A sudden, overwhelming fatigue when your body runs out of easily accessible energy. Also called "hitting the wall." Feels like trying to run through mud. Caused by depleted glycogen stores, prevented by proper fueling and pacing.
Example: "I totally bonked at mile 20 - should have taken those gels!"
A casual, easy-paced run with your dog. Usually includes frequent stops for sniffing, bathroom breaks, and greeting other dogs. More about enjoying time with your pet than serious training. Very popular among running dog owners.
Example: "Today was just a dog jog - we stopped at every tree and still had a great time."
Running very fast on downhills, perhaps recklessly. While descents allow faster pace with less effort, hammering too hard beats up your quads and risks injury. Trail runners learn to balance speed with control.
Example: "He hammered the downhill and got a 15-second lead, but paid for it on the next climb."
Same as bonking - the point in a marathon (typically mile 18-22) where glycogen depletion causes severe fatigue. Runners describe it as "running into a brick wall." Your pace dramatically slows and every step feels impossible.
Example: "Hit the wall at mile 20 and my 8-minute pace became 11-minute death march."
The mental state during intense suffering in a hard run or race - tunnel vision, complete focus, determination despite pain. You're "in the pain cave" when everything hurts but you keep pushing. Often described as a dark, solitary mental space.
Example: "Miles 22-24 were deep in the pain cave, but I came out the other side."
The emotional ups and downs during a long run or race. Feeling strong one mile, terrible the next, then great again. Part of the marathon experience - learning to ride the waves without panicking during low points.
Example: "Ultramarathons are a rollercoaster - at mile 30 I wanted to quit, by 35 I felt amazing again."
A runner with significant social media following who partners with brands for income. While some provide genuine value and inspiration, others prioritize aesthetics over authenticity. The running equivalent of influencer.
Example: That runfluencer posts beautiful trail photos but seems to spend more time posing than running.
Trail or terrain that isn't too technical or steep to actually run (as opposed to hiking). What's runnable varies by skill - beginners walk what advanced runners cruise. In ultras, "runnable" sections let you bank time.
Example: "The first 10 miles are totally runnable, then it gets steep and rocky."
The slow, low-to-ground gait ultra runners adopt when too fatigued to lift their feet properly. Feet barely leave the ground, almost scuffing. More efficient than walking when you're that tired. The"ultra shuffle" is a badge of extreme endurance.
Example: "By mile 80 I was doing the ultra shuffle, but still moving forward."
Irritability, anxiety, and restlessness during the taper period before a race. Reduced training volume leaves you with excess energy and racing thoughts. Common symptoms: doubting your training, phantom pains, checking weather obsessively.
Example: "During taper week I convinced myself I was injured, out of shape, and the race would be a disaster - classic taper tantrum."
Taking a short nap during a long ultra, usually on the ground or against a tree. Some runners find 10-20 minute naps restore energy better than pushing through extreme fatigue. Common in 100-milers.
Example: "I took a 15-minute trail nap at mile 70 and woke up feeling like a new person."
Any food eaten during long trail runs, typically high in sugar and carbs. Includes gels, bars, gummies, but also real food like cookies, sandwiches, or chips. What sounds good at mile 5 often sounds terrible by mile 50.
Example: "My trail snacks: gels for the first 30 miles, then I switch to real food like quesadillas."
Short for vertical gain/elevation gain. Used by trail runners to describe how much climbing a route has. "Big vert" means lots of elevation. Races often advertise both distance and vert to show difficulty.
Example: "That 50K has 10,000 feet of vert - it's going to be brutal!"