Do you run during cool down or do you just walk or stretch?

teamAmelia

Do you run during cool down? I hate to waste time and spend the last five minutes just walking. So, I run at least one more interval. What about you?

KANGOOJUMPS

i walk slow , then cool down and stretch a bit

likitisplit

It's not a waste of time. It's important as a cool down and you are still burning calories. I ran 9 miles without stopping on Tuesday. But I walked for 5 minutes before and after. I've tried just going straight to running, but I don't feel right for the first couple miles.

rduhlir

Cool downs are SUPER important. Just like you don't want to jump off a treadmill after running, so to do you not want to stop immediately after running. The purpose of a cool down is to slow your heart. If you stop immediately, it puts a lot of strain on your heart and your blood is still pumping hard through your body. When you stop and immediately start stretching, you could actually pass out because of the blood still pumping so hard.

Always cooldown. The shorter the run the shorter the warm up/cool downs need to be, but never skip them.

asalembier

I try pushing myself during the 'cool' down moments of the app by adding another run, or extending my time, but I always then extend my time to do at least 5 min of cool down (I do it so I can prepare myself to move on or not, especially in the early stages). After my 5 minute cool down I stretch for another 20 min to lengthen my muscles and strengthen them keeping them more flexible. I find if I skip the stretching, my body hurts more the next run

jessiekanga

Cool downs are SUPER important. Just like you don't want to jump off a treadmill after running, so to do you not want to stop immediately after running. The purpose of a cool down is to slow your heart. If you stop immediately, it puts a lot of strain on your heart and your blood is still pumping hard through your body. When you stop and immediately start stretching, you could actually pass out because of the blood still pumping so hard.

Always cooldown. The shorter the run the shorter the warm up/cool downs need to be, but never skip them.

I didn't know that, thanks. I always thought it was more for your muscles than your heart. Glad I always do it!

rduhlir

Cool downs are SUPER important. Just like you don't want to jump off a treadmill after running, so to do you not want to stop immediately after running. The purpose of a cool down is to slow your heart. If you stop immediately, it puts a lot of strain on your heart and your blood is still pumping hard through your body. When you stop and immediately start stretching, you could actually pass out because of the blood still pumping so hard.

Always cooldown. The shorter the run the shorter the warm up/cool downs need to be, but never skip them.

I didn't know that, thanks. I always thought it was more for your muscles than your heart. Glad I always do it!

Well the cool down does help with the muscles as well. It double functions as a working stretch, and brings your heart rate down. It is the same actually if you do any physical activity to warm up and cool down, not just running.

teamAmelia

Wow, thanks for the advice. I was starting to read about cooling down the other day and read something about stretching helping the muscles. Didn't know about the other things that you guys mentioned.

And, I do just jump off of my treadmill sometimes. :embarassed: I clearly know nothing about exercising/technique. I need to stop running around my gym and actually go in and see a trainer. LOL

yamsteroo

I always do my cool down walk if only so my neighbours don't see my 'phoebe' run as I return home :blushing:

pinkstp

I cool down and then stretch afterward

I also do a pre-warm-up 5 minute walk with a stretch break and then start the "official" warm-up afterward (mostly for shin splints).

lua_

5 minutes walking to warm up
Run
5-15 minutes walking to cool down
Stretch

PinkNinjaLaura

5 minutes walking to warm up
A few dynamic stretches (toe taps, leg swings)
Run
5+ minutes to cool down (depending on how far from home I end up)
Stretch

bttrthanevr

5 minutes walking to warm up
A few dynamic stretches (toe taps, leg swings)
Run
5+ minutes to cool down (depending on how far from home I end up)
Stretch

^^^This is exactly what I do too. I am impatient and wish I could just zip off into my run. But when I have skipped it, I have hurt. I don't want anything to interfere with my running, so I make myself be good and do it.

romyhorse

5 minutes walking to warm up
A few dynamic stretches (toe taps, leg swings)
Run
5+ minutes to cool down (depending on how far from home I end up)
Stretch

^^^This is exactly what I do too. I am impatient and wish I could just zip off into my run. But when I have skipped it, I have hurt. I don't want anything to interfere with my running, so I make myself be good and do it.

Same here, I need to stretch before I run or my legs feel sore for the first couple of kms. And I always end my run about a km from home then walk home and stretch for about 15-20 minutes. The longer the run the longer I stretch.