It was very interesting to read the article by Perri Klass, “HERS”. Being a healthcare working this is exactly what I deal with on a day to day basis. Learning medical terminology, abbreviations, acronyms, and any other jargon that maybe made up as you go along in your work community is key for survival and communal communication. Wearing many hats and also working for the federal government this is also true. There are many different languages that exist in the many communities that we belong to.

One of the other communities that I belong to is the running community. This community has a life of its own. I started walking in 2013 as a means of way to lose weight and a competitive challenge with others in the work place. My walking then turned into walk/run and soon after running. I had no idea what I was getting myself into or didn’t even know that something was evolving at the time. Now here I am going into my 9th year of running. In these past 9 years I have learned a completely new language. There are so many terms and acronyms that I’ve learned along the way of my trials and tribulations of running. And by the way, whoever said running is a “cheap” sport, they lied. It’s not. It has certainly changed me, and taught me so much about myself. Running has introduced me to a universal community that I can go anywhere and almost like mathematics we can almost speak the same language.

After a few years I got with a run club that put me in touch with so many people from around the globe. I will list and make mention of some of the abbreviations and jargon that we use. But one that is of interest is, “FLAT ME”. Like what on earth is “flat me” I use to ask myself. I almost dared not to ask what that meant. But you almost always have to ask. Everyone is always so welcome to answer and explain what that is or any terminology for that matter. Now that I am a more experienced runner, I will see new runners post and ask the same question(s) I did at one time. I often laugh and smile to myself, reminiscing when I was there too. So, you are asking yourself,”tell me what FLAT ME means already”. When a runner post along with a photo saying,”FLAT ME READY”. This usually is indicating that they are ready for their race, they have their “bib” (another term – which is their race number), and in their photo they are showing a picture of all their race “gear” flat presented on the floor. Almost like a crime scene evidence without a body.

“Like any other group united by a common purpose, runners have created their own language to talk about what they do”. Whether you are slow/fast no matter your ability you are a runner. Here are some other terms runners use, DNS = did not start, DNF = did not finish, FOMO = fear of missing out (usually a race), PR = performance race, bandit = someone who cheats on races, pace group, bonk, hill repeats, hit the wall, corral, BQ = Boston qualifier. The list is endless. Each word and has great meaning and value to the running community. I love the new world I was introduced to by accident.