A running vocabulary to become an armchair fan
Every sport has their own regular sayings and catchphrases amongst pundits and fans alike. In rugby for instance you won’t be long in hearing about being “first to the breakdown” or “breaking the gain line” and in soccer you will hear about the “hospital pass” and “holding a high line.”
Knowing these turns of phrase are important for the regular armchair and pub going fan. In athletics there are plenty of sayings which will help you bluff your way through an athletics meet or a conversation with the running aficionados. Below is a list to get you going. What are your favourites?
What were the splits? = what were the intermediate 200m, 400m etc times
That was some kick = a fast finish
He/She has great turnover = good leg speed
Great engine/Aerobic animal = good endurance
Anaerobic beast = good power and speed – great over short distances
Plodder/joggers journal = a jogger/slow
You don’t put a Ferrari in a muddy field = a saying that you don’t put an 800m/1500m thoroughbred in cross country
Oxygen debt = means they have gone off too fast and are now sucking for any fresh air available
Do you do much threshold or tempo training = a common session distance runners discuss
The wheels came off = fell apart after a certain distance into the race – dramatic slow down in pace
burnt out = have overtrained or looking for excuses for poor performances
Are your bloods ok = another excuse for why you are running badly
You’re looking lean = you look in good shape
sit, kick and fade = hanging on to a fast pace but unable to kick
Beautiful stride = nice looking runner
economical/efficient athlete = using just enough effort for the task required
On the juice/smarties/juiced/on the gear = on drugs
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