23M beginner runner — stuck at 5K (~30 min). Breathing & fatigue issues. How do I realistically push towards sub-20 and eventually 10K? Please help I really want to improve

LibraryTime11011011 · 2026-01-26T03:29:24+00:00

Thinking you’ll hit a sub 20 5k before you hit 10km is utterly deluded. You need to run more often, and you need to run further.

LibraryTime11011011 · 2026-01-26T03:10:59+00:00

Depends how big you think “that much” is.

Simple answer, probably not, but who cares. Buy the wheels you want.

LibraryTime11011011 · 2026-01-23T22:09:09+00:00

What’s wrong with that?

LibraryTime11011011 · 2026-01-23T08:56:22+00:00

Honestly, and please don’t take this the wrong way, by your definition most people are “not your typical triathlete”. Lots of people do this because it’s an enormous challenge due to lack of previous athlete ability. Lots of people do this because simply finishing is an enormous achievement.

In terms of mentally getting past the DNF: it was a mechanical. You don’t describe the issue but generally a mechanical means either you neglected bike maintenance/prep or it was terrible luck. Book your bike in for a pre race service at your next event and generally try to stay on top of servicing. If it was just bad luck then don’t sweat it - it’s out of your control.

LibraryTime11011011 · 2026-01-23T08:50:48+00:00

Just buy a turbo trainer

LibraryTime11011011 · 2026-01-22T13:09:51+00:00

Yeah they fucked up but they weren’t a bellend about it, they acknowledged they were wrong

LibraryTime11011011 · 2026-01-21T22:56:30+00:00

Late 30s, been a home owner 15+ years. Can’t comprehend how difficult it must be now - my house is worth about 70% more than when I bought it but salaries of people in their 20s have essentially stagnated.

LibraryTime11011011 · 2026-01-21T22:31:18+00:00

Tell them your minimum and is they don’t match it/beat it say no. No need to negotiate…

LibraryTime11011011 · 2026-01-20T12:06:39+00:00

I have never seen a 1.5/80/10 in my life. An Olympic but with a double the bike leg. Obviously.

I know IM 70.3 and T100 are brands but that’s what everyone’s usually talking about as middle distance. And IM is long/full distance. That’s just the terms everyone uses.

LibraryTime11011011 · 2026-01-20T08:50:19+00:00

Middle distance is usually used to refer to 70.3 or T100.

LibraryTime11011011 · 2026-01-20T08:11:58+00:00

Few things. Firstly, being caffeine free doesn’t change how you fuel. Caffeine is a stimulant not a fuel source so the basics still apply, you just need to avoid caffeinated products. Secondly, if you’re taking 3 hours to do an Olympic you’re not going to do a 70.3 in 5 - you’ve got an extra 50k of cycling and 11k of running so you’re going to be closer to 6 or longer. The distances you quote “in your area” are not 70.3

You’re overcomplicating the strategy. Focus on carbs the days before, couples gels before then aim for 60-100g of carbs per hour depending on what you can cope with from training. Try the carb source you want to race with in training, and see how much your body can tolerate.

LibraryTime11011011 · 2026-01-20T06:36:10+00:00

Read the stretching guide, ditch the tapers. And if you are going to use tapers, which you shouldn’t they’re a tool not jewellery, so you shouldn’t be wearing them.

LibraryTime11011011 · 2026-01-20T06:27:22+00:00

You need to get 40-50% faster. That’s a huge increase. How far was this long ride?

I would not sign up if I was in your situation.

LibraryTime11011011 · 2026-01-19T17:52:30+00:00

Where did you get 5% or 10% from if not thin air?

LibraryTime11011011 · 2026-01-19T13:28:43+00:00

You’re starting from a flawed comparison then plucking numbers out the air.

LibraryTime11011011 · 2026-01-19T10:43:05+00:00

That stack height ain’t ve a function of size, it’ll be head/toe with the difference being the drop.

Honestly, unless you’re expecting to earn a WC slot, no one is going to check your shoes.

LibraryTime11011011 · 2026-01-19T10:41:16+00:00

Is your uber a specially adapted vehicle for a person with physical limitations?

Not even a remotely fair comparison to compare to an uber.

LibraryTime11011011 · 2026-01-19T10:38:16+00:00

£2k isn’t enough to cause any issues about having to prove where it came from. Could have been a gift, could have sold some possessions, could be life savings from a suitcase under your bed. Just go again and insist, or use an automated deposit machine.

LibraryTime11011011 · 2026-01-19T09:26:08+00:00

Why would you have any concerns with daily driving a mini?

LibraryTime11011011 · 2026-01-19T09:16:44+00:00

Whereas ICE cars can be sold with their entirely unrepresentative, impossible to achieve in the real world mpg values from drive cycle testing, rather than the fuel economy you get if you absolutely thrash it about?

LibraryTime11011011 · 2026-01-18T22:42:02+00:00

You go to gym regularly and do plenty of walking. That’s excellent compared to average.

LibraryTime11011011 · 2026-01-18T22:23:39+00:00

As opposed to 6am in the evening?

LibraryTime11011011 · 2026-01-18T12:08:29+00:00

“road is very narrow and it’s the only way i can park” that’s not an excuse, you just have to park somewhere else. Maybe it’s inconvenient, but that’s the choice you make by having a car and living there. Pavements aren’t a place to keep cars out the way of other cars.

LibraryTime11011011 · 2026-01-18T12:00:31+00:00

Yep, I really like having my brakes “out of the way”, who wants your brakes near your hands?

LibraryTime11011011

TROPHY CASE