The Running Thread (formerly How fast can you run a 5k?)

[CosbehFox]

I had a little breakthrough yesterday. Been a real up and down year - injuries, fatigue, probably too much lifting so the weight has gone on. 

 

This training cycle for Leics half - I am doing with my brother. The aim for sub 2 hours which admittedly is a bit heartbreaking to myself considering I've managed 1:51. 

 

He lives around Groby/Ratby way and its's very hilly around there. He's been quite harsh on himself with times and I said it will come together. Yesterday we did 15k before the final long one next weekend - after climbing largely around Kirby Muxloe. We managed 5.44/km with a trend going downwards. Even had a New Walk esque finish into Groby. 

 

I am running the 18k in Belgium next week - really interested to see it being flat as a pancake makes that much of a difference. 

[JonnyBoy]

London royal parks half next Sunday, last run today. Slow run for 6-7km or add in some race pace KM's? dont want to wreck my legs 

[stretch1965]

Turned 60 this year so set myself some challenges which were all a first time of doing to keep  the ticker going and myself generally fit In my 60th year,

 

Started with an olympic distance triathlon earlier in the year 

 

Stratford half marathon in under two hours

 

Coast 2 coast cycle ride Whitehaven to Tynemouth 157 miles over 4 days tho

 

Chester marathon (yesterday) in 3.58. Had a plan to get sub 4 hours that surprisingly worked, did the first 4 miles at 9-9.30 minutes to regulate, then miles 5-18 between 8-8.45 minutes then the last 8 miles at 9-9.30. 

I'd like to thank electrolytes, high 5 gels and Naproxen for getting me through 

 

All I have left now is the Benidorm Half in November and going to try for a 1.45 or less. 

 

 

Edited 6 October 2025 by stretch1965

[SecretPro]

2 hours ago, stretch1965 said:

Turned 60 this year so set myself some challenges which were all a first time of doing to keep  the ticker going and myself generally fit In my 60th year,

 

Started with an olympic distance triathlon earlier in the year 

 

Stratford half marathon in under two hours

 

Coast 2 coast cycle ride Whitehaven to Tynemouth 157 miles over 4 days tho

 

Chester marathon (yesterday) in 3.58. Had a plan to get sub 4 hours that surprisingly worked, did the first 4 miles at 9-9.30 minutes to regulate, then miles 5-18 between 8-8.45 minutes then the last 8 miles at 9-9.30. 

I'd like to thank electrolytes, high 5 gels and Naproxen for getting me through 

 

All I have left now is the Benidorm Half in November and going to try for a 1.45 or less. 

 

 

Cracking work fella! 

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

13 hours ago, JonnyBoy said:

London royal parks half next Sunday, last run today. Slow run for 6-7km or add in some race pace KM's? dont want to wreck my legs 

 

You'll have been fine to gun it today if the half is Sunday imo

[VLC86]

I’ve looked at the elevation of the marathon I’m doing and knew it was going to be a tough one but what I’ve not realised until tonight is that the climbs go on for 2/3 miles 😂

 

IMG_7177.webp

Edited 6 October 2025 by VLC86

[waddadamadda]

20 hours ago, VLC86 said:

I’ve looked at the elevation of the marathon I’m doing and knew it was going to be a tough one but what I’ve not realised until tonight is that the climbs go on for 2/3 miles 😂

 

IMG_7177.webp 49.12 kB · 4 downloads

I promise you it’s not as bad as it seems!

 

The first climb snakes up and you’re met with a beautiful downhill afterwards.

 

I don’t remember the second climb but the third is magical. Yes it goes on for a while but honestly, take a moment to look around on your way up. Your quads will be screaming at you and you’ll be questioning your life choices however it’s stunning - enjoy a cuppa at the top!

 

Unless you’re challenging for the top spot then everyone walks the final climb!

 

What people fail to talk about is the final descent into Llanberis! I held onto a stranger all the way down - if it’s a wet one then I send my sincere thoughts and prayers.

