Saturday, July 31, 2010

Seafair 8k

Tomorrow is my first 8k race.  I was born and raised in Seattle, Washington.  This is the first time in my adult life I can remember part taking in any Seafair events.  I remember watching the hydro's on TV when I was kid.  This will be my third Seafair Event.  Yay!  I have been hard at work on my pirate costume.  Of course I am incorporating my CURE JM shirt.  My costume, is, well, lets just say I hope its not to hot tomorrow night.  It will also be televised on KIRO.  Should be fun.  I am not expecting to be fast.  Just wanna have fun.

Monday, July 26, 2010

My first 5k!



*For some reason I can't get this post to line up right, so it looks a little funky*


7am
Saturday Morning
Enumclaw, WA

I ran my first 5k.  So it seems that I went backwards.  I started with a full, then did a 1/2, and now a 5k.  Usually it goes in opposite order but hey, that's the ABC's of me?  It just sort of worked out that way.  I was really really excited for this one because my sister and niece were running in it to.  But lets not forget my Michelle.  We were the first ones there to sign-in.  The sun was out.  The morning was already beginning to warm up with the sun shining.  A beautiful morning for a run.  I had not signed up yet so it was good we were there to make sure there were no difficulties.  We were the race officials first "run thru" they said.  After getting registered, we went to breakfast at  The Kettle.  (If you have never been, it is a must).  We fueled up with some really great oatmeal The Kettle serves.  It was so much fun.

Start Line Fun Time

We headed to start line where we found Mom and Dad waiting. Well Mom was doing Zumba with a crowd of women.  Of course we joined in!  Very fun.
After Zumba, 9:00 was quickly approaching.  I roamed around a bit and found Tall Mom.  I introduced myself briefly.  I let her know I would be joining her down in Portland in October for the coaches certification class.  She was very nice.  I was honored to finally meet her!  They started announcing it was time to line up appropriately.  Six minute mile runners in the front.  That was not me.  We had hope to meet up after the race.

The Race








We were all lined up side by side at the start line. The announcer was giving directions on where to go for the race.  I felt worried for a second but whatever.  We were having sharing which songs we were starting out.  The time ticked down and we were off and running.  I felt great.  The start of the race is the funnest part.  Nothing hurts yet.  The course went down about a half mile surprisingly turned into a trail.  It was rocky, dusty, dirty, and bushy but no worries.  It was difficult to get around people.  As the trail went on it narrowed even more.  I eventually got stuck behind a 8 year old girl running with her Dad.  I really had to back off because she was all over the place with her footing.  She was doing great.  It did not bother me.  The trail finally ended and broke back out onto the road.  The road was lite up with the sun.  I was able to get my pace back up.  Then the sun started doing a dance on my head and weighing me down. At the end of the road the course turned around.  This meant we got to see the lead runner.  I had fun cheering on the 2nd and 3rd place guys running.  "Come on, you can catch him!  Go Go Go!".  Soon 2 teenagers who looked like it was nothing to them cruised on by.  Behind them came Tall Mom.  I saved my best cheer for her.  "Come on Tall Mom, catch those pixies!"  She looked great, pushing on.  It was time for me to turn back which meant I would get to pass my loved ones.  My niece was first up.  I yelled, "come on, catch me".  My sister was next. She looked great.  She was fiddling with her ipod going strong.  I nearly missed Michelle and Cam.  I was starting to try and pick it up.  The gal in front of me looked like she was trying to work out a side ache or something.  She was doing a weird bend and crunch thing.  I kind of felt bad for her because I could tell she was struggling.  We then entered the trail again.  The bushes and grass seemed to be trapping the heat, so sweat was a pouring.  I wanted to pass bending lady. She was trying hard to keep pace.  I passed her as the trail widen. We were soon back on the road.  This meant the home stretch.  I began to hurt because my body knew sprinting was coming.  I told myself as soon as I cross that finish, its done.  Focus on that.  I opened up the best I could. The clock said 26.0something.  I growled because it wasn't much of an improvement.  After crossing I turned back up the street after finding my breath.  The family was there on the side line now looking for the next member of our crew.   The sweat from my race was pouring into my eyes.  I was temporarily blinded by sweat and make up.  Yes, I put make up on before a run.  Why I don't know.  Smearing it all over seem logical.  I would have hunted down a towel but then I would missed everyone crossing the finish.









  







Bryanna was first we spotted.  She looked a little zapped from the heat but finished strong.

Next we were on the look out for my sister.  We spotted her running in.  We all began to cheer.  What seemed like slow motion, her leg waved like a flag.  Suddenly she was on the ground.  My heart sank as the crowd gasped.  I was over come with emotion.  I couldn't believe what I was seeing.  She was down.  My brother-in-law took off running towards her out on the course.  My nephew followed.  I could see her trying to get back up.  Several people tried to help but she appeared to bat at them.  She wanted her husbands hand.  They got on both sides of her and began the trek in toward the finish line.  I was a balling mess!  I was so scared she had fractured it.  She had worked so hard up to this race.  She has been training for the Leavenworth 1/2 Marathon in October.  All of it potentially was left back in the pothole that took her down.  At 50 yards from the finish her ankle seemed to un-kink.  She finished on her own.  Several people around me were gasping how great it was she finished.  











