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	Running Jargon

See the Index for more topics, information, hints and tips.

• Bib - A paper-like sheet with a number that identifies you as a race participant. It is pinned to the front of your outfit either the top or bottom.
• BQ - Boston Qualified. The Boston Marathon is so popular that they have to limit their entries by a qualifying time that is based on gender and age.
• BPM - Heart rate beats per minute.
• BRF - Best Running Friend.
• Cadence - The number of times your feet strike, that is foot steps, per minute. See Cadence.
• Carbo Loading - Eating a lot of complex carbohydrates like pasta before a race to build up the storage in your muscles. See Pre-Run Nutrition.
• Chip/Tag/D-Tag - A small RFID device that allows a computer to detect when you cross the start and finish lines. They are sometimes a D shaped piece of plastic and metal that you attach to your shoe laces. Recently they are being placed on the back of your bib.
• Cross Training - Some other type of aerobic exercise besides running. Swimming and biking are the most popular. See Cross Training.
• DNF - Did Not Finish. You started a race but could not finish it.
• DNS - Did Not Start. You did not start a race probably due to injury, illness, or life getting in the way.
• DRC - Dallas Running Club. See DRC Website.
• Drop - Refers to the difference in height between the front of a shoe and the heel. It is usually measured in millimeters. With zero drop shoes the front and back are the same height above the ground. A shoe with a large drop of 12-15 mm is more like a high heel.
• Electrolytes - Minerals like sodium, chloride, potassium, and calcium that are VERY important for runners. See Nutrition.
• Fartlets - Swedish for speed play. It is a very informal type of interval. See Types of Running Workouts.
• Goo or Gel - A liquid composed mainly of sugars that it used to provide energy during a workout. See Nutrition.
• GPS - Global Positioning System. A constellation of satellites that enable us to locate our position on Earth. This allows us to determine where we ran, how far, and elevation gain and loss. See GPS.
• HR - Heart Rate. Refers to training based on the number of times your heart beats per minute instead of pace.
• Hydration - Providing your body with water or other liquids. A hydration system can be a water bottle or a bladder incorporated into a backpack or vest for carrying water. See Hydration.
• Intervals - An intense workout where you increase your speed for a period of time (usually 1/4 to 1 mile) with a recover pace in between. See Types of Running Workouts.
• Ladder - An intense workout similar to intervals. The interval distance/time increases to a maximum and then works back down. See Types of Running Workouts.
• Marathon - 26.2 miles or 42.26 kilometers.
• Mini/Half Marathon - 13.1 miles or 21.1 kilometers.
• Negative Split - Running the last half of a race faster than the first half.
• Over-Training - Running too hard too often. 80% of your running should be at a slow/easy pace and 20% at a fast/hard pace. See Beginner Mistakes and Types of Running Workouts.
• Pace - Refers to how fast you run. It is usually specified in minutes per mile or minutes per kilometer.
• PB - Personal Best. Your best time at a specific distance.
• PR - Personal Record. Your best time at a specific distance.
• Progression - An intense workout similar to intervals. The interval distance/time is the same, but increase your speed each interval. See Types of Running Workouts.
• Race Expo - Many larger races have a day or two before the race where vendors can display and sell merchandise. You can also pick up your bib and chip at that time.
• RRCA - Road Runners Club of American. Oldest running club in America. Provides highly recognized certification for running trainers. See RRCA Website.
• Single Track - refers to the dirt trail only being wide enough to accommodate one person across.
• Strides - A lower intensity workout usually done near the end of an easy run. Each stride is about 100 yards long. It is broken into thirds. Speed up to about a 5K pace in the first third. Maintain that speed during the middle third and finish by returning to the easy pace. See Types of Running Workouts.
• Swag/Bling - Award you receive for participating in a race. Many races have unique shirts. Some may have medals or water bottles or other pieces of gear. Some longer races provide more 'stuff' for finishers. See Race Swag/Bling.
• Tangents - As in 'running the tangents'. Running the straightest, shortest distance in a race. See Running the Tangents.
• Taper - A period of time before a race where you reduce the amount of time/distance and intensity of your workouts to let your body recover so you'll be 100% at the start of the race. See Tapering.
• Training Plan - A plan that details the duration/distance and what type of workout you are to do every day. It is usually developed for you by a RRCA certified trainer. See Training Plan.
• Hitting The Wall or the Bonk - The point usually towards the end of a distance race when you run out of gas. See Types of Running Workouts.