top of page
Search

The A-Z of running

I bet when you first started running, you thought, this is simple hey., it's just one foot infront of the other. But as you run more you become a bit more additive, start reading more about running, following more runners on social media you start hearing words like 'Fartlex' and a 'Run Streaker' and wonder what the heck you've signed yourself up for..


But have no fear, I have composed a list on all the common ones for you to read through below. And if you have any you think we'll be good to add shot me a DM or message on here and we can add them.


Running Glossary :

Anaerobic threshold - The point at which your body can no longer use oxygen as a main source of energy (aerobic) and switches to an anaerobic metabolism (without oxygen).


BQ - A qualifying time for the Abbott World Major Boston Marathon. The time varies based on your age and your gender.


Cadence - The numbers of steps a runner takes in 1 minute


Cross training - A way to supplement your running training. This can be through yoga, pilates, strength training, etc.



DOMS - Delayed onset muscle soreness is exercise-induced muscular pain that is experienced around 24-48 hours after you workout. DOMS is predominately associated with the eccentric part of any movement (see eccentric). The eccentric part of any movement is always the part where your muscle fibres expand rather than contract. The pain experienced after is due to the microscopic muscle fibre tears located in the muscle.


DNF - Did not finish


DNS - Did not start


Drills - These are a type of skill-based exercise, typically done after a warm up but prior to a session involving high speed. They are a way of improving your coordination and running form.


Fartlek - Derived from the Swedish word for “speed play”. A running session that provides consistent bursts of intense effort loosely alternating with a less strenuous effort


Foam roller - A torture device used to help relieve tightness in the tendons, muscles, and to improve flexibility and mobility


Foot strike - How your foot hits the ground when running


Hill sprints - A type of training that involves finding an incline and repeatedly running up the hill. Different types of sessions can include, long hill sprints involving running up the hill for 2-4 minutes with a jog back down the hill to recover. Shorter hill repetitions can involve uphill running for between 60 and 90 seconds. And finally hill sprints can be anything from 10 to 30 seconds.


Kenyan hills - A session derived from the great athletes in Kenya. This session involves continues running up and down a hill continuously for a predetermined time. Usually the incline will be between 7-10% and involve 2 minutes of hard running up a hill. Ideally, once you reach the top of the hill you will run harder on a flatter surface and then turn back and run down with a long relaxed stride.


LSR - Long slow run



MUT - Mountain/Ultra/Trail Runner


Negative split - Running the second half of a race faster than the first


Overpronation - Excessive inward roll of the foot before the toe-off. The outer edge of the heel hits the ground first, then rolls inwards to the arch.


Overtraining/ Overreaching - When a runner chooses to not take rest days and/ or endure too many high intensity runs. The outcome has the potential to increase the risk of injuries, niggles, burn out, amenorrhea, and various other hazards detrimental to health


PB - Personal best



Progression run - A training run where, with each passing km/ mile/ split, your speed increases


Split - Means the time that it takes to complete a specific distance, typically a mile or a kilometre.


Strides - Short, exaggerated accelerations usually performed after an easy run.


Race number - A piece of paper a runner will stick to their vest when running a race. An elite runner will usually have their surname and non-elite a number.


Recovery runs- Easy, easy runs, usually performed after an intense session, long run, or race usually within 24 hours of said session. Primarily used as a tool to help your body get used to running in a state of fatigue, while also helping to increase blood circulation around your body and improving your aerobic capacity.


Run streak - Consistently running on consecutive days for a certain amount of time


Running economy - Reflects the energy demand of running at a constant sub-maximal speed. Runners that have good running economy use less oxygen than runners with poor running economy at the same steady-state speed.


Taper - A period of time where a runner will dial back the training, decreasing the milage before a race. Usually lasts 1-3 weeks depending on the race and length of training block.


Tempo run - There are many different names for tempo running, including anaerobic threshold/lactate threshold training. The aim of the run is to increase a runner’s anaerobic threshold



VO2 max - Also know as maximum oxygen uptake, is a measurement of the maximum amount of oxygen a person can utilise during intense exercise. Measured in ml/kg/min. It is a common measurement used by sport scientists to establish an athlete’s cardiovascular and aerobic fitness.


World majors - The Abbott World Major marathons is a championship style competitions for marathon runners founded in 2006. Currently, there are six marathon races in total to complete to attain the medal, London, New York City, Boston, Chicago, Berlin and Tokyo. Six for the largest and most famous marathons in the world.


Ultramarathon - A distance more than 26.2 miles





Comments


bottom of page