I was thinking today about the year that I started running.
I started out to run to lose weight & didn’t take it too seriously for the first little bit.
When I did decide to start racing, I didn’t know anyone who ran & so I didn’t have anyone to kinda “show me the ropes.”
My first race was very intimidating. I remember standing there in the cold waiting for the race to start listening to all the experienced runners talk about their “PR” or all the different types of training they had done. I had no clue what they were talking about. After my first few races I quickly learned the “Runner’s Lingo” and felt more comfortable carrying on a conversations with any runner that started talking to me while waiting for the race to start.
To make things a little easier on you, I’ve come up with a list of some of the more common terms runners use. This way you can sound like you know what your talking about next time an experienced runner comes up and starts talking to you.
Athena – This is a division for women who are over 150 pounds. Although it can vary from race to race.
Bandit – a runner who runs in a race, although they have not registered for the event. This is a good way to get many runners mad at you.
Bonk - Also known as “hitting the wall.” This is the point at where your glycogen stores are depleted and you become very fatigued. Many people often describe it as feeling like the just “hit a brick wall” and can’t go any further. *This video* is a good example of “bonking.” (I’ll be honest, while I feel bad for these women, I did laugh pretty hard the first time I watched it.)
Boston – This is the Boston Maraton. It is the most prestigious marathon in the U.S. Runners must qualifty for this race by running another marathon in a certain time. (Based on gender & age.)
BQ – Boston Qualifier. This is a race that has been sanctioned to allow runners to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
Carbo Loading – This is when a runner eats a large amount of carbs (typically pasta) the night before a big run or race.
Chip Time - This is your final time in the race. It is taken by a chip that is usually worn on your shoe that is activated when you cross the start line & recorded when you cross the finish line.
Clydesdale – This is a division for male runners who are generally over 200 pounds. Although it can vary from race to race.
CR - Course Record. This can either be an all-time course record (for everyone who has raced it) or a personal course record.
DNF - Did not finish.
DNS - Did not start.
DOMS - Delayed onset muscle soreness. This type of muscle soreness normally peaks about 48 hours after an intense workout.
Fartlek - Swedish for “speed play.” The is part of a training plan that uses variable pace running. (A mixture of slow running, running at a moderate pace and short, fast bursts.) Fartlek training is a way to increase speed and endurance.
Gun Time - This is the time that starts when the race starts – or when the gun goes off. It doesn’t take into account the time it takes for you to get from where you start to crossing the start line. (Which in some races can be a while).
Hitting the Wall - Also known as “bonking.” This is the point at where your glycogen stores are depleted and you become very fatigued. Many people often describe it as feeling like the just “hit a brick wall” and can’t go any further. *This video* is a good example of “bonking.” (I’ll be honest, while I feel bad for these women, I did laugh pretty hard the first time I watched it.)
Intervals – Part of a training plan in which short, fast “repeats” (usually 200 to 800 meters) are alternated with slow “intervals” of jogging for recovery. It is usually based on a set format. For example, 6×400 meters fast (these are the repeats) with 400-meter recovery jogs (the intervals).” Interval training builds speed and endurance.
Junk Miles – Runs at an easy pace that the runner does in order to reach a weekly or monthly mileage total rather than for any specific benefit. Even though they are called “junk miles,” the usually serve as recovery from harder workouts. Lactic acid – A substance which forms in the muscles as a result of the incomplete breakdown of glucose. Lactic acid is associated with muscle fatigue and sore muscles.
LSD – No, this isn’t what gives you the “runner’s high” or what makes runningso addictive. LSD means “Long, Slow Distance.” This is the part of the training plan that includes running longer distances at an “easy” pace rather than shorter ones at a higher intensity. The slower pace allows you and therefore gain more fitness.
Master – A runner who is 40 years or older (in the U.S.) Other countries use the term “veteran.”
Midsole - The area of the shoe between the upper and outsole. This is the part that’s primarily responsible for the shoe’s cushioning. This is where you would find that fancy air, gel or other inserts that make the shoe “more comfortable.”
Motion Control – This is a type of shoe that limits overpronation.
Negative Splits – Running the second half of a race faster than the first half.
Overpronation- This is a type of foot strike where the runner has an excessive inward roll of the foot. Many people think overpronation causes many running injuries.
Pick-Ups – These are accelerations done during a training run. They are usually done in a shorter distance that fartleks. Pick-ups are usually added to an easy run.
Post (or medial post) – A post is a firmer density of the midsole material that is added to the inner side of the shoe. It is designed to reduce overpronation. Pronation – Pronation begins immediately after the heel contacts the ground. It is a normal motion for walking or running. It is the inward roll of the foot as the arch collapses.
PR/PB – Personal record/personal best. You’ll hear almost every one talk about their PR or say they “PR’d” on course.
Repeats – Also known as intervals. Part of a training plan in which short, fast “repeats” (usually 200 to 800 meters) are alternated with slow “intervals” of jogging for recovery. It is usually based on a set format. For example, 6×400 meters fast (these are the repeats) with 400-meter recovery jogs (the intervals).” Interval training builds speed and endurance.
Ride – The ability of a shoe to provide a smooth transfer of the runner’s weight from heel-strike to toe-off. The ride is largely subjective, but a runner can tell when a shoe has good, or poor, ride.
Runner’s High – A feeling of exhilaration and excitement often felt after an intense run. This high is caused by endorphins.
Running Economy - Refers to how much oxygen you use when you run. When you improve your economy, you are able to run at a smaller percentage of max VO2 (your maximum rate of oxygen utilization).
Splits – This refers to your times at mile markers or other pre-planned checkpoints along the route. This can be in a training run or a race.
Stability – This is a type of shoe that has the ability of a shoe to resist excessive foot motion.
Strides - Short, fast, but controlled runs of 50 to 150 meters. Strides are used both in training and to warm up before a race. These are incorporated in a training plan to build speed and efficiency.
Taper – This is the time before a race where runners cut back on mileage (or taper). It usually takes place one day to three weeks (depending on race distance) before a big race. This is a strategy to help muscles rest so that they are ready for their peak performance on race day.
Tempo Runs – This is a part of a training plan that uses a higher effort training run, usually 20 to 30 minutes in length, at 10 to 15 seconds per mile slower than 10-K race pace.
Toebox – This is the front portion of a shoe. Many runners who suffer from black toenails, or who lose their toenails, have a toebox that is too small for the span of their foot.
VO2Max (maximal oxygen consumption) – The maximum amount of oxygen that a runner can take in from the atmosphere and then transport and use in the body’s tissues.
Hope this helps makes running a little less intimidating.
Q: Do you remember your first race? What do you remember about it?
You should aim to get 1/2 gram of carbohydrates for every pound you weigh.
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