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

[FLAN]

38 mins on Saturday. Next phase of rehab is 4 mins fast walk with 1 min run (jog) 

so far no issues with knee 

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

Hard to judge what to wear outside atm. Did a 21k today mostly at a lighter pace but it's the wind I hate the most. Really makes it colder than it should be, had to stop after 5km and put a light jacket on I luckily brought with me. Maybe a shirt only was ambitious.

 

Still in shorts too but think it will be the tights next run.

[VLC86]

What’s the most ridiculous idea of a run that you guys have thought of/considered doing? I’m having some pretty mental thoughts but I’m not sure I even dare articulate the worst because of how unrealistic it feels.

[stretch1965]

6 hours ago, VLC86 said:

What’s the most ridiculous idea of a run that you guys have thought of/considered doing? I’m having some pretty mental thoughts but I’m not sure I even dare articulate the worst because of how unrealistic it feels.

I've been considering The Lap which is a 47m ultra around lake windermere. That became a stupid after yesterday's 20m for my marathon training which left me a bit broken.

[VLC86]

2 hours ago, stretch1965 said:

I've been considering The Lap which is a 47m ultra around lake windermere. That became a stupid after yesterday's 20m for my marathon training which left me a bit broken.

It says it’s walkable with generous cut offs so might be different to running a marathon.

[Ric Flair]

11 hours ago, VLC86 said:

What’s the most ridiculous idea of a run that you guys have thought of/considered doing? I’m having some pretty mental thoughts but I’m not sure I even dare articulate the worst because of how unrealistic it feels.

Every chip shop in Burbage/Hinckley/Barwell/Earl Shilton. Battered sausage at each. Think it's about 20 mile loop and 12 battered sausages.

[VLC86]

I need the Marathon Des Sables videos get to off my YouTube recommendations. There is a  100% chance I’d die or fail.

[BeardyFox]

1 hour ago, Ric Flair said:

Every chip shop in Burbage/Hinckley/Barwell/Earl Shilton. Battered sausage at each. Think it's about 20 mile loop and 12 battered sausages.

Chipchoge

Edited 17 November 2025 by BeardyFox

[CosbehFox]

1 hour ago, Ric Flair said:

Every chip shop in Burbage/Hinckley/Barwell/Earl Shilton. Battered sausage at each. Think it's about 20 mile loop and 12 battered sausages.

We need to set this up. 

**** the Bordeaux Marathon with its steak and wine. 

 

[CosbehFox]

13 hours ago, VLC86 said:

What’s the most ridiculous idea of a run that you guys have thought of/considered doing? I’m having some pretty mental thoughts but I’m not sure I even dare articulate the worst because of how unrealistic it feels.

https://www.semi-montventoux.com

 

1600 metres of climbing over 21 k. A good chunk is 9-10% gradient. It levels off at 6% before 10% to finish. 

 

It's known from the Tour de France and the submit finish; cyclists have died on it. It's very unusual terrain at the top. Unearthy. 

[Ric Flair]

1 hour ago, CosbehFox said:

https://www.semi-montventoux.com

 

1600 metres of climbing over 21 k. A good chunk is 9-10% gradient. It levels off at 6% before 10% to finish. 

 

It's known from the Tour de France and the submit finish; cyclists have died on it. It's very unusual terrain at the top. Unearthy. 

Bloody hell, I've got a half this Sunday that's 300m of elevation and I'm not happy about it, that sounds a disgrace.

[VLC86]

2 hours ago, CosbehFox said:

https://www.semi-montventoux.com

 

1600 metres of climbing over 21 k. A good chunk is 9-10% gradient. It levels off at 6% before 10% to finish. 

 

It's known from the Tour de France and the submit finish; cyclists have died on it. It's very unusual terrain at the top. Unearthy. 

Yeah, that’s horrific. Double what I did in the marathon in half the distance.

 

Absolutely not.

[VLC86]

4 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

Every chip shop in Burbage/Hinckley/Barwell/Earl Shilton. Battered sausage at each. Think it's about 20 mile loop and 12 battered sausages.

 

2 hours ago, CosbehFox said:

We need to set this up. 

