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

[Trumpet]

5 minutes ago, BeardyFox said:

Did it last year. Thinking about it again for this year. 
The start is a big down hill followed by a bit of undulation. Then in to a country park and fields. After that is not too bad. But around mile 7 or so there’s a big hill and then the last part is running back up the hill from the start. Which is a bit of a killer. 
 

Another thing is that the parking around the place is pretty crap. 

So the terrain isn't entirely tarmac?

 

Was thinking of a hotel to avoid the parking / travelling over really early so if parking is crap that’s probably made my mind up on the hotel.

[BeardyFox]

6 minutes ago, Trumpet said:

So the terrain isn't entirely tarmac?

 

Was thinking of a hotel to avoid the parking / travelling over really early so if parking is crap that’s probably made my mind up on the hotel.

Vast majority is tarmac. There’s a small section that’s like a gravel type patch and then a field you have to run across. It had rained the week before last year so it was wet. It’s a loop so you end up running the section twice. I was glad I picked a shoe with good grip 

[VLC86]

1 hour ago, Trumpet said:

Anyone done or planning to do the Leicestershire Half? Looks like there’s a fair amount of elevation. Will be my first half n all, so baptism of fire perhaps?

It’s not too bad hill wise but like what’s already been said- there are a couple. Go

for it.

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

4 hours ago, VLC86 said:

I’m firmly in the all the gear no idea/spend a fortune on shit camp, but i clearly need to take recovery a bit more seriously with the volume and distance runs I’m doing nowadays so I’ve started looking at them leg compression things. Has anyone got any experience of using them? I’ve nearly died when I saw the ‘value’ option coming in at £300 so it’s probably unlikely I buy any but any suggestions are welcome.

What actual injury do you have or discomfort? No idea on them or if they're worth it, but I'd say probably just try the resting and recovery options even more so, easier said than done though and it's not nice taking time off. Maybe try a bit of swimming or something instead temporarily?

[Tielemans63]

Started running properly about 3 years ago. Today I managed to run 5k under 20 minutes (19.53) for the first time. I'm almost 45 so I'm chuffed with that. Well worth the raging headache I've now got as my reward.

[Trumpet]

48 minutes ago, VLC86 said:

It’s not too bad hill wise but like what’s already been said- there are a couple. Go

for it.

Yeah I think I’m going to give it a go. My long runs for the next few weeks will incorporate race pace and about 500ft of elevation, so should be prepared enough. 

[Trumpet]

Was thinking about the wind on my run earlier. It’s often said that if you get a headwind, it balances out when you go in the opposite direction. Never happens for me and it may be to do with the landscape where I live. Basically I get blasted by the wind in certain parts and then when I should have a good tail wind, I have nothing. I assume it’s due to being sheltered by houses and whatever else. 
 

Anyway, no bad thing as it’s effectively a multiplier on my effort and I should benefit from it when the weather picks up. 

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

1 hour ago, Tielemans63 said:

Started running properly about 3 years ago. Today I managed to run 5k under 20 minutes (19.53) for the first time. I'm almost 45 so I'm chuffed with that. Well worth the raging headache I've now got as my reward.

That's class mate well done, that's bloody quick 

[Tielemans63]

1 hour ago, Heart-Shaped Fox said:

That's class mate well done, that's bloody quick 

Thanks mate! Really, really pushed myself but I'm chuffed, even if I still feel rough 5 hours later

 

That's my best by miles and I probably won't get close again! Last year I managed to row 2km in 7.45 - I'd never done it sub 8 minutes before that, and I haven't since - not even close! Today was probably one of those freak occasions too but I'll take it.

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

2 minutes ago, Tielemans63 said:

Thanks mate! Really, really pushed myself but I'm chuffed, even if I still feel rough 5 hours later

 

That's my best by miles and I probably won't get close again! Last year I managed to row 2km in 7.45 - I'd never done it sub 8 minutes before that, and I haven't since - not even close! Today was probably one of those freak occasions too but I'll take it.

Don't overthink it, you did it, no freak result. Anything low 20s is fast but under 20 mins is elite for any age. Keep it up!

[VLC86]

7 hours ago, Heart-Shaped Fox said:

What actual injury do you have or discomfort? No idea on them or if they're worth it, but I'd say probably just try the resting and recovery options even more so, easier said than done though and it's not nice taking time off. Maybe try a bit of swimming or something instead temporarily?

It’s not an injury, just my legs being in a general state of disrepair from leg day at the gym and not having any days off. I really need to make sure I either don’t over do leg day, stretch properly or use something like compression sleeves/ice baths.

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

21 minutes ago, VLC86 said:

It’s not an injury, just my legs being in a general state of disrepair from leg day at the gym and not having any days off. I really need to make sure I either don’t over do leg day, stretch properly or use something like compression sleeves/ice baths.

Yeah definitely need to have more rest days then mate. I learnt that the hard way over the summer where I kept getting knocked back after not resting enough. Definitely short term pain and long term gain sort of thing. 

 

Baths hot and cold do help, epsom salts too. I wear long compression socks or sleeves when running mostly all the time except hot weather, think that helps too so I'd recommend it. Hope you get sorted out but definitely do rest!

