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

[VLC86]

GNR done. Amazing event, I’d definitely encourage people entering it. Didn’t quite hit my PB but I was only a couple of mins off if you factoring in me having the biggest piss of my life 0.1k in.

 

Favourite part was on 12 miles when I’d properly overdone it and Spotify DJ played that ****ing Jess Glynn “nothing beats a Jet2 holiday” song which I’ve never listened to in my life.

Edited 7 September 2025 by VLC86

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

13 minutes ago, VLC86 said:

GNR done. Amazing event, I’d definitely encourage people entering it. Didn’t quite hit my PB but I was only a couple of mins off if you factoring in me having the biggest piss of my life 0.1k in.

 

Favourite part was on 12 miles when I’d properly overdone it and Spotify DJ played that ****ing Jess Glynn “nothing beats a Jet2 holiday” song which I’ve never listened to in my life.

What was your time mate? 

 

Well done for doing it!

[VLC86]

3 minutes ago, Heart-Shaped Fox said:

What was your time mate? 

 

Well done for doing it!

1:42:13 moving time 1:43:16 factoring the piss in 😂.

 

My PB is just over 1:40 but fastest I’ve done it this year is about 1:48 so I’m pleased, couldn’t have given any more that’s for sure, my heart rate was over 160 for the whole first 5k which was a worry lol.

[ketteringscott]

Did the Bedford half marathon today, was far too hot for me! Finished in 2 hours 17 which I am happy with bearing in mind my longest training run was 11k

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

2 hours ago, VLC86 said:

1:42:13 moving time 1:43:16 factoring the piss in 😂.

 

My PB is just over 1:40 but fastest I’ve done it this year is about 1:48 so I’m pleased, couldn’t have given any more that’s for sure, my heart rate was over 160 for the whole first 5k which was a worry lol.

Good going though, sub 1:45 isn't easy. 

 

I wouldn't worry too much about heart rate, I think it's not always good data wise. 160 is that HR zone 3 or 4 for you? If its three then it's good, if four still nothing to be concerned about. On all my quick runs around 4-430 pace I'm always in Hr4 apparently even if I know I have more in the tank. 

 

I'm a month away roughly from the Great Eastern run (also HM). Slowly getting over injury. Wanted to be closer to low 90ish mins for it which I could have done a couple months ago, but I think sub 1:40 is now more realistic at this point

 

 

[VLC86]

1 minute ago, Heart-Shaped Fox said:

Good going though, sub 1:45 isn't easy. 

 

I wouldn't worry too much about heart rate, I think it's not always good data wise. 160 is that HR zone 3 or 4 for you? If its three then it's good, if four still nothing to be concerned about. On all my quick runs around 4-430 pace I'm always in Hr4 apparently even if I know I have more in the tank. 

 

I'm a month away roughly from the Great Eastern run (also HM). Slowly getting over injury. Wanted to be closer to low 90ish mins for it which I could have done a couple months ago, but I think sub 1:40 is now more realistic at this point

 

 

Yeah it’s zone 4, I’ve barely done a run in the last year where I’m consistently in that though so maybe that’s some learning on my part. I’ve just looked, the mile I stopped at was my fastest mile 😂 no wonder I felt like I was ****ed 5k in

 

90 mins is crazy for a half, not entirely sure how I get much quicker although the above probably answer that. Like you say though, sub 1.40 is quick. My pace today put me on in the top 4000 which shocks me. You’ll find that race day with the crowds etc will push you harder than you expect.

 

Been tough training wise though as im actually training for a full marathon with ridiculous hills so its been more about distance and elevation than pace.

[deejdeej]

Was tempted to do Vicky park run on Saturday morning for a change (I've only ever done Braunstone) but as I was running a bit late opted out as I wasn't sure where to park and where it even starts. For future reference can anyone help?

[waddadamadda]

1 hour ago, deejdeej said:

Was tempted to do Vicky park run on Saturday morning for a change (I've only ever done Braunstone) but as I was running a bit late opted out as I wasn't sure where to park and where it even starts. For future reference can anyone help?

You can park at VP in the car park by De Montfort. You can also park on the surrounding roads and pay at the meter.