After the race our families went to explore the Enumclaw Street Fair.  It was full of vendors and booths.  We came up on one booth that had these cut pirate scarfs for Saturdays pirate run.  I got to chatting with the lady.  She asked about my Cure JM shirt.  I told her about Gary and Juvenile Dermatomyositis.  She was asked a lot of questions.  She was very nice.  I selected 2 of her scarfs.  I asked if she could set them aside in a bag for me.  My friend had my money and I would come back and pay for them when I caught up with her.  She agreed, bagged them and set them aside.  I walked away to the corner where a few family member were standing.   Suddenly she was behind me.  I turned around and she said  "Here, I want you to have these.  Put the money towards that (pointing to my shirt) and have a  good run next weekend."  I started to refuse but was so touched.  I am not one to interfere with God blessings.  I could hardly believe it.  I called Michelle to tell her the news.  I told her to come quick with her camera so we could get our pictures taken with her.  So to you lady at the booth.  Here is to you and yours.  May God Bless you ten fold for your kindness.









  • My favorite was trying Zumba before the race started.
  • My favorite was improving on my minute per mile.
  • My favorite was having my Mom and Dad there.
  • My favorite was having the Pritchow, Saas, and Luddington Families there.


    • My favorite was meeting Tall Mom from blog world.



















Thursday, July 22, 2010

Races

I have been shopping all the triathlons and races.  This can be an expensive hobby.  So worth it.  But on a single income, next to impossible and not very reasonable.  Maybe I should find a sponsor?   Must brain storm on how to get around this.  I love jotting down idea's like this.  I want to get into every avenue there is when it comes to running.  Including how to pay for it.  My vbf pointed out that if I did a race once a month then it kind of works out to the expense of a gym membership.  Good point!  : )     But that is why I am not a member of a gym lol. ; ( I would love to have CURE JM sponser me.  I could go around doing all the races in my CURE JM outfit.  Problem though is we or they are a non-profit organization.  We are trying to make money for research, not give it away.

Must do more research.

Always Coming At You

So after my 7 miles on Tuesday, which my body was not use to lately, I was a little sore. I wanted to keep it up but the energy I needed was no where to be found.  I woke up with a headache, not feeling well overall.  So I waited it out to the end of the day to see if I felt any better.  It does not help that Mr. Three year old is learning to sleep on his own.  Yes, I know that seems a little old to be starting but giving our trauma over the past year, its explainable.  Anyway, the getting up all hours of the night because he couldn't sleep explains things as well.  Five o'clock rolled around.  I still had not run.  I found myself lake side soaking up the sun.  All geared up of course.  Shoes, shorts, ipod, ect,.  It's that little shove I look for to go.  This time it came from my daughter.

"Mom, will you put my hair up."

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Running

I went running yesterday for the first time in like 3 weeks.  Well, rephrase that.  I did a run longer than 5 miles.  I had been cross training for the triathlon so I was keeping my run miles low to work those swim and bike muscles.  It was a good run.  Seven miles.  It is always tough.  I really got to sweating.  I need to figure out what to do with this plantars factitus.  My heel is pretty sore this morning.  It won't even go down to the floor when I step.  Just need to work it out.  I didn't run on my sensor yesterday either, because surprise, I stuck it in a safe place and can't rememer where that safe place is, LOL.  Typical.   My next race I have my eye on is an Olympic Triathlon.  This consists of longer distances.  The triathlon I completed Sunday was a sprint.  Distances of 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike, 3.1 run.  An Olympic Triathlon consist of distances of .9 mile swim, 28 mile bike, and 6.2 run.  Hmmmm.  Yikes.  I will need to evaluate if I am ready for something like that.  Sure you need to push it to the limit, but never past, that is when injuries happen.  But also recognizing your body will get use to the work you put in.  Always up your goal.  Only when you are ready though.  How will I know?  Time to tackle the first long distance, the 28 mile bike.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Triathlon Done

Midnight.
As usual I am running around the house getting everything ready the night before.  

Swim Cap.
Goggles.
Bike.
Helmet. 
Ect, ect, ect.
Previously in the evening I got all my packet info out and discovered I had signed myself as a male.  It sent me into panic.  I called my mom and dad.  I had been with my parents the whole week preparing for this day.  I have to say it was fun and comforting to have them by my side.  They calmed me down.  They were concerned.  We tried calling but no one was picking up on the Sea Fair line.  So I called my competition.  (That deserves a LOL and giggle.)  She wasn't my competition, but my friend.  She got a good chuckle that I was racing with males.  I had gone over the rules that listed more than 12 reasons you can be disqualified from the race.  It was stressful.  But she put me at ease.  She said the rules are there but are geared more towards the people going for first place.
Photobucket
Top: Coming in from the first leg.
Middle:  Trying to convince the triathlon people I am in fact female.
Bottom: Crossing the finish line.






My Favorite


My favorite part was the body marking.  At the expo the night before they put my age of the back of my right calf.  My race number on the side of my left calf.  When else can you get away with drawing on yourself.  My other favorite was joking around and laughing with my Dad.  It helped my nerves and his as well.  My mom did an excellent job of capturing some really awesome shots of the event.  I was glad they were there.  Another favorite was I bought some new compression shorts that rock!  I love them.  They suck around my thighs so they don't ride up.   I also got some really great swim goggles and a new running belt with attached water bottles.  Oh yeah, all the serious gear!  : )  Gotta love anniversary presents from my sweetie!

