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Like in most sports, runners have a habit of speaking in jargon.

“Wow, I had a great tempo run today. My VO2 max looked great!” “Really? That’s amazing. Hopefully I’ll be able to reach that level after my plantar fasciitis and ITBS get better.”

For most people, little of that makes sense.

With running, it’s important to constantly get up to speed on the latest vocabulary. If you’re trying to get better or impress some friends, here are 10 words or phrases to know:

Long run

The long run is one of many different runs that are essential to a training plan, regardless of whether the goal is a half-marathon or 100-mile ultramarathon. 

Put simply, a long run is your longest run of the week that is done at a pace deliberately slower than your fastest. Depending on one’s desired time or race, the distance and pace of long runs will vary. 

Not only does it provide runners with a plethora of physiological benefits, long runs also train the body to rely more on fat as a source of fuel, according to Runner’s World.

For many, weekends are the optimal time to do a long run. Runner’s World stated that experts believe that between 20 and 30 percent of a runner’s weekly miles should be done in the weekly long run.

Tempo run 

A tempo run is a shorter distance run that is about 25 to 30 seconds per mile slower than one’s 5K pace, according to Runner’s World.

Like a long run, the tempo run is crucial to a training plan and is done at a faster pace than one’s long run or marathon pace. 

VO2 max

Think of one’s VO2 max as the maximum amount of oxygen they can use during a strenuous workout. 

“This measurement is generally considered the best indicator of cardiovascular fitness and aerobic endurance,” according to the University of Virginia. 

Runners often use the statistic to measure strength. 

Plantar fasciitis

A common and painful running injury, plantar fasciitis is when the band of tissue running along the bottom of one’s foot becomes inflamed, according to the Mayo Clinic. 

If it’s not addressed, plantar fasciitis can become a nagging issue. Risk factors include age, foot mechanics, obesity and jobs that keep one on their feet.

Treatment can include over-the-counter pain relievers, stretching and strengthening exercises, the Mayo Clinic said. 

Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS)

A running injury with a difficult pronunciation, iliotibial band syndrome is another common running injury that could be felt from the hip to the knee. 

Put simply, the IT band is a large piece of tissue that runs along one’s thigh, according to Runner’s World. 

When the band becomes inflamed, it can cause more nagging pain that won’t disappear overnight.

As with plantar fasciitis, it’s important to devise a recovery plan that doesn’t put additional strain on the tissue. 

Bonking or ‘hitting the wall’

It happens to every runner at some point.

Bonking, otherwise known as “hitting the wall,” refers to the moment when a runner depletes their stored glycogen. Essentially, it means they’ve run out of gas. 

There are remedies for bonking, with most of them relating to diet and nutrition.  

GU or goo

GU is an energy gel used by runners while exercising. 

Ingested at least once an hour, a GU delivers energy and nutrients to keep a runner going. Essentially, it’s a semi-sweet syrupy gel that provides easily digestible carbohydrates that won’t hurt your stomach. 

Boston Marathon training

If you hear that someone is running Boston, you should immediately know that you are next to someone who is a very fast runner for their age. 

The Boston Marathon is one of the prestigious races in the United States. For most to run it, however, they must qualify by running another marathon at a fast pace.

For example, a woman between the ages of 18 and 34 must run a marathon in three hours and 28 minutes or faster in order to potentially make it to the 2020 race.

The same concept goes for men too, who must run even faster. 

Ultramarathon 

These are races with distances that are greater than one marathon or 26.2 miles. A 50-kilometer race is typically the shortest ultramarathon.

Since these races can be of any distance, race directors have created everything from the Badwater 135 to the Moab 240. 

Badwater

It’s the shortened name of the world’s toughest road race. In the middle of July, the world’s most elite athletes converge at Death Valley’s Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, and embark on a 135-mile journey to Whitney Portal. 

What’s not to enjoy?

Resolution: New Year’s resolution to run? Here’s how to hit the ground (ahem) running

Shingles: Did my obsession with running cause me to get shingles?

Running gear: 5 essential pieces of gear for first-time runners

Shane Newell covers breaking news and the western Coachella Valley cities of Palm Springs, Cathedral City and Desert Hot Springs. He can be reached at Shane.Newell@DesertSun.com, (760) 778-4649 or on Twitter at @journoshane.

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