Terminology

30 documented terms: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | M | P | T | V | W

A

ATL - Acute Training Load
A short-term metric based off a combination of frequency, duration and intensity of the workouts performed during the last week of training. It indicates the level of fatigue.   More Info
AT - Aerobic Threshold
The effort level you can sustain for hours while breathing easily, just before lactate levels rise. It builds endurance.
ATG - Ass to Grass
The squat movement of lowering the body until the glutes almost touch the ground. It requires a significant amount of mobility, flexibility and balance, particularly in the hips, ankles, and knees. Also known as **ATG Split Squat**.

B

BMR - Basal Metabolic Rate
The minimal number of calories your body needs to function at a basic level. This includes maintaining all your cells and essential bodily functions, like breathing, blood circulation and body temperature. BMR varies from person to person based on several factors.   More Info
BQ - Boston Qualifier
A badge granted to a race that fulfills the requirements to qualify runners to run the prestigious Boston Marathon.   More Info

C

CPR - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
An emergency life-saving procedure performed when a person's breathing or heartbeat has stopped. It combines chest compressions and rescue breaths to manually pump oxygenated blood to the brain and vital organs until medical professionals take over.   More Info
CTL - Chronic Training Load
A weighted, rolling average of your daily Training Stress Score (TSS) over a 42-day (6-week) period. A high CTL indicates you have sustained a heavy, adaptable training workload, while a low CTL means you have lower fitness or are detrained   More Info
CoT - Cut-off Time
The maximum allotted time a participant has to complete a race or reach a specific checkpoint. Arriving after this time results in disqualification and removal from the course, often enforced due to public road reopening schedules or event logistics.

D

DFL - Dead Fucking Last
A badge of honor among runners. It refers to finishing a race in the absolute last place, outlasting the cutoffs, and proving your endurance.
DNF - Did Not Finish
When a runner starts the race, but does not finish.
DNS - Did Not Start
When a runner signs up for a race but doesn't start.
DQ - Disqualified
When a runner gains a competitive advantage by not following the rules of the race.
Drafting
When a runner uses another runner as a barrier to wind and weather to maintain their pace.

E

EPOC - Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption
The extra oxygen your body needs to recover, repair, and return to its normal resting state after stenuous exercise. With the extra oxygen, your body continues to burn calories at a sligtly elevated rate to hours after a workout is finished.   More Info

F

FKT - Fastest Known Time
The fastest known time to complete a particular course.   More Info
Form
The quality of a runner’s overall posture and gait while running. Good form is associated with fewer injuries and better performance.

G

GTX - GORE-TEXTM
Waterproof technology that helps your feet to stay dry and comfortable in wet conditions. Shoes branded with GTX are great for rainy runs or puddle-filled trails.   More Info
GOAT - Greatest Of All Time
The denomination of an athlete who won more competitions than any other athletes in the past.   More Info
GTS - GuideRailsTM Technology System
Two pieces of firmer foam placed on either side of the heel, creating a support system that helps keep excess movement in check. Shoes branded with GTS are support shoes.   More Info

H

HR - Heart Rate
The number of times a heart beats during one minute. It varies according to the intensity of an activity.
HRM - Heart Rate Monitor
A device equipped with a sensor capable of detecting heartbeats.
HRV - Heart Rate Variability
The variation in time intervals between heartbeats. Measured in milliseconds. It reflects autonomic nervous system balance and provides insights into overal health and stress levels.   More Info
HIIT - High-Intensity Interval Training
Workout that alternates between short bursts of intense exercise and brief periods of recovery.   More Info

M

MP - Moderate Pace
Pushing the workout effort to a level where your heart rate is high and you are sweating, yet you still feel like you can keep going for longer.

P

PB - Personal Best
The fastest time of a runner in a particular distance or event.
PR - Personal Record
The fastest time of a runner in a particular distance or event.

T

TT - Time Trial
A race that is organized in such a way that participants start at regular intervals and are ranked according to the time taken by each to reach the finish line.   More Info
TSB - Training Stress Balance
The balance between CTL (Chronic Training Load) and ATL (Acute Training Load) as an attempt to balance how fit you are over the long term with how fatigued you are from recent workouts.   More Info

V

VO2 Max - Maximum Oxygen Uptake
The maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during exercise. By improving your VO2 Max, you can increase your aerobic capacity, and boost your endurance.

W

WOD - Workout Of the Day
Term used in crossfit to label the workout of the day