 

I have never loved a marathon or any other race as much as this one. It certainly is one to enjoy.

[VLC86]

2 hours ago, waddadamadda said:

I promise you it’s not as bad as it seems!

 

The first climb snakes up and you’re met with a beautiful downhill afterwards.

 

I don’t remember the second climb but the third is magical. Yes it goes on for a while but honestly, take a moment to look around on your way up. Your quads will be screaming at you and you’ll be questioning your life choices however it’s stunning - enjoy a cuppa at the top!

 

Unless you’re challenging for the top spot then everyone walks the final climb!

 

What people fail to talk about is the final descent into Llanberis! I held onto a stranger all the way down - if it’s a wet one then I send my sincere thoughts and prayers.

 

I have never loved a marathon or any other race as much as this one. It certainly is one to enjoy.

Thanks mate, I’m sure I’ll be fine when it comes to finishing it but the self doubt always creeps in. I’ve been doing 5ks up hill and thought that would have me covered until I looked at that 😂

[Ric Flair]

On 06/10/2025 at 16:45, stretch1965 said:

Turned 60 this year so set myself some challenges which were all a first time of doing to keep  the ticker going and myself generally fit In my 60th year,

 

Started with an olympic distance triathlon earlier in the year 

 

Stratford half marathon in under two hours

 

Coast 2 coast cycle ride Whitehaven to Tynemouth 157 miles over 4 days tho

 

Chester marathon (yesterday) in 3.58. Had a plan to get sub 4 hours that surprisingly worked, did the first 4 miles at 9-9.30 minutes to regulate, then miles 5-18 between 8-8.45 minutes then the last 8 miles at 9-9.30. 

I'd like to thank electrolytes, high 5 gels and Naproxen for getting me through 

 

All I have left now is the Benidorm Half in November and going to try for a 1.45 or less. 

 

 

Absolute machine pal, top work

[Ric Flair]

How many weeks should you give yourself for marathon training from a base fitness of regularly doing half marathons?

 

I've got 2-3 half marathon races left this year but doing a 30 miler in memory of my mum at the end of March which I want to then use as the springboard for a sub 4 hour marathon thrash in April/May before it gets too hot.

 

Bare in mind i've never ran further than 20 miles so it is a big step up for me.

[VLC86]

40 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

How many weeks should you give yourself for marathon training from a base fitness of regularly doing half marathons?

 

I've got 2-3 half marathon races left this year but doing a 30 miler in memory of my mum at the end of March which I want to then use as the springboard for a sub 4 hour marathon thrash in April/May before it gets too hot.

 

Bear in mind i've never ran further than 20 miles so it is a big step up for me.

 I’d say if you are doing half’s already it’s probably about 8/10 weeks based on the logic that your training will take you up to 20 miles. Probably depends on what sort of time you are hoping for as I think you’d surprise yourself into being able to get around a marathon at the minute, it wouldn’t be fun mind  

[Ric Flair]

3 hours ago, VLC86 said:

 I’d say if you are doing half’s already it’s probably about 8/10 weeks based on the logic that your training will take you up to 20 miles. Probably depends on what sort of time you are hoping for as I think you’d surprise yourself into being able to get around a marathon at the minute, it wouldn’t be fun mind  

Hahahaa this is the thing, it's a whole different sport past 15 miles IMO. You get your fueling wrong, even at a really steady pace and you're in a world of bother. I did a 20 miler in the spring at a sedantry 10 min a mile pace and the 15-18/19 miles were absolutely horrid. Battling with my mind constantly until I sensed home and then was alright again.

[VLC86]

6 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

Hahahaa this is the thing, it's a whole different sport past 15 miles IMO. You get your fueling wrong, even at a really steady pace and you're in a world of bother. I did a 20 miler in the spring at a sedantry 10 min a mile pace and the 15-18/19 miles were absolutely horrid. Battling with my mind constantly until I sensed home and then was alright again.