[VLC86]

3 minutes ago, Heart-Shaped Fox said:

Yeah definitely need to have more rest days then mate. I learnt that the hard way over the summer where I kept getting knocked back after not resting enough. Definitely short term pain and long term gain sort of thing. 

 

Baths hot and cold do help, epsom salts too. I wear long compression socks or sleeves when running mostly all the time except hot weather, think that helps too so I'd recommend it. Hope you get sorted out but definitely do rest!

Thanks mate. I think realistically I can only have 1 rest day a week but I do a day of upper body work as well so my legs get 2 days rest.

[VLC86]

13 miles running across boggy fields this morning. Met a couple of absolute lads, was lucky to not get spat on tbf

[ramboacdc]

I need to get back on this horse. I stopped when my wife was 7/8 months pregnant just in case I was needed then never sodding started again. Kid is 1 now and I have had my head go very up and down in that year. Im just making excuses for myself now, so gonna start doing some proper walking to get back used to the exercise routine and get back going and running in the mornings or evenings.

 

May be kind to myself and have a week or so off when I have to have the old snip done. Heard them 2 things dont mix well. 

[Trumpet]

10 hours ago, ramboacdc said:

I need to get back on this horse. I stopped when my wife was 7/8 months pregnant just in case I was needed then never sodding started again. Kid is 1 now and I have had my head go very up and down in that year. Im just making excuses for myself now, so gonna start doing some proper walking to get back used to the exercise routine and get back going and running in the mornings or evenings.

 

May be kind to myself and have a week or so off when I have to have the old snip done. Heard them 2 things dont mix well. 

Last summer between May and July I walked a lot. I’m convinced it helped when I decided to start running. Was a case of feeling as though walking wasn’t really doing much for me anymore so I decided to go a bit quicker.

[ALC Fox]

I did the 5K Nike Run Club app a few times over the years as I went quite stop-start with my running.

 

I've managed to form a habit and I had this goal of breaking a 25-minute 5K but have just not been able to do it.

 

I stretch and warm up well. But I've come to know that my body enjoys longer runs much more. When I do one, it feels like my nearly 40-year-old body needs at least 5K to really settle into its rhythm and regulate my breathing.

 

So I've abandoned the 25-minute 5K goal for now. I'll still do a 5K as part of my routine but will just continue to enjoy those longer runs building steadily up to a half marathon distance and hopefully beyond. Maybe a 25-minute 5K will happen out of cause and effect rather than putting the pressure on to do one.

 

Anyone else found anything similar about struggling with 'shorter' distances but loving the longer ones?

[BeardyFox]

Half Marathon PB yesterday 1:56. 

Felt good to finally get under 2hrs, big step mentally.

Got a deload week in marathon training now so just a few easy runs to recover. 

[abc]

On 24/01/2026 at 13:54, Tielemans63 said:

Started running properly about 3 years ago. Today I managed to run 5k under 20 minutes (19.53) for the first time. I'm almost 45 so I'm chuffed with that. Well worth the raging headache I've now got as my reward.

I'm glad you posted this, I also suffer headaches after pushing hard on a run or at 5-a-side, anyone know how to minimise them? It doesn't seem to do with hydration, any tips welcome.

[Tielemans63]

4 hours ago, abc said:

I'm glad you posted this, I also suffer headaches after pushing hard on a run or at 5-a-side, anyone know how to minimise them? It doesn't seem to do with hydration, any tips welcome.

Hi mate, I used to get terrible headaches after running and / or a  gym visit. I have found these have helped make them a lot less regular (I just went a bit too had on Saturday!):

 

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

Just back from a light 10km and I've pulled my hamstring about 5k in. Hoping just a niggle rather than something major. Sort of rushed out so probably didn't stretch properly 

[VLC86]

Had to move my plan around due to plans later in the week so was back out today for a light 4 miler… which I ended up pushing quite hard on and felt decent.

 

That said, I have had a bit of soreness on my Achilles which hopefully doesn’t amount to anything.

[HowardsBulletHeader]

Set the half marathon plan in motion on my app last week, apprehensive, scared, all that jazz.

 

Any tips from anyone? Keep in mind 4 months ago I wasn't running at all and my target was (and still is!) to run the Rothley 10k!

[VLC86]

16 minutes ago, HowardsBulletHeader said:

Set the half marathon plan in motion on my app last week, apprehensive, scared, all that jazz.

 

Any tips from anyone? Keep in mind 4 months ago I wasn't running at all and my target was (and still is!) to run the Rothley 10k!

Stick to the plan, whenever you push for a longer distance completely forget about the time and just aim to finish and pick a route that you find interesting/stimulating is my advice.

[VLC86]

On 26/01/2026 at 18:04, VLC86 said:

Had to move my plan around due to plans later in the week so was back out today for a light 4 miler… which I ended up pushing quite hard on and felt decent.

 

That said, I have had a bit of soreness on my Achilles which hopefully doesn’t amount to anything.

Achilles is definitely quite tender so it’s a couple of days off running for me. Bit of a shitter because I’ve been feeling really good considering I’ve done 100 miles in Jan, probably the result of changing to running across fields/trails I guess.