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Aerobic Capacity: Also called VO2max; maximum amount of oxygen that can be utilized by the body; also describes a type of training that increases the amount of oxygen that can be utilized, i.e., Aerobic Capacity Intervals
Aerobic Conditioning: Training that improves endurance
Anaerobic: Without oxygen; usually used to describe exercise of high to very high intensity

Bandit
: A runner who participates in a race without registering or paying the entry fee
Body Composition: Usually relating to the percent of the body comprised of lean tissue (bone, muscle, water, etc.) or fat tissue; 17% or less body fat is recommended for men; 24% or less body fat is recommended for women
Bonk: Another term like "hitting the wall"; a state of exhaustion when glycogen stores are depleted, blood glucose (sugar) levels are low and the only exercise that can be performed is slow running; typically occurs at around the 20 mile point in the marathon

Carbohydrate: Essential nutrient of body found in pastas, breads, fruits, vegetables; should comprise the majority of calories in a runner's diet; stored in the body as glycogen in the muscles and liver; overconsumption is converted to fat
Cool-down: Slow, easy running done after a workout to help you recover more quickly
Cross-Training: Activities such as swimming and cycling that are used to increase conditioning and injury prevention for running or as a means of adding variety to workout schedule

Dehydration: Not having enough fluids in the body
DNF: Stands for "did not finish" and describes a runner who drops out of a race

Fartlek: Swedish word for speedplay; workout includes faster running mixed with slower running; adds variety to training and can be performed in any setting
Fast Twitch: Type of muscle fiber (cells which compose the muscles) which contract rapidly and powerfully but fatigue quickly

Glucose
: Basic sugar; form of sugar into which all carbohydrates are first converted and appear in the blood

Half-marathon: 13.1 miles; 21.1K
Hash House Harriers: A social club of runners that has been described as "a drinking club with a running problem"; members, called "hashers", are given colorful nicknames and club runs are modeled after the old English game of Hares and Hounds; the runs begin when one or two runners, called "hares", set a trail that the other runners, known as "hounds", try to follow

IAAF: International Amateur Athletic Federation; world-wide organization that governs running
Intervals: Type of workout where a set distance is run repeatedly with a recovery jog between; for example 6 times 400 meters with 100 meters recovery jog
IOC: International Olympic Committee; world-wide organization which governs the Olympic Games

Joints in Motion: Fundraising program to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation through marathon training and racing
Junk Miles: Runs used to reach a weekly or monthly mileage total rather than for a specific benefit

Negative Splits: Running the second half of a race faster than the first half

PR: Personal Record or Personal Best; fastest time a runner has run for a given distance

Recovery Runs: Slow to moderate running to recover from hard workouts or races and/or maintain aerobic conditioning
RICE: An acronym for rest, ice, compression and elevation; a procedure for treating certain injuries
Runner's Knee: Knee pain usually caused by the knee cap not sliding properly during movement; may be related to muscular imbalances within the thigh muscles; can be treated with strengthening exercises for weak muscles (usually the inner thigh muscle)

Second Wind: Feeling of more energy and less effort some runners feel after 15-20 minutes of running
Stamina: Your ability to combine speed and endurance

Taper
: Reducing your mileage several days to three weeks before an important race to ensure peak performance on race day
Toebox: The front portion of a shoe. Also known as the forefoot

Wicking: The ability of a fiber to move moisture from your skin to the surface of the fabric so that it can evaporate and keep you more comfortable