This list contains a number of well-known terms about running found in magazines, books and training information and also used by runners. Terms have been taken from “Jogging with Lydiard, Run For Your Life” (Meyer and Meyer Sport Publications, 2002).
Aerobic Running: More than jogging. The speed should be just below your maximum steady state, the pace at which you can most comfortably run without exhausting yourself and creating an undesirable oxygen debt. Good for stamina training.
Anaerobic Running: Beyond your maximum steady state; creates an oxygen debt.
Fartlek: This is Swedish for speed play and involves running at varying intensities. This may include aerobic and anaerobic running.
Time Trials: Time trials are conducted at a specific pace for the distance you are training for (e.g. 10k, marathon). Run at close to the race pace you intend to achieve.
Repetitions: They are used to develop your anaerobic capacity by varying the number of repetitions performed and the intervals between repetitions.
Wind Sprints: A series of sprints interspersed with floats (jogs) to develop your recovery rate.
Hill Springing: Important in developing flexible, supple, powerful muscles and tendons. For hill springing you spring up a fairly steep hill, driving off the toes and lifting the body as high as possible, landing on the toes and driving upwards again. Your forward progress up the hill is minimal. Concentration is on full leg extension and lifting your body against gravity.
Steep Hill or Steps: Also important for flexibility. This type of running involves equally full flexion at the ankles at each step with high knee lift. Ideally at the top of the steps or hill you need a flat spot for recovery. This is a very strenuous session and should be followed by a slow jog.
Leg Speed: Run up to the recommended distance entirely concentrating on moving your legs as quickly as possible. Go for high knees with hips well forward and don’t worry about stride length.