Sometimes I like to make up my own lingo and jargon; it helps to keep my mind sharp. Today while doing my five mile run I invented a running term. A lot of sports have lingo that has dual meaning in other areas of life, much like my term. For example, a hat trick (hockey) and  love (tennis).

My new term is called “Patch and Pace”.  A patch and pace run is what I do in hot weather, “patch” means that I run in the shady patches of road and “pace” simply means that I pace myself by running slower and taking walk breaks. When it’s sunny and 90 some degrees out, patch and pace running is the only way to run.

Patch runs are best done on Sunday mornings when there is less traffic, enabling you to do a zig zag pattern if necessary and also run on the wrong side of the road without being hit by a car. I would not advise doing a patch run while wearing an iPod. Actually, I would advise not wearing an iPod at all when you run, if you can help it, but that is for another day. Patch and pace runs are also invaluable in hot weather if you are not a fan of incurring a whopping headache or seeing your breakfast all over the road.

So, there you have it, a new running term that will soon be used by runners here and abroad. Now all I have to do is submit it Runner’s Magazine :)

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