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

[CosbehFox]

Sheffield signed up for today. Big hilly task, something of a different challenge 

[Les-TA-Jon]

Some of you guys seem to be doing 40 to 60K a week or more

I've been doing well for my standards over the last 6 months at approx 20K a week. 

 

How do you fit it all in? Is it simply 4-5+ days a week running? Is every run a 'long' run? Or are you doing HM or more each week? 

Edited Tuesday at 14:23 by Les-TA-Jon

[slymunn]

11 minutes ago, Les-TA-Jon said:

Some of you guys seem to be doing 40 to 60K a week or more

I've been doing well for my standards over the last 6 months at approx 20K a week. 

 

How do you fit it all in? Is it simply 4-5+ days a week running? Is every run a 'long' run? Or are you doing HM or more each week? 

I do around the 20k mark by doing 3x20 minutes in the gym through the week, then an 'outside weekend run' which is usually around 30-40 minutes.

If I didn't do weights and just did running in the gym I recon I could double the distance...but I would also not enjoy my time there as much 

[James_lcfc]

1 hour ago, Les-TA-Jon said:

Some of you guys seem to be doing 40 to 60K a week or more

I've been doing well for my standards over the last 6 months at approx 20K a week. 

 

How do you fit it all in? Is it simply 4-5+ days a week running? Is every run a 'long' run? Or are you doing HM or more each week? 

Personally I run 7 days/week. 2 hard, 1 long, 4 easy.

 

Long run is at the weekend when I have more time, but Mon-Fri is during my lunch hour so it doesn't interrupt parenting!

 

Tend to average 8 miles(ish)/day and aim to hit or get close to 60 miles/week.

 

I genuinely enjoy it so it's not difficult going out every day, plus the majority of it is run at an easy pace which is nice.

[Les-TA-Jon]

2 hours ago, James_lcfc said:

Personally I run 7 days/week. 2 hard, 1 long, 4 easy.

 

Long run is at the weekend when I have more time, but Mon-Fri is during my lunch hour so it doesn't interrupt parenting!

 

Tend to average 8 miles(ish)/day and aim to hit or get close to 60 miles/week.

 

I genuinely enjoy it so it's not difficult going out every day, plus the majority of it is run at an easy pace which is nice.

Bloody hell. How long have you been running for? How much training does it take to be able to run this high a volume, with literally zero rest? 

[waddadamadda]

4 times a week - 1 speed 2 easy 1 long. Rest and recovery are key. I’m currently not training for anything so mileage sits around 20 miles a week. Once my training kicks in for marathon followed by an ultra I’ll be aiming for 30-40 miles a week

[waddadamadda]

Oh and I’m up and out by 5:15am in the week and no later than 8 on a Sunday so I don’t lose too much time. 

[SecretPro]

5 hours ago, Les-TA-Jon said:

Some of you guys seem to be doing 40 to 60K a week or more

I've been doing well for my standards over the last 6 months at approx 20K a week. 

 

How do you fit it all in? Is it simply 4-5+ days a week running? Is every run a 'long' run? Or are you doing HM or more each week? 

5:50am alarm for 5K most week days before work, then a long run Sunday anywhere between 15 - 25k.

 

Wish I could up my mileage more than that but probably an impossible task with a 9 to 5 and type 1 diabetes

[stretch1965]

Anyone doing the Chester marathon or Metric marathon on Sunday?

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

5 hours ago, Les-TA-Jon said:

Some of you guys seem to be doing 40 to 60K a week or more

I've been doing well for my standards over the last 6 months at approx 20K a week. 

 

How do you fit it all in? Is it simply 4-5+ days a week running? Is every run a 'long' run? Or are you doing HM or more each week? 

Depends on personal circumstances tbh. When you're single and work shifts like me it means you can usually go either before or after work as well as days off. Has allowed me to average a min of 10k a day for about 6 months now. Also frankly has given me something to do other than be bored outside of work.

 

Always at least one long run a week when not in a training plan like I am now, otherwise it's intervals and easy runs. 

[James_lcfc]

12 hours ago, Les-TA-Jon said:

Bloody hell. How long have you been running for? How much training does it take to be able to run this high a volume, with literally zero rest? 

I started properly around 2013 and was daily running by 2014 so a while now I guess.

 

It maybe took a year to 18 months to build up to that sort of volume but I was playing football to a decent standard before that so was reasonably fit to start with.

 

It's not zero rest either - Obviously you have the 24 hours between runs, but I run my easy days at or under 130bpm so argubly better for recovery than doing nothing at all (Assuming your body is well adapted to the impact etc).

[Raj]

some proper hardcore runners .

[Les-TA-Jon]

20 minutes ago, James_lcfc said:

I started properly around 2013 and was daily running by 2014 so a while now I guess.

