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

[Ric Flair]

1 hour ago, SecretPro said:

No point running in this unless you drink Electrolytes before you run, during your run, take SaltStick chewables (an absolute weapon of a product) during your run and drink electrolytes when you get back. The amount of people that Run and think plain water will sort them out is mental. 

 

If I'm not carrying fluids on a run (which tbf is most of the time) then Saltstick chews are the way forward. They are insanely good. If I'm struggling and I take those, with 5 mins I'm feeling feckin great. Has a far greater impact on me than taking gels etc. 

Will also check out Saltstick. I'm concerned about replenishing enough electrolytes on Saturday. Will run with x 2 500ml bottles with Pure sport electrolytes which are 1000mg each but will need to get more at half way, which should be do-able as people are meeting me.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Can vouch for @SecretPro's Saltstick shout — they're great. Decent hydration and stopped my sweat tasting like I'd dunked my head in the sea n all

[SecretPro]

2 hours ago, Miquel The Work Geordie said:

Can vouch for @SecretPro's Saltstick shout — they're great. Decent hydration and stopped my sweat tasting like I'd dunked my head in the sea n all

Fkin love the orange ones, just let them sit in my mouth while im running and let them turn to a crumbly mush. Perfection. 

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Just now, SecretPro said:

Fkin love the orange ones, just let them sit in my mouth while im running and let them turn to a crumbly mush. Perfection. 

 

Yeah brother I like anything that's a bit bitter so they go down a treat, the watermelon ones are decent as well.

 

Stomach is fine on gels but I absolutely hate the consistency of them and the act of getting them down your neck so the Saltstick tabs have been a revelation

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Jus gone for 18km, so much more manageable this morning, bit close but not like yesterday which was a no go for Miquel

[GLC]

Delighted to have finally pushed past the 24 minute mark. 
especially with the injuries recently. 

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

First set of intervals running in about a month due to holidays and the ridiculous weather. Thought today would be cooler and good to pick up the Fartleks again. Can confirm it's far too hot for them. At the end of the intervals and about 4km from home had to go buy a drink or felt I might keel over.

 

Can't wait for it to drop soon purely to make running more enjoyable again 😂

[VLC86]

500 miles for the year done. Aiming for 1000 now which sounds absolutely disgusting based on that 4 miler.

[David Guiza II]

I tried Abbey Park parkrun for the first time on Saturday and came in with a surprising third place, would love to give it a go on a less horridly sweaty day. 

 

Anybody doing the Rothley 10k next week? I was considering a late sign up. I did it a couple of years ago and remember it being a decent course, albeit a little hilly! 

[Messi]

On 26/05/2026 at 17:03, Miquel The Work Geordie said:

 

Yeah brother I like anything that's a bit bitter so they go down a treat, the watermelon ones are decent as well.

 

Stomach is fine on gels but I absolutely hate the consistency of them and the act of getting them down your neck so the Saltstick tabs have been a revelation

Have you tried Kendal Mint Club gels?
 

They sound right up your street re the taste and the texture is lovely compared to most gels out there. 

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

1 hour ago, Messi said:

Have you tried Kendal Mint Club gels?
 

They sound right up your street re the taste and the texture is lovely compared to most gels out there. 

 

Never heard of them mate! Will check them out

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Got another 18km under my belt this morning which was more like 19.5km because my blower decided to unlock and stop itself in my shorts. Need a watch that I can play music off, any suggestions from the Full-Time Legends in here welcome

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

Can out of nowhere feel like shit in this running game. Think the heat and maybe body telling me to have a rest day has played it's part. 

Just done a 10km on a usual circuit and about 5km in felt sluggish as hell, hungry and thirsty. My own fault for not fuelling enough or hydrating well enough before a run. 

 

Had to stop at corner shop and break for five mins. After that felt a lot better and back at original pace. Completely my own fault, running is an unforgiving sport at times though. 

 

Rest day tomorrow, long run Sunday if it's not too hot.

[waddadamadda]

2 hours ago, Messi said:

Have you tried Kendal Mint Club gels?
 

