Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Runner's Cheat Sheet #2: Racing Terms

Just like most everything these days, the world of running and particularly racing is full of unfamiliar words and acronyms to the new runner as well as the experienced. Below is the second in a series of Runner's Cheat Sheets that I'll be providing. Hope it helps!
5K—race with a distance of 5 kilometers (3.1 miles)
10K—race with a distance of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles)
15K—race with a distance of 15 kilometers (9.3 miles)
20K—race with a distance of 20 kilometers (12.4 miles)
Bandit—a person who runs a race without paying the registration fee
BQ—a Boston qualifying time or a race that's a Boston qualifier
Carb-loading—eating a high-carbohydrate diet (60%-70% of the total calories) at least three days prior to a race to fill the glycogen stores
Chip time—finish time that's recorded by a computer chip typically worn on the shoe or around the ankle. Tracks each runner's time from when they cross the start line and finish line.
CR—course record
DNF—did not finish
DNS—did not start
Elite runner—a person who has reached the highest level in his sport
Gun time—finish time that begins when the start gun sounds until the runner crosses the finish line
Half-Marathon—race with a distance of 13.1 miles
Hitting the wall or bonk—a time during a race when your glycogen stores become depleted and fatigue overwhelms you. Typically happens around mile 20 in a marathon.
Marathon—race with a distance of 26.2 miles
Master—a runner 40-years-old or older is classified as a Master in the US. In other countries term used is Veteran
Negative splits—running the second half of a race faster than the first
NR—national record
Pace—the measure of speed of running; usually thought of as the number of minutes it takes to run a mile during a race
PB—personal best
PR—personal record
Road Race—running contest that takes place over streets
Taper—reducing your mileage several days to a few weeks prior to a race
Ultra—any race longer than a traditional marathon which is 26.2 miles
USA Track & Field—the national governing body for running in the US
WR—world record

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