Common Terms:
Walk is to move at a regular and fairly slow pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn, never having both feet off the ground at once.
Running is a means of terrestrial locomotion allowing humans and other animals to move rapidly on foot. It is simply defined in athletics terms as a gait in which at regular points during the running cycle both feet are off the ground. This is in contrast to walking, where one foot is always in contact with the ground, the legs are kept mostly straight and the center of gravity vaults over the legs in an inverted pendulum fashion.[1] A characteristic feature of a running body from the viewpoint of spring-mass mechanics, is that changes in kinetic and potential energy within a stride occur simultaneously, with energy storage accomplished by springy tendons and passive muscle elasticity.[2] The term running can refer to any of a variety of speeds ranging from jogging to sprinting.
K-K is for kilometers, 1,000 meters
Mile-1609 meters, 5280 feet, or 1760 yards. Note: 1600m is not a mile.
5K-equal to 3.1 miles
8K-equal to 4.96 miles
10K-equal to 6.2 miles
Half marathon- road running event of 21.0975 kilometres (13.1094 mi)
Marathon-long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres (26 miles and 385 yards), that is usually run as a road race.
400 meters-Equivalent to a quarter mile or 1 lap around a standard track.
800 meters-Equivalent to a half-mile or 2 laps around a standard track.
Sources:
www.wikipedia.com
www.runnersworld.com
Running is a means of terrestrial locomotion allowing humans and other animals to move rapidly on foot. It is simply defined in athletics terms as a gait in which at regular points during the running cycle both feet are off the ground. This is in contrast to walking, where one foot is always in contact with the ground, the legs are kept mostly straight and the center of gravity vaults over the legs in an inverted pendulum fashion.[1] A characteristic feature of a running body from the viewpoint of spring-mass mechanics, is that changes in kinetic and potential energy within a stride occur simultaneously, with energy storage accomplished by springy tendons and passive muscle elasticity.[2] The term running can refer to any of a variety of speeds ranging from jogging to sprinting.
K-K is for kilometers, 1,000 meters
Mile-1609 meters, 5280 feet, or 1760 yards. Note: 1600m is not a mile.
5K-equal to 3.1 miles
8K-equal to 4.96 miles
10K-equal to 6.2 miles
Half marathon- road running event of 21.0975 kilometres (13.1094 mi)
Marathon-long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres (26 miles and 385 yards), that is usually run as a road race.
400 meters-Equivalent to a quarter mile or 1 lap around a standard track.
800 meters-Equivalent to a half-mile or 2 laps around a standard track.
Sources:
www.wikipedia.com
www.runnersworld.com
Additional Terms:
10-K pace
10-K pace, when used in a workout to describe how fast
to run, is simply the pace of a runner's last 10-K race. "10-K pace"
is therefore different for every runner; for a 62-minute 10-K runner,
"10-K pace" is 10 minutes per mile; for 31:00, it's 5 minutes per mile;
for Paul Tergat, it's 4:16 per mile.
AIMS
Association of International Marathons and Road Races. More
information can be found at www.aims-association.org.
ASOIF
Association of Summer Olympic International Federations.
More information can be found at www.asoif.com.
aerobic
Used to refer to running or other exercise at an intensity
that's sufficiently easy for your respiratory and cardiovascular systems
to deliver all or most of the oxygen required by your muscles, and slow
enough that lactic acid doesn't appreciably build up in your muscles.
Generally, you can sustain a slow aerobic pace for long periods of time,
provided you have the endurance to go long distances.
anaerobic
Used to refer to running or other exercise at an intensity
that makes it impossible for your respiratory and cardiovascular systems
to deliver all or most of the oxygen required by your muscles, and fast
enough that lactic acid begins to build up in your muscles, thus producing
a tired, heavy feeling. The pace associated with anaerobic running cannot
be sustained very long.
anaerobic threshold (AT)
The transition phase between aerobic
and anaerobic running. Good training will increase AT by teaching the
muscles to use oxygen more efficiently, so that less lactic acid is
produced. Also known as "lactate threshold."
chip time
A technology for sensing and recording the finishing times of all
the runners in a race. It's much more accurate and can easily deal with
the old problem of many runners finishing nearly at once in a big, crowded
race. The "chip" is a tiny electronic chip that's programmed with your
specific runner identification. You attach the chip to your shoe laces.
