Orange = Arnge?
I got such a kick out of reading about your funky pronunciations last night! So many of your comments made me laugh out loud because I feel like my dad pronounces a lot of words the way some of you guys do.
- Orange = Arnge
- Wash = Warsh
The poor man also cannot pronounce edamame for the life of him and says “chimney” like “chimley.”
He’s from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in case you were wondering… but my mom is too (they were in the same kindergarten class) and she somehow managed to leave Pennsylvania without these funny pronunciations.
When I moved to Florida from Illinois in 2003, I got made fun of all the time for the way I said “mom.” I pronounced it “maaam” (Chicago accent, baby!) and also said “pop” instead of soda. I think I now say mom with the proper “o” instead of the nasally “a” and I’ve converted saying “soda” as well. I guess eight years in Florida will change ya!
Workout
Today’s workout was day two on my new workout plan. I started my workout with a two-mile run before hitting the weights to complete this upper-body workout:
- Superset one: Front shoulder raises, Tricep dips
- Superset two: Chest press, Upright row
- Superset three: Bicep curls, Tricep extensions
- Superset four: Overhead press, Barbell row
- Tricep pulldowns
- Bicep curls (3 minutes)
- Mac raises (<—Learned this one from BodyPump!)
- Lat pulldowns
I did three sets of 15 repetitions of every exercise.
My arms felt nice and fatigued by the end of that workout! I’m already loving this new workout plan. I needed something new to rejuvenate my workouts and I have a feeling this is going to be a good change.
Now I just have to cram in a three mile run sometime today to get my total of five miles in to stay on track for my half marathon training plan. We’ll see if that happens!
To all of you expert runners out there, right now I have myself doing two week-day runs at five miles in addition to one long run on Saturday. Any chance I can get away with running less during the week? I’d love your input. I’m not running for a specific time. My goal is to simply run the whole thing and cross the finish line without wanting to die.
Breakfast
Today’s meal looks awfully similar to yesterday’s breakfast!
Apparently frying eggs after cooking turkey bacon makes the eggs get all funky looking and spotty. Still tasty, though!
Question of the Morning
How do you pronounce…
- Coupon: Cue-pon or coo-pon?
- Pecan: Pah-cahn or pee-can?
- Caramel: Car-mel or care-a-mel?
My answers: Cue-pon, pah-can and car-mel.
i love cooking my eggs after bacon!
Coupon: Cue-pon
Pecan: Pah-cahn
Caramel: care-a-mel
alyssa – fashion fitness foodie
[Reply]
I think it’s important to run 3x/week to avoid injury – especially when training for a half marathon. Otherwise, you lack practice with running and your form/muscular balance/running specific power will suffer. It’s important to keep kinesthetic awareness relative to the sport, and if you go 4-5 days without running on a regular basis, that will be difficult to maintain.
Victoria (District Chocoholic)
[Reply]
peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 8:32 am
noooooooooo! haha, i had a feeling i wasn’t going to be able to get around running… i mean i am training to run a race after all…
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
Mac Reply:
September 14th, 2011 at 8:25 pm
I would agree with this statement, purely for the sake of avoiding injury and hating yourelf when you cross the finish line. Also I agree on all of them except car-a-mel
Mac
[Reply]
hahaha, I am the opposite.
Coupon – coo-pon
Peacan – pee-can
Caramel – Care-a-mel
And I am from Canada and we also say pop! I do not, however, say aboot. That is a common misconception, EH?!
Lindsey @ Happy or Hungry
[Reply]
Jenny K. Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 8:57 am
I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE!
Jenny K.
[Reply]
Lana Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 9:36 am
I am also from Canada and pronounce everything the same way as you! I also do not say “aboot” and I do not understand why some Americans find it to be so hilarious!
Lana
[Reply]
Amber K Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 1:27 pm
I love the way Canadians say “about” and especially “sorry” Gotta love Degrassi, lol.
Although I don’t think a Canadian “about” sounds like “aboot” more than “ab-ow-ut” I don’t know how to actually type it out, but it’s not quite the same.
Amber K
[Reply]
mmmmm girl– I can spot that Jennie-O turkey bacon from a mile away
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance
[Reply]
I think your running plan looks pretty good as-is, Julie. When I was marathon training, I found that even adding little runs in throughout the day to reach my weekly mileage helped to boost my stamina, which is key when you’re running a long race!
Also I had to laugh about the ‘maaam’ thing because I have cousins that used to live in Detroit and they say it that way too! Having been raised going to a British school, my mom is ‘mum’, and I still say it that way.
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
[Reply]
I pronounce them: coo-pon, pee-can and care-a-mel. I always get funny looks from the Starbucks workers when I say caramel.
Canadians say pop, not soda
Dawn @ Blonde on a Mission
[Reply]
Care-A-Mel. I can’t stand it when people forget the ‘a’ in the middle of the word! LOL
Mary Babicki
[Reply]
peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 8:33 am
i think care-a-mel is so much prettier, but i naturally just drop the “a!” care-a-mel sounds so fancy!
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
I definitely say cue-pon, car-mel and pee-cahn. I HATE when people say pee-can – it conjoures images of…well…just what it sounds like
Faith @ For the Health of It
[Reply]
Haha I say “pop” too! Gotta love the midwest
. I also had friends in college that said “coke” for all of them, and then they’d specify which kind…wtf haha. Glad your new workouts are going well! I’ve posted some strength training ones on my workouts page if you ever need ideas for moves or anything! Also, quick question, do you like your blog host site5? I’m really thinking about becoming self-hosted but I’m trying to determine who would be best do go through!
Lindsay@ In Sweetness and In Health
[Reply]
peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 8:34 am
yes! site5 has been great so far. i previously worked with bluehost and it was one headache after the next. i’m much happier!
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
SAME kindergarten class?! Holy awwww
coo-pon
pecan-I switch on and off with this one…or I just mumble so no one really knows
care-a-mel: car-mel make me feel silly, I don’t know why!
I thought of two other ones: data and route.
I say day-ta….I think dat-a sounds absurd, but I feel like a lot of people say it that way!
And I say root…which I think is pretty common. I don’t get how the pronunciation rowt could ever come out of anyones mouth!
Emily
[Reply]
peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 8:34 am
i say day-ta and roote!
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
Taylor @ Crumbs Don't Count Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 8:52 am
Haha, I am a dah-ta and rowt pronouncer!
Taylor @ Crumbs Don’t Count
[Reply]
Emily Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 11:40 am
Don’t worry Taylor, I won’t hold it against you
Emily
[Reply]
Taylor @ Crumbs Don't Count Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 1:27 pm
Thanks! I blame it on the fact I lived most of my life in VA where everything is drawwwwn out in a drawl.
Taylor @ Crumbs Don’t Count
Soleil Doux @ Soleil Doux Blog Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 11:16 am
I say these all the same as you, Emily… I think… haha! I may waver on pecan and caramel from time to time.
Julie, I know someone from Pennsylvania, and he has been known to say “warsh,” as well as “ma-toor” (mature) and “yuge” (huge).
