A Lesson in the Lingo

If it wasn't hard enough to learn how to run!

Runner's are in a league of their own; a different culture, and like different cultures they speak to each other in a language that is sometimes hard to understand... I should know.  They started talking to me like this and I'd nod my head and smile, but I was curious and so I did some investigation.

Here are six widely used terms that runners use...I use them now too (sometimes) and you know what that means right?  It means I'm learning the lingo...it means I'm officially joining this strange culture of people that I adore... for those of you starting out on this journey, I thought I'd help you out a bit.

-1-  Often you will see a runner 'post' or 'text' that they ran "15kE" - Ok, so when I first saw this I wondered why it mattered that a person ran "EAST".  I mean so what right?  But I saw it more and more; 20kmE - 8kmE and so on..I thought "Man is it easier to run EAST? Is this the trick? Is this the big secret to a successful run?"...so I started out my runs Eastward bound (just kidding I really didn't).  So I did a little investigation, because this just didn't make a lot of sense to me and after awhile discovered that E stood for EASY.  EASY?? Are you kidding me? Seriously? 20kmEASY????..someone has got to be pulling my leg.  I do not think I will ever post 20kmE or 5kmE for that matter, so I made up my own (I hate to be left out).. my posts look more like this: "Ran 8kmFML"...and no this does not stand for "Fold My Laundry"...google FML if  you need to...

True Story

-2- "I Garmined it" - Sometimes I just pretend that I'm smart.  I mean I know Garmin makes GPS  but you know I couldn't put together what "I Garmined it" meant...until of course I investigated it... Not only did I investigate Garmin I bought a Garmin and wouldn't you know it, I was almost right!  Who knew that you could by a GPS to wear on your wrist whilst running?  I LOVE my Garmin, in fact I call it my boyfriend.  He runs with me, supports me, encourages me to do better and frankly he also pisses me off...if that isn't true love I don't know what is.

-3- Hamburger Pace - If this isn't a widely used term in the next few yeas I'd be surprised.  I'm proud to say this term was coined by a friend of mine!  Let me first say my friend is an amazing runner; dedicated and determined and well...very inspiring.  Once upon a time however during the Boston Marathon the old adage "sometimes things just don't work out as planned" came into play....sometimes that just happens.  My driven friend plodded on despite scorching temperatures, medical intervention and a little vomit...she kept going!! She was going to finish no question.... well as the story goes...you know those mascot people that sometimes dress up at the end of a race?  You know the generally non-runner but super duper cheerleader types of people?  In Boston one of those mascots was dressed as a Hamburger....and passed my buddy at the finish line... she could be heard sobbing "I was passed by a hamburger" (ok I made up this part...but she did say it... just probably not as loud as I'm imagining)...and so the phrase the Hamburger Pace was born.
(Best used if you're running lower than your usual pace).

Maybe this guy was THE guy?

-4- Fartlek - Excuse me?  I thought this was a joke when I first saw it..but it isn't. It's a funky Swedish term for "Speed Work", blending continuous training with interval training...it's real and it's not as fun as it sounds! I have it written in my 1/2 Marathon training plan....so when I say I'm going to go "Fartlek"...I really am.

-5- PB - Often seen written as "1:15:20 - New PB!!" - PB reminds me of peanut butter, I really like peanut butter....but it's not peanut butter it's Personal Best... meaning that you've beat your best time after a race; you've set yourself a new PB!

-6- Carb-Loading - Totally cool right?  I LOVE carbs!  Carbs are awesome!  So running means I get to load my face full of fabulous carbs!  Whoo Hooo! Alas...no..it doesn't really mean I can do this..I do wish though...In general unless you're racing 15km or more there is no need to eat pasta and bread the night before the race.  Sometimes as I'm chowing down on macaroni and diced tomatoes (a personal fave) I 'pretend' I'm heading out to run a 1/2 Marathon...even it's just a 5km....hmmm no wonder I can't shed those last 5 pounds.

This could be me...wait...is it?

I hope you enjoyed this little educational piece on runners lingo.  Think of how smart you're going to sound when someone tells you they're going to fartlek with their garmin and you can answer "Well don't go to fast!".

Happy Trails!