One of my running friends who’s recently begun racing commented as we headed to the starting line, “I feel good today. Maybe I’ll get a PR or PB or whatever it is.”

As I launched into a detailed and confusing explanation of the terminology, I realized two things: that I’m better at communicating in writing, and that readers may be as curious and confused by those terms as my newbie racer friend.

The short answer to the difference between PR and PB is that PB, personal best, is subjective while PR, personal record, is official.

Personal best. A personal best or PB is basically the fastest time you have run on a particular course, route or distance. Along with most local runners, I’ve run hundreds of loops around North Park Lake. If I look back in my old running logs, I could find the fastest time I’ve done there and declare that my personal best.

A personal best doesn’t have to be set on a well-worn public route or during a race. My favorite circuit of trails winding through Deer Lakes Park make a great fitness test. I know that if I complete the hilly loop in under one hour, I’m in pretty good shape for racing. My personal best or PB for that course is 45 minutes.

The popularity of GPS and social media has made sharing and comparing course PBs a sport of its own. Those trying for an FKT or Fastest Known Time choose a route, announce their plans, run the course as fast as possible, then document the time.

There’s even a website to track these FKTs. Although there’s no governing sports organization for those who wish to try for a FKT, www.fastestknowntime.com will explain the guidelines and etiquette of challenging yourself or others on specific routes.

Personal bests are good goals and fine achievements. But if you want to compare your best times for particular distances or against competitors worldwide, you’ll need certification.

Personal record. Road races worldwide fall under the governance of IAAF, USATF in the USA. USATF certification guarantees that the race distance is at least as long as its advertised length.

A finishing time achieved on a USATF certified course can be compared to times on any other USATF course nationwide. All world, national and age records are accepted only when run on certified courses. And personal best times should be run on certified courses to be considered personal records.

USATF course certification is a process. An official certifier measures the course at least twice using a calibrated wheel, usually on a bicycle equipped with a Jones Counter. USATF does not recognize measurement by GPS since signals are effected by buildings, trees or other objects. And while more convenient, GPS is not as accurate as the old-fashioned wheel.

Once the course is measured, a form is submitted for approval by USATF. The course is then certified for ten years and listed as such at usatf.org.

Course length is not the only criterion for records, personal or otherwise. To be considered for a record, the race course must also have no greater elevation drop than one percent from start to finish and the start of the race must be no farther away from the finish line than 50 percent of the distance of the race.

Race courses outside these bounds are listed with an asterisk as “aided” as are records set on those courses.

What this means is that my personal “best” half marathon time run at point-to-point and downhill Buffalo Creek can’t really count as a personal “record” while my 8K from the loop course Nike Women’s Race can. Even world class times run on traditional and popular courses like the Boston Marathon are subject to USATF rules. A Boston Marathon time can be a personal or world best, but not a record.

Whether you run for a personal best, PB, or a personal record, PR, remember that both are just numbers. The important word in both terms is “personal.” Enjoy the race, not just the result.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Roebling’s 5KRun/Walk, Saxonburg. Rolling out and back course starts at Knoch High School. 724-360-3324 or tip2013@yahoo.com

Saturday, 8 a.m.: North Park Kids Triathlon. Kids ages 7 through 15.412-523-6670 or www.kidstriathlon.org

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Rimersburg Cookie Daze 5K, Rimersburg. 814-473-6427

Saturday, 6 p.m.: Run for the Trail 7K, Dilltown. Run on Ghost Town Trail. 724-479-0769 or www.indianaroadrunners.com

Sunday, 7:30 a.m.: Two Face 10K, North Park. Run 10K on road, trail or both. 412-490-0881 or eliterunnersracing.com

Sunday, 9 a.m.: P & LE Express 4 Mile/ 10 Mile, Boston. www.youghtrailrunner.com or teambrunazzi@gmail.com

Aug. 13, 7 p.m.: Courtney’s Ice Cream Race 5K, Grove City. Post race ice cream buffet. 724-866-1374 or smc@runhigh.com

Aug. 16, 7:30 a.m.: Grandparents Race, Zelienople. Choice of 10 mile, 5K and 1 mile distances. 724-321-4265 or joella@zoominternet.net