At least he doesn’t say, “Yello?!” when he answers the phone, teehee.
Soleil Doux @ Soleil Doux Blog
[Reply]
Michelle W Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
Ahh, my dad says ‘ma-toor’. That memory just made me smile! He grew up everywhere, but was born in upstate New York.
Michelle W
[Reply]
Cue-pon
Pee-can
Care-a-mel
My boss says “yuge” instead of “huge”, we make fun of him all the time. Funny topic Julie!
My half marathon training has kind of similar to yours:
Circuit training 2 x a week
Long run on the weekends
and about 5-6 miles during the week (broken up between 2 or 3 days)
Becky @ Fit Chick on the Fly
[Reply]
peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 8:35 am
yuge! i’ve heard that before! where is he from?
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
Becky @ Fit Chick on the Fly Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
Chicago, your roots right?
Becky @ Fit Chick on the Fly
[Reply]
Breakfast looks delicious!
I totally say cue-pon and get made fun of it all the time!
I say pee-can and car-mel.
Hope
[Reply]
Awww, my dad says liberry instead of library
My boyfriend has some funny ones too. This is a generalization, but what is it about men and pronunciation?!
Elizabeth
[Reply]
Well I’m from Ohio and I say
-Coo-pon
-pee-can
-car-mel
My pronunciation of pecan comes from my gma from GA though.. most people up here say it pee-cahn.
Mary
[Reply]
I love your new workout plan–> gives me so many great ideas
! I almost choked on my water when I read arnge- your dad sounds too cute.
Coupon: Cue-pon or coo-pon?–> coopon
!
Pecan: Pah-cahn or pee-can?–> I used to say pee-can but my friend in middle school gave me so much grief that it’s pah-cahn so that’s what I go with now…what a nut
Caramel: Car-mel or care-a-mel?–> caramel! I didn’t realise people said car-mel!
Khushboo
[Reply]
Cue-pon, pah-cahn, and car-a-mel.
I also say Law-yur instead of loy-yer. (Lawyer)
Kim
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peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 8:38 am
where are you from? i’ve heard law-yer before, too!
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
Kim Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 9:02 am
I’m from Alabama. I didn’t even realize the pronunciation was weird until my roommate pointed it out. (she’s from Iowa)
Kim
[Reply]
Soleil Doux @ Soleil Doux Blog Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 11:20 am
I love how “law-yer” sounds. I definitely picked up on it from hanging around a bunch of old Southern “law-yers” and judges, who also say “defen-DANT” instead of just “defendant.”
“Will the defen-DANT please rise?”
Soleil Doux @ Soleil Doux Blog
My family is originally from Philadelphia, and when my brother went back for college he came back to Connecticut saying stuff like “youse guys” in stead of “You guys.” I looked at him and said “What the heck are you doing?!” He just laughed and said “I hang out with too many Philly people now!” He started to sound like our cousins!
Ally@GirlVFood
[Reply]
I love funny pronunciations/accents.
BLog is the New Black
[Reply]
this post is hilarious.. I love all the pronunciations of things. And how stinkin cute that your parents were in the same kindergarten class!!
I say: coo-pon, pah-cahn, and care-a-mel
Meredith @ food, shoes, and booze
[Reply]
Coo-pon
pee-can
care-a-mel
I have shed my Boston accent for the most part but can put it back on like a coat anytime I want.
Off to my torture session with Trainer Victor!
The Kidless Kronicles
Wag More, Bark….
Nicole
[Reply]
I’m still in the pop to soda process…I’m resistant to the change.
I also say:
coo-pon
pah-cahn
car-mel
(I think
)
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More
[Reply]
So funny, my fiance and I had this exact conversation Sunday. We disagreed on the pecan debacle. And I’m definitely a coo-pon girl!
Michelle
[Reply]
I managed to shake the Chicago accent after moving to Florida too! Although sometimes I still say Chicaaaago for old time’s sakes.
Jessica @ Sushi and Sit-Ups
[Reply]
I’m Irish so my pronunciation is totally different!
In Ireland we say ‘mam’ instead of ‘mom’. Must be a lot of Irish in Pennsylvania!
Aine @ Something to Chew Over
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Julie I’m a BIG believer in quality > quantity when it comes to fitness and training.
I don’t recommend twice a day workouts particularly given your goals. I would focus certain days of the week on running and others on strength training/cross training. One way to increase quality and decrease time spent on strength training is to work on full body/compound moves. I am a HUGE fan of BodyRock.tv workouts because in 12-20 minutes you get a total body workout that you can fit in anytime, anywhere!
I’m doing this workout this morning…
http://www.bodyrock.tv/2011/07/15/just-did-it-workout/
Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food
[Reply]
peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 8:58 am
awesome! thanks, jenny!!
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
My husband and I argue over pah-cahn and pee-can ALL. THE. TIME. I vote for the former. It’s just one of those things we’ll never agree on.
Annie @ Assorted Annie
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Oh my gosh I LOVE that your Mom and Dad were in the same Kindergarten class! That little tidbit just made my morning! That is SO cute!
Cait’s Plate
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I say that if all you want to do is finish the half then you can get away with running less during the week. The most important thing would be to make sure you get in your long run.
Daniella @ Runner at Heart
[Reply]
I definitely get made fun of for my southern accent…which hasn’t gone away even after spending the past 7 years living in another country….
I say cue-pon, pah-cahn, and care-a-mel!
Gen
[Reply]
Coo-pon, Pee-cahn (combo of both), Care-a-mel
I lived in Ohio from birth to 12 years old… when I moved to Florida and would say “pop” instead of “soda” I got so many weird looks! Or people would say “Pop? I didn’t hear a pop. What are you talking about?” Now, after living in Florida for 10+ years, I have converted to “soda” and when I visit Ohio and say “Soda” I get the looks from them!!
Vicky
[Reply]
I’m not an expert runner by ANY means but I bet you’d be fine doing a couple runs a week.. Whenever the Fall comes around I get back into running again, and I usually just run twice a week in addition to my other workouts. I have no problem holding out for 10 mile runs when doing that! Like I said, I’m no expert though.
p.s. my stepdad is from the same area in PA as your dad and he says the same things
Jamie@cupcakedynamite
[Reply]
With the running thing, you can also do some of the mileage on the elliptical. Cool, eh?? I had my best races because I trained on both (less injuries as well!)
I say it car-mel, cue-pon, and pee-can. Haha.
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife
[Reply]
I’m interested in starting to run but don’t really know where to begin. Any ideas? I do exercise already, most often on the eliptical or an hour long walk a day.
Sarah
[Reply]
Cue-pon Pah-cahn Car-mel
I say pop too instead of soda!
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes
[Reply]
Your parents were in the same kindergarten class!? How cute!!!
Also, I have a good friend from Chicago who says “maaam.” It makes me laugh every single time!
Parita @ myinnershakti
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My boyfriend always makes fun of the way I say exit…mostly on car trips when we have to TAKE an Exit…I pronounce it eggs-it I guess! Oops
Taylor @ Crumbs Don’t Count
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I say coo-pon, pee-can, and care-a-mel. I had never in my life heard someone say pah-cahn until I got to college and they definitely got the ‘wtf are you talkin bout’ face!
