The following terms have primarily been excerpted
from issues of the SWFTR Newsletter published in the early 1990's.
I intend to add items periodically, so watch for new terms.
AWARDROBE: A) Attire that lands the wearer on a top ten best/worst
dressed list B) Apparel worn by person attending a
prestigious awards presentation
BANANABALISM: The act of eating a banana skin along with
the banana
BW RACE: Notation next to race results signifying race occurred
before it got windy [Chris Campbell gets the credit for inventing
this term.]
CAFETORIUM: A cafeteria where the food is burned beyond recognition
CATEGLORY: The age-group category which includes the overall
winner
[Roger Unruh inspired this term.]
CHRONOMETEROLOGY:
The act of trying to mentally convert metric/mile split
times into the mile/metric equivalent during a run
COLDSMOBILE: Winter term for a car without a heater
DESSERT STORM: One or more harriers (runners) raiding the
sundae bar at Golden Corral after a run
DW RACE: Notation next to race results to indicate it was
windy during the race (In SW Kansas, this is the rule
rather than the exception.) [Chris Campbell also invented
this term.]
E-DDRESS: E-mail address
FIFTY-FINE M.P.H.: The speed at which you can receive a fine
for at least $50
FIVE 'TIL LATE: At the very last minute, arriving at a race
barely in time to line up at the start
FORDIC-SKIING: Similar to Nordic (cross-country) skiing in
that it can be enjoyed in flatland areas. It differs in method of
propulsion, instead of using ski poles, the skier holds on to a rope
tied to the back of a Ford pickup. Alpine (downhill) skis and
bindings are recommended to prevent skier from becoming a *snowpizza
SAFETY NOTE: Skier should not put hand/arm through
a loop in the rope. Don't ask how I know this.
GATOR-RAIN: The artificial downpour which drenches winning
coaches immediately preceding or following a big victory
GENERATION H: An age group (i.e., terrible twos) that can
have the opposite effect as "Preparation H"
H20T RACE: ("H" too 'ot) A race that's so hot, you can't
have too much water
MANGLEZINE: Subscription periodical which arrives through
the mail in a mutilated condition
(Hopefully this doesn't happen to your Running
Times )
MATHEMAGICIAN: A runner who's very adept at *chronometerology
MTVW:
Small foreign car with stereo playing loud enough to frighten
animals and annoy runners two blocks away
MULLIGAN'S ISLAND: An island in a lake or pond located on
or near a golf course
MUNCHASGRACIAS: Thanks for the _____ (fill in your favorite Mexican food).
NIKE-ROWAVE:
The wake left by Michael Johnson when running the 200
or 400 meter dash
OBSONEAT: Describes something that was once considered
obsolete, but has now become "classic", "retro", or collectible
nostalgia
ODDVERTISEMENT: Strange ad or commercial that is weird enough
to remember the ad, but forget or not even notice the
product being promoted
PACKERJACKS: Those styrofoam popcorn and peanuts used to
pack items being shipped
PAUSAPHOBIA: The dread you feel that a traffic cop may have witnessed your "California stop"
POETICIAN:
Author of political limericks
PORT-A-TREE: Nickname for facilities at the Okie Relay starting
line, a competing "brand" might be "Johnny on the stump"
[This term
was invented by John Hargrove of Del City, OK.]
POSTHUMOROUS: Describes when you think of a witty remark after
it's too late to use it
PW: Personal Worst, the opposite of PR, Personal Record
[Paul McCord of Buffalo, OK invented this term.]
RACIN'
BRAN: Dramatically effective bran food that makes you race
to answer nature's call
RETRO-WALKING: The exercise of walking backwards
SLOWFLAKES: Large, fluffy snowflakes which softly fall like
feathers
SNOW PIZZA: Past tense of skier [See "Fordic
Skiing" above to learn how this term was inspired.]
SPEND ZONE: The concession and souvenir stands at sporting
events
SPILLCHECK: Any of a number of devices which are intended
to prevent spilled beverages
SPORTRAIT: An artist's drawing of a sports personality, usually
in an action pose
STARTLEK: The practice of running fartlek in the early part
of a race
[This term was inspired by Kendall Payne.]
STUMBLEWEED:
Any weed or overgrowth that can entangle your feet just enough
to make you lose stride
SWEEP-PEAT: The act of a school's teams repeating state titles by both male and female teams in one sport, Example: Liberal High School sweep-peated for several years in the state track meet. [This term was inspired by John Madden and Coach Gary Cornelson and his teams.]
TRAFFICTION: The excuse you gave the traffic cop who gave you *pausaphobia
TRY-ATHLON:
First attempt at any multi-sport competition, i.e., biathlon,
triathlon, decathlon, etc.
VERBALIER: Person
who coins new words, such as "verbalier".
VROOMATISM: When your got up and go has got up and went
WHAT-HOLE:
An unseen pothole that is hazardous to runners
WHY-ATHLON: Nagging doubts as to why you are attempting a
multi-sport competition
WOW RACE: Notation next to race results on rare occasions
meaningrace occurred without wind [Chris Campbell was on a roll.]