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

[Chelmofox]

1 hour ago, SecretPro said:

Motivation has been so bad since Christmas. The weather truly hadn't helped. Had signed up for the Leicester 10k on 1st March but dont even know whether to bother. Feel like id only bumble round in a half-arsed time and feel like its not worth bothering with if you know you're not going to better your previous times. Is that silly or do other people feel like that? 

Feel for you! The last week i've done 4 5k runs on the treadmill. Shocked i am not 11 stone again, but presume its going to take time!

 

Its always worth bothering. Good luck!

[ramboacdc]

Did my first run in 18 months. Most of this will now be driven by the fact its £15 a month and I best get my moneys worth 🤣. 

[VLC86]

11 hours ago, SecretPro said:

Motivation has been so bad since Christmas. The weather truly hadn't helped. Had signed up for the Leicester 10k on 1st March but dont even know whether to bother. Feel like id only bumble round in a half-arsed time and feel like its not worth bothering with if you know you're not going to better your previous times. Is that silly or do other people feel like that? 

I’d do it regardless of how quickly you think you will do it, it’s probably the sort of environment that kicks you back into action.

[Trumpet]

Been hard not running as much over the last week in prep for this weekends half marathon. I know it’s for the best but I want to get out there!

[VLC86]

Think I’ve given my injury enough time, no ill effects from a run for the first time in 3 weeks.

[CosbehFox]

On 15/02/2026 at 21:51, SecretPro said:

Motivation has been so bad since Christmas. The weather truly hadn't helped. Had signed up for the Leicester 10k on 1st March but dont even know whether to bother. Feel like id only bumble round in a half-arsed time and feel like its not worth bothering with if you know you're not going to better your previous times. Is that silly or do other people feel like that? 

Same here. Absolutely zero interest in getting out and running. 

 

I have set myself a hard date of Manchester Half in October and then probably go on holiday after. 

[Officer Doofy]

Fastest 5k last night at 25:43

 

The start is a long uphill drag so I really need to find a flatter 5k route 

[VLC86]

On 18/02/2026 at 08:33, Officer Doofy said:

Fastest 5k last night at 25:43

 

The start is a long uphill drag so I really need to find a flatter 5k route 

Canal paths are your friend, usually anyway unless it’s muddy like this.

[VLC86]

Ran 8 miles on Tuesday with no issues so at the minute I am back on track. The problem now is, despite me doing long cardio sessions on either bikes or swimming while injured, my last long run was 14 miles and I’ll now be up to 18 so I’m not holding my breath.

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

Getting sick of this weather, constant rain and cold. Don't mind running in a small drizzle but hate when my shoes or clothes are wet at. 

 

Looking at the forecast for next weekend I think I'll be giving the Leicester ten km a miss, set for rain most the morning as it stands

[Unabomber]

1 hour ago, Heart-Shaped Fox said:

Getting sick of this weather, constant rain and cold. Don't mind running in a small drizzle but hate when my shoes or clothes are wet at. 

 

Looking at the forecast for next weekend I think I'll be giving the Leicester ten km a miss, set for rain most the morning as it stands

Yeah it’s been ****ing grim so far this year. 

[SecretPro]

3 hours ago, Heart-Shaped Fox said:

Getting sick of this weather, constant rain and cold. Don't mind running in a small drizzle but hate when my shoes or clothes are wet at. 

 

Looking at the forecast for next weekend I think I'll be giving the Leicester ten km a miss, set for rain most the morning as it stands

Ffs. Done with this weather now. 

[westernpark]

4 hours ago, Heart-Shaped Fox said:

Getting sick of this weather, constant rain and cold. Don't mind running in a small drizzle but hate when my shoes or clothes are wet at. 

 

Looking at the forecast for next weekend I think I'll be giving the Leicester ten km a miss, set for rain most the morning as it stands

You’ve just got to embrace it. 

[VLC86]

First long run in 3 weeks today so I’ve had to jump from 14 miles to 18. My legs are completely destroyed.

[SecretPro]

Managed 11k this morning, did 10K in 52:40. 7th run in Feb and the first over 6K since October. thats how lazy and unmotivated I've been since my original injury back in September. Not ideal prep for the Leicester 10K next Sunday. Would have been hoping to run a Sub-50 if I hadn't been such a lazy **** since December. 