I also used to work at an ice cream shop (cold stone creamery anyone?) and people would ask me for car-mel. Also the first time I ever heard that.
But the weirdest thing ever was when someone asked me for JIMMYS on their ice cream and they meant Sprinkles! I was like No sir, we do not sell Jimmys here!
PS. I would definitely NOT run less than three days a week. You need to have a solid base for those long runs and for injury prevention.
Brandi @ The Vitamin Bee
[Reply]
peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 8:58 am
i’ve heard jimmies before, too! so funny. sprinkles all the way! and i think you’re totally right about not cutting back on running for injury prevention purposes.
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
I grew up and still live in semi-rural GA, and no one I know says pee-can. When I was in high school I worked for a large peach and pecan farm in the mail order dept., and when I spoke to Northerners on the phone they would always say pee-can. I don’t think it’s a Southern thing at all.
I say coo-pon, pah-cahn, and care-a-mel. I don’t drink soda, but some people in GA do refer to them all as Coke and then specify what kind…it is strange I admit.
BTW, I love linguistics and find regional speech differences so fascinating. Great topic, Julie!
Rachel
[Reply]
This post is cracking me up! My dad says “arnge”, too. My sister and I make fun of him by saying words with “OR” sounds as “AR”, like AR-lando FLAR-da, and PART-land AR-egon.
Jessica
[Reply]
peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 8:58 am
my dad says fLARda!
ha!
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
Good luck with the training!
Coupon: coo-pon
Pecan: Pah-cahn
Caramel: Car-mel or care-a-mel? <– depends on usage
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers
[Reply]
I say pee-can and care-a-mel, but I’m not sure about coupon…I think I say it in both ways!
Giulia @ Tutupa’s Lab
[Reply]
I love, love, love talking about pronunciation debates. I think it’s because I was an English major in college and I loved linguistics…yeah, I’m a huge nerd. Anyway!
I say: “coo-pon,” and I’m stickin’ to it!!
I always *used* to say “PEE-can.” And then my boyfriend, who is obsessed with all baked goods that contain pecans, burst out laughing the first time he heard me say the word. So I have retrained myself to call them “pe-CAHNS,” which is apparently the proper pronunciation, haha.
I say “car-a-mel,” mostly because I feel like that second “a” is in there, so musn’t it be pronounced? But I have a ton of friends (and again, foodie boyfriend) who say “car-mel,” and sometimes I think it sounds better in dessert titles. Is that weird? Probably. Hahah. I don’t know, “car-mel” apples just sounds more right than “car-a-mel” apples for some reason!
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray
[Reply]
I love that picture of you and your dad…everytime you post it is makes me smile.
I am with you on my words: Cue-pon, pah-can and car-mel
Kelly
[Reply]
peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 9:01 am
thanks, kelly! it’s one of my favorite pictures of him. he looks so relaxed and happy.
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
That is so cute that your parents were in the same Kindergarten class!
coo-pon
pah-cahn
car-mel
I’d stay with 3 days of running — you could maybe cut one of those 5 mile runs down to 3 (?)
Holly @ The Runny Egg
[Reply]
I’m from Baltimore and your Dad’s accent is very similar to the way people speak in Baltimore. I’m a Cue-pon, pee-can and care-a-mel kinda girl!
I run 4 days a week when training for a marathon. I usually do an easy run (2-4 miles) on Tuesdays, a speed workout on Thursdays, an easy 2 mile run on Fridays and then a long run on Sundays. I have a 1/2 in 5 weeks and my training has been awful this go round.
dana
[Reply]
Ahhhhhxe instead of axe
Maam instead of mom
Birtday instead of birthday
The top two are pretty typical of any good Chicagoan, the last one I have no idea where it comes from!
kyla
[Reply]
Does your dad happen to say Water funny at all? Gettysburg isn’t quite around Philly, but not TOO far, and my whole family (based in/around Philly) says it like this:
wood-err
Coupon(s): coop(s)
Pecan: Delicious Pie Ingredient
Caramel: Carmelo Anthony
Jordan @ food, sweat, and beers
[Reply]
peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 10:01 am
he actually somehow says water correctly! but one of my best friends’ parents are from pittsburg and they say “wooder!”
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
Coo-pan
Pecan
Care-a-mel
Not sure if my Canadian accent comes out in any of those?!
I also call it pop:)
Lindsey
[Reply]
Coo-pon. pee-can, cara-mel
Although, I wonder what I sound like. I have had several patients at work as me if I’m from North Dakota. I’m from Boston, people. Car: Cah. Butter: Butta….see?
Brooke
[Reply]
I am running the half in Savannah too! I do a couple short runs during the week.. sometimes only 3 or 4 miles each.. then my long run on the weekend.. I do crosstrain as well! But I think that is enough- plus I don’t want to overtrain and get hurt!
Caitlin
[Reply]
How about the word “crayon”? I’ve heard “crown” “crawn” “cray-on” “crayn”
Rachel
[Reply]
When I moved to Chicago for college, I somehow lost all the Florida in me and picked up a strong Midwestern accent. When I would come home to visit my family and friends, everyone would make laugh at how my “o’s” had turned into “a’s”!
Tracy @ Tracy’s Treats
[Reply]
Haha! I’m from New Jersey and I definitely say coo-pon, pee-can, and car-a-mel.
…I also ask for my morning “caw-fee” instead of “coff-ee.”
Traci
[Reply]
hahah I have that same midwest accent being from STL and say “maahhm” and “mahhhggie”.
CARmel.
COOpon
pehCAHN.
Clare @ Fitting It All In
[Reply]
you should do the accent vlog! http://www.ruthiehart.com/2011/09/accent-vlogs.html
Ruthie Hart
[Reply]
Growing up, my dad was such a stickler about pronunciations….not really sure why so when I would accidentally say “MaZaGine” instead of “MaGaZine” he would go nuts….same with “Q-Pon instead of Coo-Pon”
Words are so funny!
Tara
[Reply]
•Coupon: Cue-pon
•Pecan: pee-cahn
•Caramel: care-a-mel?
The best (mis)pronunciation I have ever heard is an old high school friend trying to say Massachusetts. She couldn’t say it correctly to save her life, instead saying Mass-a-two-sh*ts.
I’m sure she didn’t mean to offend a state or its people – that is just the way it came out!
As for myself, a friend recently pointed out that I say “headache” like “head-eck.” I am now quite self-conscious about it!
Danielle @ dish’n'dash
[Reply]
Coo-pon, Pee-can, and car-a-mel. Long Island accent all the way lol
Lauren
[Reply]
Another one is Garage. Some people say it like Gar-age, others say it more like grage. Makes me laugh.
Emmarie @ BananasAnd Beer
[Reply]
I say them all opposite from you. I’m Canadian though!
Marnie
[Reply]
Oh, definitely pah-can! Drives me a little nutty when people say pee-can
I also tend to say ‘dad’ like ‘dee-id’ … I never noticed it on my own, but people have pointed it out to me more than once…. weird!
Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life)
[Reply]
#1 I usually do 2 THREE mile runs during the week and then one long run on the weekend for my training. I’ve heard that all you need is 30 minutes of solid running to maintain your endurance. BUT, I’m not an “expert” as you say
#2 You grew up in Illinois? Me too!!! Where did you live in Illinois before you moved to Florida?
Anna Crouch
[Reply]
peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 9:59 am
i grew up in palatine – a NW suburb of chicago!
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
Loving your savoury breakfasts right now! I gotta get on board with that
The Healthy Hipster
[Reply]
Hey Julie!
As far as the running goes, I’d suggest adding in a speed workout on one of your 5 mile run days. This would mean a shorter run of maybe even 3 or 4 miles but with loaded benefits! I know you don’t care about being the fastest runner there but for the sake of not boring yourself with 5 mile runs twice a week I say give it a try!
Interval, tempo, or hills! and you could switch up which one every week if you wanted! I’d say you’d be more than set for the race if you added one of these runs in once a week!
Emily
[Reply]
peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 9:59 am
do you have any examples of speed workouts you’d recommend? i’m intrigued!!
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
Emily Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 10:22 am
I really enjoy Fartlek runs because they’re more fun and the time flies!
All you do is start out with a slow jog warmup outside and then simply pick a mailbox, tree, house, whatever that is a good distance away from you and sprint to it. Once you get there go back to a slow job or fast walk until you’ve regained your breath, then look ahead and pick another point to sprint to!
You can do these based off of time( just wanting to get in 30 minutes) or off of distance ( 3 miles maybe? since you have a garmin obv. this is easy to do)
the point is not to focus so much on an exact distance that you sprint or recover on, but by just going by your breath and how you’re feeling. it’s easy to push yourself and sometimes I’ll pick a place to sprint to but before I get there I tell myself, “no just a little further! to the next light pole!” or something like that!
Anyways, sorry this is so long! The other I’d really recommend is tempo runs, which are based off of time generally. e.g. would be 40 min. tempo run:
10 min slow jog
20 min med-high intensity run ( pushing yourself at a faster pace but not to the point of losing your breath)
10 min slow jog and cooldown
Tempos are really great for preparing your for your long runs as your body adapts to a faster pace for a period of time.
If you want to get in a quick run- hills all the way! high calorie and fat burn and building strength in the butt and legs all in one! Plus they really get your heart rate up!
Anyways, again apologizing for this being so long!
let me know if you have any more questions!
Love your blog!
Emily
[Reply]
When I trained for a half-marathon, I did 3 miles on each of 3 weekdays, plus my long run on the wknd, and I was fine.
Amy @ ElephantEats
[Reply]
i say all 3 opposite haha. i think you should stick to 3 days a week to help build your endurance
Steph
[Reply]
Coupon: coo-pon
Pecan: Pah-cahn
Caramel: care-a-mel
Fun post
I’m from Milwaukee so I have that nasaly “aaa / eeey” vowel tendency!
Laura@ Backstage Balance
[Reply]
Haha!! This is funny. So here goes – coo-pon, pah-cahn and care-mel. I have been told I pronounce the work “year” like “ear”. I tell these people that they need to get theirs checked out
Shephalli
[Reply]
I pronounce all 3 words the exact opposite than you! Ha. I am Canadian, if that makes a difference. Oh and we say pop here instead of soda!
Kelly
[Reply]
Do at least 3 runs a week otherwise you’ll end up with shin splints, or something worse. love ya!
laurel anderson
[Reply]
I say:
Cue-pon
Pee-can
and I don’t say Car-mel or Care-a-mel. I say a combo: Care-mel
My husband calls his mom, Mumma. He’s from down in the tidewater region of VA. They have their own kind of accent down there.
Katy @ HaveYouHurd
[Reply]
That is so cute that your parents went to kindergarten together!
Angela @ My Pinky Toes
[Reply]
Warsh! Ha! My grandma always said that, too
I say:
•Coupon: coo-pon
•Pecan: Pah-cahn
•Caramel: Car-mel
Oh…and I say pop, too – I’m from (and still live in) Ohio
Liz
[Reply]
coo-pon
pah-cahn
I also say care-mel like the above commenter.
Up in the northeast we also use wicked all the time – like “that’s wicked awesome.” Other parts of the country seem to look at us like huh?
Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me
[Reply]
Hi, Julie! I have heard many times that the mileage of your weekly long run should not exceed the mileage of all your other runs during the week added up. So if you’re running an 8-mile long run, you want to make sure you run some combo of runs during the week that totals 8 miles. I guess that means that no matter what, you’re running at least 3x/week (otherwise you’d have two long runs, duh). This is the rule I follow and I always feel prepared for my fulls or halves. However, my sports med dr., who is a female 3:10 marathoner(!), thinks that there’s no harm in doing just the long run if you truly only care about finishing and not necessary finishing “strong.”
Brittany
[Reply]
These pronunciation posts are too funny!
I say:
Coupon: coo-pon
Pecan: pee-can
Caramel: care-a-mel
Courtney @ Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life
[Reply]
Coupon: Coo-pon
Pecan: I think I combine the two versions and say it my own weird way.
Caramel: Car-mel
Speaking of caramel, I live in Carmel, Indiana (which is pronounced like it’s spelled…car-mel) and lately everyone I have talked to (who doesn’t live here) has said it wrong. Everyone keeps calling it car-a-mel or care-mel. I think it’s funny because it sounds exactly like it’s spelled, but it completely throws people off.
I shouldn’t talk though because I have a MAJOR Chicago accent and am always told I say everything wrong and drag my words on forever. Even people from Chicago make fun of me! The worst part is that I haven’t lived there in 7 years and I’m pretty sure the accent just gets stronger as I get older rather than going away.
Jaime
[Reply]
Carmel Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 11:07 am
I live in Boston but have definitely gotten into arguments with several people from Carmel, Indiana over the years about the correct pronunciation… my name is pronounced car-MEL (rhymes with Michelle) and it drives me nuts when people pronounce it like ‘car-mul!’
Carmel
[Reply]
I am currently training for the Chicago Marathon (I’m a Chicago native, woop!) and I have recently cut my training down to just 2-3 runs a week, usually a short run, mid-lenth, and the ever important long run. I found myself getting extremely burned out and I’m more likely to be able to complete the long run if I haven’t over-exerted myself during the week. With that said, I think you will be a-ok if you skimp on a couple of the short runs and are still incorporating cross training, especially because you are already in phenomenal shape!
katie
[Reply]
Well I say coo-pon, pah-CANNES and car-mel.
I also grew up in the midwest (Cincinnati), but have said Soda for the last maybe 8 years. I guess it has to do with my Jersey roommate in college and then moving to Virginia and then Boston. Now pop sounds so weird to me.
Anne @strawberryjampackedlife.
[Reply]
The very first thing I thought about when I saw this post was Mean Girls.
“She asked me how to spell ARNGE”
Dawn @ Blonde on a Mission
[Reply]
So cute that your parents were in the same kindergarten class! I say cue-pon, pah-con, and care-a-mel! So funny to read how everyone says things differently!
