Hello, I have been a runner all of my life. Never quite took it to the next level. The past few times I have run this local 7 mile race I finished at 52 minutes. I really want to be in the front of the pack. This race is in a year from now and with the type of dedication I have for things I really feel like I could be a top competitor. Any advice, I will do anything.

I need any training methods to help increase time. I am currently learning about posture, and:

I am running about 1400 meters at my 3k pace than walking for the same amount of time in order to improve my vO2 max.

I am doing this twice a week on top of running with weights, running similar courses, and sometimes do gas mask training.

Let me know what I should be taking into account (not oxygen deprivation from gas mask, I was a marine I know all about it) physiologically, thank you.