It sends a signal to an electronic reading device--often hidden under
a strip of carpet-- when you cross the start line and again when you cross
the finish line. No human observation is necessary. Your exact time is
recorded automatically. Usually you are asked to turn the chip back in
to the race organizers.
clydesdale
A weight-challenged runner. To find out more about Clydesdale running
and racing, try this web site: http://www.clydesdale.org/.
cool-down
Slow running or jogging done after a workout or competition
to loosen muscles and rid the body of lactic acid.
CR
Course record.
cushioning (or shock absorption)
The ability of a shoe to absorb
the impact of footstrike.
cushioning (or shock absorption)
The ability of a shoe to absorb
the impact of footstrike.
DNF
Did not finish.
DNS
Did not start.
DOMS
Delayed onset muscle soreness. This type of muscle soreness
normally peaks about 48 hours after a particularly intense or long run.
elite runner
An athlete who has reached the highest level in
his/her sport.
fartlek
Swedish for "speed play;" variable pace running; a mixture
of slow running, running at a moderate pace and short, fast bursts.
Fartlek training is a "creative way" to increase speed and endurance.
"hitting the wall"
The dreaded point (and awful feeling
similar to what your body would feel like if you ran into a wall) during
a race when your muscle glycogen stores become depleted and a feeling
of fatigue engulfs you.
IAAF
International Amateur Athletic Federation. More information
can be found at www.iaaf.org.
IOC
International Olympic Committee. More information can be
found at www.olympic.org.
intervals
Training in which short, fast "repeats" or "repetitions"
often 200 to 800 meters, are alternated with slow "intervals" of jogging
for recovery; usually based on a rigid format such as "six times 400
meters fast [these are the repeats] with 400-meter recovery jogs [the
intervals]," interval training builds speed and endurance.
junior
According to the IAAF, a junior is any athlete who is
under 20 on December 31 of that year. For example, an athlete whose
birthday is November 12, 1979 will be a junior in 1998 but not in 1999.
junk miles
Runs at an easy pace inserted into a program in order
to reach a weekly or monthly mileage total rather than for any specific
benefit. Despite the name, "junk miles" often serve as recovery from
harder workouts. The value of "junk miles" is still hotly debated among
training theorists.
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.
lactate threshold
See "anaerobic threshold."
last
A shaped piece of wood or metal on which the shoe is built.
The shape of the last determines the shape of the shoe. Shoes are made
in three basic shapes: straight, curved and semi-curved, but all three
shapes vary from company to company as each company has its own lasts.
lateral
Refers to the outer edge of a shoe.
LSD
NOT the hallucinogen. LSD is an abbreviation for "Long, Slow
Distance," which refers to the practice of running longer distances
at an "easy" pace rather than shorter ones to exhaustion. The slower
pace allows the runner to go longer and, therefore (supposedly), gain
more fitness.
Master
An athlete 40 years of age or older is designated a "master"
in the U.S. Many other countries use the term "veteran."
maximum heart rate
The highest heart-rate reached during a specified
period of time.
medial
Referring to the inner side (or arch side) of a shoe.
"metric mile"
1500m, the international racing distance closest
to the imperial mile.
midsole
The area of the shoe between the upper and outsole that's
primarily responsible for the shoe's cushioning. Most midsoles are made
of foams: either EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) or polyurethane. EVA is
lighter and more flexible than polyurethane, but it also breaks down
more quickly. Many midsoles also have additional cushioning elements
such as air, gel and various embedded plastic units.
motion control
The ability of a shoe to limit overpronation.
negative splits
Running the second half of a race faster than
the first half.
NR
National record.
outsole
The material, usually made of hard carbon rubber, on
the bottom of most running shoes; the layer of the shoe that contacts
the ground.
overpronation
The excessive inward roll of the foot before toe-off.
Overpronation is believed to be the cause of many running injuries.
pick-ups
Accelerations done during a run, normally done in shorter
durations than fartleks. Pick-ups are simply another way to spice up
what would otherwise be an easy-run day.
plyometrics
Bounding exercises; any jumping exercise in which landing followed
by a jump occurs.
post (or medial post)
Firmer density of midsole material added
to the inner side of the shoe. A post is designed to reduce overpronation.
prep
In the U.S., a high school athlete. From the term "preparatory
school," a school for preparing for college. Slightly different from
the IAAF definition of "Junior."
pronation
Pronation begins immediately after the heel contacts
the ground. It is a normal and necessary motion for walking or running.
