Great North 5k Run

[mux]

Just signed up for this. Anyone else on here taking part?

Also I haven't done a lot of running for a long time. I mean, I play a lot of footy and have a good level of fitness and I cycle to work 3 times a week (7miles round trip).

Got a training plan sorted even though I've only got about 4 weeks until the race.

Anyone got any tips? Fundamental good practice etc for someone who doesn't run a lot?

Considering diving in at the deep and and attempting 5k first time to see how far I get and in what time etc to get an idea of where I stand. Thoughts?

 

[Deleted member 23273]

You will probably run that distance on a football pitch. You can get up to a decent 5km standard within a month if you get out and pound the tarmac about 3-4 times a week. Try a bit of sprints on your runs. You will only be able to manage about 10-15 seconds then slow down to your normal pace. If you have a smart phone or similar then download mapmyrun (its free) or a similar app and that gives you an indication to speed distance and elevation and is quite a good motivator to keep going.

On the week before, taper off so you do nothing the last cou

Bloody phone.... Also get to a specialist running shop and get a quality pair of running shoes that are suitable for you. Dont go to the major outlets. The young kids they employ there invariably dont have a running background and just want to sell you the most expensive pair of runners they can get away with. Im saying this in the assumption you might want to carry on with running afterwards.

These are only my opinions based on my own running experiences of marathons and stuff, so my best bit of advice is to get as much advice as you can first.

 

[mux]

Cheers mate. Best places for running shoes? The ones I've got I've had for years. Comfortable but not sure if they're up to much for long runs etc. I've read about going somewhere to get them fitted etc or when they analyse the way you run or something? Is there any need for this or just to go out and buy a decent pair?

All advice is much appreciated

 

[Deleted member 23273]

I havent lived in the NE for the last 25 years mate so I wouldn't have the first clue about decent running shops. It really depends on if you intend to keep on running afterwards and you have a budget that allows you to buy a decent pair. At a basic level you could always go somewhere like Athletes Foot where they have a computer thingy that you stand on and it tells you what your running style is. It looks clever but its fairly basic and like I said the staff there will try and sell you the most expensive pair they can. But once you know your running style, you either run on the inside or the outside of your foot or somewhere inbetween, then you can start looking at whats out there. Most manufacturers put on their boxes the type of shoe that they are. But in the long run i would definitely reccomend a specialist shop where they will spend time with you making sure you get a pair thats good for you. If it helps Im a neutral runner and use Mizuno Wave Enigmas.

Basically what happens in your runners is that the longer you have them and use them, the support goes and thats when you start to knack your feet. I tend to go through three pairs a year. As soon as I've done about 350 km in them I get another pair.

 

[archiesdad]

Just signed up for this. Anyone else on here taking part?

Also I haven't done a lot of running for a long time. I mean, I play a lot of footy and have a good level of fitness and I cycle to work 3 times a week (7miles round trip).

Got a training plan sorted even though I've only got about 4 weeks until the race.

Anyone got any tips? Fundamental good practice etc for someone who doesn't run a lot?

Considering diving in at the deep and and attempting 5k first time to see how far I get and in what time etc to get an idea of where I stand. Thoughts?

get along to the parkrun at silky (puma centre car park)on sat morning. 5k timed run starts 9am - free to enter. It will give you an idea of your pace etc.

 

[becs]

Sweatshop in the Metrocentre are good (upstairs in the red bit near Debenhams).

They'll do a video of you on a running machine and help you work out the best shoes. I felt so much better after buying shoes from there.

Thinking about doing the 5K but haven't entered yet.

 

[Data]

Cheers mate. Best places for running shoes? The ones I've got I've had for years. Comfortable but not sure if they're up to much for long runs etc. I've read about going somewhere to get them fitted etc or when they analyse the way you run or something? Is there any need for this or just to go out and buy a decent pair?

All advice is much appreciated

I followed this vid and analysed my own running style. It worked and after I got the right trainers (from the same site, cheap as chips) all my niggles and aches were a thing of the past.

As for training, run for as long as you are comfortable, (I use runkeeper to track my runs but the one mentioned above is just as good, as are many others), then you'll be able to see if you're already doing 5k, if you are, great, if not, slowly increase the time spent running until you hit the 5k mark. Good luck.

 

[mux]

Cheers for the help people. Doing the parkrun at Silky on saturday morning, that's 5k so should give me a good indicator as to my running fitness. I've no doubt I will complete it, just wondering what time etc.