Break It Down

Swimming
The night before I read that if the lake was below a certain temperature that they require wet suits.  If it was above, then they are not allowed.  Great, another panic blow.  Well not really but it takes away my ability to relax.  I scrambled to get hold off a wet suit.  My Dad had 2 and my VBF (very best friend) dropped one off instantly.  I was nervous because I had not tried to swim in one of those.  But at that point, it is what it is, so go.  It was pretty chilli the morning of!  I put on the shortie while racking my bike and it kept me warm just waiting.  It hurts to be cold and nervous at the same time.  My Dad advised to put the full body skin on, so I did.  I put it on over the shortie.  It may have been over kill, but I was warmer.  The bike corral was about to close.  Time to go stand at the edge of the lake.  Mom and Dad found there spot right across from at the finish line.  I was glad they did because I was able to hand off my wedding rings to my Mom at the last second.  Thank you to the race photographer for taking them and handing them over to her, we were out of reach.   The heats starting loading up into the water.  (I feel nervous just typing this LOL).  The elite mens was first.  They were amazingly fast!  We had not even started swimming and they were already getting on there bikes.  The distance of the swim seemed a lot farther then I trained for.  I had not idea what level my ability was in swimming as I had not swam with anyone else to compare. Our heat, womens 35-40, was time to get in the water.  I stepped down off the step.  The water was not as cold as I thought.  It actually felt warmer than the air.  We stood in the water for about 20 minutes behind the heats going in front of us.  (These groups of people should not be called heats, but colds, ba da bump).  I exchanged glances with the woman around me.  Each had a wet suit on.  One or two didn't.  I was glad to have my wet suit on but when it comes down to it, the moment you hit the water swimming, it matters not.  I desperately searched the crowd for my friend and her hubby.  No luck.  On my own.  I just wanted a wave.   We had a ten second countdown.  The swim began just as it was described.  Chaos, confusion, feet, arms, legs, splash, move, kicking.  I struggled to get up and going.  Next time get into the back, front or side.  Do not start in the middle.  It took a good 4 minutes before we began spreading out.  There were not weeds or milfoil has described.  When my arms would go up for a stroke, it had no where to come down.  Finally we thinned out and my arms began to burn.  I was a breathing!  I slide to the outside.  I little too far : / .  I looked up at the turn.  The buoy was too far.  Which meant I was swimming farther then I had to.  Oh well.  Go. go. go.  I was annoyed because I could here the announcer at the start announcing the other heats.  I kept think the lifeguards along the course we trying to talk to me.  I tried to block his voice out.  It left we with an unsettle feeling.  What if they are trying to tell me I am doing something wrong.   I just keep swimming.  I soon realized just need to ignore and go.  My next realization was I was getting smoked.  LOL  That answers my question about how fast I am.  I couldn't let that get me.  Next came a bigger blow.  I saw a few guys from the heat that started in front of me.  Suddenly, went under and felt I blow of an elbow and a knee.  After my stroke was interrupted and I returned to the surface, there he was.  I guy from the heat that started behind me.  Uggghhh.  I was just lapped LOL.  I was angry when I came up.  He was doing a strong back stroke.  He did not care who he hit or who was in front of him.  He just swam like he was alone.  I slapped at the water to speed up with him, just to send a little message that wasn't nice.  Butt Head.   Soon after I was coming up to shallow.  It was time to stand and run.  There were my parents, I yelled, "I was lapped!!"   My Dad said I was doing great.  They were very insistent that I stepped on the top of this hill that was at the finish line.  I looked at them strangely.  I did it.  I stepped on the little hill.  I later learned that several racers and tripped and nearly face planted on it.  Thank goodness.  You can see my Dad's finger pointing in the picture as I was coming out the water.  Swim done.  I have some work to do in this area : )

BIKE
I was excited to bike.  My Mom's friend, Rachel, enthusiastically lent me her very very nice bike for the race.  It is awesome.  I was so happy to have it.  I passed many a mountain bikers on this bike.  She flew like the wind.  It didn't make me the best but I was able to pass a few here and there.  The course was the very same course we ran the Seattle Rock n Roll Marathon on, so pleasantly, I was familiar with it.  Miles 5 and 6, I wasn't familiar with. The I-90 floating bridge.  I was stoked to be able to ride out on it.  The view was amazing.  Rough ride but amazing.  At the end of the bridge was the tunnel.  It was warm!  I was able to pick up some speed in there.  The turn around went smooth.  I was a little slow on hills because I didn't down shift properly.  It was extra work for me.  Thats ok though.  Just go.  My motto for biking is "until your thighs burst".  Now you know it would take a whole lot for that to happen so you have to work it hard.  My time for biking was expected.  I usually do 12 miles in about 45 minutes.  So 42 minutes was just fine.  I enjoyed telling people who passed me on there much faster "selfs" that I could see there butts.  Yes.  I did.  I have a immaturity about me sometimes.  Well you could.  Some peoples shorts were a little to see thru.  After the swim it just made it very see thru.  If they passed me without saying "on your left", I would say, "on my left??".  It's the rules.  If I decided I needed to catch my balance and steer into my left to regain or even gain momentum, what do you suppose happens?  Not knowing they are there, we would crash.  So not once did I pass someone without saying, "on your left" then you announce there race number written on there leg.  It was code for, "I am about to pass you, don't swing over and crash into me".    I know some of the serious people must not care but I do ;)....... I don't want to crash.  That would hurt. 

RUN
As I dismounted my bike, there they were.  My family.  Clapping and hooting and hollering.  The Saas Family, and The Luddingtons, my sisters families.  It is so good to have family. (I miss my brother but got to talk to him on the phone after the race ; ) )  Blessed through and through.  I quickly got to my stuff, racked my bike and was off.  It felt like bricks were in my body.  Evenly stacked up in each leg.  My family yelled my name.  I grabbed a water at the start threw it at my face hoping to get some in my mouth.  The run was fun.  I immediately heard a strange noise.  Highly labored breathing.  Almost asthma sounding.  Oh my goodness,    it was me!  LOL  I have never run without my ipod.  I never had actually heard myself.    I am loud!   LOL.   I began to giggle.  I apologized to the lady running beside me and said, "I didn't realize I was so loud. I always run with my ipod."   She kind of laughed but wanted to be in front of me.  Her leg said that she was 40.   She had an usual  stride.  It was a kind of run/walkie thing.  She got in front of me.  I start out slow when coming off my bike.  I knew this from training.  But as soon as the first mile is done, I am able to pick up pace.  But the Triathlon put a present in for us at mile 2.5.  A hill.   A bastard of a hill too.  Up and up and up.  It was very difficult because a majority of runners went into a walk.  Thankfully, lady with weird stride and 40 on the back of her leg, did not stop running.  So neither did I.  It was slow run, but we didn't walk.  I was very glad to see the top.  It was one of those hills that you think you are done with but the sight distance isn't available so to my unpleasant surprise it kept going up.   Finally we turned around at the top.  I enjoyed the recovery on the run down.  The hard part of this was that it now was almost over.  So recovery was short lived because it was time to turn it on.  I finally passed her.  I was going to take advantage of the down hill and try recover some time.  Now wasn't the time to back off with the finish line approaching.  A side ache kicked in but I ran thru it.  I got a little serge from hearing the crowd cheering people on at the finish line so I knew it was quickly approaching.  Time to pick it up.  There was my Dad and husband cheering me on right before the finish.  My mom and sisters were at the finish.  I ran threw as hard as I could.  You can't finish any race with breath.  Always finish with no breath. Then you know you did your best or at least gave full effort.

Sum it Up
That was fun.  It was not fun getting there.  My nerves are just so bothersome.  But when you are done, it is all worth it.   I love having my family there to celebrate with and talk about everything.  There are so many happy joy joy feelings that come with it.  A sense of accomplishment.  It brings my family together.  Not that we have trouble with that or anything.  We celebrated by going to grab breakfast at McDonalds LOL.  That hot latte never tasted so good.  We also got together for dinner that night as well.  I was a little chilled all day.  Nothing a hot shower, and a glass wine didn't take care of though.  When I am with my family like this, I often have these experiences.  I start to wonder if I died, and this is heaven.  Just a fraction of God's love encircling you like that can be wonderfully overwhelming.  It is so healthy to feel that.  I hope everyone gets to feel this love at one point or another.  It is a gift like no other.  The love of your family.












Best picture of my entire life!

Me being worried.  My Mom kept trying to take pictures with me smiling.  But every picture I look worried.



Me and my sweetie celebrating our 12th anniversary the night before.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

My first Triathlon is tomorrow

Tomorrow is my very first triathlon.  I, of course, have been on and off nervous.  We spent the day with my parents today in Seattle.  We had a blast.  Stop number one was picking up my packet for the morning.  I was so excited to have my husband and parents with me.  I left a note for my friend who is also racing tomorrow.  When they handed me my packet I took the stuff over it and glanced at the material for any questions I might have.  I shrugged off the fact that my hat was yellow.  I thought hmmm thought I was blue.  Oh well.  Skip along my merry way.  Our next stop was REI.  My husband and I were celebrating our 12th wedding anniversary so it was time for some treats.  He bought me an awesome new water belt for running.  I also picked out some most excellent running shorts!  I am so excited to race in them.  Two hours later, (a lot of things to look at in REI) and we were off to dinner at Ivars on Lake Union.    We had so much fun laughing and giggling with them.  The stress began when I got home.  I pulled all my stuff out of my bag and started reading.  I discovered why I had a yellow hat.  Dunn dunn dunnnnn.   They have me racing as a male!!  I hope this is an easy fix in the morning or I am in trouble.  Then I started going over the rules.  The have DQ's.  Being new to the triathlon world this scared the heck out of me.  A quick call to my friend though and she put me at ease.  I am anxious for 4am to come.  I am a little disappointed that ipod's are not allowed during the race.  Not even running.  Oh well.   Here goes nothing.  Until tomorrow.  Pictures are of me getting my "body marking's".   Good times!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Motivation


I have been thinking about what gets me motivated.  What keeps me motivated.  Well one key is getting registered or entering a race.  Right there your committed.  Sure, you can drop out and not train.  But a fool be you!  Motivation is plentiful.  It's tapping into it is the trick.  You must always listen to your body first and foremost.  Learn yourself.  Learn what is pain.  Learn good pain, bad pain, and no pain.  I will spare you with the no pain no gain stuff. But always listen to your body.  When I first started training in November I quickly developed Runners Knee.  I thought, "oh I am not cut out for this."   But I found out what to do to correct it and pushed through the pain.  It eventually resolved itself.   (Strength Training did the trick).  That is motivation in itself right there.  That motivated me to keep pushing.  There is motivation in everything.  Find it.  And squeeze it dry.  There is the fun motivation like music.  A new song or hearing a beat in song you didn't realize was there before that makes you pick you pace up.  Fun motivation:  New running outfit.  Go buy it so you can go run and try it.   Whatever gets you out there.  Sometimes its as simple as getting a new flavor of gatorade.  I know, I'm easily pleased.  Find motivation in the numbers game.  I track my runs with a pedometer on my ipod.  It is fun to see how the numbers add up.  Nike is the brand of my sensor.  Although I do have complaints, it presents you with levels.  A certain amount of miles and you move up levels.  I have not done that one for the past 3 weeks because of my triathlon training but as soon as this Sunday is under my belt, I am going to go back to concentrating on training for my next 1/2 marathon in October.  So whatever it takes.  Feel free to share your motivation.  I would love to hear what you use to get you on the road.  One of my favorite sayings, "Do the miles so you can say you did them."

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Tummy Flips

Not sure why my nerves are getting to me.  The Triathlon isn't until Sunday.  Maybe its because I still have a few more details to get worked out.   Like my bike.  The tires are too large.  6 days before the race, I have decided I must make alternate arrangements.  My Dad has been helping me out with it.  There is nothing like the support of Daddy.  Ahhhh bleeding hearts of the world unite, I love him!  You too Mom.  Not to discredit the Mommie. I have been swimming.  I have done the 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike, and 3 mile run three time now?  I know I can do it but its just like the Austin Marathon.  It's new.  It's not what I know, its what I don't know I think that tugs on me.  I think I need to run these nerves out.  I got so caught up in working out my bike problem, I didn't train yesterday.  That's ok though, I will put it in today full force.   Tomorrow will have to be a light day because of infusion day at the hospital.

I AM..........
I was thinking the other day that I am really looking forward to getting more races under my belt and more experience.  I am looking forward to improving my time.  I am looking forward to learning all I can to improve myself.  I am super excited to announce I am now registered to become certified as a Running Coach.  

Friday, July 2, 2010

Running Lingo


Marathoners sometimes seem to speak an entirely different language. Use this cheat sheet to decode their pre- and post-race utterings.

gel [jel] n. Runners carry and consume gels throughout the marathon to prevent hitting The Wall (see below). Usually about 100 calories, the gels provide easy-to-digest energy during the run and contain varying amounts of sugar, sodium, potassium and caffeine. They come in a variety of flavors, from fruity to chocolate, and are the consistency of melted jelly.
“I never thought I’d say this, but I’m actually craving a gel right now.”

hyponatremia [hi-po-ne-tre-me-e] n. It’s crucial to stay hydrated while running, but drinking too much water—more than a runner sweats out—decreases sodium concentration in the blood, which can cause vomiting, seizures, coma and even death. The International Marathon Medical Directors Association issued a warning in 2001 urging runners to drink only when they’re thirsty.
“I kept chugging water like I was back at a kegger. Do you think I’ll get hyponatremia?”

negative split [neg-uh-tiv split] n., v. The strategy of running the second half of a race faster than the first half. On a flat course like Chicago, this is thought to be the best strategy for PRing (see below).
“I let everyone sprint in front of me at the start line so I had enough energy to negative split the marathon.”

PR [P-R] abbr. n., v. Abbreviation for “personal record,” the fastest a runner has completed that distance. After months of training, a PR is a very big deal.
“The weather was perfect for a PR today!”

taper [tey-per] n., v. Reduction of mileage during the two to three weeks before the marathon by as much as 50–75 percent of peak training volume. This allows muscles to recover from three or more months of hard training effort.
“Dude, I was excited to taper, but now I’m bouncing off the walls.”

The Wall [thuh wahl] n. Runners can store only a limited amount of glycogen in their bodies—when it runs low, the body turns to stored fat for energy, which does not burn as readily. It pretty much sucks when this happens, and the runner will experience extreme fatigue, muscle soreness and mental fuzziness—kind of like hitting a wall (not to be confused with the Pink Floyd album). 

“My legs cramped up and I felt dizzy when I hit The Wall—but at least I didn’t throw up.”




Running Terms



10-K pace

10-K pace, when used in a workout to describe how fast to run, is simply the pace of a runner's last 10-K race.

5-K/8-K/10-K

K is for kilometers, 1,000 meters. A 5-K is equal to 3.1 miles; 8-K is 4.96 miles; 10-K is equal to 6.2 miles.

400 meters

Equivalent to a quarter mile or 1 lap around a standard track.

