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

[Ric Flair]

2 hours ago, Miquel The Work Geordie said:

 

Ahahaha Tommeh was trying to sell it to me when I met him for a few jars a few weeks back man, half tempted to get my long shins out for the world to see

Join the BSLB crew, got loads doing it. You'll piss it.

 

https://www.justgiving.com/team/bigstrongleicesterboyshavetheruns2026?utm_medium=team&utm_content=bigstrongleicesterboyshavetheruns2026&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share&invite=true

 

 

[Stuntman_Mike]

Ticking off Hastings Parkrun in Burbage this Saturday.

 

Still working my way through the Leicestershire ones.

[Wycombe Fox]

Yesterday, at a junior track meeting, a 10 year old from Texas ran 25.03 for 200m!

 

That’s just crazy and the fastest ever for that age.

[Ric Flair]

17 hours ago, Stuntman_Mike said:

Ticking off Hastings Parkrun in Burbage this Saturday.

 

Still working my way through the Leicestershire ones.

Hahahahaaaaa enjoy it mate, it's an experience. The park run equivalent of Monaco GP but not quite as cosmopolitan. 

[Bellend Sebastian]

Anyone got experience of achilles problems? 

 

It's about the one thing I've never had an issue with, but I'm getting a twinge and occasional slight discomfort at the bottom of the back of my foot, extending into the back of my sole. I've done a couple of slow 5ks on it with no issues, but should I be resting it or strengthening and stretching? 

 

It's not really a problem at the minute but I've known so many people in my peer group (40s/50s) that have had real problems with this and long recovery times when it gets out of hand

 

 

[VLC86]

59 minutes ago, Bellend Sebastian said:

Anyone got experience of achilles problems? 

 

It's about the one thing I've never had an issue with, but I'm getting a twinge and occasional slight discomfort at the bottom of the back of my foot, extending into the back of my sole. I've done a couple of slow 5ks on it with no issues, but should I be resting it or strengthening and stretching? 

 

It's not really a problem at the minute but I've known so many people in my peer group (40s/50s) that have had real problems with this and long recovery times when it gets out of hand

 

 

I had an Achilles issue last year and the only thing that really worked for me was complete rest from running so I had to switch up ultra training to an exercise bike and I can hands down not recommend spending 2 hours on a wattbike.

 

I think generally people either have an issue midway up the tendon (like me) or at the bottom. Mine got to the point where it was very swollen and squeaked when I walked which is a bizarre sensation. It started as a slight issue which I ignored, and developed to one that gave me grief when just walking around so you have to be really careful as it can result in a rupture.

 

Rest up, switch to swimming and biking for a few weeks and hopefully you’ll be all good.

[CosbehFox]

2 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

Hahahahaaaaa enjoy it mate, it's an experience. The park run equivalent of Monaco GP but not quite as cosmopolitan. 

Chicanes all over the gaff 

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

Anyone else who runs sprints or interval work absolutely hate the thought of it before going out on the run?  I try and do a mix of different runs or speed work at least once a week and today is supposed to be 6x1km bursts. That's the one I hate the most and honestly I dread going out and doing it. I will go and do it shortly but absolutely cannot wait for them to be over 😫

 

Gimme an easy or light jog about long run any day instead 😂

[VLC86]

1 hour ago, Heart-Shaped Fox said:

Anyone else who runs sprints or interval work absolutely hate the thought of it before going out on the run?  I try and do a mix of different runs or speed work at least once a week and today is supposed to be 6x1km bursts. That's the one I hate the most and honestly I dread going out and doing it. I will go and do it shortly but absolutely cannot wait for them to be over 😫

 

Gimme an easy or light jog about long run any day instead 😂

Absolutely, anything at a higher intensity generally fills me with dread compared to gentle runs.

[David Guiza II]

Anybody going to any of the European Champs action in Birmingham next week? Managed to get a couple of tickets months ago and realised it's the men's 400m final amongst others, which should be fun.

 

I've also signed up for a terribly boring marathon in late September in an attempt to break 3 hours, after minor disappointment in London in April. All the indicators suggest I should be able to crack it, but I think it's a fuelling/conditioning problem as much as anything. My PBs get progressively worse from 5k to the marathon in terms of the percentiles (top 1/2% for 5k, whereas top 6-8% for marathon and half marathon). 

Also can't decide what's worse out of the Jan/Feb dark downpours or July sweatfest for marathon training. Probably the latter!  

 

[VLC86]

Got my trail shoes out for the first time in months. Took a few different turns to what I usually would,

got lost while surrounded by cows, lost my house key, bit up to ****. Ladies and gents, we are so back.

[James_lcfc]

3 hours ago, Heart-Shaped Fox said:

Anyone else who runs sprints or interval work absolutely hate the thought of it before going out on the run?  I try and do a mix of different runs or speed work at least once a week and today is supposed to be 6x1km bursts. That's the one I hate the most and honestly I dread going out and doing it. I will go and do it shortly but absolutely cannot wait for them to be over 😫

 

Gimme an easy or light jog about long run any day instead 😂

Yes.

 

Even pro runners will feel a bit of dread/anxiety before very hard sessions, it's expected.

 

As long as you're not overly anxious, the adrenaline should help a bit!

[Unabomber]

Slowly getting back in to it after a fall off in July. Annoyingly my shoes now feel proper tight around the toes and are causing all manner of issues yet were fine before. 

