Olympics – an international sports competition including track and field events which takes place every four years

Orthotics – cushioning inserts designed to adjust foot problems

Outsole --  the bottom layer of the tennis shoe, usually constructed from heavy-duty rubber for durability and etched with a tread pattern for better traction
Overpronation – See “Supination”  

Overtraining – a problem that results from working out too often or too intensely, can cause injury, fatigue, or burn out

Oxygen Debt – a condition in which the body’s demand for energy exceeds the amount provided by the incoming oxygen, leading to heavy breathing

Pace – the rate of speed at which a runner moves, usually given in relation to the amount of time needed to run a  mile at the current speed

Piriformis Syndrome – a soreness in the buttocks caused by the piriformis muscle compressing or irritating the sciatic nerve near the lower spine, can be caused by an anatomical variation in nerve configuration, or by overuse of the muscle

Plantar Fasciitis – foot condition with multiple causes, including over exertion without supportive cushioning, resulting from microscopic tears in the arch, can lead to painful bone spurs in the heel area

Peak – the period of optimum running performance


Personal Record (PR) – best time a runner has achieved for a specific distance

Prefontaine, Steve --  one of the most famous long-distance runners, well known for his front-running style – struggling to remain in the lead for the duration of a race – he made the cover of Sports Illustrated at 19 and died in a car accident at 24  

Pronation – the foot’s inward rotation, natural when either running or walking; the heel strikes the ground then rolls forward toward the ball of the foot to push off for the next step

Protein – a nutrient comprising complex chains of amino acids found in eggs, meat, dairy, legumes, necessary for constructing muscle, bone and organs

Pyruvate – a nutritional supplement claimed to enhance the fat-burning process, though the Food and Drug Administration has not verified this, and scientific studies do not support it

Quarters – slang for a lap around a 400 meter track, roughly equivalent to a quarter mile