Pronation is the distinctive, inward roll of the foot as the arch collapses.
PR/PB
Personal record/personal best.
RRCA
Road Runners Club of America. More information can be found
at www.rrca.org.
repeats
See "intervals."
ride
The ability of a shoe to provide a smooth transfer of a
runner's weight from heel-strike to toe-off. Ride is a largely subjective
quality, but shoe wearers know it when a shoe has or lacks a good ride.
runner's high
A feeling, usually unexpected, of exhilaration
and well-being directly associated with vigorous running; apparently
related to the secretion of 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
Refers to your times at mile markers or other pre-planned
checkpoints along the way to the finish line.
stability
The ability of a shoe to resist excessive foot motion
strides
Short, fast, but controlled runs of 50 to 150 meters.
Strides, which are used both in training and to warm up before a race,
build speed and efficiency.
supination
The opposite of pronation. It's an outward rolling
of the forefoot that naturally occurs during the stride cycle at toe-off.
Oversupination occurs when the foot remains on its outside edge after
heel strike instead of pronating. A true oversupinating foot underpronates
or does not pronate at all, so it doesn't absorb shock well. It is a
rare condition occurring in less than 1 percent of the running population.
taper
Runners usually cut back mileage (or taper) one day to
three weeks (depending on race distance) before a big race. Tapering
helps muscles rest so that they are ready for peak performance on race
day.
target heart rate
A range of heart rate reached during aerobic
training, which enables an athlete to gain maximum benefit.
tempo runs
Sustained effort training runs, usually 20 to 30 minutes
in length, at 10 to 15 seconds per mile slower than 10-K race pace.
Another way to gauge the pace of tempo runs: a pace about midway between
short-interval training speed and your easy running pace.
threshold runs
Runs of 5 to 20 minutes at a pace just a little
slower than your 10-K racing pace; Threshold pace is roughly equivalent
to what exercise physiologists call "lactate threshold," or the point
at which your muscles start fatiguing at a rapid rate. Running at or
near lactate threshold is believed to raise your lactate threshold,
which should allow you to run faster in the future.
toebox
The front portion of a shoe's upper. A wide toebox allows
plenty of room for the toes to spread.
underpronator
Underpronation is less common than overpronation.
The shoes of underpronators show outsole wear on the lateral (outer)
side not just at the heel but all the way up to the forefoot. Typically,
underpronators tend to break down the heel counters of their shoes on
the lateral side.
upper
The leather or mesh material that encloses the foot.
USATF
USA Track and Field. More information can be found at www.usatf.org.
USOC
United States Olympic Committee. More information can be
found at www.usoc.org.
veteran
International term similar to "master" in the U.S. According
to the IAAF, men become "veterans" on their 40th birthday; women, on
their 35th birthday.
VO2Max (maximal oxygen consumption)
The maximal amount of oxygen
that a person can extract from the atmosphere and then transport and
use in the body's tissues.
wall
See "hitting the wall."
warm-up
Five to twenty minutes of easy jogging/walking before
a race or a workout. The point of a warm-up is to raise one's heart
rate so the body (and its muscles) are looser before a tough workout
begins.
"world best"
A recorded best time for an event in which
formal world records are not kept. For instance, the fastest time at
150m, a non-standard distance, is a "world best" rather than a "world
record." Similar distinctions are made for road races which do not meet
certain standards, such as races with excessive amounts of downhill.
WR
World record.
Resource:
By Parker Morse & Beth Moxey Eck
Published 09/21/2001
www.runnersworld.com
10-K pace, when used in a workout to describe how fast
to run, is simply the pace of a runner's last 10-K race. "10-K pace"
is therefore different for every runner; for a 62-minute 10-K runner,
"10-K pace" is 10 minutes per mile; for 31:00, it's 5 minutes per mile;
for Paul Tergat, it's 4:16 per mile.
AIMS
Association of International Marathons and Road Races. More
information can be found at www.aims-association.org.
ASOIF
Association of Summer Olympic International Federations.
More information can be found at www.asoif.com.
aerobic
Used to refer to running or other exercise at an intensity
that's sufficiently easy for your respiratory and cardiovascular systems
to deliver all or most of the oxygen required by your muscles, and slow
enough that lactic acid doesn't appreciably build up in your muscles.
