Well, hopefully here's some good news for ya...
I used to be a cross-country runner in high-school as well. I couldn't quite run 14mi, but I had a great recovery rate. (Good heart.) My Junior/Senior year I began smoking (not cigs, either), and then smoked both thru college. I then joined the Marines. (Wake-up call, heh, try that.)
For the first 2 weeks I felt like you did, but it doesn't take long for you to build back up your tolerances, just take it slow. (Unlike the Marines, which forced us into 3-4mi runs almost daily.) By the time I graduated boot-camp (3mos) I was in impecible shape again, and could run better than I did in high-school. I have since started smoking (both) again, but I now keep up on my workouts (non-impact only for me now, because of injury), and I can say I am still able to out-sprint and out-distance most people.
You still have a chance, its just easier when ya quit.
E1