**** the Bordeaux Marathon with its steak and wine. 

 

When Hardest Geezer was running Africa I’m sure some guy did a marathon and ate a Tesco meal deal at every mile. You’ll be shocked to hear that he was chundering.

[BeardyFox]

4 hours ago, VLC86 said:

I need the Marathon Des Sables videos get to off my YouTube recommendations. There is a  100% chance I’d die or fail.

I watched a documentary on this, think its called Running For Good and is on Prime. 

I had just ran Derby half the weekend before and it was 22 degrees, I was an absolute state afterwards. Yet sat there on the couch watching it a small part of me thought, yeah i could give that a bash.

Needless to say my wife firmly told me that the desert is no place for a man so pale i'd get sunburn off the lamp at the dentist. 

[VLC86]

1 minute ago, BeardyFox said:

I watched a documentary on this, think its called Running For Good and is on Prime. 

I had just ran Derby half the weekend before and it was 22 degrees, I was an absolute state afterwards. Yet sat there on the couch watching it a small part of me thought, yeah i could give that a bash.

Needless to say my wife firmly told me that the desert is no place for a man so pale i'd get sunburn off the lamp at the dentist. 

Honestly, heat is the worst condition to run in but I got to a stage last night where I thought would I regret not doing it.

 

Its stupid money, mental training and obviously utterly horrific so the odds of me actually doing it are still very very low but it would be some story wouldn’t it 😂

[fox_up_north]

Go on... who's willing to play a game of slip n slide out there this week?

[Ric Flair]

This is a dream of mine, my mate did it years ago. Still my favourite country I've ever been to, Cape Town is jaw dropping.

 

https://www.twooceansmarathon.org.za/

 

[Trumpet]

Mentioned already, but running Silverstone on Sunday. Aiming for sub 50.

 

My Garmin wants me to do a tempo run tomorrow, an easy on Thursday and sprints on Saturday. Not sure about the sprints on Saturday. For the more seasoned runners, is this ideal a day before? 
 

Edited 18 November 2025 by Trumpet

[VLC86]

6 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

This is a dream of mine, my mate did it years ago. Still my favourite country I've ever been to, Cape Town is jaw dropping.

 

https://www.twooceansmarathon.org.za/

 

Id love to do a marathon in Cape Town, I’d be worried that they cancelled this years on the morning though.

[VLC86]

33 minutes ago, Trumpet said:

Mentioned already, but running Silverstone on Sunday. Aiming for sub 50.

 

My Garmin wants me to do a tempo run tomorrow, an easy on Thursday and sprints on Saturday. Not sure about the sprints on Saturday. For the more seasoned runners, is this ideal a day before? 
 

I’d say avoid anything other than a quick 5/10 minute shake out the day before, I wouldn’t be doing what that recommends.

[Trumpet]

1 hour ago, VLC86 said:

I’d say avoid anything other than a quick 5/10 minute shake out the day before, I wouldn’t be doing what that recommends.

Thought so. I’ll keep tomorrow’s tempo and then maybe an easy run on Friday. That should be my lot.

 

 

[westernpark]

First time in a long time but I opened the door at 6am as I normally do but couldn’t do it because of the weather. Grim.

[Ric Flair]

16 hours ago, VLC86 said:

Id love to do a marathon in Cape Town, I’d be worried that they cancelled this years on the morning though.

Yeah I know what you mean, was there for 3 weeks in 2014 and you're at the mercy of the weather every day, such a unique part of the world.

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

5 hours ago, westernpark said:

First time in a long time but I opened the door at 6am as I normally do but couldn’t do it because of the weather. Grim.

10am for me today and almost similar. Just can't get the clothing right. Got the base layer on, leggings long socks, hat and gloves. Open the door and realise it's even colder and windier than I thought. Get the running jacket out too.

 

Get 3/4k into a 10k light run and realise I'm too hot especially on the back 😂 

Was only two weeks ago it was like 12 degrees

[Trumpet]

I don’t have much in the way of running gear yet, so I’ll be out in my shorts, T-shirt and a thin waterproof regatta jacket in hope of it taking the edge off the wind.

 

I’m really not feeling it.