An Unofficial Official Glossary Of Running Terms | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

An Unofficial Official Glossary Of Running Terms

Running Lingo To Keep You In The Know

43
An Unofficial Official Glossary Of Running Terms
media.defense.gov

If you’ve spent any time around runners, you’ve probably noticed that they have their own language. Here’s a quick cheat sheet of some popular running lingo to keep you in the know.

Bib: Not the cloth worn by babies to prevent spilling food on themselves. Rather, the number assigned to you during a race, displayed on a piece of paper.

Body Glide: Synonymous with life saver.Preventer of the dreaded phenomenon of chaffing.

Bonk: Also known as “hitting the wall”, which is quite frankly the perfect description. It’s a dreaded point during a long run (somewhere around mile 20) where your glycogen stores are depleted and you run out of energy.

BQ: Boston Qualifier. Not to be confused with Burger King – a fast food chain. Whether you’re a runner or not, odds are you’ve heard of the Boston Marathon. You may not know that an entry into the race must be earned by having a qualifying time in another marathon. A “BQ” is something many marathoners strive for, and a “BQ” time is definitely brag worthy.

Carbs: Carbohydrates. Fuel. Your best friend and true love.America may run on Dunkin, but runners run on carbs. Bagels, pasta, potatoes, bananas, bread...you name it, we eat it.

DOMS: Delayed onset muscle soreness. A common struggle distance runners face days after a long run. A runner suffering from DOMS may be identified by slow walking, struggling up and down stairs, lowering themselves into chairs very, very slowly.

Dreadmill: Most people refer to these torture devices as treadmills, but when you have to put in 15 miles, watching the seconds tick by in front of your face is nothing short of agonizing. Nothing compares to hitting the open road, but when weather conditions are not ideal, sometimes we just have to suck it up and hop on the dreadmill.

Fartlek: Swedish for "speed play;" a type of workout where you vary your running pace, adding bursts of speed to your run.

GU: A gel food substance that runners eat during a long run to avoid bonking. It’s known for having a less than desirable taste and texture, but it seems to do its job well.

Junk Miles: Miles run that used to reach a weekly or mileage total rather than for a specific benefit. While not particularly exciting, these miles are not junk.

Leap Frogging: The annoying situation that occurs during a race when you alternate between passing and being passed by the same runner.

LSD: No, not the drug. LSD stands for long slow distance run, which is a long run at an easy pace used to build endurance.

PR: A cause for celebration. More specifically, an abbreviation for personal record – running the fastest time of a given distance.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

191683
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

15716
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

458474
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26946
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments