The Running Dictionary: Part II

The Running Dictionary covers the basics of the running world. It gives someone maybe unfamiliar with the running world lingo a base to build off of. It's the perfect warmup---just like we all do before our runs....Right????

This dictionary is by no means going toe to toe with Webster but will dive a smidge more into some of the more technical portions of our little slice of the world.

• FKT: Fastest Known Time---VERY popular on apps like Strava. It’s the Fastest Known Time that someone has ran at a specific place. Even though you can also have fun with this and

• Tempo: A run where you will exert yourself about to about 80-85% HR or in simple terms a pace that should be hard and challenging but not a full out gut busting pace.

• Fartlek: In Swedish, this means speed play. Basically, you run fast, then slow, fast, then slow. It’s a legal form of running torture you will come to love

• Strides: Surges that can be thrown into your warmup, run or even at the end of the run. I tend to always like them at the end so that way I surge on more fatigued legs. You could also throw them in before you’re speed work to give an extra little oomph.

• Pronation: When your foot rolls inward when you step, walk, run, etc.

• Supination: When your foot rolls outward when you step, walk, run, etc.

• Repeats: Multiple reps of the same workout. IE: 4x1 mile at X pace

• Speedwork: Workouts consisting of faster running to help you reach faster times. Can vary between workouts but the common denominator is faster paces mixed into different types of workouts (Fartlek, tempo, repeats, etc)

• Brick Work/Workout: Mostly used during triathlon training and it's when you do two separate workouts back to back. IE: Biking and then later running or vice versa

• Cadence: The number of steps you take per minute of running. . Speedwork is crucial though to improving your cadence. A faster cadence is beneficial because it helps make it easier for your feet to land underneath you which leads to less fatigue, less wear and tear on your joint.

• Static Stretching: When you hold positions (usually between 10-60 secs)such as calf stretch, lunges, and shoulder stretches.

• Dynamic Stretches: Doing active movements such as jumping jacks, mountain climbers and leg swings.

What other terms leave you scratching your head? Comment below or email me at info@runningandschmidt.com