Thoughts on Stretching

Yup. But physical therapist says unless you are tight you don't have to stretch as long as you might think. It's more important what you are stretching. Also, if you are running, he recommends stretching after not before, especially if you are old (like me!!). :laugh:

Stretching before you run reduces the ability of the tendons to return energy with each stride and will slow you down. The tendons act like springs while running and store energy when stretched and return it when they contract. Free energy - so don't give it away by stretching out the springs.

I realized that I hardly ever stretch. I usually jog around my neighborhood in the morning, and then hit the track or go to the gym with a friend at night. I rarely ever stretch unless my friend suggests it or if I feel like my muscles are a little sore the next day. Should I stretch more often?

The only muscles that I've read where static-stretching is beneficial prior to lifting or running would be the hip flexors and pectorals. The rest basically benefits most from dynamic stretching or even light plyometrics. Save the static stretching for post-exercise.

Well, stretching isn't really shown to prevent injury, overall, especially with running, but there are benefits. Stretching helps elongate muscle fibers, and increases blood flow, which contributes to better overall muscle health. It also helps long term, especially stretching done with the hip flexors (think splits-type stretches), because it keeps the overall range of motion intact for longer, which definitely helps runners.

I don't stretch before I run, but I do afterwards. I've been in gymnastics, martial arts, and dance for most of my life, though, so stretching and keeping limber was always important, and it's mostly become a habit by now for me.