Return to running after 36 years

I ran from 6th grade all the way through 2 years of college. Once I left school and didn't have a team to run with any longer, I just stopped! I was a decent runner back then, 4:25 1600m, 9:40 3200m, 15:30 5K, 33:20 10K. My last real hard-core training was around age 20, although I ran a 10K here and there until I was 26 years old and my daughter was born.

Fast forward to age 56! I had found myself 65 lbs heavier than college and getting slightly out of breath at the top of a staircase. I also have some major back issues. I finally said "enough" and joined a local gym that has daily classes and a nutrition program. I was able to shed 40 of those pounds over the course of 2 years and found myself attempting to run again. I ran a couple of times in the neighborhood and ran a 5K. I had absolutely no idea I'd find myself running 26:00 for 5K. I wish I'd kept running all those years and seen the slow progression, instead of all at once! I've been running more and more since April. I'm creeping up the mileage to 20-24 miles per week. I throw in an interval workout per week. It such a slow progression. My 5Ks have gone 26:00 to 25:00 to 24:00 and then I found a nice flat course to run 22:45 :) I'm starting to come to terms with running my race for my age. I guess this is my mid-life crisis! I can't afford the sports car, so I'll continue to run!