I finally tested my 3 mile time using this pose method.
Previously, my best all-time 3 mile run was 23:11, and it took me 7 or 8 months of training, a pulled calf, shin splints, and tendonitis in my knee to get it there (down from 27 minutes, initially.)
After taking time off for said injuries and coming back into running pretty much cold, after two weeks I dropped my lowsy time down to 21:42. Now instead of barely scraping by spending all of my energy, I can comfortably pass with a decent margin for error without killing myself. That, and it can only improve from here until OCS starts. I imagine I'll break 21 minutes by that time, which for me is a big deal. Running has always been my weak spot, and now it's not so bad. I might not ever get sub-18, but scoring around 21 or 22 sure takes a lot of stress off when I go to PFT.
Another thing I've been doing is swimming, and I can't say enough about that either. It won't zap your joints, as it is low impact stuff, and will still wear you out for a good cardio workout. After two or three weeks doing laps, lung capacity is no longer an issue. I can always find enough air.
Actually, with the new stride I'm using and my lungs beefed up a bit from swimming, the things that give out first are my shoulders, believe it or not. Too tense, I think.
Anyone having problems running should definitely try these two things. Using them, I've gone from being the worst runner on the PT field (here at UNF) to a semi-decent one.
Good luck out there.