The official running thread™

[The_MAC]

Ive being walking on my treadmill for a year, 3-4 times a week(Im not able to run 5k in one go, but I can complete 5km over 50-60min with alternating between walking and running). Looking at the stats that you guys post, Im clearly very behind on my cardio strength.

My problem is that my heart rate goes up to 180+ bpm(samsung watch) during running and I can maintain this for a few minutes at best, but its extremely taxing.

My stats:
Age 39
Weight 93kg - down from 99kg precisely a year ago
Height 1.84m
Skinny pot belly shape at 108cm waist (down from 112cm a year ago), I dont drink, its just high sugar intake and stress over years
Treadmill speeds walk at 4.5 to 5.5 and run at 6.5

On running days, i can lose around 1kg in weight from sweat/water loss as I weigh before and after the session.

So I need to ask, any tips to get better at running a 5km apart from staying consistent?

I have similar stats, not exactly the perfect running physique, it's all brute force on my side.

Only thing I can add it to add some HIIT sessions into your daily routine, at least 1-2 times per week.

Just incorporating strength training for the legs and then some fast-spinning and burpees into the sets makes a world of difference wrt aerobic capability and also injury "proofs" the legs.

 

[Claymore]

Maybe at a park run it will look weird, but who cares what you do or how you look, as long as it works and gets you out and about

When I started at Parkrun I ran with water, but nowadays, I don't need water even on 12K. As for camelbaks, I see some guys at parkrun with nthem, but I know some of them run 15K to parkrun, do the parkrun, and run home again.

 

[ShaunSA]

Good point, that water sloshing is super annoying..

Still not as annoying as someone running with jangling keys

 

[Kornhub]

Indeed, it is a tough race, did it a few times, it's a standard feature on my calendar now, the Magoebas forest is stunning.

Mont Aux Sources is awesome, the whole race village, camping vibe also adds to the weekend experience. My wife started joining my for the last 2 years, so it's nice to go with a small support group.

Is this the super steep 1 ?

 

[The_MAC]

Is this the super steep 1 ?

It is a lot of climbing..

 

[ShaunSA]

It is a lot of climbing..

View attachment 1877557

Some of you okes are just bevok in the head

 

[The_MAC]

Some of you okes are just bevok in the head

How else do you have a great cup of coffee, look down from Tugela falls and back in time for a couple of cold ones in one day

 

[ShaunSA]

How else do you have a great cup of coffee, look down from Tugela falls and back in time for a couple of cold ones in one day

That's one long ****ing day... Sadly I'm just not that adventurous. Odds are I'd get lost in the first 3k's anyway

I've been meaning to ask. Shorter distances tend to be well marked. But how the feck do you guys follow the longer routes? There is no ways someone is going out to mark a fifty miler for instance

 

[Cray]

How else do you have a great cup of coffee, look down from Tugela falls and back in time for a couple of cold ones in one day

Start your hike from the Sentinel Car park like a normal person?

 

[Cray]

It is a lot of climbing..

View attachment 1877557

I did half of that, the hike from Mahai up to Witsieshoek, remember that being hard work at the time. The idea of then running to the chain ladders, up and back and all the way down again, phew massive respect.

 

[The_MAC]

That's one long ****ing day... Sadly I'm just not that adventurous. Odds are I'd get lost in the first 3k's anyway

I've been meaning to ask. Shorter distances tend to be well marked. But how the feck do you guys follow the longer routes? There is no ways someone is going out to mark a fifty miler for instance

Believe it or not, they do mark the whole route (sometimes not very well, sometimes very well), they have to for safety reasons.

You do have to load the GPX file, but the fall back is the markers, which the sweeps pick up at the end of the day.

For example on the Mont Aux Sources, they won't mark the whole route from Witsieshoek to the Sentinal car park (roughly 10km), because there are no cattle tracks or alternative routes or anything, but everywhere else they do mark.

 

[Zanonad]

So just to kick off the planning for 2026, what are your guys calendars looking like, any great additional races you can recommend close to Gauteng. Mine is looking as follows for now, also got the Amatola this year, a bucket-list item with the SO:

Jan
Feb	Sasol Secunda Marathon
Mar	Magoebas Ultra (45km Trail)
Apr	Amatola Hike
May	MUT George (44km Trail)
Jun	Comrades
Jul	Mac Mac Ultra (46km Trail)
Aug
Sept	Mont Aux Sources Ultra (55km Trail)
Oct
Nov
Dec

If you are looking out of GP, maybe consider the KNZTR 100miler at Pennington in August. I ran part of the route for a shorter 21km and its probably one of the better trails in KZN.

 

[The_MAC]

Come do the Washie since you’re visiting the EC this year!
Though I’d do it in place of comrades lol

Ah thanks, didn't even know about this race. I've bookmarked the website, and will maybe consider it in the future

 

[Kornhub]

Do you guys do recovery runs or just rest?

 

[Sinbad]

Just pulled the trigger on a treadmill for my home office. Can't be doing with this running in the cold rain and dark any more, plus can do more controlled hill sessions (and my wife wants one too).

Why, for under £700, Decathlon’s Domyos Run500 treadmill is a worthy mid-range option

Space-saving? Check. Affordable? Check.

www.runnersworld.com

Was restricted in terms of the size I could get, this seemed the best one that would fit into the space I have available.

 

[Crusader]

Do you guys do recovery runs or just rest?

I use recovery days as my rest days. The HR it wants me to do for recovery is so low that it's just a glorified walk, which is not fun to do.

 

[L-Dog]

Just pulled the trigger on a treadmill for my home office. Can't be doing with this running in the cold rain and dark any more, plus can do more controlled hill sessions (and my wife wants one too).

Why, for under £700, Decathlon’s Domyos Run500 treadmill is a worthy mid-range option

Space-saving? Check. Affordable? Check.

www.runnersworld.com

Was restricted in terms of the size I could get, this seemed the best one that would fit into the space I have available.

Give some feedback after using it, always wonder if these smaller treadmills don't slip every now and then..

 

[Sinbad]

Lekker, pull the trigger on a Bitgym sub. Lekker piece of SW IMO.

I plan to use Runna with it. And/or my garmin watch, depending on the level of control it has.

 

[Sinbad]

Give some feedback after using it, always wonder if these smaller treadmills don't slip every now and then..

The reviews look good, and it has proper tension adjustment and measurement on the belt. I will definitely give feedback though.

 

[Sinbad]

Bitgym integrates with your watch for heart and cadence, though it can operate without it (using camera). Does Runna do interactive scenery?
Bitgym just immerses you in another world and comes with trainers if that's your thing.

BitGym on Instagram: "Where will you go for your next workout? Try the app for free today! #indoorworkout #cardio #rome"

7 likes, 0 comments - bitgym on August 9, 2025: "Where will you go for your next workout? Try the app for free today! #indoorworkout #cardio #rome".

www.instagram.com

Runna doesn't do scenery at all, it does training plans.

I'll watch Buffy on my tablet while I'm running...