[Trumpet]

Managed 1:46:44 in the Leicestershire half. PB as it was my first. Watch reckons it had 720ft of elevation gain which was a killer!

[LcFc_Smiv]

2 hours ago, Trumpet said:

Managed 1:46:44 in the Leicestershire half. PB as it was my first. Watch reckons it had 720ft of elevation gain which was a killer!

Good work!

[LcFc_Smiv]

24km yesterday, pacing all over the place. Let my ego get the better of me when coming across other runners and paid for it later on, was ready to pull up at 18km and call for a lift home. Ended up just thinking about getting the half done, then get to the crossroads, then the next street etc, before I knew it i was home and falling through the front door. 

 

Lots of work to do but enjoying the process.

[GLC]

Marathon training in the bin, after being told I had an IT Band issue, I’ve since seen the dr, and another physio and they’ve confirmed I have a meniscus tear. 
which means rest for the next 4-6 weeks 😭

 

might have to push my marathon to later in the year, as I don’t think I’ll have enough time to train as I’ve been out of action 2 weeks already. 
 

sucks when you’re raising money for charity, but it’s fine if I just do one later in the year… right? 😭

[CosbehFox]

I thought **** it at the weekend while in Belgrade - ran 17k - not quick by any stretch but needed to get something out. Legs in bits for three days. Went back out two days later to do 5k. We will get there

[Trumpet]

Went for a run today after the half on Sunday. Think I went a day too early as my legs felt quite heavy towards the end. Think I’ll rest up until next Monday now.

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

Showing what a sad, single life I lead 😂, done a 50km run for the second ever time. Did it 20+ mins quicker than on Halloween when the last one was, today was 4 hours 30 mins elapsed. Did stop for 17 mins total for drinks, snacks etc, so moving time nearer to 4 hours. Average moving pace was 5:04/km, 5:25/km at elapsed time pace.

 

Missed my marathon PB by two mins which I'm annoyed about but mostly the winds fault as **** me it was windy and adding resistance round here on the open roads. I also knew I had to save 8km of running in the tank to reach the 50km so I'll get it next time hopefully. 

 

40km to 50km stage is so tough though, past the marathon point my pace dropped to about 5:30/km average, I couldn't wait to get to the end 😂

 

Ironically February is the shortest month but I've run more this month than before. A short recovery run tomorrow will take me over the 330km mark. Probably much higher than I should be at really and need to tone it down in March and rest a little more

[VLC86]

3 hours ago, Heart-Shaped Fox said:

Showing what a sad, single life I lead 😂, done a 50km run for the second ever time. Did it 20+ mins quicker than on Halloween when the last one was, today was 4 hours 30 mins elapsed. Did stop for 17 mins total for drinks, snacks etc, so moving time nearer to 4 hours. Average moving pace was 5:04/km, 5:25/km at elapsed time pace.

 

Missed my marathon PB by two mins which I'm annoyed about but mostly the winds fault as **** me it was windy and adding resistance round here on the open roads. I also knew I had to save 8km of running in the tank to reach the 50km so I'll get it next time hopefully. 

 

40km to 50km stage is so tough though, past the marathon point my pace dropped to about 5:30/km average, I couldn't wait to get to the end 😂

 

Ironically February is the shortest month but I've run more this month than before. A short recovery run tomorrow will take me over the 330km mark. Probably much higher than I should be at really and need to tone it down in March and rest a little more

Crazy one mate, well done. I’m ****ing dreading my 50k and I’m going to be nowhere near that time.

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

3 minutes ago, VLC86 said:

Crazy one mate, well done. I’m ****ing dreading my 50k and I’m going to be nowhere near that time.

Tbf mate if you're in an event that will carry you through especially if any crowd there.

 

Not sure I'm generally suited to marathon or more, can't quite get the pacing right and probably don't rest enough beforehand. Should do an event really to see where I'm truly at

[VLC86]

13 minutes ago, Heart-Shaped Fox said:

Tbf mate if you're in an event that will carry you through especially if any crowd there.

 

Not sure I'm generally suited to marathon or more, can't quite get the pacing right and probably don't rest enough beforehand. Should do an event really to see where I'm truly at

I don’t think there is much of a crowd on the one I’m doing but the scenery will keep me going. I should be fine if I can stick to my training plan, I’m going up to running a marathon for that so then it’s only another 8k… 😂 I’ve thoroughly lost the plot.