 

It maybe took a year to 18 months to build up to that sort of volume but I was playing football to a decent standard before that so was reasonably fit to start with.

 

It's not zero rest either - Obviously you have the 24 hours between runs, but I run my easy days at or under 130bpm so argubly better for recovery than doing nothing at all (Assuming your body is well adapted to the impact etc).

Ah OK. I've basically been inactive (in terms of sport) my whole life and I started running March 2025 (at the age of 35) - so the idea of running literally everyday seemed crazy to me, without more context about your background. 

 

I've been running 3 times a week since I started 18 months ago, but very much feel the need for the rest days. 

[CosbehFox]

6 minutes ago, Les-TA-Jon said:

Ah OK. I've basically been inactive (in terms of sport) my whole life and I started running March 2025 (at the age of 35) - so the idea of running literally everyday seemed crazy to me, without more context about your background. 

 

I've been running 3 times a week since I started 18 months ago, but very much feel the need for the rest days. 

I’m about six years in. I’m 3 days a week. Small and steady two times followed by a long one. Subject to races that can be 10 miles week to 20 miles a week. 
 

I tried four days a week and I found it counter intuitive. I was too gassed when it came to big runs. I thought it would improve but it never did. Then the interest wanes and back to 3 days. 
 

Im going to try and up it again soon but it’s going to be far more in stages. I do two one hour strength sessions a week too 

[Sol thewall Bamba]

Fully pooing myself ahead of Sunday now. On the plus side I have an absolute killer playlist lined up, 40 back to back slammers to get me through.

[James_lcfc]

50 minutes ago, Les-TA-Jon said:

Ah OK. I've basically been inactive (in terms of sport) my whole life and I started running March 2025 (at the age of 35) - so the idea of running literally everyday seemed crazy to me, without more context about your background. 

 

I've been running 3 times a week since I started 18 months ago, but very much feel the need for the rest days. 

Starting in your mid 30's after a life of (sporting) inactivity must be incredibly difficult, so fair play to you on that!

 

I do it all the time, but try not to compare yourself to people running further/faster as everyone is different in terms of background and talent - Just stay consistent and build up slowly if you can.

 

Going from nothing to a consistent 3 days/week sounds like you're smashing it already to be fair!

[James_lcfc]

1 minute ago, Sol thewall Bamba said:

Fully pooing myself ahead of Sunday now. On the plus side I have an absolute killer playlist lined up, 40 back to back slammers to get me through.

Nothing like the nerves before a race...awful 

 

All will be well once you get started, it's just the anticipation beforehand!

[Les-TA-Jon]

53 minutes ago, James_lcfc said:

Starting in your mid 30's after a life of (sporting) inactivity must be incredibly difficult, so fair play to you on that!

 

I do it all the time, but try not to compare yourself to people running further/faster as everyone is different in terms of background and talent - Just stay consistent and build up slowly if you can.

 

Going from nothing to a consistent 3 days/week sounds like you're smashing it already to be fair!

Yeah we did some walking rugby at work back in March 2025 and after 2 minutes I was completely blowing! Started Couch to 5K the next week and have largely kept us since. 
2025 was a bit inconsistent and slow progress, but I did my first 10K by the end of the year. 

2026 has been better. Sub 30min 5K felt impossible at one point. My PB is now down to 28mins. Since April running much more consistently and now on a 29 week streak of 3 runs per week. 13K largest distance so far and aiming to do Half Marathon distance by the end of 2026. 

Edited Wednesday at 10:05 by Les-TA-Jon

[Samilktray]

I'd like to get into running purely because of the outfits (and health benefits) but as a bigger bloke even thinking about running makes my knees crumble and leaves me gasping for breathe 

[Les-TA-Jon]

2 minutes ago, Samilktray said:

I'd like to get into running purely because of the outfits (and health benefits) but as a bigger bloke even thinking about running makes my knees crumble and leaves me gasping for breathe 

I'm 75~ KG. There's a bloke on instagram (@owedpedz) who is 133kg and is faster than me

[Wolfox]

9 hours ago, Sol thewall Bamba said:

Fully pooing myself ahead of Sunday now. On the plus side I have an absolute killer playlist lined up, 40 back to back slammers to get me through.

I read that you’re not allowed headphones (unless you have those jawbone things)

[Sol thewall Bamba]

9 minutes ago, Wolfox said:

I read that you’re not allowed headphones (unless you have those jawbone things)

Yeah have a pair of Shokz thankfully 

[VLC86]

Weather looks about bang on in Leicester on Sunday again.

[Ric Flair]

22 hours ago, VLC86 said:

Weather looks about bang on in Leicester on Sunday again.

I'm starting to feel utter dog shit again as well 😫😫😫

[CosbehFox]

The ol‘Runners flu got me too. Although feels like everyone is coming into a cold this week