Personal best (PB)
[per-suh-nl best]
/pɜːrˈsəʊnəl bɛst/
Noun
The best performance or highest achievement an individual has attained in a specific activity or event, often used in sports to denote the fastest time or highest score achieved.
A Personal Best (PB) is a runner's fastest time in a specific distance, reflecting their peak performance. It serves as a benchmark for progress and motivation. For example, if a runner's PB for a 5K is 20 minutes, they aim to beat this time in future races. Achieving a new PB indicates improved fitness and training effectiveness. It matters to runners as it provides a tangible goal, encourages consistent training, and fosters a sense of accomplishment. Tracking PBs helps runners set realistic targets and measure their development over time.