Stretching

A0

Does anyone stretch? After, before running and/or as a separate "stretching session"?
I don't (I do, but very rarely to be honest).

A0

Come on, whatever you do I won't tell anyone, it's just to know in general, what people do -don't in terms of stretching. Don't be shy :-)

token56

Yes and yes. A good warm up/cool down including stretching whether dynamic or static is always a good idea in my opinion. Some days I'd also spend maybe half an hour before I head to bed doing just stretching, particularly focusing on any muscles that are bothering me. I do this about 3 times a week and it definitely helps me. A couple of years ago I would have stretched very little but it definitely catches up on you after a while in terms of injuries.

RoverHogan

I never stretch before running, but I try to start my runs slow and warm up over the first couple of miles.
I always finish by walking for about 500m, and then I stretch for about 15 mins. I only started stretching early on this year and I hated doing it at the start. But now it's part of my routine so I hardly even notice doing it.
It's hard to tell if the stretching is beneficial. I have stayed relatively injury-free, so maybe it has!

corny

Stretching is overrated for me. A warm up is vital of course but i just start with a light jog.

A0

118 views... 118 shy people, please let it go and tell us. Where are the Boards legends (Ecoli, Woddle, Racoonqueen and others)? Tell us!

YFlyer

Usually just a few dynamic stretches before I go running.


Oh yeah I sometimes do a few asanas in the morning before breakfast.

rainbow kirby

Never before running, sometimes do a few after. Prefer a yoga class or something when I want to stretch.

anymore

A0 wrote: »

118 views... 118 shy people, please let it go and tell us. Where are the Boards legends (Ecoli, Woddle, Racoonqueen and others)? Tell us!

Maybe people are shy ecause it is not clear why you are asking ?
maybe you should explain why you dont.

A0

anymore wrote: »

Maybe people are shy ecause it is not clear why you are asking ?
maybe you should explain why you dont.

Thanks for your post.

The question is clear "Do you stretch?"

I don't want to know the scientific rationale or what the literature says about the benefits (if any) of stretching, I'm just asking do you stretch (before - after - a separate session, etc.)? If people want to say why they stretch, etc. that's fine but "yes + few details" or "no" are fine

kennyb3

Have a read of Brad Walkers book on stretching.

I always stretch after exercise, if you understand how muscles work you ll know why its important to stretch.

I didnt stretch when i started cycling and my hamstrings shortened over time but now addressing that

A0

kennyb3 wrote: »

Have a read of Brad Walkers book on stretching.

I always stretch after exercise, if you understand how muscles work you ll know why its important to stretch.

I didnt stretch when i started cycling and my hamstrings shortened over time but now addressing that

Thank you but re-read my posts, don't worry about updating my knowledge in terms of reading. I'm just asking if people stretch or not and when they do it. If you understand how muscle-tendon units and fibers work you'll know that what you say is not always true (it goes both ways but again it's not what I asked)

ger664

Maybe you should have added a poll to the thread.

Yes

A0

ger664 wrote: »

Maybe you should have added a poll to the thread.

Yes

Good idea, ta.
Pool added

dna_leri

Never before, sometimes after if I have time, often later in the evening or the next day if feeling a bit sore or tight.

JohnnyCrash

Yes,I stretch. Dynamic stretches before run.I was using regular static stretches post run.but am going to change to AIS and give it a go.I also stretch before bed,find it very relaxing.

RacoonQueen

If I have a specific area of tightness I'll stretch. Do some self administered PNF on my hamstrings when they play up and it sorts it quick smart. If I do a S&C session, which I never really do anymore anyway, he makes me stretch afterwards but says he doesn't do it himself.

Otherwise, no. Never feel the need to(except after cycilng sometimes).

nice_guy80

what about foam rolling? great to do that before static stretching and after any exercise

Rantan

yes, I need to stretch a lot, I will do about 5 - 10 minutes loosening out before a run, some dynamic stretching and fast walk the first few mins into the run, i also walk out of a run(5 - 10 mins), I cannot just stop running. I need to stretch after every run or else I will suffer, I find the more I run the tighter certain areas get, I try and do a weekly foam roller session but dont always, i find its great to work out ITB/calves, and I go to a yoga/pilates class once a week...

captain P

I'll usually stretch after a run, spend about 10-15 minutes, mainly stretching out tighter areas - hamstrings, glutes, hips and calves.

Sometimes if I'm cold before I go out for a run I'll do a few leg swings to get the blood flowing and warm up my hips.

Use a foam roller if certain areas are particularly tight, sometimes a few times a day if needed.

Pilates once or twice a week which usually involves some stretching too.

dx22

Always stretch for about 10 - 15mins after a workout and have started doing yoga twice a week separately and its a revelation! So much better than regular static stretching!!

Younganne

always stretch after a run for about 10 min, and stretch before & after Kettlebells class once a week...probably should do more:eek:

martyeds

I spent about 5 mins stretching before and after my run.

robinph

I might have a bit of a stretch on getting out of bed in the morning, but that is just whilst my feet are still trying to figure out where the floor is and my eyes are trying to open.

Don't normally bother too much before running, might on occasion have a stretch after a run, but only if I've bored. It's really just as an excuse to lean against a tree for a couple of minutes so I don't fall over though.

A0

robinph wrote: »

I might have a bit of a stretch on getting out of bed in the morning, but that is just whilst my feet are still trying to figure out where the floor is and my eyes are trying to open.

Don't normally bother too much before running, might on occasion have a stretch after a run, but only if I've bored. It's really just as an excuse to lean against a tree for a couple of minutes so I don't fall over though.

Sport101

Stretch and roll, especially after races, track sessions, tempos and LSRs.

metamorphosis

Never really stretch before a run, if it's a hard session like speed/track, il warm up and do some dynamic stretching.

Stretch afterwards, for the muscles to go back to pre exercise level.

If you want to increase your flexibility for it to make a difference, you'd ideally need to set a session on an off day from running dedicated to it like foam rolling/yoga etc, which i don't do enough of.

I do assist stretch myself with a dynaband and foam roll sometimes, again, not nearly enough

ecoli

Used to be very bad at stretching then went to a very well thought of sports therapist who pulled no punches in telling me I was one of the most unflexible runners he had ever met (at the time was suffering with Runners knee). This was 12 months ago and since then I have actively incorporated flexibility work into my training.

My flexibility work included regular stretching sessions and yoga sessions which I viewed as seperate sessions to my runs and the results speak for themselves I have not have had less than a few days of enforced rest due to injury and these have bounced back going no more than 2-3 days off my feet.

The one thing I will say is that many people don't stretch properly. Many aim to reach as far as they can until they feel a pull. Breathing is something which needs to come into play and is one of the main things I have learned from the yoga in terms of extending reach post exhales. Also fluid intake being vital for flexibility

johnners2981

Yeah I always try to stretch, especially if some of my muscles are feeling a bit stiff stretching helps a lot

A0

Nearly a 1000 views, come on runners! Please answer the poll and it's gonna be the thread of the year

BeepBeep67

Depends on the session for me:
Continuous run - after focusing on know trouble areas.
Tempo run or hills - some stretching after a warm up.
Interval session / Race - dynamic drills before, some static stretching afterwards.