Running Lingo 101

Hey there guys and gals. My name is Andrew Colley and I am your liaison in charge of keeping you hip and with the times when it comes to running terms you need to know. You already have your killer Soleus watches, so you have to match your style with some cool lingo. Get ready because you’re about to get your very own crash course in “Running Lingo”!

1. Fartlek – Now wait a second, I know what you’re thinking. “Fartlek! That sounds disgusting!” It’s not what you think; fartlek is actually a term that comes from the Swedes, meaning “speed play,” which is essentially what it is. Fartlek refers to variations in pace, where you play with medium to difficult periods of time with easy periods in between. It can be used to break up the monotony of a run, while helping your body become used to being engaged in different paces during a session.

2. Aerobic Exercise – Now all you runners out there have either called someone, or have been called, an aerobic animal, but do you actually know what the term is referring to? Aerobic exercise is exercise that helps your body to efficiently use oxygen. Aerobic exercises are the easy runs you go on during training that contribute to using oxygen proficiently as well as burning fat as an energy source.

3. Anaerobic Exercise – So Anaerobic exercise is not the opposite of aerobic running, though it is different. Anaerobic exercise is intense and fast exercise — this would be your interval training and speed sessions. They usually serve the purpose to develop speed and power, which can be valuable weapons in your arsenal when it comes to some of the shorter long distance races like the mile or 5k.

4. Tempo/Threshold Run – A tempo run and a threshold run are frequently used interchangeably. They both refer scientifically to exercise at your lactate threshold, which is the intensity of exercise where there is an abrupt increase in blood lactate levels. Basically, this is a level that is difficult, but where you still feel comfortable. We like to refer to it as a pace that is hard, but where you could still talk to someone you are running with without issue.

5. Strides – Strides are a staple of any good training program. They are short, fast bursts of running which usually vary from 50 to 100 meters in length. They are great to implement after a run to enforce good form and introduce your legs to speed.

6. Surges – It might be shocking to you that surges in running are much like electrical surges. Surging is designated faster paced running within a run. For example, we do long runs with 1 minute surges during the second half of the long run with 8 minutes of normal running in between. Those surges can vary in difficulty as long as they are faster than your normal easy run pace.

7. Dynamic Stretching – Dynamic (not to be confused with dynamite) stretching is an active form of stretching where you are stretching through different movements. While performing this exercise, do not hold the muscle in place like the more traditional form of static stretching. Make sure you are stretching the muscles you will use while you are running.

8. Static stretching – Don’t be shocked! It’s just a little static… stretching (I think we’ve met our electrical pun quota for this blog). Static stretching is stretching your muscles while at a rest. Static stretching is used frequently to lengthen muscle fibers, by holding a stretch for about 30 seconds or so. It’s your old school gym class type of stretching.

9. Recovery Run – Though I know us runners like to push our boundaries and work as hard as we can, we have to implement some recovery days (that way we don’t tire ourselves out). Recovery runs are easy runs that allow you to enjoy the outdoors. This increases blood flow and movement in your legs without wearing them out.

10. All Out – This is your “everything you have” moment, whether it is at the end of a race or during short track sessions in your training. Running “all out” would be sprinting as fast as you can. I am talking inhibitions left at the door, lion’s chasing you, Black Friday type of moving.

**Bonus Term**
*Crushing Miles* – This is when you’re in the peak of your aerobic training, hitting some your best mileage and training hard.

I hope you all enjoyed getting to learn some new running lingo. Now go out there and crush some miles!

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One Comment

  1. Kyle Kranz says:

    “Crushing Miles” Love it!

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