800 meters

Equivalent to a half-mile or 2 laps around a standard track.

aerobic

Used to refer to running or other exercise at an intensity that's sufficiently easy for your respiratory and cardiovascular systems to deliver all or most of the oxygen required by your muscles, and slow enough that lactic acid doesn't appreciably build up in your muscles. Generally, you can sustain a slow aerobic pace for long periods of time, provided you have the endurance to go long distances.

anaerobic

Used to refer to running or other exercise at an intensity that makes it impossible for your respiratory and cardiovascular systems to deliver all or most of the oxygen required by your muscles, and fast enough that lactic acid begins to build up in your muscles, thus producing a tired, heavy feeling. The pace associated with anaerobic running cannot be sustained very long.

anaerobic threshold (AT)

The transition phase between aerobic and anaerobic running. Good training will increase AT by teaching the muscles to use oxygen more efficiently, so that less lactic acid is produced. Also known as "lactate threshold."

bonk

See "hitting the wall."

chip time

Finish time, as measured by a computer chip that's usually worn on the shoe.

cool-down

Slow running or jogging done after a workout or competition to loosen muscles and rid the body of lactic acid.

CR

Course record.

cushioning (or shock absorption)

The ability of a shoe to absorb the impact of footstrike.

DNF

Did not finish.

DNS

Did not start.

DOMS

Delayed onset muscle soreness. This type of muscle soreness normally peaks about 48 hours after a particularly intense or long run.

elite runner

An athlete who has reached the highest level in his/her sport.

fartlek

Swedish for "speed play;" variable pace running; a mixture of slow running, running at a moderate pace and short, fast bursts. Fartlek training is a "creative way" to increase speed and endurance.

"hitting the wall"

The dreaded point (and awful feeling similar to what your body would feel like if you ran into a wall) during a race when your muscle glycogen stores become depleted and a feeling of fatigue engulfs you.

intervals

Training in which short, fast "repeats" or "repetitions" often 200 to 800 meters, are alternated with slow "intervals" of jogging for recovery; usually based on a rigid format such as "six times 400 meters fast [these are the repeats] with 400-meter recovery jogs [the intervals]," interval training builds speed and endurance.

junior

According to the IAAF, a junior is any athlete who is under 20 on December 31 of that year. For example, an athlete whose birthday is November 12, 1979 will be a junior in 1998 but not in 1999.

junk miles

Runs at an easy pace inserted into a program in order to reach a weekly or monthly mileage total rather than for any specific benefit. Despite the name, "junk miles" often serve as recovery from harder workouts. The value of "junk miles" is still hotly debated among training theorists.

lactic acid

A substance which forms in the muscles as a result of the incomplete breakdown of glucose. Lactic acid is associated with muscle fatigue and sore muscles.

lactate threshold

See "anaerobic threshold."

last

A shaped piece of wood or metal on which the shoe is built. The shape of the last determines the shape of the shoe. Shoes are made in three basic shapes: straight, curved and semi-curved, but all three shapes vary from company to company as each company has its own lasts.

lateral

Refers to the outer edge of a shoe.

LSD

LSD is an abbreviation for "Long, Slow Distance," which refers to the practice of running longer distances at an "easy" pace rather than shorter ones to exhaustion. The slower pace allows the runner to go longer and, therefore (supposedly), gain more fitness.

Marathon

26.2 miles; According to legend, in 490 B.C., a Greek soldier name Philippides ran the distance from the site of the battle of Marathon to Athens, where he died after the Greek victory over the Persians.

Master

An athlete 40 years of age or older is designated a "master" in the U.S. Many other countries use the term "veteran."

maximum heart rate

The highest heart-rate reached during a specified period of time.

medial

Referring to the inner side (or arch side) of a shoe.

"metric mile"

1500m, the international racing distance closest to the imperial mile.

midsole

The area of the shoe between the upper and outsole that's primarily responsible for the shoe's cushioning. Most midsoles are made of foams: either EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) or polyurethane. EVA is lighter and more flexible than polyurethane, but it also breaks down more quickly. Many midsoles also have additional cushioning elements such as air, gel and various embedded plastic units.

mile

1609 meters, 5280 feet, or 1760 yards. Note: 1600m is not a mile.

motion control

The ability of a shoe to limit overpronation.

negative splits

Running the second half of a race faster than the first half.

NR

National record.

outsole

The material, usually made of hard carbon rubber, on the bottom of most running shoes; the layer of the shoe that contacts the ground.

overpronation

The excessive inward roll of the foot before toe-off. Overpronation is believed to be the cause of many running injuries.

pick-ups

Accelerations done during a run, normally done in shorter durations than fartleks. Pick-ups are simply another way to spice up what would otherwise be an easy-run day.

plyometrics

Bounding exercises; any jumping exercise in which landing followed by a jump occurs.

post (or medial post)

Firmer density of midsole material added to the inner side of the shoe. A post is designed to reduce overpronation.

prep

In the U.S., a high school athlete. From the term "preparatory school," a school for preparing for college. Slightly different from the IAAF definition of "Junior."

pronation

Pronation begins immediately after the heel contacts the ground. It is a normal and necessary motion for walking or running. Pronation is the distinctive, inward roll of the foot as the arch collapses.