[Stuntman_Mike]

On 07/08/2026 at 06:44, Ric Flair said:

Hahahahaaaaa enjoy it mate, it's an experience. The park run equivalent of Monaco GP but not quite as cosmopolitan. 

That made complete sense

 

Can't say I enjoyed that one 😂 

 

 

[Ric Flair]

1 hour ago, Stuntman_Mike said:

That made complete sense

 

Can't say I enjoyed that one 😂 

 

 

Hahahaa pretty nasty isn't it. Unfortunately it's my local as only 10 min walk away. It's tough. The uphill sections get to you and the downhill whilst a relief you almost don't necessarily benefit from. Then the back of the school chicanes are chaos. It's good training to then go a decent gaff like Abbey Park and rip it 😂😂😂

[Bellend Sebastian]

On 07/08/2026 at 09:00, VLC86 said:

I had an Achilles issue last year and the only thing that really worked for me was complete rest from running so I had to switch up ultra training to an exercise bike and I can hands down not recommend spending 2 hours on a wattbike.

 

I think generally people either have an issue midway up the tendon (like me) or at the bottom. Mine got to the point where it was very swollen and squeaked when I walked which is a bizarre sensation. It started as a slight issue which I ignored, and developed to one that gave me grief when just walking around so you have to be really careful as it can result in a rupture.

 

Rest up, switch to swimming and biking for a few weeks and hopefully you’ll be all good.

Did the worst ever stop/start 5k this morning but that was down to my dreadful, dreadful fitness at present, not my achilles.

 

In all honesty I didn't give it a second's thought once I got started - I'm certainly not ruining through any kind of discomfort and it's nowhere near the level where I'd think of getting something treated.

 

Sat here I can tell it's not quite right but relatively light running doesn't seem to be troubling it. Guess I've got to just be careful

 

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

Can't wait for the heat to go and it's sat under 20 degrees. It's really affecting me, having all these hydration breaks or just feeling tired from the sun beaming down non stop. 

 

Was planning a 30k today but felt too warm so thought I'll do it on my next day off which is Thursday. Forecast says 33 degrees 😂 not sure when im gonna run more than a HM anytime soon. Can't wait for it to soon be 18 degrees and cloudy all the time again, dare I say even a bit of spotty rain 

[VLC86]

1 hour ago, Bellend Sebastian said:

Did the worst ever stop/start 5k this morning but that was down to my dreadful, dreadful fitness at present, not my achilles.

 

In all honesty I didn't give it a second's thought once I got started - I'm certainly not ruining through any kind of discomfort and it's nowhere near the level where I'd think of getting something treated.

 

Sat here I can tell it's not quite right but relatively light running doesn't seem to be troubling it. Guess I've got to just be careful

 

It’ll turn into that mate. I was similar, and then was in pain walking round but obviously depends on the issue I guess. Mine was down to increased mileage 

[SecretPro]

53 minutes ago, Heart-Shaped Fox said:

Can't wait for the heat to go and it's sat under 20 degrees. It's really affecting me, having all these hydration breaks or just feeling tired from the sun beaming down non stop. 

 

Was planning a 30k today but felt too warm so thought I'll do it on my next day off which is Thursday. Forecast says 33 degrees 😂 not sure when im gonna run more than a HM anytime soon. Can't wait for it to soon be 18 degrees and cloudy all the time again, dare I say even a bit of spotty rain 

100% with you 

 

This week looks ****ing horrid, again. 

[VLC86]

Back on the trails/fields for a 12 miler this morning and I’m feeling pretty strong, also my 3rd highest mileage week of the year so far with no aches after. Should be in decent shape for the GNR next month but I’m getting someone else round that so nothing special planned time wise. 

[LcFc_Smiv]

Penistone parkrun yesterday, went out without really pushing and ran 23:26, pretty buzzing to only be 90s slower than my fastest time there. Saw another lad in a city shirt and made sure I came ahead of the bloke in the forest shirt.

[09bballer]

15 hours ago, VLC86 said:

Back on the trails/fields for a 12 miler this morning and I’m feeling pretty strong, also my 3rd highest mileage week of the year so far with no aches after. Should be in decent shape for the GNR next month but I’m getting someone else round that so nothing special planned time wise. 

See you there with the other 59,000! 😆

[Mark 'expert' Lawrenson]

On 08/08/2026 at 21:36, Heart-Shaped Fox said:

Can't wait for the heat to go and it's sat under 20 degrees. It's really affecting me, having all these hydration breaks or just feeling tired from the sun beaming down non stop. 

 

Was planning a 30k today but felt too warm so thought I'll do it on my next day off which is Thursday. Forecast says 33 degrees 😂 not sure when im gonna run more than a HM anytime soon. Can't wait for it to soon be 18 degrees and cloudy all the time again, dare I say even a bit of spotty rain 

Completely with you on this. I like to go out about 11ish but the heat is horrendous by then. 

[David Guiza II]

Moved my long run from Sunday to Saturday and incorporated parkrun as the pickup. So much easier to increase the pace when there are hundreds of others there and not just a lonely man sweating and breathing out his backside. 
 

I'd definitely recommend to anyone looking for any quicker intervals as part of a long run. 

[SecretPro]

20K Sunday morning about 7:30 - was expecting a heat induced energy sapping bastard of a run but it was surprisingly pleasant. Not so sure about the rest of the week mind.