Running; doesn't seem to be getting easier..

Also don't worry about speed now. Build up the milage first. Sometimes I feel like I'm barely jogging but then when I'm all done and figure out my average speed it's like 10.5-12 minutes/ mile.

I am surprised no one has told you to SLOW DOWN yet!
Seriously, you build aerobic capacity by running more and longer at an easy pace (able to hold a conversation without gasping for air). Then, when you have your distance (or more) mastered, you may start thinking about speed.
Google Arthur Lydiard, he literally wrote the book on it.

Thanks for all the encouragement! Its mostly an issue of breathing. I feel so out of breath and my heart rate is just out of control.

Basically what you are saying here is your aerobic fitness sucks.

You need to develop some basic endurance - more miles at a steady, slower pace which you increase incrementally and sensibly over time.

All the cross training and adding higher intensity work might well be doing you a disservice as well. It will tap into your recovery ability and compromise your results.

You want to be a better runner? Spend more time running and par down the other activity. You could find a compromise if you have other goals as well but your progress will be slower and you will simply have to accept that.

I am surprised no one has told you to SLOW DOWN yet!
Seriously, you build aerobic capacity by running more and longer at an easy pace (able to hold a conversation without gasping for air). Then, when you have your distance (or more) mastered, you may start thinking about speed.
Google Arthur Lydiard, he literally wrote the book on it.

Exactly right! OP, if you are out of breath and your heart rate is out of control you are running much too fast. I currently run at an 8:30 - 9 min pace for short distances and 10 min for 10-15 miles. I started at a 14 min mile, I was picking my feet up like running, but keeping the speed of a walk. Build endurance first, then speed will start to naturally happen. If you slow it down you may find you are immediately able to do a little more.

Ignore distance. Run by time. If you are running 30 minutes right now, then do that 3 times a week. Next week increase by 5 minutes. Rinse and repeat.

Lift weights!! That's what worked for me. I was averaging 12 min mile and then I started lifting weights and I'm now running a 10 min mile. For weight lifting I do Kelly Coffee Myers DVD's with hand weights. I've seen great results.

keep running, but also understand that a lot of it is simply going to be your natural ability. Some people are natural distance runners and others are not. I am in the not category even though I try...even when I was in the peak of my fitness in the Marine Corps, I was always at the back of the pack and often dead last on our 3 mile PFT runs. Conversely, I was once ranked 3rd in the state of NM in the 100 meter dash and I still hold the record 20 years later for my high school in the pole vault.

My wife is a prime example of natural distance running ability...I've been running for about a year and we did a 5K together back in August...I finished in about 35 minutes and was pushing myself. I trained for months leading up to it and ran several times per week. My wife...she did nothing except go for a couple runs in the two to three weeks leading up to the 5K and smoked smoked 10 minute miles pretty easily....up until those few weeks before, she hadn't run in over a year.