[waddadamadda]

Crashed and burned at Wilne 10K today. Should’ve been a breeze on a predominantly flat course however I and others massively struggled. Took all my resolve not to quit at mile 4.  Leicester 10K is an absolute breeze compared to this course even with New Walk at the end! 

[CosbehFox]

I also struggled today running 18k. Maybe the amount of hills after doing Beacon yesterday. But I was in a right struggle. Think the heat and humidity caught a few out today. Time for holiday. Properly max out at 10k in the heat of Rhodes and then try to add some speed ready for Leics Half as it gets cooler here. My major target is start of next year where I am hoping the results of consistency start to play out. 

Edited 7 September 2025 by CosbehFox

[Osavo]

Great North Run boxed off today - superb event and would recommend to anyone lucky enough to get a ballot place.

 

Managed a 1:55:51 - chuffed with that given I've never previously done a half and was aiming for anything under 2. Time for a beer and a lie down.

[CosbehFox]

1 hour ago, deejdeej said:

Was tempted to do Vicky park run on Saturday morning for a change (I've only ever done Braunstone) but as I was running a bit late opted out as I wasn't sure where to park and where it even starts. For future reference can anyone help?

Use Queen Elizabeth II Sixth Form College car park - it's for free, five to ten minute walk to the start. 

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

1 hour ago, VLC86 said:

Yeah it’s zone 4, I’ve barely done a run in the last year where I’m consistently in that though so maybe that’s some learning on my part. I’ve just looked, the mile I stopped at was my fastest mile 😂 no wonder I felt like I was ****ed 5k in

 

90 mins is crazy for a half, not entirely sure how I get much quicker although the above probably answer that. Like you say though, sub 1.40 is quick. My pace today put me on in the top 4000 which shocks me. You’ll find that race day with the crowds etc will push you harder than you expect.

 

Been tough training wise though as im actually training for a full marathon with ridiculous hills so its been more about distance and elevation than pace.

Don't read too much into it mate. I even go into zone five sometimes. It was warm today down here I imagine the same up there so the temperature also plays apart to heart rate. Honestly I think it's mostly bs heart rate zones 🤣

 

My Strava prediction time is currently sub 1:32 for a half but I think that's generous and 1:35 is probably my max. 1:35 or below I'll be happy with next month especially with how I've dropped off the distances with injury. You're right about the crowds etc, that adds at least 5%. 

 

Good luck with marathon training! I've only ever run two on my own never an event. And they're absolutely a killer on the legs especially late on 🤣

[VLC86]

3 minutes ago, Heart-Shaped Fox said:

Don't read too much into it mate. I even go into zone five sometimes. It was warm today down here I imagine the same up there so the temperature also plays apart to heart rate. Honestly I think it's mostly bs heart rate zones 🤣

 

My Strava prediction time is currently sub 1:32 for a half but I think that's generous and 1:35 is probably my max. 1:35 or below I'll be happy with next month especially with how I've dropped off the distances with injury. You're right about the crowds etc, that adds at least 5%. 

 

Good luck with marathon training! I've only ever run two on my own never an event. And they're absolutely a killer on the legs especially late on 🤣

I did similar Marathon wise last year and I couldn’t agree more, all over the shop physically and mentally past mile 20. Think I’m a bit wiser fuelling wise now so we will see.

[Ric Flair]

4 hours ago, VLC86 said:

1:42:13 moving time 1:43:16 factoring the piss in 😂.

 

My PB is just over 1:40 but fastest I’ve done it this year is about 1:48 so I’m pleased, couldn’t have given any more that’s for sure, my heart rate was over 160 for the whole first 5k which was a worry lol.

That's class pal, well done

[VLC86]

35 minutes ago, Osavo said:

Great North Run boxed off today - superb event and would recommend to anyone lucky enough to get a ballot place.

 

Managed a 1:55:51 - chuffed with that given I've never previously done a half and was aiming for anything under 2. Time for a beer and a lie down.

What did you think to the course? I’m an idiot and didn’t really do much research so I wasn’t expecting many hills. That one at 11 miles nearly finished me off.

[stretch1965]

On 06/09/2025 at 08:14, VLC86 said:

Oh wow, is it advised to lower the mileage that far out? In my marathon plan I’ll be doing up to 21 miles just over a week before.