PR/PB

Personal record/personal best.

repeats

See "intervals."

ride

The ability of a shoe to provide a smooth transfer of a runner's weight from heel-strike to toe-off. Ride is a largely subjective quality, but shoe wearers know it when a shoe has or lacks a good ride.

runner's high

A feeling, usually unexpected, of exhilaration and well-being directly associated with vigorous running; apparently related to the secretion of endorphins.

running economy

Refers to how much oxygen you use when you run. When you improve your economy, you are able to run at a smaller percentage of max VO2 (your maximum rate of oxygen utilization).

splits

Refers to your times at mile markers or other pre-planned checkpoints along the way to the finish line.

stability

The ability of a shoe to resist excessive foot motion

strides

Short, fast, but controlled runs of 50 to 150 meters. Strides, which are used both in training and to warm up before a race, build speed and efficiency.

supination

The opposite of pronation. It's an outward rolling of the forefoot that naturally occurs during the stride cycle at toe-off. Oversupination occurs when the foot remains on its outside edge after heel strike instead of pronating. A true oversupinating foot underpronates or does not pronate at all, so it doesn't absorb shock well. It is a rare condition occurring in less than 1 percent of the running population.

taper

Runners usually cut back mileage (or taper) one day to three weeks (depending on race distance) before a big race. Tapering helps muscles rest so that they are ready for peak performance on race day.

target heart rate

A range of heart rate reached during aerobic training, which enables an athlete to gain maximum benefit.

tempo runs

Sustained effort training runs, usually 20 to 30 minutes in length, at 10 to 15 seconds per mile slower than 10-K race pace. Another way to gauge the pace of tempo runs: a pace about midway between short-interval training speed and your easy running pace.

threshold runs

Runs of 5 to 20 minutes at a pace just a little slower than your 10-K racing pace; Threshold pace is roughly equivalent to what exercise physiologists call "lactate threshold," or the point at which your muscles start fatiguing at a rapid rate. Running at or near lactate threshold is believed to raise your lactate threshold, which should allow you to run faster in the future.

toebox

The front portion of a shoe's upper. A wide toebox allows plenty of room for the toes to spread.

underpronator

Underpronation is less common than overpronation. The shoes of underpronators show outsole wear on the lateral (outer) side not just at the heel but all the way up to the forefoot. Typically, underpronators tend to break down the heel counters of their shoes on the lateral side.

upper

The leather or mesh material that encloses the foot.

veteran

International term similar to "master" in the U.S. According to the IAAF, men become "veterans" on their 40th birthday; women, on their 35th birthday.

VO2Max (maximal oxygen consumption)

The maximal amount of oxygen that a person can extract from the atmosphere and then transport and use in the body's tissues.

wall

See "hitting the wall."

warm-up

Five to twenty minutes of easy jogging/walking before a race or a workout. The point of a warm-up is to raise one's heart rate so the body (and its muscles) are looser before a tough workout begins.

"world best"

A recorded best time for an event in which formal world records are not kept. For instance, the fastest time at 150m, a non-standard distance, is a "world best" rather than a "world record." Similar distinctions are made for road races which do not meet certain standards, such as races with excessive amounts of downhill.

WR

World record.


