Runners’ Glossary

10k-10 kilometers, equivalent to 6.2 miles. A popular road race distance. A happy medium between “fun runs” and “distance” runs.

5k-5 kilometers, equivalent to 3.1 miles. A popular road race distance for those not interested in distance running, or for those looking for a “sprint” race.

A

Achilles-A common place for running injuries. Often the first stop to plantar fasciitis is Achilles pain. Don’t ignore pain here!

Actual Time-Race time from actual start of race (when gun goes off) to the time a runner passes the finish line. Different from chip time.

B

Bikram Yoga-“Hot” Yoga developed by Bikram Choudhury. A series of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises performed in a room heated to 105 degrees and 40% humidity.

Boston Marathon-The oldest, and arguably most popular, marathon in the world. Ran on Patriots’ Day, the third Monday in April. The course is ran through popular neighborhoods of Boston, including the infamous “heartbreak hill.” Runners must qualify by meeting a certain time to participate.

Brooks-A Seattle based running company with the slogan, “Run Happy.”

C

Carbo Load-A carbohydrate-rich diet started three days before an endurance athlete’s race. Intended to increase the glycogen stores in the muscles.

Chip Time-Time based on when the chip on a runner’s body passes the start line and finish line. Different from actual time.

Chiropractor-A trained healthcare professional who uses manual therapy to manipulate the spine. Used to treat ailments including, but not limited to: headaches, injuries.

Corral-Sectioned areas at start of races based on estimated finish time. Corral 1 typically houses the fastest runners.

D

Dehydration-An extreme loss of fluid and/ore electrolytes from one’s body. Primary symptom of dehydration is a headache.

E

Easy Run-Just what the name implies: an “easy run” approximately 60 seconds slower than race pace.

Electrolytes-Minerals (sodium, potassium, chlorine, phosphate, magnesium, and calcium) in the human body, which carry an electrical charge. Electrolytes are lost with excessive sweating, and need to be replenished.

F

Foam Roller-A long, cylindrical piece of foam used for self massage.

G

GPS watch-Global Positioning System watch, which tracks time, pace, and distance via satellite.

Gait-The way one runs.

Garmin-A Swiss company, which develops GPS systems, including running watches.

Gu-Branded carbohydrate energy gel popular with endurance athletes.

H

Half Marathon-Popular road race of 13.1 miles, half the distance of a full marathon.

Heart Rate Monitor-A device, comprised of a chest strap and a wrist receiver, used to monitor one’s heart rate.

Hills-Interval training where one runs up a hill fast and jogs down then runs up again; helps develop leg power and aerobic capacity.

I

Interval-Training, which includes short bursts of high-intensity running: hills, sprints, which usually results in a feeling like one is going to throw up.

IT (Iliotibial ) Band-Thick band of fibrous tissue that runs along the outside of the leg from the hip to below the knee joint.

ITBS-IT band syndrome. A common runners’ injury, which is quite debilitating if left untreated. Pain is usually felt in the hip joint, or even more common on the outside of the knee. Foam roll and stretching will help with this!

J

Joints-Location on the body where two bones make contact.

K

Kick-Giving it your all at the end of the race. Sprinting toward the finish line!

L

Long Run-The longest mileage run of the week, usually ran on the weekend.

M

Marathon-Long distance road race, 26.2 miles.

Massage-Rubbing of parts of the body to aid in muscle relief.

N

Naturopath-A natural, non-invasive form of medicine (considered alternative medicine). The focus is finding the cause of the problem, and treating it naturally rather than prescribing medication for a condition.

Negative Splits-Running the second half of a race faster than the first half. Ideal!

O

Orthotics-Also known as insoles. Device formed to one’s foot, placed in a shoe intending to restore our foot’s natural function.

P

Pace Runner-Trained runner, who helps racers keep a specific pace the entire race to finish in a specific time.

PR-Personal record. The best personal time for an individual runner for a specific race. A goal of many runners is to achieve a “PR.”

Pronate-Feet rolling in as a result of flat arches.

R

Red Light Therapy-The use of healing red light to stimulate the body’s natural defense systems.

Reiki-Spiritual practice used for healing by focusing on one’s energy.

Runner’s High-Euphoric feeling following a run.

Runner’s Trots-AKA diarrhea caused by dehydration. Common after and sometimes even during long distance runs.

S

Self-care-Taking care of one’s own body while training by means of paying attention to one’s body, assessing what hurts, and treating it by way of: massage, chiropractic care, red light, foam roller, yoga, or stretching, or any combination.

Splits-Time for each mile of a specific run.

Skort-Running skirt with built in compression shorts.

Sprints-Running as fast as you can for a specific, usually short, distance.

Supinate-Opposite of pronate, resulting from high arches.

T

Taper-Usually the last two weeks of marathon or half marathon training where the mileage gradually decreases to prepare and rest the body for race day.

Thai Yoga-Massage, which includes yoga like stretches.

Training-Running, and yoga, schedule for a specific period of time in preparation for a race.