Aug.16, 9 a.m.: Yinzer 5K, North Park. Also yinzer costume contest. Benefits Light of Life Mission. www.lightoflife.org/yinzer5k

Aug. 16, 9 a.m.: Running on Mars 5K Run/Walk, Mars. 724-816-8038 or runningonmars5k@zoominternet.net

Aug. 16, 9 a.m.: Rod Whitman Memorial 5K, Knox. Held in conjunction with Horsethief Days. 814-797-2913 or tcochran9509@gmail.com

Aug. 17, 7 a.m.: Drake Well Marathon and Half Marathon, Titusville. 814-827-3471 or www.thedrakewellmarathon.com

Aug. 17, 8 a.m.: Mini Moraine Man Youth Triathlon and Family Relay, Moraine State Park. Open to ages 4 through 16. 724-321-4265 or www.mightymoraineman.com

Aug. 23, 8 a.m.: Presque Isle Triathlon, Erie. Sprint length triathlon for individuals and teams. 814-450-9526 or patdavis1200@gmail.com

Aug. 23, 8:30 a.m.: 6th annual Cranberry Township 5K, Cranberry Township. 724-776-5746 or jercovich@yahoo.com

Aug. 23, 8:30 a.m.: 16th Annual Cranberry Township Aquathlon, Cranberry Township. Staged in North Boundary Park. 724-774-5746 or jkercovich@yahoo.com

Aug. 23, 9 a.m.: Local Housing Options Team Run for Shelter 5K, Butler. dcunni@ccpgh.org

Aug. 31, 9 a.m.: Pizza Joe’s 5K, New Castle. Also kids’ race at 8:40 A.M.: 724-658-1716 or jessicat@pizzajoes.com

Sept. 1, 9 a.m.: CTCC Labor Day 5K & 1 Mile Run, Cranberry Township. Run through Cranberry Park benefits Cranberry Township Community Chest. 724-772-2808 or mojorunningpittsburgh.com

Sept. 1, 9 a.m.: Gatorade/Steelers 5K Race, Fitness Run and Kids’ Kick Off Run, Pittsburgh. 412-697-7713 or www.steelers.com/5k

Sept. 1, 9:15 a.m.: Buhl Day 5K, Hermitage. 724-981-3700

Sept. 6, 8 a.m.: Montour Trail Half Marathon and 5K Run, Robinson Township. Mostly level on Montour Rail Trail. 412-445-5089 or www.montourtrail.org

Sept. 6, 8 a.m.: Saxonburg Festival of the Arts 5K, Saxonburg. 724-898-2525 or mlkletzli@embarqmail.com

Sept. 6, 8:30 a.m.: Barber Beast on the Bay, Erie. 10-mile obstacle course challenge including sand, trails and more than 20 obstacles. 814-874-5802

Sept. 7, 9 a.m.: FAAP Fall Classic 5K and 10K Race/walk, North Park. Cross country race on North Park trails, handmade awards. attorneymarkknapp@yahoo.com

