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Yes.. the general and simple rule (and this worked for me too, coincidentally I am 5'8, and I used to weigh about 160 pounds, now is about 125 pounds, and a cross country runner) is to run a small amount every day, and keep doing it until it feels easy. If it took you 8 minutes, obviously you are out of shape. I am going to assume that it felt hard, but getting in shape is not an easy and comfortable task. Eventually, as you get in shape, you will find running 0.5 miles easy, and you will be able to increase your mileage.

First, I would do around 5 miles a week, and keep doing it is comfortable, and work your way up in more miles per week SLOWLY, until you get to around 25-30. Eventually, you will be thinner and be running 5+ miles without much difficulty in a matter of months. It does take time, but it is worth it, trust me.

After you get in better shape and can run 3-5 miles easily, your speed will also increase (just because you got better in shape.) Then try running 2 miles and see how fast you can do it. If you still can't break the 12 minute barrier, then do speed work, such as 800meter sprints, 400 meter sprints, mile sprints, etc.

I mean, really? 2 miles less than 14 minutes? Just saying, but not many people can not actually do that. That means you have to go under a 7:00 pace, which is actually kind of a fast pace. If it's just for gym, I would have expect 16-18 minutes or less, because that is the about the time a "healthy and average person" would run it. In our gym class, we had to only run 1 mile under 10 minutes. LOL

But if you keep it up, stick to it, you will find your self losing weight and you being faster in weeks/months. Make sure to eat healthy, don't eat too little or too much. I would say about 1200-1400 calories is good for a person trying to lose weight. Your BMR (approx. calories needed to maintain weight daily without exercise) is about 1635 calories.

Good luck.

I doubt that you will be able to work on just a half mile 7 days a week and acquiring the results that you want, though it is possible. I would recommend having a schedule where you run at least 4 times a week and run anywhere between 2-5 miles each run. It's all about getting your muscles used to the strains of the run first and foremost along with strengthening those muscles to make you faster. I've not sure what your diet consists of, but diet can definitely help or hurt you as a runner. So make sure you eat well and healthy. If you need me to help with the schedule and diet, feel free to contact me.

YES, you will improve, but you need to "run" outside or on a treadmill, not the ellyptical. You could get to 2 miles at less than 14 minutes. You don't need to run every day. If you ran 3-4 times per week, and increase your distance gradually, you will see the improvement. You can do it!

to do that you should definitely start running as much as possible. and when you run, go as far as you can without stopping. and you should increase your goal gradually. so eventually you can run 2 miles

Just try not to eat junk food and exercise at least 3 times a week. Maybe it is your weight that is slowing you down. Play some basketball again since it is a very good cardio exercise.

Yes you will. Keep running!