Laura @ Meet Virginia
[Reply]
I just got nerdly excited. I don’t live that far from Gettysburg (not originally from the area…but still from PA). My mother in law says “warsh” all the time! It sometimes drives me insane. But my husband has a few: “keller” instead of “color”, “melk” instead of “milk”, and “amb-lee-ance” instead of “ambulance.” The poor man has to deal with a lot of teasing!
Morgan
[Reply]
You need to check out Ruthie’s accent vlog…it’s great! I think you should do one with your fa-ja.
I say “coo-pon”, “pee-can” and “car-mul”
claire
[Reply]
I’m coo-pon, pee-can, and car-mel.
My employer says cereal in a way I have never heard before, and I twitch a little when I hear it. Rather than sear-ee-uhl, it is more like sir-ee-uhl. She says material in the same way. Never heard that before!!
Amanda @thefunkybeagle
[Reply]
Here in Tennessee, no one says “pop” or “soda”. We just call everything “Coke” lol.
I say “Lordy Mercy” about 100 times a day.
Jodi
[Reply]
peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 10:26 am
“lordy” or “laaawdy?”
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
Jodi Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 10:34 am
Well, laaaawdy mercy! How’d you know?
Jodi
[Reply]
I can’t believe your parents are from Gettysburg! I grew up there and went to school through middle school there as well. Such a small world. Have you ever been back?
Brooke
[Reply]
peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 10:25 am
yes! many times! you can see a couple of my gettysburg posts on my “travel” page! i love it there. such a pretty town.
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
running…..if you’re managing to get in your long runs..you’ll be okay. a couple of runs during the week are good, but you can just do 3 miles, not 5. my best marathon (out of 3) i did NO long runs….only ran 5 miles 4x a week…so go figure….but all your other cross-training helps with endurance so you can get by with fewer short runs…i know that too…i know someone who’s a zumba instructor and a great runner. she runs faster than me without actually running to train! just by zumba and weights.
beth
[Reply]
When I was training for the NYC 1/2 last winter (yes it was freezing!) I did 1 shorter run during the week and every Saturday would up my long run by 1 mile until I hit 11 miles. Then start to tapper. Also, running a few miles on Sunday is helpful…it will be tougher as your muscles are repairing but just the 1 or 2 miles will definitely help you in the long run (no pun intended!)
Rachel
[Reply]
Pah-cahn?
I say coo-pon, pee-can, and car-mel
Shanna, Like Banana
[Reply]
For all 3 of those words, I go with the latter pronunciation.
As for running, I just posted my 1/2 training plan which is only 3 days a week and similar to yours but with speedwork during the shorter runs and got a bunch of comments about how it was “low milage” for a 1/2 plan. I think it’ll be fine, it’s my 2nd half so I know it works mileage wise since I finished and got my time goal last year during my first. I think it might be hard to cut out much more running/mileage than what you’re already doing but you may be able to cut one of the weekly 5 milers down a mile or so. I posted my training plan a couple of days ago if you’re interested. Good luck!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
[Reply]
I’m training for my third half right now and definitely think you can get away with less running! I run MAX 2-3 times per week, averaging probably 5 runs every two weeks. I usually do my long run and a 5ish mile run. If I do more it will be a quick 3 mile run.
I say coo-pon, pah-cahn, and car-mel
Kate @ alittlelikeheaven
[Reply]
* Coupon: coo-pon
* Pecan: pee-can
* Caramel: care-a-mel
I love seeing how different people pronounce different words from different parts of the country! Although I was born not too far from Gettysburg and still live in PA and don’t say any of the words like your dad does. I think those are just his special pronunciations!
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie
[Reply]
Just saw your guest blog on Sparkpeople today! Thinking back, I may have discovered your blog a while ago from another freelance article you had there. Great exposure for you!
Rachel
[Reply]
Your parents were in the same Kindergarten class?! that is too amazing! Wow! So cute.
Mallory @ It’s Only Life
[Reply]
peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
i know, i love that! they are high school sweethearts.
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
that breakfast sandwich looks so amazing!!! i love a good bfast sandwich to start the morning!! =)
marissa
[Reply]
Nice workout Julie! I am due for an upper body workout tomorrow… this is what I shall be doing
I read the comments from yesterday’s post this morning, they just completed my morning! haha loved them
-Coo-pon
-Pee-can (or peh cahn if I am trying to sound fancy) lol
-Care-a-mel
Tessa @ Amazing Asset
[Reply]
As soon as I read those pronunciations I said to myself “he must be from this area” (this area being Northern Baltimore County in MD — pretty close to PA, and although he’s not exactly from MD, he is close enough and the accents totally makes sense! I grew up closer to DC to the “accent” I hear around here is totally different than what I’m used to! I love accents! Thanks for sharing
Carol
[Reply]
I swear the mispronunciation of edemame is a PA thing. I live about 20 minutes from Gettysburg and no one can say it right.
Know what else cracks me up? When people say
Choir-practor. (Instead of chiropractor). Working in healthcare it’s so hard to keep a straight face when a patient looks at you with a solemn look and talks about their choir-practor.
Lauren C
[Reply]
You’re breakfast looks so good!! Will you come make some for me?
I’m on the west coast, so I’m just having my coffee 
there is still time!!
Katie @ The Purposeful Woman
[Reply]
I have the world’s strangest accent. I spent my childhood bouncing between rural North Carolina (Cuuu-oh-LINah) and Detroit, MI. I can speak in both regional accents quite well when I’m concentrating on which accent I’m using.
My every day speech is the neutral Midwest Michigan “non-accent” as I like to call it, because I reside near Detroit now. I have a few words (pecan, for example, is pee-can and that drives my BF bonkers) that I still say in my drawl no. matter. what.
Of course, my true-blue preferred method of speech is my Southern Belle drawl. When I get angry, excited, or when I’m praying out loud you hear my voice get softer and syrup-sweet as I dip into the accent I spent much of my little girl years developing.
Side note: I work in a call center, and we have offices in TN as well as MI. I speak with a southern accent to our TN employees and the Midwest accent for our MI employees. Cracks my supervisor up.
kaitlyn
[Reply]
Just a tip from someone who got injured trying to “cheat” on my half-marathon plan last winter (I work 12-hour shifts, so days I worked I wasn’t running at all, and I was changing which days I ran each week and how much, etc)…
1. Don’t skip your week day runs. I’m sure lots of people have already said that!
2. If you are scheduled for a 5-mile run, the plan is likely meant for those miles to be subsequent rather than doing 2 in the morning and 3 in the evening. your legs need to get used to the consistent mileage without recovery in between.
maybe you can do your gym workouts in the morning and your runs later in the day? so tough to do both sometimes, especially as your HM mileage starts increasing each week!
Kristin
[Reply]
peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
i know… i’m such a slacker and am totally trying to cheat my way out of this one.
you’re so right though!