Generally, you can sustain a slow aerobic pace for long periods of time,
provided you have the endurance to go long distances.
anaerobic
Used to refer to running or other exercise at an intensity
that makes it impossible for your respiratory and cardiovascular systems
to deliver all or most of the oxygen required by your muscles, and fast
enough that lactic acid begins to build up in your muscles, thus producing
a tired, heavy feeling. The pace associated with anaerobic running cannot
be sustained very long.
anaerobic threshold (AT)
The transition phase between aerobic
and anaerobic running. Good training will increase AT by teaching the
muscles to use oxygen more efficiently, so that less lactic acid is
produced. Also known as "lactate threshold."
chip time
A technology for sensing and recording the finishing times of all
the runners in a race. It's much more accurate and can easily deal with
the old problem of many runners finishing nearly at once in a big, crowded
race. The "chip" is a tiny electronic chip that's programmed with your
specific runner identification. You attach the chip to your shoe laces.
It sends a signal to an electronic reading device--often hidden under
a strip of carpet-- when you cross the start line and again when you cross
the finish line. No human observation is necessary. Your exact time is
recorded automatically. Usually you are asked to turn the chip back in
to the race organizers.
clydesdale
A weight-challenged runner. To find out more about Clydesdale running
and racing, try this web site: http://www.clydesdale.org/.
cool-down
Slow running or jogging done after a workout or competition
to loosen muscles and rid the body of lactic acid.
CR
Course record.
cushioning (or shock absorption)
The ability of a shoe to absorb
the impact of footstrike.
cushioning (or shock absorption)
The ability of a shoe to absorb
the impact of footstrike.
DNF
Did not finish.
DNS
Did not start.
DOMS
Delayed onset muscle soreness. This type of muscle soreness
normally peaks about 48 hours after a particularly intense or long run.
elite runner
An athlete who has reached the highest level in
his/her sport.
fartlek
Swedish for "speed play;" variable pace running; a mixture
of slow running, running at a moderate pace and short, fast bursts.
Fartlek training is a "creative way" to increase speed and endurance.
"hitting the wall"
The dreaded point (and awful feeling
similar to what your body would feel like if you ran into a wall) during
a race when your muscle glycogen stores become depleted and a feeling
of fatigue engulfs you.
IAAF
International Amateur Athletic Federation. More information
can be found at www.iaaf.org.
IOC
International Olympic Committee. More information can be
found at www.olympic.org.
intervals
Training in which short, fast "repeats" or "repetitions"
often 200 to 800 meters, are alternated with slow "intervals" of jogging
for recovery; usually based on a rigid format such as "six times 400
meters fast [these are the repeats] with 400-meter recovery jogs [the
intervals]," interval training builds speed and endurance.
junior
According to the IAAF, a junior is any athlete who is
under 20 on December 31 of that year. For example, an athlete whose
birthday is November 12, 1979 will be a junior in 1998 but not in 1999.
junk miles
Runs at an easy pace inserted into a program in order
to reach a weekly or monthly mileage total rather than for any specific
benefit. Despite the name, "junk miles" often serve as recovery from
harder workouts. The value of "junk miles" is still hotly debated among
training theorists.
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.
lactate threshold
See "anaerobic threshold."
last
A shaped piece of wood or metal on which the shoe is built.
The shape of the last determines the shape of the shoe. Shoes are made
in three basic shapes: straight, curved and semi-curved, but all three
shapes vary from company to company as each company has its own lasts.
lateral
Refers to the outer edge of a shoe.
LSD
NOT the hallucinogen. LSD is an abbreviation for "Long, Slow
Distance," which refers to the practice of running longer distances
at an "easy" pace rather than shorter ones to exhaustion. The slower
pace allows the runner to go longer and, therefore (supposedly), gain
more fitness.
Master
An athlete 40 years of age or older is designated a "master"
in the U.S. Many other countries use the term "veteran."
maximum heart rate
The highest heart-rate reached during a specified
period of time.
medial
Referring to the inner side (or arch side) of a shoe.
"metric mile"
1500m, the international racing distance closest
to the imperial mile.
midsole
The area of the shoe between the upper and outsole that's
primarily responsible for the shoe's cushioning. Most midsoles are made
of foams: either EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) or polyurethane. EVA is
lighter and more flexible than polyurethane, but it also breaks down
more quickly. Many midsoles also have additional cushioning elements
such as air, gel and various embedded plastic units.
motion control
The ability of a shoe to limit overpronation.
negative splits
Running the second half of a race faster than
the first half.
