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

[VLC86]

3 hours ago, waddadamadda said:

Bicester parkrun today (stalked socials and knew they were course checking at 7am!) and 14 weeks after injury, I’m finally back under 30 minutes and already knocking on the door of 28. I know it’s not that impressive but as a nearly 47 year old mum of 2 I'm so happy! Considering 2 weeks ago I ran a 31:40 parkrun I think it’s pretty good.
 

Someone mentioned trail trainers. I run in Innov8 Mudtalons. They are quite aggressive in terms of grip which means they are great for snow and muddy mud. 

I saw the Innov8s on a video early, sounded great for grip. I’ve bought some Hoka Mafate 5s online so will see what they are like soon.

[VLC86]

3 hours ago, VLC86 said:

You’ll shit yourself mate  

All joking aside, Pepperami have less than a gram of carbs in per stick so you’ll get little energy from them.

 

The other food I’ve used before is chopped dates. They are 3/4 carbs so you won’t need to eat loads to get the 60gs in, but while running you might not digest them too well.

[GLC]

3 hours ago, waddadamadda said:

I’ve been trying nerd clusters! My issue with using them as fuel on ultras is that after a while the sugar is too much. I’ve used crushed up ritz biscuits and will be trying boiled new potatoes this time around 

I’ll be mixing gels and clusters tbf. With some salted pretzels 

[Sol thewall Bamba]

Took 20 seconds or so off my parkrun PB this morning.

[westernpark]

Got a 50k run in July. I did 60k a few years ago. You always over estimate what you need to fuel up but in my experience I would advise people not to drink too much. The worst thing to need is the toilet on a run and your body is amazingly resilient over a day. Just wear some shoes and run.

[VLC86]

11 miler done. First one using Blok chews with caffeine in, will definitely be using them again.

 

Edit: at £6 a pack on Amazon I’m not so sure I will, although cheaper elsewhere.

Edited 11 January by VLC86

[Bellend Sebastian]

Fair play to the surprising numbers of runners going up Old John this morning, where there was enough snow and particularly ice to make me petrified of going arse over tit and I was just walking

[VLC86]

1 hour ago, Bellend Sebastian said:

Fair play to the surprising numbers of runners going up Old John this morning, where there was enough snow and particularly ice to make me petrified of going arse over tit and I was just walking

Bad enough running that in perfect conditions.

[Bellend Sebastian]

27 minutes ago, VLC86 said:

Bad enough running that in perfect conditions.

My days of trying to run up there in one go are probably behind me but you never know

[GLC]

9k slow run on the menu today. It pissed it down the entire time 😭 

but I guess it builds character??? Right?  

[GLC]

Anyone got a pair of Shokz? Any good?

[VLC86]

14 minutes ago, GLC said:

Anyone got a pair of Shokz? Any good?

Yeah, they are decent. I tested the ones that have the individual ear buds and the sound quality was a lot better than the all in one version. Think they are releasing a pro of them soon as well, no idea on the price.

[GLC]

11 minutes ago, VLC86 said:

Yeah, they are decent. I tested the ones that have the individual ear buds and the sound quality was a lot better than the all in one version. Think they are releasing a pro of them soon as well, no idea on the price.

Think they’re £220. Come out end of this month. 
 

might invest in a pair

[Sol thewall Bamba]

2 hours ago, GLC said:

Anyone got a pair of Shokz? Any good?

Yes, I like them. Unexpected bonus that they make me keep my head up because that makes the sound quality better for me

[Ric Flair]

On 10/01/2026 at 20:26, VLC86 said:

All joking aside, Pepperami have less than a gram of carbs in per stick so you’ll get little energy from them.

 

The other food I’ve used before is chopped dates. They are 3/4 carbs so you won’t need to eat loads to get the 60gs in, but while running you might not digest them too well.

What you're really saying to me is, batter the pepperami's and then you're laughing. 

[09bballer]

1 hour ago, Ric Flair said:

What you're really saying to me is, batter the pepperami's and then you're laughing. 

I think batter and then a sugar frosting would be even better 

[VLC86]

Didn’t get a place on the Great North Run ballot but my other half did so I’ve got a charity place instead. Not too bad of a target though, need to raise £350.

[Unabomber]

Garmin arrived today, looking forward to trying it out 

[Bellend Sebastian]

On 10/01/2026 at 12:58, Bellend Sebastian said:

After all that fuss got myself a pair of New Balance 860s that seem to fit pretty well. Bit annoyed to see them for £15 less on THEIR OWN WEBSITE when I got in, though 

Very impressively, I've been refunded the difference despite not even saying which store I visited or providing any proof of purchase. They must have traced the transaction via my email address. 

 

Runners Need/Cotswold Outdoor have therefore earned themselves the much coveted Bellend Sebastian Seal of Approval*

 

 

 

 

An actual seal, that is massive and makes that terrible honking sound and also stinks but looks benignly upon you bringing a sense of peace and fulfillment

[VLC86]

First week of ultra training and I feel about broken.

 

Followed up my 11 miles with leg day yesterday and ran another 4 1/2 miles today. Keen to continue doing leg day but as I’ve said a few times, it completely ****s me up for days after. Does anyone have any experience of a sensible leg day routine while running a high weekly mileage?

 

At the min I do Lunges, Squats, deadlifts, hack squat, leg extensions, calve raises and a couple of hip/bum exercises but it’s clearly too much  

[waddadamadda]

Motivation is returning! One pyramid session, one rolling 800’s session, one pilates class and my favourite, one reformer pilates class so far this week!

 

Hoping to trial a new running club tomorrow night, parkrun Saturday and an easy run on Sunday. I’d forgotten what it was like to actually enjoy exercising 

[GLC]

Went out to do an increased cadence run, and came back with a PB.

i’d love to get this under 22 minutes by the end of the year 

[VLC86]

Had to send my Hoka trail shoes back as they fit very small, so I went to Fosse Park to find some other trail shoes. Sports Direct has a crazy selection of running shoes, really good to be able to try so many different ones on and see how they feel.

[HowardsBulletHeader]

Finished my training plan a little later than I should have due to snow..

 

I did my "10k race run" today and it was 3 minutes slower than my PB which was annoying but according to Strava as a result of a hillier route. Strava giving me the sympathy vote I think!

 

Nonetheless, I powered on for my longest ever run, 15k. If you'd have asked me 4 months ago, I'd have laughed if you had said I could do it.

 

Feeling tight in the glute area so clearly work to do fitness/strength wise to be able to run that far again, even though I did it, it felt like I wasn't ready for it. 

 

Enjoying running though, never taken to it before and eyeing up another pair of trainers already, rude not to, right? 

[SecretPro]

Finally back on it. Ran in the pissing rain this morning which was not fun. 

 

Anyway, signed up for 1st March 10k to kick off my season in the usual way (though last year it was my only race of 8 I'd planned thanks to various fecking injuries)

 

Will probably book on for the big 10k in April and the Naseby 10k in May but need to occupy myself June - September with something before the Leicester Half. Any ideas?