It should be 15 this week 22 next week on the plan,  however i have a big bike ride next week so wanted to do the longest run this week. The last 3 weeks of My plan tapers 21, 13, then 8 the week before. Never known a full 21 the week before.

[Osavo]

3 hours ago, VLC86 said:

What did you think to the course? I’m an idiot and didn’t really do much research so I wasn’t expecting many hills. That one at 11 miles nearly finished me off.

Was bloody tough, wasn't it. A lot of long, steady inclines (7-8km, 18km in particular) but I feel it almost balanced itself out with some nice downhill stretches too.

 

Tbh, I really did myself over by being in the last wave. Was constantly weaving amongst people at 2.30+ pace which was bloody exhausting, was a bit poor when people in pink wave were walking after 1.5km. 

[VLC86]

16 minutes ago, Osavo said:

Was bloody tough, wasn't it. A lot of long, steady inclines (7-8km, 18km in particular) but I feel it almost balanced itself out with some nice downhill stretches too.

 

Tbh, I really did myself over by being in the last wave. Was constantly weaving amongst people at 2.30+ pace which was bloody exhausting, was a bit poor when people in pink wave were walking after 1.5km. 

TBH that was the same in the wave I was in which was weird, you are better saying you are going to be quick I think.

[Osavo]

8 hours ago, VLC86 said:

TBH that was the same in the wave I was in which was weird, you are better saying you are going to be quick I think.

Oh 100%, better being in a slightly quicker wave going slower than a slower wave going quicker. A lot of people in green and orange who had fibbed about their predicted times I think. A learning for next time.

[CosbehFox]

3 minutes ago, Osavo said:

Oh 100%, better being in a slightly quicker wave going slower than a slower wave going quicker. A lot of people in green and orange who had fibbed about their predicted times I think. A learning for next time.

Same at all the big runs with waves to be honest. Cambridge is like it too. 

 

Leicester suffers badly with a load of unprepared and undercooked runners decided to go out with the pace setters and then you see them struggling at the start of Melton Road. 

[SecretPro]

57 minutes ago, CosbehFox said:

Same at all the big runs with waves to be honest. Cambridge is like it too. 

 

Leicester suffers badly with a load of unprepared and undercooked runners decided to go out with the pace setters and then you see them struggling at the start of Melton Road. 

Running the Half for the first time this year. Any big lumps I should know about?

[CosbehFox]

14 minutes ago, SecretPro said:

Running the Half for the first time this year. Any big lumps I should know about?

Golden rules of Leicester Half are:-

- Don't go too fast cos it's a downhill start. It's at least half of the run which is on flat and you'll get a decent first half split from it. Watermead Park you can zip around too. 

- The first real test I believe is the hills coming out of Birstall and you are at mile 8 by that point. 

- The finish is a painful climb up New Walk. So be prepared and try to leave some in the tank (easier said than done but you can add a good 20-30 seconds to your final K time on it). Just know that once you've got that out of the way it's done. 

 

I'd say in terms of pure time, it's the best of the East Mids cities to do but could do with a couple of more landmarks on the route to make it truly enjoyable. 

Edited 8 September 2025 by CosbehFox

[Ric Flair]

2 hours ago, CosbehFox said:

Golden rules of Leicester Half are:-

- Don't go too fast cos it's a downhill start. It's at least half of the run which is on flat and you'll get a decent first half split from it. Watermead Park you can zip around too. 

- The first real test I believe is the hills coming out of Birstall and you are at mile 8 by that point. 

- The finish is a painful climb up New Walk. So be prepared and try to leave some in the tank (easier said than done but you can add a good 20-30 seconds to your final K time on it). Just know that once you've got that out of the way it's done. 

 

I'd say in terms of pure time, it's the best of the East Mids cities to do but could do with a couple of more landmarks on the route to make it truly enjoyable. 

There's rumours they are altering the course for this year but not sure if that's been confirmed?

 

I agree with your assessment. The Birstall hill is fine, but New Walk is relentless. I don't think you can approach it overly tactically. Just grin and bare the fcuker.

[Ric Flair]

Anyone got any 2026 recommendations for races? Half marathons are my preference but will do at least one full marathon next year. Keen to get a few unusual or different courses in next year so any hidden gems etc would be great.