I'll stick my time up for y'all to see and you can tell me how great/average/shit it is

 

[RichardW]

Are there any park run 5k equivalents at other times/days. I've started doing a bit running and fitness walking but work weekend mornings?

Thanks for the Link to the running shoes advice video - helpful.

 

[myleftfoot1978]

i was going to enter but realised the date is 1 day after i get back from me holidays, no way am i struggling around that course with a belly full of beer

 

[mux]

Are there any park run 5k equivalents at other times/days. I've started doing a bit running and fitness walking but work weekend mornings?

Thanks for the Link to the running shoes advice video - helpful.

Try:

www.parkrun.com

They have runs all over the place at different times and days.

 

[archiesdad]

Cheers for the help people. Doing the parkrun at Silky on saturday morning, that's 5k so should give me a good indicator as to my running fitness. I've no doubt I will complete it, just wondering what time etc.

I'll stick my time up for y'all to see and you can tell me how great/average/shit it is

what sort of time are you expecting mate?

ps - remember your barcode.

 

[mux]

what sort of time are you expecting mate?

ps - remember your barcode.

I'm expecting around 30mins. I would be disappointed if I didn't do it in under 30mins like.

My aim is 28-29 mins. But, again, I just don't run a lot other than at footy. I cycle loads and I am a fit lad but just totally unsure of what time to expect.

What would you say average times are?

And yeah I need to print the barcode tonight!!!

 

[archiesdad]

I'm expecting around 30mins. I would be disappointed if I didn't do it in under 30mins like.

My aim is 28-29 mins. But, again, I just don't run a lot other than at footy. I cycle loads and I am a fit lad but just totally unsure of what time to expect.

What would you say average times are?

And yeah I need to print the barcode tonight!!!

at silky the 'winner' will be 17ish depending on who turns out. Top 15-20 people will be under or around the 20min mark. After that the field spreads upto about 45mins. i'd say the bulk of people will come in 25 - 30 mins. the route is up hill for the first 500m or so so take it easy to start with. Also the final 200m is up hill so again keep a bit in reserve to get you to the finish line!!

Good luck.

 

[mux]

at silky the 'winner' will be 17ish depending on who turns out. Top 15-20 people will be under or around the 20min mark. After that the field spreads upto about 45mins. i'd say the bulk of people will come in 25 - 30 mins. the route is up hill for the first 500m or so so take it easy to start with. Also the final 200m is up hill so again keep a bit in reserve to get you to the finish line!!

Good luck.

Cheers mate appreciate the advice. I'll give it a blast and post my time. Hoping to make it a regular thing if I enjoy it.

Pasta at the italians tonight I think...

 

[maninthelighthouse]

i was going to enter but realised the date is 1 day after i get back from me holidays, no way am i struggling around that course with a belly full of beer

i get back off mine the Saturday an have the GNR to do, try that mate... after a 2 week AI booze filled!

where you gannin?

get along to the parkrun at silky (puma centre car park)on sat morning. 5k timed run starts 9am - free to enter. It will give you an idea of your pace etc.

do you just turn up on the day for this or have to register

 

[leyburnrunner]

i get back off mine the Saturday an have the GNR to do, try that mate... after a 2 week AI booze filled!

where you gannin?



do you just turn up on the day for this or have to register

you need to go on parkrun website and register then print off the given barcode which they scan after the run. ideally you plasticate the barcode otherwise it just becomes a cumpled piece of paper.

 

[Venkman]

I've signed up for Parkrun like, going to start it in a fortnight (don't fancy running the morning after me birthday).

 

[maninthelighthouse]

cheers

 

[mux]

Well I done yesterday's parkrun in 28:01 which I'm quite pleased with. Bang on the better end of what I expected.

Not sure how easy it will be but I'm hoping to reduce my time to under the 25mins mark for the GNR 5k. Hopefully starting to run more often will get me "running fit" as, like I said, it's practically the only exercise I don't really do other than at footy.

Anyone got any tips to improve time other than just "going for a long run?" - a mate of mine suggested hill sprints, not sure if they will help?

I've signed up for Parkrun like, going to start it in a fortnight (don't fancy running the morning after me birthday).

Give me a shout next time you fancy it mate if you're on your own and I'll pick you up. I ran it with my bro yesterday (who embarrassed me with a time of 22mins!)