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
Your last question is very personal to me… PLEASE SAY CAR-A-MEL!! I have gotten stupid comments about my name (not to mention all the ridiculous innuendos guys like to think up) all my life just because people don’t pronounce caramel correctly. They’re spelled differently, so Carmel and caramel are nottt the same
Carmel
[Reply]
peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
haha! i will do my best to change!
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
i love that your parents are from gettysburg! that’s right down the road from me, and whenever we have guests visiting, my dad ALWAYS makes it a point to take them to gettysburg to see all the history! even if the freezing cold, dead middle of winter, we are hanging with the war statues. good memories!
Kait @ One Love Run
[Reply]
coo-pon, Pah-cahn, and Car-mel fo’ sho!
Liz @ IHeartVegetables
[Reply]
My boyfriend pronounces pecan like “peck-in” purely to bother me. I tell him there are only two possible proper ways to say it but he adamantly persists in his goofball ways.
A couple of my cousins pronounce things differently. Donut= dough-nit and peanut= pea-nit. They’re from KS but so are a lot of my other relatives and it seems to be just those two. Accents are so interesting!
Ashley
[Reply]
accents are hilarious…my boss was telling me the other day that Laura wanted to talk to Jim. I said who is Laura? He said “I don’t know”. I said “well didn’t you just tell me that Laura wanted to talk to Jim” and he laughed and said “no, I said Lawyer”. ha! I guess I am still getting used to accents down here in TX!
I am training for a 1/2 too and trying to figure out how much I want to run as well. My sis recommended if I want to run the whole thing I should run at least 4 days a week but if I want to do less then maybe consider running 10 minutes and then doing a 1 minute walk break. I really would like to run the whole thing but my problem is that I would like to try to avoid running in the dark by myself anymore (I freak myself out if I see anything weird) and I just don’t know what to do since it is still so hot out and I don’t have access to a treadmill.
Caree @ Fit-Mama
[Reply]
I’m with you on all three of the word pronounciations!
Ty
[Reply]
I am giving you all a french class!
Coupon, pacane & caramel (see how french is easy!)
Coupon: coo-pon (you don’t pronounce the n at the end)
Pacane: Pah-ca-ne
Caramel: Ca-ra-mel
Miriam
[Reply]
Hey Julie- I’m not an expert but for my first half I ran 3x a week two 5 mile runs and one long run. For my second I did 1-2 runs during the week but they weren’t both 5 miles sometimes they were shorter. Some weeks I only ran 2x a week and I would spin for a shorter run instead of running. I ended up running my 2nd half much faster than my first and never felt fatigued or burnt out like I did for my 1st half. I used Anne’s half marathon plan from http://www.fannetasticfood.com – I thought it was a really good plan. Good luck with your race! : )
Michelle
[Reply]
peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
thanks so much for the suggestion, michelle!
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
I didn’t even realize I had any sort of accent, but when I moved to SF and started working someone asked me a question and I said “sure” which I guess I pronounce “shore,” and he automatically asked which part of the east coast I was from.
Kristen @ Chocolate Covered Kristen
[Reply]
im from ny so coffee is caw-fee, window is winda, and paul is pawl
katie anne
[Reply]
I am a total west coast girl, born and raised, but my mom’s family is alll east coast so I say
flar-ida instead or floor-ida and arnge instead of orange
but i am a TOTAL stickler for care-a-mel
my friends always say car-mul and im like NO CARE-A-MEL! It’s more fun to say in my opinion.
Jessica
[Reply]
My step dad is from Philly and pronounces stuff all sorts of wrong haha He leaves the H off of words liek Huge and says “Youge” instead. And calls my step sister (his own child! lol) “Errrin” instead of Erin. Oh and calamari is “Calimary” haha
Lindsay
[Reply]
I use coo-pon, but when use it in a sentence when I talk to my mom, for some reason I say cue-pon! I use pah-cahn, but if I refer the the pie, oddly, I say pee-an pie, haha. Care-a-Mel is never car-mul, though
I also say day-ta and when referring to en and 66, I use root, but otherwise, I say r-owt.. Haha so strange!! Oh!! Ijust remembered that i have a friend who can’t pronounce strawberry correctly! He says starberry!! It never fails to make me laugh, and i always repeat it when i hear him say it! It’s sounds so silly! Cute I he was five year old, but college graduate? C’mon, you haaaave to laugh a little 
Dee
[Reply]
Have you done an accent vlog yet? If not, you should!
Joey
[Reply]
peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
i know! i really need to get on it!
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
Haha it’s quite funny listening to people’s different accents. A lot of my dad’s family is from the midwest (Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan), so there is a lot of nasally “a’s” with them too. My dad isn’t quite as bad as he used to be, but we still tease him sometimes when his midwestern vocab/accent comes out.
Ashley @ My Food ‘N’ Fitness Diaries
[Reply]
I used to say pop all the time too! I finally switched to soda when I was in middle school. I say cue-pon, pee-can, and care-a-mel
Sara @ The Foodie Diaries
[Reply]
I called soda “pop” my whole life until college–I go to college in MN, which calls it “pop” BUT I have a lot of friends here from eastern states and hearing them call it soda rubbed off on me. So now I use them interchangeable, I guess it depends on the day! Sometimes I even use both and call it “soda pop” heh.
I also say cue-pon, pee-can, and car-mel.
Holly
[Reply]
My parents immigrated to the states from Portugal and my dad still has a really thick accent. He says everything funny, which as kids we thought was hilarious. Half the time we didn’t know what he was trying to say and he’d have to say it in Portuguese for us to understand.
Rosa – Fitness, Food, Fulfilled
[Reply]
A couple years ago I ran for this charity called “Run for Heaven’s Gate” through my church. Heavens Gate is an orphanage in Inida that all the proceeds went towards. Anyways, we did 4 half marathons in the month of October. For most of my training I ran 4-5 days in the mornings, either 6 or 7 miles each day. On the weekends I did a long run, usually around 10 miles. I was always so afraid of skipping more than 2 days at a time so I never did and I think it paid off. Remember to always challenge yourself, especially when increasing miles. I suggest raising it by 2-3 miles when you do increase, instead of increasing 1 mile at a time. When October rolled around I only ran 1-2x during the week between races as the races take a toll on your body and I was still able to stay in shape for the next race, but for training, I wouldnt recommend that! Good luck with your training
Carrie Purchase
[Reply]
Don’t hate on the Chicago accents!!! I love mine, haha <3
I grew up in Chicago and lived in Wisconsin for five years, so I have a weird hybrid accent of both. Whenever I hear the Wisconsin accent popping up though (bohwt=boat, anyone?), I freak out and try to cover it up! Haha.
Laura @ prettylittlewords
[Reply]
This post is awesome!! I find it interesting that you said “pop”. I have dual citizenship (Canada & US) and all my American friends & relatives say “soda” while all the Canadians say “pop” so I always thought it was just different across the border.
I say coo-pon, pee-can, and care-a-mel
Rebekah @ Medicine, Munchies & Movement
[Reply]
I’ve gotten away with training for a half marathon with just one long run per week, with cross-training during the week, and maybe one other run.
You’ll feel better on those longer runs, though, if you do at least 2 runs during the week, but you could probably drop the mileage down to 3-4 miles!
