I recently started running again after a several-year hiatus. Most of my running so far has been on a treadmill indoors, because the weather has been bad, so I have relatively solid data for my progress so far. I've worked up from a 12-minute mile pace for 20 minutes to around 9 minutes per mile for the same 20 minutes.
Then I bought some minimalist running shoes, and have knocked my runs down to 10 minutes (and increasing my pace to almost 8 minutes per mile) this week so as not to overdo it. I'm now at a sort of critical junction in my training I think.
I'm training for the Ragnar Relay Wasatch Back in June. My position has 3, 7, and 4 mile legs, the last of which climbs about 1600 feet.
I used to run a lot, and I did the Army Ten-Miler in 68 minutes, but that was 13 years ago, and for the last 4 or 5 years I haven't run much at all. Is it realistic to think I can both increase my average pace and at the same time increase my mileage to be ready for the race by June 17? I ask because I'd like to get my pace to 8 or less minutes per mile if possible, but with only 9 weeks I'm not sure I can do this and still build up the serious mileage and time I'll need to be properly conditioned for the race.