Welcome to the world of running—a place where people follow weird rituals and speak in coded language. To outsiders, we probably sound like a cult. We have a unique lingo, full of technical terms and quirky expressions.
So, let’s decode 8 classic runner phrases that only we truly “get” (and maybe secretly love to use in front of non-runners just to confuse them).
1. “I’m carb-loading for tomorrow.”
Ah, the glorious ritual of carb-loading. To an outsider, this might seem like an excuse to eat pasta for dinner. Well, sometimes, it is. But for runners, it’s far more than that.
Carb-loading is a sacred, almost spiritual practice before a big race, especially when it’s a marathon or half. We strategically consume all the pasta fueling up for the battle ahead.
The science behind it? Simple: our bodies store carbs in muscles as glycogen, which gets used up during long runs. So, before race day, we top off the tank, knowing it’ll carry us through those long miles.
2. “I’m deep in the taper and losing my mind.”
Tapering, the runner’s version of the calm before the storm, is both a necessary and maddening part of the training cycle. It’s when you reduce mileage before a race, giving your body time to recover and repair.
Sounds great, right? But for a runner, this can be pure torture.
Why? Because suddenly, you’re not running enough. And that’s when the anxiety sets in. “Is my fitness slipping away?” “What if I’ve lost all my speed?” Every little niggle, from a slight ache in the knee to a stiff calf, feels like a career-ending injury. It’s Taper Madness, where less mileage = more anxiety.
It’s the ultimate paradox. Your body is ready, but your mind is in full panic mode.
3. “That hill was brutal—I loved it.”
Okay, let’s be real: hills suck. At least when you’re facing them. But here’s the kicker—when you conquer them, something shifts. You feel like a badass. You just took on a beast, and no matter how tough it was, you secretly loved every moment of the suffering.
Runners have this masochistic pride when it comes to hills. You dread them at first, but by the end of the run, you can’t help but grin. That steep incline? That’s elevation training. The fatigue? That’s what makes us stronger.
Hills are a love-hate relationship that only runners truly understand. They push you to the limit, but they make you a better, stronger runner.
4. “These Yassos killed me.”
If you’ve never heard of Yassos, welcome to the club. Bart Yasso, the legendary runner, designed a workout consisting of 800-meter repeats. The idea is simple: you run 800m at your goal marathon pace, followed by 400m of rest, and repeat.
It sounds simple enough, right? Wrong. Those 800m repeats, aka “Yassos,” will have you gasping for air and questioning your life choices after just a few rounds.
They’re grueling, brutal, and yet—every time a runner sees them in a training plan, we do it. Why? Because they’ve got this magical, twisted logic: “If I survive Yassos, I can survive anything.” They’re the ultimate test of mental toughness.
5. “I bonked hard at mile 20.”
Ah yes, bonking—the runner’s version of hitting rock bottom. It happens during long races, usually when you’ve depleted your glycogen stores and your body is basically saying, “I’m done.” Mile 20 of a marathon is notorious for this, which is why runners often refer to it as “the wall.”
Related: At What Mile Do Most Runners Quit a Marathon?
Bonking is when your legs turn to jelly, your brain goes foggy, and every step feels like you’re dragging a 100-pound weight.
But here’s the catch: every runner who has bonked also knows that it’s a badge of honor. You’ve been there, you’ve survived it (maybe with some help from gels and electrolytes), and you’ve earned your story.
Almost every marathoner has a “bonk story,” and trust us, it’s never forgotten.
6. “Negative splits, baby!”
To a non-runner, this phrase might sound bizarre, but for runners, it’s the holy grail of pacing. Negative splits mean running the second half of a race faster than the first half, which takes impeccable pacing and control.
When you’re running a race, it’s easy to get carried away in the excitement and start too fast. But when you’ve nailed your pacing, and you finish strong, that feeling of running negative splits is like achieving perfection. It’s the sign of a seasoned runner, someone who’s mastered the art of controlled effort.
Related: The #1 Rule for Finishing a Race Strong
7. “I PR’d but I’m still kinda bummed.”
Another runner’s paradox: you set a new personal record (PR), but… it’s not enough. Maybe you were aiming for a certain time, and even though you nailed it, there’s that lingering sense of “could have been better.”
This is the mindset of competitive runners—we’re never fully satisfied. There’s always another race, another goal to hit, another improvement to make.
It’s this constant drive for perfection that fuels us. And yes, even after crushing a PR, we still find a way to critique ourselves. It’s the curse and blessing of a runner.
8. “That race was awful. I can’t wait to sign up again.”
Runner’s amnesia is real, folks. We’ve all been there. The race where everything went wrong—whether it was a gear malfunction, a cramp at mile 10, or a puke-fest at the finish line.
Yet, somehow, after a little rest and recovery, we find ourselves signing up for the next one. Because despite it all, the thrill of the race and the community keep calling us back.
There’s something about the energy of a race, the challenge, the unpredictability. No matter how much we suffer during the event, there’s always that sense of “I’ll do better next time.”
Because deep down, we know: the pain fades, but the pride of finishing? That lasts forever.
Related: What Happens to Your Body During and After a Marathon?
Bottom line
Running has a shared language, a unique bond that connects us all. And if you’ve ever felt the frustration of tapering or the joy of conquering a hill, you know that deep down, these weird runner sayings are part of what makes the sport so deeply addictive. We don’t just run the miles—we live them. And, well, sometimes we also sign up for the same race again.
So next time you catch yourself saying one of these runner phrases, just smile and remember: you’re not alone. You’re in good company. And hey, negative splits, baby!
