(As reprinted from the Philippine Star website)
So you’re into this running thing now. Actually, who isn’t? From your usually crabby boss down to the stoic guy from IT who never talks, the common denominator is that their faces would light up at the mere mention of a “run”.
And as you’re starting to get yourself acquainted with this new and exciting lifestyle, there will surely be times where you will be completely lost in this jargon and etiquette-intensive sport. Let me share with you a couple of simple tips for starters.
Before running.... you never really talked.
I Ran a 5k Marathon!
Okay, so you got excited. You just finished your first 5k race, and your adrenalin levels are at an all-time high. Next thing you know, you’re telling all your friends that you “just ran a 5k marathon”. While it may be a matter of pure semantics, “5k” and “marathon” do not belong in the same sentence, and may earn you a puzzled look or two from a seasoned runner. A marathon in the strictest sense is
Hey Mom, these 5k marathons are fun!
Got PR?
Once you start running, you’ll hear a lot of it. In fact, you probably already have. A common one is the PR. Not Public Relations. Stands for your personal record, or your best time at a given distance. Note to self : It’s considered proper to NOT talk about this unless brought up beforehand, you may come off as boorish and arrogant.
Take it from Haile - better to keep your fancy times a secret unless asked
Singlets Galore
Singlet? What singlet? Well, it definitely has nothing to do with singing. In common running parlance it actually refers to your running “jersey” if you may call it that. All singlets are not created equal, mind you. Some are destined for the bottom shelf, while others are simply outstanding, like the one for the upcoming Adidas King of the Road race. The singlet alone will make it well worth the price of registration, just ask anyone in the running community.
I likeyy.....
The beauty of being a newbie is that the moment is but fleeting - sooner or later you’ll be giving the same advice to the new kids on the block. As for now, allow us to bust your chops, and good luck with that 5k marathon!
Editor’s Note: Commonly known in running circles as Gingerbreadman, Luis Arcangel is one of the site moderators for Takbo.ph , the biggest running community in the country. His blog “The Gingerbread Report”, found at www.gingerbreadrunning.com., was recently nominated for the 2009 Philippine Blog Awards.
Interesting! I love this. I can so relate hehe.
dapat pala 5k fun run, hindi 5k marathon :D
-tin
Haha Shel, I think I went through the whole "5k marathon" thing as well before haha.
Tama Tin, pwedeng fun run, although not a few runners consider the 5k their bread and butter :)
i dont know if im gonna be disappointed or more inspired to increase my distance (since im only running 5k now) but one thing's for sure... i am gonna continue to run, until i bested myself. (even if it takes, um, forever?)
- kats :)
This is great for newbie's like me.. ha ha .. dapat something like this was publish when I started running... he he he
Nice seeing you at the Aid Station!
Eric A
(runningbeyondair)
haha, sobrang relate..had that major blooper of calling a 5k a marathon..buti na lang i was educated early before i do some real damage on myself...*blush*
aleth ;-)
hmmm... lecture professor arcangel? =)
Hahaha nice one Kats :) You're well on your way, no worries :P
Hehe let's do more on it Ric :) Maybe with upcoming entries :) Nice seeing you and Emilee yesterday man, hope you had a great race!
Aww Leth. :)Aren't you glad you ran into Takbo.ph? :P Hehehe.
Oooops sorry Jet wasn't able to get out of workmode quick enough hahahahaa .
Wow big time! Nasa Philstar ka na pala ah! Nice! Goodluck pala sa training mo later bro!
Hehe thanks CJ :) Ano, sama ka later long run? :)
There is also PB (personal best).
Parang gusto ko nga eh! Sige bro SMS kita pag makahabol ako!
Yes Atty Jon! I noticed however that the PB is a term more oftentimes used in the United States, it is almost never used here :) Thank you for dropping by :)
Haha sige bro text me na lang :)
5k marathon? = 5,000 marathons yun in one run?! astig! kahit ata tarahumara indians di kaya yun?! LOL!
Hahahahaha nice one Nald :P lolzzz :) Medjo mahirap nga yun!
ei! im an IT guy who doesn't look like the one in the pic.
And I talk.
Stoic? Maybe. wehehehe
I was also a victim of this... what's funnier is that the person who educate me is not a runner! That was a long time ago.. naks!
Hahaha Rod, you are the hottest IT guy daw this side of TAkbo.ph . Exception to the rule? Haha.
5k marathoner Argow? Haha. Well as I said, the newbie phase is but fleeting, expert ka na ngayon! LOl.
interesting...
Thanks Robert glad you see it that way :)