Race results

Community Chase 5K, July 12: Anthony Nganga, 1st Overall M, 20:08; Erin Long, 1st Overall W, 21:29; Mark Shipley, 1st 30-39 M, 20:09; Michael Segulla, 2nd 30-39 M, 20:45; Michael Miles, 1st 20-29 M, 20:45; Evan Deddo, 3rd 15-19 M, 21:14; Cj Gagnon, 1st 10-14 M, 21:40; Steve Segulla, 3rd 30-39 M, 21:54; John Alexander, 1st 50-59 M, 22:17; Bob Pudlo, 2nd 50-59 M, 22:54; Nathan Kaleida, 2nd 10-14 M, 23:00; Brian Kaleida, 2nd 40-49 M, 23:01; Dave Lovett, 3rd 40-49 M, 23:10; Michelle Ellery, 1st 40-49 W, 23:30; Debbie Deddo, 1st 50-59 W, 23:35; Megan Ellery, 2nd 15-19 W, 24:25; Maddie Gagnan, 1st 10-14 W, 24:32; Ryan Moffett, 3rd 10-14 M, 24:51; Kacee Caughey, 3rd 15-19W, 24:54; Melissa DiLeo, 1st 30-39 W, 25:03; Alyssa St Clair, 3rd 20-29 W, 25:07; Kathleen Lovett, 3rd 40-49 W, 25:15; Paige Brady, 2nd 10-14 W, 25:45; Sophia Fatschel, 3rd 10-14 W, 26:54; Maura Dye, 2nd 30-39 W, 27:34; Carol Strickler, 3rd 30-39 W, 27:54; Stephen Sullivan, 3rd 50-59 M, 28:00; Rachel Erich, 1st 9 & Under W, 29:42; Janet Pudlo, 2nd 50-59 W, 30:03; Jeffrey Iman, 1st 60-69 M, 30:41; Lisa Zierden, 3rd 50-59 W, 31:43; Bruce Cover, 2nd 60-69 M, 32:49; Andi Mikula, 2nd 9 & Under W, 34:02; Sofia Vogt, 3rd 9 & Under W, 37:02; Elizabeth Green, 1st 60-69 W, 38:11; Ethan Palmer, 1st 9 & Under M, 47:03; Edgar Cojon, 22:42; Nathan Stoner, 23:08; Chris Matessa, 23:24; Megan Pudlo, 23:28; Raymond Evers, 23:29; Todd Homitz, 23:52; Ryan Gray, 23:59; Joseph Warner, 24:22; Bruce Hall, 24:23; Dustin Kalkbrenner, 24:40; Bryan Kirsten, 24:48; Ruan Boshoff, 25:08; Kelli Hartman, 25:08; Garrick Barnett, 25:31; Jason Green, 25:37; Richard Lommock, 26:02; Ken Scullion, 26:12; Tyler Rupert, 26:25; Dave Stoner, 26:28; Dennis Neuman, 26:29; Jason Glass, 26:47; Katelyn Ellery, 26:47; Alyssa Dunning, 27:17; Bryan Dye, 27:19; Madison Scullion, 27:52; Ben Capozzi, 28:05; Chris Capozzi,28:05; Jennifer Tomer, 28:18; Rudie Boshoff, 28:36; Amy Batt, 28:51; Chisten Breski, 28:58; Brian Kravec, 30:00; Cheryl Lommock, 30:02; Abbi Altman, 30:07; Thomas Dunning, 30:09; Trina Shockey, 30:11; Mark Bidoli, 30:12; Benjamin Pawlowski, 30:18; BlasŽ Meanor, 30:20; Steven Winget, 30:53; Taylor Boczar, 31:00; Terry Ehrman, 31:02; Keith Dils, 31:19; Ryan Hickey, 31:59; Devon Horton, 32:03; Heidi Yeager, 32:22; Ashley Linton, 32:31; Peter Breski, 32:59; Sean Ehrman, 33:26; Mark Meanor, 33:33; Sue Ann Jones, 33:53; Diane Iman, 33:54; Jill Mikula, 34:03; Heather Dils, 34:04; Jodi Zema, 34:28; Krista Simon, 34:46; Anthony DeAlmeida, 35:09; Jordan Williams, 36:19; Rebel Williams, 36:19; Tanya Vogt, 37:02; Navya Thum, 37:30; Jody Geyer, 37:32; Mike Aul, 37:52; Tarra Savage, 38:22; Diana Barnett, 38:36; Thomas Gray, 39:08; Emily Linton, 39:46; Carolyn Wincer, 41:47; Holly Palmer, 47:03; Amber DeAlmeida, 47:54; Christopher Geyer, 49:02; Mihir A. Munshi, 51:20; Shefali Shah, 51:22; Karina M. Munshi, 51:22

Junkyard Jaunt 5k, July 20: Oscar Shutt, 1st Overall M, 17:04; Tammy Slusser, 1st Overall W, 19:35; Mitch Radella, 2nd 45-49 M, 21:53; Maggie Hollobaugh, 1st 12 & under W, 25:26; Tammy Sarver, 1st 50-54 W, 27:55; Katie Furhman, 2nd 30-39 W, 29:18; Susan Affrica, 2nd 50-54 W, 35:13; Rebecca Hollobaugh, 29:08; John Patus, 33:40

Junkyard Jaunt 1 Mile, July 20: Rebekah Young, 7:48; Theresa Hetler, 13:04; Melissa Azeel, 14:32

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone or fax 724-352-4395. Email bigp16@connecttime.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle