When you're just getting started in a sport, it's hard to learn all the lingo. Running and walking, like any sport, has it's own special language and local phrases. Each week, I'll define a term or phrase that will help you not only walk the walk (or run the run), but talk the talk.

Pick-ups:
Accelerations done during a run, normally done in shorter durations than fartleks (see my "Know the Lingo" entry on 11/18/08). Pick-ups are simply another way to spice up what would otherwise be an easy-run day.