The athletics/running thread

[Gary the Enfield]

Short or not Gary, knocking a minute off in what, 5 months?, awesome mate. Well done

no one more surprised than me!

Your half sounded tough.

[bwfcdan94]

did a mile in eight minutes on pavemant. nothing special but still

[Gary the Enfield]

did a mile in eight minutes on pavemant. nothing special but still

A mile, eh? Well done. Are you training for anything special?

[Lost Leopard Spot]

did a mile in eight minutes on pavemant. nothing special but still

A mile, eh? Well done. Are you training for anything special?

Brain surgeon.

[bwfcdan94]

did a mile in eight minutes on pavemant. nothing special but still

A mile, eh? Well done. Are you training for anything special?

no just ran like hell for the train this morning

[Gary the Enfield]

did a mile in eight minutes on pavemant. nothing special but still

A mile, eh? Well done. Are you training for anything special?

no just ran like hell for the train this morning

Thought so.

[Harry Genshaw]

Short or not Gary, knocking a minute off in what, 5 months?, awesome mate. Well done

no one more surprised than me!

Your half sounded tough.

It was a toughie but great fun and the only time I can remember doing a long race when I wasn't looking for mile markers. Would highly recommend it to you for next year if you can get up here. Followed it up with a not quite as picturesque 5 mile trail race on Sunday on the slag heaps at Gin Pit Tyldesley. Very sore legs but got round in what was our last championship race.

[Harry Genshaw]

XC at Heaton Park today. 3 large laps across mixed terrain. I was going really well and was 2nd counter in our team when I felt my calf 'pop' half way round the last lap. Through gritted teeth I ran/hobbled and did just enough to hold off my usual rivals. Currently propped up on an ice pack at the moment

[Gooner Girl]

Old age was bound to catch up with you sometime Harry

Seriously, hope it's nothing serious, take it easy and rest.

[Bruce Rioja]

XC on Heaton Park? A round of golf on there leaves me with stiff legs for two days

[Gary the Enfield]

XC at Heaton Park today. 3 large laps across mixed terrain. I was going really well and was 2nd counter i
n our team when I felt my calf 'pop' half way round the last lap. Through gritted teeth I ran/hobbled and did just enough to hold off my usual rivals. Currently propped up on an ice pack at the moment

Ouch! That pop doesn't sound great. Hope everything's okay. I've had a weekend off running but I marshalled a race in Trent Park for the Chingford X country league yesterday.
I may get out for a few miles later.

[Prufrock]

5k two weeks ago was 28.40. Went today and did 25.55. Getting there. Felt really good today, got a sprint on for the last 500m or so too which means there's more in the tank! Good feeling.

Better than last week when I tried 10k, and had to walk for ten minutes half way through (so as far away from home as poss) because I felt dizzy. Not enough food or water beforehand I think. Oops. Think I'm benefiting from the distance in my legs though.

[Gary the Enfield]

5k two weeks ago was 28.40. Went today and did 25.55. Getting there. Felt really good today, got a sprint on for the last 500m or so too which means there's more in the tank! Good feeling.

Better than last week when I tried 10k, and had to walk for ten minutes half way through (so as far away from home as poss) because I felt dizzy. Not enough food or water beforehand I think. Oops. Think I'm benefiting from the distance in my legs though.

That's a MASSIVE improvement, well done. Probably means you didn't push yourself hard enough two weeks ago mind.

You need to drink regularly through the day. Just sip water rather than gulp and try to drink about 250mls half an hour before you race.

[Prufrock]

5k two weeks ago was 28.40. Went today and did 25.55. Getting there. Felt really good today, got a sprint on for the last 500m or so too which means there's more in the tank! Good feeling.

Better than last week when I tried 10k, and had to walk for ten minutes half way through (so as far away from home as poss) because I felt dizzy. Not enough food or water beforehand I think. Oops. Think I'm benefiting from the distance in my legs though.

That's a MASSIVE improvement, well done. Probably means you didn't push yourself hard enough two weeks ago mind.

You need to drink regularly through the day. Just sip water rather than gulp and try to drink about 250mls half an hour before you race.

I think two weeks ago was a combination of not wanting to crash and burn and so starting out too slowly because I hadn't been out for a few weeks previously, and had had a HEAVY weekend, and getting a stitch about half-way round and so having to seriously slow down.

I'm normally good for water, always drinking throughout the day, running or not. Problem was food I think. I ate about 1 and didn't go out until after 5, with nothing in between. I got 5-6k through and went all dizzy. Am going to go a bit earlier, and take a kit-kat next time.

Last five hundred metres today felt ace. It's such a good feeling when you actually feel almost fit! Not there yet, and no idea what target to set because I never had a '5k time' when I was younger, but just aiming to keep beating what I did last time. Last two 5ks I've knocked off 40 secs each time from the one before. I'd imagine that wont last very long, but I'm hoping such big jumps means I've a way to go yet.

[Bruce Rioja]

Laura. All the way back to week three tonight. Needs to be done though

[Jakerbeef]

Folk here sound 'in the know'. I've a problem.

How difficult would it be to train to run a 4 minute mile? I made a wager with a mate that I'd do it before the end of 2013. I used to do cross country in primary and secondary school and always enjoyed it. Haven't ran in years though. Coming off 15-a-day habit too.

I'm not winning this one am I?

[Prufrock]

LOOOL! How old/fit are and were you? The world record is 3.43. Getting within 17 seconds of any world record beyond the 200 metres is no mean feat!

I'm feeling pretty good for my 5k in 26 mins today, which is slower than eight mins a mile.

Here is the Wiki page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-minute_mile" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You are f*cked anyway, but if you are over forty you'd be a record breaker .

I'd be surprised if GtE or Harry have got near it. It's properly, properly quick!

[Prufrock]

Not to piss on your chips or anything.

[Gary the Enfield]

Not to piss on your chips or anything.

Yup, that ain't vinegar!

My track mile time is 5:47. However I am 45 and am more of a middle to long distance specialist.

Unless you have a history of having been near 4 mins. Previously I'd say you've no chance, sorry.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Folk here sound 'in the know'. I've a problem.

How difficult would it be to train to run a 4 minute mile? I made a wager with a mate that I'd do it before the end of 2013. I used to do cross country in primary and secondary school and always enjoyed it. Haven't ran in years though. Coming off 15-a-day habit too.

I'm not winning this one am I?

Bejeesus. In my heyday (about 40 years ago) I could just about get under a 5 and a half minute mile. I'm/was a long distance runner so my strength is stamina not speed and I could do six minute miles for mile after mile. These days I celebrate if I can do a single mile under seven minutes!

So to add to the other answers - No chance in hell.