NR
National record.
outsole
The material, usually made of hard carbon rubber, on
the bottom of most running shoes; the layer of the shoe that contacts
the ground.
overpronation
The excessive inward roll of the foot before toe-off.
Overpronation is believed to be the cause of many running injuries.
pick-ups
Accelerations done during a run, normally done in shorter
durations than fartleks. Pick-ups are simply another way to spice up
what would otherwise be an easy-run day.
plyometrics
Bounding exercises; any jumping exercise in which landing followed
by a jump occurs.
post (or medial post)
Firmer density of midsole material added
to the inner side of the shoe. A post is designed to reduce overpronation.
prep
In the U.S., a high school athlete. From the term "preparatory
school," a school for preparing for college. Slightly different from
the IAAF definition of "Junior."
pronation
Pronation begins immediately after the heel contacts
the ground. It is a normal and necessary motion for walking or running.
Pronation is the distinctive, inward roll of the foot as the arch collapses.
PR/PB
Personal record/personal best.
RRCA
Road Runners Club of America. More information can be found
at www.rrca.org.
repeats
See "intervals."
ride
The ability of a shoe to provide a smooth transfer of a
runner's weight from heel-strike to toe-off. Ride is a largely subjective
quality, but shoe wearers know it when a shoe has or lacks a good ride.
runner's high
A feeling, usually unexpected, of exhilaration
and well-being directly associated with vigorous running; apparently
related to the secretion of 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
Refers to your times at mile markers or other pre-planned
checkpoints along the way to the finish line.
stability
The ability of a shoe to resist excessive foot motion
strides
Short, fast, but controlled runs of 50 to 150 meters.
Strides, which are used both in training and to warm up before a race,
build speed and efficiency.
supination
The opposite of pronation. It's an outward rolling
of the forefoot that naturally occurs during the stride cycle at toe-off.
Oversupination occurs when the foot remains on its outside edge after
heel strike instead of pronating. A true oversupinating foot underpronates
or does not pronate at all, so it doesn't absorb shock well. It is a
rare condition occurring in less than 1 percent of the running population.
taper
Runners usually cut back mileage (or taper) one day to
three weeks (depending on race distance) before a big race. Tapering
helps muscles rest so that they are ready for peak performance on race
day.
target heart rate
A range of heart rate reached during aerobic
training, which enables an athlete to gain maximum benefit.
tempo runs
Sustained effort training runs, usually 20 to 30 minutes
in length, at 10 to 15 seconds per mile slower than 10-K race pace.
Another way to gauge the pace of tempo runs: a pace about midway between
short-interval training speed and your easy running pace.
threshold runs
Runs of 5 to 20 minutes at a pace just a little
slower than your 10-K racing pace; Threshold pace is roughly equivalent
to what exercise physiologists call "lactate threshold," or the point
at which your muscles start fatiguing at a rapid rate. Running at or
near lactate threshold is believed to raise your lactate threshold,
which should allow you to run faster in the future.
toebox
The front portion of a shoe's upper. A wide toebox allows
plenty of room for the toes to spread.
underpronator
Underpronation is less common than overpronation.
The shoes of underpronators show outsole wear on the lateral (outer)
side not just at the heel but all the way up to the forefoot. Typically,
underpronators tend to break down the heel counters of their shoes on
the lateral side.
upper
The leather or mesh material that encloses the foot.
USATF
USA Track and Field. More information can be found at www.usatf.org.
USOC
United States Olympic Committee. More information can be
found at www.usoc.org.
veteran
International term similar to "master" in the U.S. According
to the IAAF, men become "veterans" on their 40th birthday; women, on
their 35th birthday.
VO2Max (maximal oxygen consumption)
The maximal amount of oxygen
that a person can extract from the atmosphere and then transport and
use in the body's tissues.
wall
See "hitting the wall."
warm-up
Five to twenty minutes of easy jogging/walking before
a race or a workout. The point of a warm-up is to raise one's heart
rate so the body (and its muscles) are looser before a tough workout
begins.
"world best"
A recorded best time for an event in which
formal world records are not kept. For instance, the fastest time at
150m, a non-standard distance, is a "world best" rather than a "world
record." Similar distinctions are made for road races which do not meet
certain standards, such as races with excessive amounts of downhill.
WR
World record.
Resource:
By Parker Morse & Beth Moxey Eck
Published 09/21/2001
www.runnersworld.com
