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Blind Spots - locations on a cross country course where trailing runners cannot see those ahead. Trees, bushes or hills often create blind spots

Cool-down - jogging and stretching done after a practice or competition to gradually allow muscles to purge themselves of waste products which have accumulated during exercise

Dual Meet - a meet between two teams

False Start - leaving the starting line before the gun sounds

Fartlek - taken from the Swedish words for "speed play." The workout consists of easy running with the addition of hills or short fast bursts, followed by a return to easy running.

Finish Chute - a rope bordered funnel past the finish line that moves runners into a single file order of finish.

Invitational Meet - a multi-team meet

Lactic Acid - the by-product of anaerobic exercise. Lactic acid is toxic to the cells and can only be tolerated in small amounts. It contributes to fatigue.

Kick - a burst of speed at the finish of the race

Pace - average running speed over the course

Pack - a group of runners in close proximity

Personal Record - best-ever performance on a course, referred to simply as a "PR"

Racing Flats - special, lightweight shoes designed for racing, rather than daily training

Scoring a Meet- See Cross Country Questions

Split(s) - recording a runner's time as he or she pass a predetermined mark on the course in order to check the runner's pace. Usually splits are taken at the mile mark(s) or at the 1000 meter mark(s).

Starting Box - area to which a team is assigned on the starting line

Surge - a tactical increase in the pace during competition

Triangular Meet - a meet between three teams

Top 7 - the varsity members of a cross country team

Training Flats - running shoes designed for long wear in daily training

Warm-up - running and stretching done prior to practice or competition to gradually warm up the body for more intense training or racing

Workout - a daily training session