A Guide to Runners Lingo
Hi there, and welcome back to the Mohsin Salya blog.
When you first start running, and often if you’ve been running for years, you can often hear words or phrases thrown about by fellow runners that you have no idea what they mean. On the other hand, you may think you know what they mean, but in fact they have a whole other meaning to them instead.
This can cause confusion, which is the last thing you need when you’re training for that all important marathon. Today I want to break down some of these terms for you, to make your running journey that little bit easier.
Aerobic – This is a broad term, and although it bring up certain images, it actually refers to any type of physical exercise that’s intended to improve how your body uses oxygen to generate energy. Although it may sound strange, running, walking and hiking are all types of aerobic exercises.
Anaerobic – On the other side, anaerobic is the term to describe any exercise which may cause you to be quickly out of breath. This term usually describes very high-intensity exercise that’s not intended to boost the efficiency of your body’s cardiovascular system.
Endurance – This is simply your body’s ability to withstand pain and discomfort and run for extended periods of time.
Running Economy – This refers to the many biomechanical and physiological factors that may contribute to your running performance, and is a very broad term.
Recovery Run – This refers to an easy, slow and short run. Usually at 60 to 70 per cent of your maximum heart rate, it takes place within a day after a challenging run or marathon.
Tempo Run – This is a type of running workout in which you typically run at 75 to 85 per cent of your maximum heart rate for a sustained period of time of 20 to 30 minutes, or a specific number of miles. Usually, tempo runs must be performed at a comfortably challenging pace.
Fartlek – A Swedish term that translates to ‘Speed Play’. It’s a form of speed work format, in which a runner performs bursts of faster running, following an unspecific and unstructured training pattern. Unlike traditional interval training, which centres on specific distances or timed intervals.
Runner’s High – This refers to the state of euphoria and joy experiences by runners either during a workout or just afterwards. On the science side, this is the release of norepinephrine, serotonin, endorphins and dopamine, which promote a sense of well-being and happiness.
The Wall – This usually occurs during miles 19-26 of a marathon, in which the runner’s energy and power plunge, making the runner feel physically and emotionally drained. I previously wrote a blog post surrounding what it means to ‘hit a wall’.
MP – Simply your Marathon Pace.
GMP – Your Goal Marathon Pace.
Race Pace – Your ideal running pace during a race.
World Marathon Majors – These are big guys when it comes to marathon racing, and they comprise of six prominent races: Boston Marathon, Chicago Marathon, NYC Marathon, London Marathon, Berlin Marathon, and Tokyo Marathon.
Until next time,
Mohsin Salya