Yep, that was my whole 20 miles last week. I got my phone out at about 4 points to ask for a lift home and bottled it 😂. Which marathon you doing?

 

Go to do 18 miles tomorrow and my legs are absolutely battered from leg day and football. It’s ****ing relentless and I’ve had enough  

[Ric Flair]

1 hour ago, VLC86 said:

Yep, that was my whole 20 miles last week. I got my phone out at about 4 points to ask for a lift home and bottled it 😂. Which marathon you doing?

 

Go to do 18 miles tomorrow and my legs are absolutely battered from leg day and football. It’s ****ing relentless and I’ve had enough  

Likely to be Boston or Newport

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

Great Eastern Run for me on Sunday 

 

Pretty nervous about it now. No running yesterday, today or tomorrow to make sure I'm fresh. Have biked 20k and swam also today though. 

 

Weather says might be a bit misty/foggy which isn't ideal I guess. Will be my first ever half marathon event though and really hoping I can pull a good time out the bag. 

[VLC86]

My left knee gave me a fair amount of gip on a 15 mile run and it’s not good at all tonight. Marathon 2 weeks tomorrow, gunna be popping ibuprofen like sweets I recon. Bit of a shame as my body has generally held up for the last 14 weeks.

[VLC86]

40 minutes ago, Heart-Shaped Fox said:

Great Eastern Run for me on Sunday 

 

Pretty nervous about it now. No running yesterday, today or tomorrow to make sure I'm fresh. Have biked 20k and swam also today though. 

 

Weather says might be a bit misty/foggy which isn't ideal I guess. Will be my first ever half marathon event though and really hoping I can pull a good time out the bag. 

You’ll smash it, the times you have mentioned on here are pretty impressive so just go out and do your thing.

[CosbehFox]

The Belgian training camp this morning had its issues. Decided to cycle to the outskirts of Antwerp. That took me nearly hour. But best long run in a long time. Legs went at 15k but I left the gel to late plus 12 miles on a bike. 

[waddadamadda]

Currently sat waiting on results of an X-ray after falling whilst running yesterday. I’m confident it’s only bruising but was told to get it checked out. This means no Royal Parks half for me tomorrow  

 

I did parkrun though today just to check how hurt I actually am 

[deejdeej]

Im not that quick anyway but training has really been hampered for the leicester HM, feeling really ill after running in hot weather, various health issues with the wife in the last month and now a tooth abscess has meant no run this weekend. 

 

Last year was my first and only half marathon and I was really happy with 2:17 (nothing special i know) this year ill be happy with around 2:30 i think. Hopefully it'll be more enjoyable though if im not pushing hard and lagging around near the back markers 

[Lionator]

10 minutes ago, deejdeej said:

Im not that quick anyway but training has really been hampered for the leicester HM, feeling really ill after running in hot weather, various health issues with the wife in the last month and now a tooth abscess has meant no run this weekend. 

 

Last year was my first and only half marathon and I was really happy with 2:17 (nothing special i know) this year I’ll be happy with around 2:30 i think. Hopefully it'll be more enjoyable though if im not pushing hard and lagging around near the back markers 

whatever time you get, it’s faster than the person who isn’t running it!

[SecretPro]

Well, one week on from last Sundays hip issue and no better, so already a week with no running, no long run tomorrow and the half marathon 2 weeks away. So. ****ing. Annoyed. 

[VLC86]

Some advert for running 😂

[Ric Flair]

I'm going through one of those phases where i'm doubting everything. Had some whiffy illness several weeks ago that didn't really come out properly and so instead just felt low level excrement for weeks now. I have all symptoms of being in an IBD flare (severe fatigue, inflammation in joints, sore eyes) except the main one - liquid squits. So I don't think I am having one but somethings not right.

 

Went out and did 14km earlier and took too much effort for the pace I like to run at, was stupid to do so and been laying on the sofa all day since.

 

Hmmmmm not ideal

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Got to get back on the horse tomorrow after a couple of weeks off either ill or eating and drinking like an absolute hogman