Stretching before a run...

ChelleBelle2708

Hi all,

Apologies, if this has been posted recently. I tried a search.

My friend and I started Couch25K on Monday, and would like to know what are the best stretches to do prior to setting off

Its group run day in work today... Week 1, day 2. Can't wait!

taeliesyn

None really, stretching before a run generally isn't a good idea. Warming up, with a brisk walk/slow jog is much better. Stretch after the run.
If you're going to stretch before, research dynamic stretching.

ChelleBelle2708

ah ok, thats good to know! Thank you

mycrobemini

I walk for 5-10 minutes before starting my C25k program, stretch, do the program, and then stretch again. My shins are much happier for the early stretch.

sympha01

I have found that my hips and hams are happier if I stretch them a bit (DYNAMIC stretching, no static stretching) before. Walking is good for a cardio warm-up, but for me I found it wasn't enough for my joints. I was starting out with hips that were just a little too tight, and that was causing me some trouble with my gait and ultimately knee pain. Bear in mind I have tight-ish hips to start, so YMMV.

Anyway, now I do a few walking lunges, side lunges, bodyweight squats, leg swings, and dynamic one-sided toe touches. Sometimes I do a few walking grapevines. All told, just a few minutes, really quick. Definitely not exhaustive or thorough. Step ups are also supposed to be good, I just don't love 'em (mostly just because I don't like looking for an appropriate height step that's located near my warm-up or starting point).

Static stretching after. Static hamstring stretches, quad stretch, runners' lunge, a modified active pigeon pose. Followed by pancake clobberin' time.

That's what's working for me, as a new runner (started in January). Open to other ideas for the most part.

juliet3455

A few links that will provide multiple viewpoints.

http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/are-you-foam-rolling-all-wrong/
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/30228233#Comment_30228233
http://www.runnersworld.com/training/getting-started
http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/how-to-learn-to-like-running/
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/30136185#Comment_30136185
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/17410872#Comment_17410872

juliet3455

http://dailyburn.com/life/fitness/how-to-run-faster-mobility-exercises/?partner=MFP&mtype=5&sub_id=04122015_sabotagingworkout&utm_source=MFP&utm_medium=MFP&utm_campaign=04122015_sabotagingworkout&utm_content=04122015_sabotagingworkout