control and get a consistant stride going, after that your speed, breathing and stride should get you there.. Try settting a goal of running the 400 in a certain time that will get you to your goal, then set a goal for the 800, then the mile. Once you reach your goal in the 800 (which should be around 2;25 for the first 800) that 5 minute mile will be laughable.
Remember:
#1Breathing pattern
#2speed/wind sprints
#3good stride
#4pace your self
I recomend New Balance running shoes, if your gonna do it, do it right.
Oh and also, if you do have access to a track, take adavantage of it.
GOOD LUCK
OH AND BY THE WAY, I'AM A WASHED UP DRUNK THESE DAYS!