Glossary

I like words. I like alphabetizing. Put the two together, and it adds up to a MeganRunning glossary.

Aqua Jogging: A form of cross training and/or a fate worse than death, depending on how whiny I’m feeling and why I’m in the pool instead of on the road. 

AT: Aerobic Threshold. A great workout  that explores a different kind of pain…a slow building of lactic acid rather as opposed to the quickness of an interval workout.

Bonk: Also known as “hitting the wall” or “meeting the bear,” that uncomfortable feeling when the fuel stores run out and you can no longer run the pace you have been…or, possibly, at all. 

Buns: Also known as hip huggers, spankies, or running briefs, depending on the part of the country you’re from. These are the spandex bikini bottoms so often worn by collegiate and professional distance runners in races. 

DDR: Dance Dance Revolution, a video game for the Xbox or Playstation. Also known as Megan’s favorite form of “cross training.” 

Fartlek: “Speedplay.” A type of interval workout composed of alternating sessions of “faster” and “slower” running.

GTC: Greenville Track Club (for any readers not from the area). 

Lil’ Brudder: One of the nicknames for my younger brother, which came from a Strong Bad email. 

Marathon Expert (ME): The third member of my runnin’ chick trio. Unlike Running Buddy and Megarunr, Marathon Expert has completed not one but TWO marathons before. She can talk the talk because she’s walked (run) the walk (marathon).

Nanobot: The name of the green ipod nano that accompanies me on most solo runs in dry weather.

Nike Plus (Nike+): Bestest buddy of the ipod nano, the Nike Plus system consists of a sensor and a receiver that records distance, pace, and calories burned.

PCPR: Post-Collegiate Personal Record. A possibly Megan-coined term to differentiate between “fast, crazy runner chick” college Megan and “hey, I have a life now” civilian Megan.

PR: Personal Record, or the fastest time a runner has finished a certain distance. Every runner—regardless of age or ability level—can track their PRs and seek to lower them at races. 

Rails-to-Trails: An initiative to convert unused railways into multi-use fitness trails. 

Rerunner: Someone who has run in the past but taken such a long break from the sport (1 year…2…10?) that the prospect of running again is basically like starting from scratch.

Running Buddy (RB): The nickname for the friend (and blog co-author) who trains with me several times a week.

Running Coma: That post-long run or post-race feeling of lethargy that strikes at random (and sometimes inopportune) times. Urge to nap rising…rising…zzzzzzzz…

Squishy Trail: My nickname for the finished portion of the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a rail-to-trail conversion effort in Greenville, SC. The Swamp Rabbit features two lanes of paved surface (for bikers) and one lane of rubberized track surface (for runners). The rubber side has a lot of give, hence “squishy trail.” 

Super Fans: Those crazy, wonderful, gotta have ‘em people who show up to watch us run. 

Tee: Usually short for “t-shirt,” although I also golf on occasion so the intended definition may someday apply.