Gillian @ That’s G
[Reply]
Yay for Gettysburg
I went to college there 
Keri
[Reply]
peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
i have a gettysburg college sweatshirt!
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
I think it’s funny when people say terlet
Allie Q (Fit Geek)
[Reply]
My dad’s from NJ and still has an accent on some words. I love making him say drawer. It’s the best word to show his accent!
Linda
[Reply]
Salmon looks goooood!
i say coo-pon, pee-can & care-a-mel!
Laura @ Unchartered 20s
[Reply]
Cue-pon
Pe-cahn
Ca-rah-mel
Yeah, I don’t even…apparently the way I hear my pronounciations differs from the ones you spelled out lol! Then again, I drop into a wicked Boston accent when I’m tired or drunk. Nearly intelligible lol.
Stephanie
[Reply]
Heehee! I love “arnge.” My Mom is from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania and after 30-odd years in Florida, still occasionally lets an “arnge” or “arn” (aka iron) slip.
I’m born and raised in Florida but I’ve had people tell me I talk to fast to be from Florida. Maybe it’s the northerner roots I listened to growing up?
I only say coo-pon, but the others I can say either way depending on who I’m around. I have a terrible subconcious habit of picking up the accent (and mannerisms, actually) of the person I’m talking to. I’m totally a weirdo and try to be more aware of it now!
Adriane (the greenhorn)
[Reply]
I moved from Illinois to Florida as well! To Ormond Beach actually.
I still say pop- although I usually have to follow it up with “soda” when they say what?
julie brown
[Reply]
cue-pon
pee-cahn
cara-mel
I think a lot of people vary on what they call the TV remote. My whole life I always just called it the remote, but one of my best friends in high school called it the clicker and a roommate in college called it the channel changer.
jaci
[Reply]
Pop is correct
I say cue-pon (although I had to say it out loud to decide)
pee-can
cara-mel.
Jess@atasteofconfidence
[Reply]
I wish I had some advice about the running, but I am a terrible runner myself! Sometimes I think it’s mental and that I could run farther if I believed I could. Any ideas for getting over the mental hurdle when you are not an experienced long distance runner (but in good shape otherwise)?
Kristi W.
[Reply]
peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
it’s TOTALLY mental. check out my running story: http://www.pbfingers.com/2010/04/21/my-running-story/ i was the EXACT same way you are and once i got over the mental hurdle, it was much better. i really do believe it’s all about working up to a distance (slowly) and believing that you can do it.
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
I’m from Chicago and never heard “maaam” over “mom” when I was there. Although, I still say pop and get so much crap for it. And people tell me I have a Northern accent but I’m not sure what that means.
I was totally thinking Boston accent when I first read “Maaam” !
Paula @ Eat: Watch: Run
[Reply]
From Kansas City, Missouri:
Coo-pon
Pah-cahn (got a lot of crap for that when I lived in SC)
Car-mel
Question about your strength training – do you go through everything once and then repeat the whole thing two more times, or do you do each exercise’s 3 sets at once, take a few seconds break in between each set and then move on to the next?
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats
[Reply]
peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 2:17 pm
i do each exercise’s 3 sets at once before moving on.
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
From Philadelphia, PA:
Coo-pon
Pee-can
Car-mel
Steph
[Reply]
definitely pee-can! this summer i worked in south carolina and found myself getting a little southern accent by the end of the summer!
Terrapinette@terrapinette.wordpress.com
[Reply]
Maybe you could do one 6-7miler during the week and one 3-4 miler. that way you still get in 10 during the week and on the 3-4mile day you can still do weight stuff. I do think you want to run 3 days per week.
Ida
[Reply]
peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
i knowwwww. blah! i was hoping to get out of it, but i think you’re right. 3x a week worked for me in the past. i better stick to it.
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
CAR-MEL. PEE-CAN! POP! never soda! I’m a PA girl! Have a great day Julie
Hilary
[Reply]
Definitely pe-can! I am hanginging onto the PA pronunciation even though everyone in TX laughs at me…
Lindsay @ biking before bed
[Reply]
waitwaitwait, like “MAAAAM! THE MEATLOAF?!”
I dig it.
anddd my “maam” is also from PA (the Philadelphia area). she says “arnge” and “baayud” for bad. weirdos.
Alyssa @ Life of bLyss
[Reply]
I pronounce “Coupon” as “Coo-pon”, Pecan as “Pah-cahn”, & Caramel as “Care-a-mel”. Always wondered though what was the right pronunciation of the last too hmmm…
. B-fast looked Yummy! I’ll have to try it sometime. Your workout also begs a “try” as well. Thanks for all the helpful hints on this blog. They ROCK! 
Kanoe
[Reply]
coo-pon pee-can.car-mel…isn’t funny how everyone pronounces stuff differently!
Stellina
[Reply]
My friends say I pronounce “calendar” wrong … i think i pronounce the ‘cal’ the same way you used to pronounce ‘maaaam’ Oops!
ps – today is national peanut day!
Lizzy
[Reply]
I call carbonated beverages “pop” and everyone makes fun of me! But really you don’t call the machine they come out of a soda machine, it’s a pop machine!
My dad says “renember” instead of “remember.” So embarrassing. Also, I’m pretty sure everyone in my family says “warsh,” it’s even worse when we go on vacation and I hear my mom telling people we’re from “Warshington State.” They’re also terrible with names (pronunciation and spelling) no matter how many times you correct them.
Stephanie
[Reply]
cue-pon
pa-cahns
car-mel
I grew up outside of Chicago with Texans for parents, so I say the oddest mis-mash of words.
I can’t pronounce pin and pen differently, nor say tin and ten correctly. I say yall, but still have that God-awful Chicago way of saying ‘mom’.
Isn’t speech so interesting?!
Michelle W
[Reply]
Properly caramel = car-uh-mel
It is neither car-mel or care-a-mel
And it will forever be pop, never soda. Oregon-born and raised!
Amber K
[Reply]
Amber K Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 1:21 pm
I just read that out loud and I typed it wrong!
caramel = car-uh-mul
Amber K
[Reply]
I pronounce everything the exact opposite as you do! Born and raised in New York and now living in the south. By the way, one thing that I do since moving down here is I accentuate the “um” in umbrella. It’s an UM-brella here in South Carolina.
Erin @ The Grass Skirt
[Reply]
Your new workout plan looks awesome! I love finding new things to do in the weight room for my workouts, I’ll have to try this one!
I say:
coo-pon
pee-can
care-a-mel
When I was little my friend used to always say AXE instead of ASK. It would drive me nuts!
Brittany
[Reply]
My rule of thumb when training for race is never to take more than 2 days off in a row. If I stick to that method, I ALWAYS feel good during and after my practice runs. I feel that consistency is more important than distance (if I had to choose one), however it is important to get those higher mileage runs in…so maybe only 5-6 miles once a week, the rest of your runs 2-4 miles, and one long run of course.
xxoo
Mer
Merri
[Reply]
peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
i like that plan. thanks, mer! miss you!!
peanutbutterfingers
[Reply]
Don’t ask why or how but I used to pronounce onion … “ung-yun”. Yep, that’s just ridiculous
Cara @ EAT.PRAY.RUN.
