How to run a faster 5k: My Top Tips

Here you go!
Vision it, believe it, train for it, execute it!
It took me 9 years to go from 25:14 to 14:34.
Hoping I can crack sub 14:30 soon. I'll definitely be making use of what I mentioned in this video!
Let me know your goal time? Come back and comment once you have hit it.
Let's goooooo!

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Video edited by Joe Butler

Onwards and Upwards,
Nick

[donaldstewart]

Ran 30:10 at my last Park Run. Trying to under 29:30 before I turn 59 next month

[Henjo]

My 5K PB is 20:28, but I really want to break 20 minutes. This video came at the perfect time. I just PB'd a 10k race on Nov 10 at 42:59 and am starting to work on the 5K. Thank you!

[stephens_running]

A year ago i managed to break (after years of trying!) the 20 minute barrier for the 5k.
This week I ran a 17:38.
You can't understate the value of consistency and racking up the miles each week, regardless of how you are feeling, weather etc...

[colinchalmers]

At 42 and after light exercise, due years back issues from playing sports. I started the year wanting to get fit again, i started with what i considered a good time of 24:28. I just got a PB last week of 21:05.
I'm hoping to get sub 20 early next year. Thank you for these and your videos.

[mbeec]

Had a 26:30 PB when I first started running consistently and never though I’d be able to break sub 24. Managed that and this summer during an interval session I felt amazing I tried extend my interval pace as long as possible and ended up running a 22:30 (not in super shoes). I took my eye of the ball and celebrated a bit too long but now im fully committed to upping mileage and doing consistent interval sessions in the hope of going sub 22 at some point!

[Antonnick]

At 73 most of the opposition have either given up on running 5k races or they are dead. I last ran 5/10K races regulary 20 years ago and now am trying for a final attempt to win before it is no longar physically possible. After injury and covid last year did 30mins in january, 27 in April and then 26 mins in July. The goal is under 25 and I am grateful for your training recommendations to achieve this, hopefully with out any injuries along the way. The notion of 20 mins is fantasy land at my age but even at 26 mins, I often win the local races in my age group or at least, the first three.

[JJR-Running]

Was stuck at 22:30 for a 5k for a few years, mostly due to pauses in my running journey, but also due to incorrect training. I would always just run fast and hang on as long as I could on every run. Now I'm training properly and got down to 21:31 last month, and looking to break that sub-20 barrier in March when the snow clears. Although I'll also be aiming for closer to 19:00 by that point

[GerardoTinajero-dm]

I actually been following one1of your training plans and im going for sub 19 this weekend!

[samdeakin]

Just finally did sub 20 after a year of working towards it! Not sure what's next! Cheers Nick!

[markt]

My 5k PB remains at 22:52 (on a really flat Parkrun last May). I do hope I can one day hit a sub 20, but as I've just turned 50 I worry things aren't going to improve much more, but saying that I only took up running during the first lockdown. Anyway, thanks for the tips, Nick. You never know!

[donovanmifsud]

Just hit 3'29avg pace on my 5k finishing 17:40 on the slightly longer course ....this week track session was 1600 + 5x900m with a minute rest approx and I held 5 k pace strong ❤ the long distance endurance is such a good foundation also for the 5 k 🎉 Welldone nick 🙂💪 let's keep running strong

[SimonBanfield]

Chasing 19minutes now. Recently broke 20mins and have a 19:41 PB from Dulwich parkrun.

[suchiang]

This year only i trained for 5k, at first i hit it 26min but later, following your tips it has changes me to 21min. Tq nick❤
And now i am targeting at 20min.

[pajerry]

Thank you Nick. I tried "track" on our local polo field around 2 months ago. Barefoot. Was inspired by a 60 year old guy doing around 32 min Park Run. Hilly and at 1500m above sea level. So after managing sub 30 on the flat polo field I got just under 30 barefoot on the mainly grassy trail Park Run. Not got it since. But did 5 x 1min hills this week and followed your advice on 1km all out to estimate your possible PB for a 5k. Did 5 x 1km laps at the polo field today, again barefoot due to the dew. Wanted to try track shoes/spikes for the first time but soggy socks, nah. So hoping for sub 30 min, maybe barefoot this Saturday. Would have loved a swim as an attempt at cross training this afternoon but too risky with thunderstorm brewing. P.S. your passion is contagious Nick - keep it coming.

[ThePhil]

Hit a PB of 20:49 less than 2 months ago! My old PB was 22:02.

I signed for a 5K race in Spring and I really hope I hit my dream goal of sub 20 by then. Then after that my next goal will be sub 40 10K and sub 1:30 HM. Keep chasing goals is so fun 😃

[Chris_Hannan]

Managed to prematurely hit my Sub 20 goal mid way through a 5k improvement plan. Race day is in a week and a half so hoping to get that 19:42 down to low or even sub 19’s

[ToddyWarner]

Thanks for the tip over the spring (Australia), just broke sub 20 a month and a bit again and trying harder to brake sub 19:20

[ayrshirerunner]

Thanks Nick. I'm currently training using your sub 20 plan coming off marathon training. Current PB is 20.52 so lots of time to make up. Similar to yourself, pushing the 5k time before spring marathon training resumes. All the best mate.

[zmanrepuls]

going for sub 17, the goal was to get it this season, but i ended up with 17:05. I'm still going to try and break 17 some time soon!

[jimmyjetboy]

Hit sub 20 about 10 weeks ago and after researching and learning from your videos I'm going for sub 19 in a couple of weeks hopefully I can get it. Funny enough I had a 10x400m schedules for next week so hopefully can smash that out!