Funny Running Terms




Achilles Tendinitis: the Greek God of running injuries.
Aerobic: when your pen becomes airborne.
Antioxidants: those who rally against oxygen intake.
Bandit: cheapskate, "Can you believe he ran that race without paying the registration fee?!!"
Base training: working out on the grounds of a military base; you should do most of your steady aerobic running here before you do speed or hill workouts.
Blade Runner: a runner who is as skinny as a blade of grass.
Bonk: 1, when one is lacking in fuel and feels weak is cause of this during a run. "You don't want to bonk during the race. Eat something!" 2. Where British citizens keep their money. 3. British term with the same meaning as "shag". (You may want to think twice before talking to a Brit. about your last bonk,)
Bunions: The mother and father of Paul.
Capilene: the way a runner's cap or hat naturally leans or tilts while running. "Your capliene is stylin".
Carbo load: a garbage truck full of bread and 6" pasta.
Carbo gauge: not to be confused with carbo load.
Cherry picker: a runner who hates to lose.
Clydesdale: a special racing division for really big horses; not to be confused with the Shetland division for the really little ones, CR. Course record, 2. Crappy race.
Cross training: training when you are very upset.
Didathoner: those who run marathons and ultra marathons for quantity not quality. A didathoner will tell you they did London, Boston, Big Sur and Avenue of the Giants, all within a three-week period. They may have finished each one in 10 hours but hey, they "did it."
DNF: did not finish. There are many reasons to "DNF" but not completing a race because someone you don't want to be ahead of you, is in fact, ahead of you is not one of them.
DNS: did not start. Popular low key event: DNS. DNF. DNC. (Did not start. Did not finish. Did not care) 5K. Double: completing two workouts in one day; doing a two mile warm up jog followed by a six mile tempo run doesn't count. 2. What you drink after you DNF.
Endorphins: friendly little parasites that you usually feel in the middle of a good run. 34"'The endorphins are kicking in.Expos: outlet shopping malls for runners.
Fartlek, (1): speed work after a meal of refried beans.
Fartlek, (2): When a runner increases his or her pace sufficiently enough to put adequate distance between themselves and the rest of the group so they can take a quick pottie break before the group catches up. "There goes Jim on another Fartlek!" (TMMRC)
Food and Drug Administration: pre-race ritual Involving carbohydrates, plenty of fluids, and plenty of anti-Inflammatories.
Free Balling: happens when the liner of a male's running shorts looses their elasticity; things hang loose.
Gel: something in your running shoe or your hair; both of which are supposed to make you run faster.
Glycogen stores: stores where you can get a limited supply of fuel before you have to visit the fat stores.
Good Job: thinly veiled words of encouragement during a race or serious workout that really mean,"What the heck are you doing ahead of me?"
"Gotta Love Those Hills!": For runners believing that "hill work" is "speed work" in disguise, this is the "War Hoop" that mentally convinces us that running up hills hurts less than running at top speed around a track. (Also see Dementia) (TMMRC)
Hamstring: the leash you hook to your pet pig's collar.
Harcormorner: hard core morning runner.
Hash: an event hosted by any local chapter of the International Hash House Harriers, a drinking club with a running problem.
Heart rate monitor: an annoying piece of equipment that constantly beeps, usually worn by someone who is hearing-impaired or etiquette-impaired and running the same pace as you in a race.
Illotiblal band: a musical group made up of runners, popular with Beatniks in the U.S. and U.S.. The band disbanded due to bad knees from constant bending while playing the bongos.
Injury: worse than the bubonic plague; when In need of sympathy or a little attention, tell your running friends you have an injury (use words like "ripped ilio-tibular ligament'. "Lacerated plantar', and "torn metatarsal') then go out for a run. You will earn instant respect and admiration for running through your Injury.
Logging: 1. what your nonrunning friends and coworkers say they saw you doing when you were out running the other day. 2. Only done by a runner to their memory
Kenyan of the Week: term used to describe any one of a huge and growing number of very talented runners from this African nation who win American road races.
LSD: let's slow down.
Marathoner: a person who derives great personal satisfaction from an experience very similar to breathing into a plastic bag for about forty minutes.
Masters: special division in races for those with advance degrees. MPH miles per hour.
MPD: miles per day.
Negative split: 1. Running the second half of one's race faster than the first half; common among elite runners. 2. A banana split without the whipped cream, bananas, nuts, or Ice cream.
NRF: non-running friend, "nurf".
Pace: preferred salsa of runners worldwide, hence the term. "Pick up the Pace.' The heat is on.
Pacer: 1. a running friend who sets the pace In the latter part of a long race. 2. A runner who brings chips and salsa to the workout.
Path Pounders: trail runners.
Plantar Fascitis: a Latin derivative for doing a face plant on a trail run.
Poison Oak: something one acquires, like endurance and dirty shoes, from doing trail runs.
Polypropelene: an awesome professional female runner who is very lean, and wicks away sweat, "Wow. She is so polypropelene!"
Power Bar: bar frequented by the elite in the running world.
PR a personal record, a best time at any given distance.
Pronate: 1. Podiatrists say 90% of the running population overpronates; the other 10% stagnate. 2. What the shoe guy says you have and then you have to pay an extra 5 bucks for your running shoes. PW a personal worst.
Racing Singlet: a little song or tune performed before each race.
Reverse Fartlek: The opposite of Fartlek (2). When a runner suddenly, and without warning, stops and heads into the nearby foliage, yelling out, "Reverse Fartlek!". This advises the rest of the group that the runner has determined an immediate need for a pottie break. It also alerts the group that if the runner has not caught back up with the group within an acceptable time, the group must backtrack to ensure the runner is safe. (TMMRC)
RC: 1. running club. 2, eating club where running is the only means to the end. 3. A Pepsi or Coke substitute.
Runner: something bad that happens to your pantyhose rendering them useless for the remainder of the race.
Runner's Courtesy: What a group of runners yell out when they overcome another member who has previously "fartlek'd" with insufficient speed and distance. In other words, "we've caught up with you and we promise, we're not looking!"(TMMRC)
Runner’s log: do not try to run with one of these. It will be painful and could be embarrassing, always deposit them (or bury them if you're on the trail) In the toilet before you start.
Sandbagger: when a very fast runner claims to be tired or Injured and starts out In the back of the pack by choice only to push and shove their way to the front. Punishment for this behavior: filling bags of sand until the last runner has finished, hence, the phrase. "You are nothing but a '@'^#7.'@] Sandbagger...and you ain't no running friend of mine'.
Sciatic nerve: an extremely Irritating runner. "He's got a lot of sciatic nerve!"
SDF: super duper fast. "Look at her go. She's SDF!"
Splits: when one runner divorces another runner, he or she splits.
Sprinting: what you thought you were doing during the last .2 of the marathon and the clock read 2:59:59.
Stretching: to be done only when you are first to cross the finish line tape - you are allowed to stretch your body as you break the tape, otherwise prohibited.
Supinate: what you did after a race; you had soup and ate.
Taper: to cut back one's weekly mileage, before a big race, from, say, 90 miles to 80 miles.
Tempo Run: running to the beat of your favorite song should be done at least once a week.
Triathlete: an injured or disgruntled runner who has money. A bike, and a pool ...and likes to prance around all day In a Speedo.
Ultramarathoner: a person who derives great personal satisfaction from experiences that include, but are not limited to, oxygen deprivation, motion sickness, dehydration, chafing, blistering, vomiting, cramping, heat stroke, and hypothermia...and preferably all at once.
Ultrathon: a footrace that exceeds 26.2 miles, usually on trails, that involves three methods of forward motion, usually a run, jog and walk.
Wall: as in "the wall". Something you lean against to stretch your calf muscles. Especially at the twenty-mile mark In a marathon, runners like to "hit the wall".