They sound right up your street re the taste and the texture is lovely compared to most gels out there. 

They are amazing! The little green bars are also fantastic and were my fuel for my last marathon.

[Sol thewall Bamba]

13 hours ago, Miquel The Work Geordie said:

Got another 18km under my belt this morning which was more like 19.5km because my blower decided to unlock and stop itself in my shorts. Need a watch that I can play music off, any suggestions from the Full-Time Legends in here welcome

I got the Forerunner 165 music because it was essentially the cheapest option to get the options you've described. It's done me fine so far! 

[VLC86]

15 hours ago, Heart-Shaped Fox said:

Can out of nowhere feel like shit in this running game. Think the heat and maybe body telling me to have a rest day has played it's part. 

Just done a 10km on a usual circuit and about 5km in felt sluggish as hell, hungry and thirsty. My own fault for not fuelling enough or hydrating well enough before a run. 

 

Had to stop at corner shop and break for five mins. After that felt a lot better and back at original pace. Completely my own fault, running is an unforgiving sport at times though. 

 

Rest day tomorrow, long run Sunday if it's not too hot.

Been there many times mate 😂 no rhyme or reason behind it sometimes, but with me it always seems to be fueling related which I do find strange because I always do long runs first thing in the morning having not eaten much.

 

Could easily be salt/electrolyte related as well I guess so I might grab some of them salt sticks.

Edited Saturday at 07:52 by VLC86

[waddadamadda]

If you’re a fan of fast and flat then make your way to Victoria Embankment parkrun in Nottingham. I hated every single step of it as it’s not my type of course however some will love it.

A bit of advice though…..find a supermarket/McDonalds toilet as their ‘toilets’ are two portaloos which is awful for 700+ runners. Oh, and if you s*** your pants, be a hero and bin them and not leave them in said portaloo. 

[CosbehFox]

Chuffed to get my pb for the year at Abbey Park but even more chuffed for my brother and Tommeh formerly of this parish who both got all time PBs

[CosbehFox]

1 minute ago, waddadamadda said:

If you’re a fan of fast and flat then make your way to Victoria Embankment parkrun in Nottingham. I hated every single step of it as it’s not my type of course however some will love it.

A bit of advice though…..find a supermarket/McDonalds toilet as their ‘toilets’ are two portaloos which is awful for 700+ runners. Oh, and if you s*** your pants, be a hero and bin them and not leave them in said portaloo. 

Went last week - bit crowded for the course isn’t it? Albeit a very nice setting 

[waddadamadda]

6 minutes ago, CosbehFox said:

Went last week - bit crowded for the course isn’t it? Albeit a very nice setting 

Well. I started nearly 2 minutes behind the tailwalker as there was no way I was running without sanitising my hands!

 

The tree roots are a real trip hazard and I’m surprised that there’s no one near those spots.

 

But yeah, it’s crowded, very ‘run club’ and it doesn’t help when people are running/walking 4 across the path. 

[BeardyFox]

My first run since London (for one reason and another). I felt I needed a mental break from structured training and flogging myself. Had been wondering if I really wanted to get back. 
 

Was great temp at 5:30 and within 300 yards I had a smile back on my face. 
I’m back in. 

[VLC86]

Nice 10k for me this morning, still really struggling with injury but a gentle run and it’s manageable.

[GLC]

Delighted with my half marathon today. 
proper ****ed at the end though 

[SecretPro]

A week to go until my Half and tbh, the heat in the last 10 days has really had an impact on me. I was feeling fit as a fiddle 10 days ago but the miles have been a slog since then. 

 

Will do an easy and a tempo 5K during the week this week to keep the legs moving and then hope for the best. 

[VLC86]

50 minutes ago, SecretPro said:

A week to go until my Half and tbh, the heat in the last 10 days has really had an impact on me. I was feeling fit as a fiddle 10 days ago but the miles have been a slog since then. 

 

Will do an easy and a tempo 5K during the week this week to keep the legs moving and then hope for the best. 

With it cooling down I’m sure you’ll be fine. Without the heat I’ve had some absolute shockers in the few weeks before a race but it all seems to come together.