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I_wanna_live
Posts: 227 Member
kidding... but, my question
how important is stretching to running? I will explain if need to, but I think the question says it all...
how important is stretching to running? I will explain if need to, but I think the question says it all...
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for me, I have to stretch, THEN do a warm up for I feel sluggish when I run. The stretching warms up my muscles and warms up my warm up.....I guess it sounds repetitive and anal, but works for me.0
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I find that just walking for a bit first, or even a light jog, is a much better warm up than stretching. If I don't have that option, then I do dynamic stretches only. Static stretches on cold muscles can actually be worse for you and should be left for post-workout stretching sessions.0
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I'm embarrased to say that I never stretch; before or after. I do a 5 min warm up and cool down walk, but never stretch. Should I?0
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My opinion, and the opinion of lots of runners much better than me, is that it is not only not important but can be counterproductive. I rarely stretch unless something feels sore or unusually tight. If I do stretch it is only a few ballistic stretches before the run and some static stretching afterwards.0
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I'm really bad at that!
I have been getting better ... maybe 50-60% of the time I now stretch ... but I just started running on my own and never got in a good habit ... I mean I do a warm up walk ... and technically stretch when I'm putting on my shoes ...
But I really need to get better at that for injury sake (especially in the last few months when I've begun to take my running more seriously) ...0 -
I find that just walking for a bit first, or even a light jog, is a much better warm up than stretching. If I don't have that option, then I do dynamic stretches only. Static stretches on cold muscles can actually be worse for you and should be left for post-workout stretching sessions.
^^This.
Except for IT band stretches. I do them diligently, after warming up. I had a series of injuries that could have been prevented if I learned the IT band lesson earlier.0 -
I stretch my hips (I tend to get tight ITBs) and my calves before. And then do some standard static stretches after.0
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I never stretch. I usually start out slow until I warm up, but that is it. I have never had a problem.0
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I lightly stretch out my calves, hamstrings and shoulders...takes about 2 minutes otherwise I sometimes get cramps part way through. Otherwise, I don't do much.0
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I never stretch, just do a 5 minute warm up walk and another 5 for a cool down walk. So far so good!0
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If I dont stretch I get shin splints and groin pain.0
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It's very important!!!
Even if you just do a couple moves, that helps warm up muscles and tendons so that you won't get hurt.
What happens when you bend a spaghetti uncooked it snaps, but cook it (ie warm it up) it gets bendy and moves freely.
So you obviously won't break a leg, but if you've ever pulled a groin muscle you know how bad that hurts and how easily it could have been prevented by doing even 1 simple stretch.0 -
In terms of injury prevention there seems to be no difference between the stretchers and non-stretchers. In terms of performance there is some evidence suggestion (as Scott pointed out) that static stretching before a run may, in fact, impede performance.
Prior to running I'll warm up with a short dynamic stretching routine more just to get the muscles warmed up a bit and increase blood flow to my legs.
A little OT but there is strong evidence that runners benefit (injury prevention and performance) from core strengthening, strength training (all around but special attention to hips & glutes)0 -
static stretching after and dynamic stretching before. ALWAYS.0
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Post run, yes.0
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Stretching is so old school lol. Look up dynamic warm-ups on YouTube or anywhere on the internet. They are the way to go. Also Yoga is amazing stuff for the body.0
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I don't stretch.0
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so yoga with running would be bad... I mean doing yoga in the eve after a run. But would it work if I ran in the morning and Yoga in the eve?0
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I find that just walking for a bit first, or even a light jog, is a much better warm up than stretching. If I don't have that option, then I do dynamic stretches only. Static stretches on cold muscles can actually be worse for you and should be left for post-workout stretching sessions.
Agree!0 -
I stretch a bunch after, but the only thing I stretch before is my IT band because it's being a *****.0
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