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Haha I loved reading all the funny pronunciations
I definitely need to get something ooey gooey cheesy for lunch, yum.
Kate @ NaturaStride
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I’m training for a half-marathon too and my training plan calls for 3 days of running: 1 Saturday morning long run, 1 recovery run on Sundays, and speed work on Wednesday. The speed work day has lower mileage, but is fast, so it ends up being a great, not to mention my favorite, work out since it’s the shortest and I can do some strength work after. My plan also incorporates 1 day of cross-training. The other 3 days are “rest” days, so I use them for light cross-training/cardio, yoga, and strength training. This is a beginners plan though, and some intermediate/advanced training plans will have you run 4-5 days per week. Hope this helps!
Shanna
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peanutbutterfingers Reply:
September 13th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
yeah i think i have to run more than 2x a week to keep up my endurance. i like how you incorporate speed work into your training!
peanutbutterfingers
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LOL I loved this pronunciation stuff!! I just graduated with a linguistics major and this is one of the fun things we tackle in class.
So funny how we all think one way is the right way, but in English (esp. American), there really isn’t one! Unless you’re REALLY off haha 
I say cou-pawn instead of cue-pawn.
Ellie@fitforthesoul
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I’m the reverse of you, Floridian who moved to Chicago. My dad now swears that I sound a little more like a Chicago-an. I don’t believe him. I refuse to believe it.
Shari @ The Daily Dish
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Ha love this! I say those words the same as you too!
What about comfortable? I always hear people saying it differently. Either com-for-table or comf-table? Ha!
Shayla @ The Good Life
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coo-pon
pee-can or pe-cahn (like to switch it up if I feel real country lol)
care-mel
Oh and in Texas we also say ‘Coke’ and not ‘soda’ or ‘pop’. LIke:”Can you get me a coke?” “Sure. What kind?” “Oh Dr. Pepper” lol
Isabel
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I say: coo-pon, pah-cahn, and car-mel.
I think I’m picking up a Chicago accent, haha (it’s only been 13 years).
Claire @ Un Bello Aperitivo
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Haha very nice! I love to learn about pronunciation!
Gen
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Aww, happy birthday to your dad! I live 20 min from Gettysburg!! Do you ever come back to visit??
Lauren
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ahahhaa I say pop! I’m from Michigan, so maybe it’s a midwest thing???
Nicole @ Giraffelegs
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Coo-pon, Pah-cahn, and Car-mel. Your upper body workout from today sounds like a good one!
Abby @ Abz ‘n’ Oats
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I laugh every time I hear my born and bred St. Louis husband say “warsh”. I’m coo-pon, pee-can, and care-a-mel.
I’m not sure if I’m in the minority, but have you ever been around someone so frequently that you pick up their accent? I’m terrible with this! I take on the accents of my girlfriends from Michigan and South Carolina. My brain doesn’t even know what it’s original accent was. LOL.
Ryan @ Aloha Appetite
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I am from Idaho and I say cue-pon, peh-cahn and car-mel. I also say “pop” and totally resisted changing to “soda” when I went to school in Southern CA. My biggest pronunciation pet peeve is “EYE-talian” for Italian… you wouldn’t be in EYE-taly if you went to Rome!
ALSO: for those of you who visit Idaho, and go to Boise, it is “Boy-see” not “Boy-zee”. Just a tip 
As for the training, I think that it would be detrimental to run less than 3x a week. Cross training is great, but it doesn’t mimic running and cannot substitute for just putting in the miles! Sorry
Erin
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cue-pon
pee-cahn
kara-mel
i think someone once asked me how i said “button”
i say butt-tin….but the person tols me it’s “buh-in” i don’t know!lol
erica
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cue-pon
pee-can
kah-mel
I’m a Boston girl…so I don’t pronounce my R’s
It’s awful, I cringe when I see movies like The Town or The Departed and say “God I hope I don’t sound like that…”
Marykate
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I would just like to let you know that I absolutely LOVE your blog! Funny story, I stumbled upon it last night as I was at my computer…dipping my finger x243535 into the peanut butter jar. I actually tried one of your treadmill interval workouts today and it was a doozy, but felt sooooo good! It’s nice to find another person that loves peanut butter as much as I do (which is ALOT)!
And I’m from good old Texas, and pronounce them cue-pon, pah-cahn, and care-a-mel.
Dolce
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I’m from New Zealand and my 3 pronounciations are the opposite of yours! Except for caramel…I say it exactly like it’s spelt! ca-ra-mel.
River
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I’m from just outside of Gettysburg, so I probably sound a lot like your dad. Aside from pronunciations, I always get strange looks when I say I’m going to “pick up my room” (clean) and “rutch over” (scooch)
katy @ shot of style
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Is your dad from Indiana? My family “warshes” clothes, too.
I was a pop drinker until I moved to Arizona.
Arlene @ Adventures in Weight loss
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HA, the ARNGE comment reminds me of this Kristin Wiig skit…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1sYZWFW_Nc
we’ve got these arrrrnaments
Nicole
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I saw war-sh, I always thought it was Baltimore/MD thing because that is how my Dad says it, maybe just a MD/PA thing!?
I also say coo-pon, pee-can and care-a-mel.
Nicole
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So funny about the Chicago accent!!! I’m from a Chicago burb, Plainfield to be exact, and I moved to Tampa in 2000. Never knew I had an accent!! Then my first week of college everyone kept asking me to say words like “class” and “ass”, and totally cracking up as I said them lol. Ive since taught myself to say “soda” instead of “pop”, but my accent still makes appearances at times when too much alcohol is consumed or I spend too much time visiting home!
Shan
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As a K4 teacher, I am in awe of your parents and the longevity of their relationship!
I love crazy pronunciations…but even better…my husband is from PR and says “foil paper” for aluminum foil, “fishes” for fish regardless of the amounts, and “shrimps” for more then one shrimp. He has lived in FL since 1983 but I still have to remind him of our gloriously crazy English language rules =).
As far as the running…I had a friend who recently completed a half and did zero running in her training and shaved over ten minutes off her time. All strength, plyo, lots of core work, and yoga. I think as long as you are in shape and have strong leg and core muscles you will do awesome!
Jennifer
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Mostly opposite – coo-pon, pee-can and now a twist – ca-ra-mle
Jane
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I say– cue-pon, pee-can, and care-a-mal. It’s so funny how different some people’s accents are. My boyfriend grew up 2 hours away from me and I say “ORANGE” and he says, “ARRNGE”. It makes me laugh everytime he says it.
Ali @ Ali Runs
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I did this arms workout this morning and it was amazing! My upper body is definitely feeling it! Thanks so much for the workout inspiration – my weight lifting has definitely fallen to the wayside and I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I am not sure about what exercises to do to maximize my time in the weight room!
Aditi
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ummm we have the same Coach wallet. that is all.
Meg
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My friend you are the best your article save me a lot of time.
Brittny Shevenell
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