Warm up walk v run straight out of the door?

[RunRabbitRun40]

How many of you seasoned runners run straight out of the door, instead of doing a warm up walk? Do you do any kind of warm up?

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

I've now been running for 21 months and still do the 5 minutes brisk warm up walk. 😊👍

[RunRabbitRun40 in reply to Buddy34]

thanks Buddy! How does this effect events, like Parkrun? Do you do a warm up walk on your way to the course?

We're (sadly!) still a long way off being able to restart parkruns but I just want to get into some good habits, and make sure I'm incorporating it into my training plans.

[Buddy34 Graduate10 in reply to RunRabbitRun40]

When i go to parkrun, I get there a bit earlier so I can fit in a 5 minute brisk walk just before it starts 😊👍

[ClaSutherland in reply to Buddy34]

To tell the truth, I usually run straight out of the door, but not immediately quickly, gradually picking up speed and jumping and swinging my hands so that this was a warm-up. Indeed, I don't like to train outside when somebody looks at me, I always turn on music in headphones and run in the hoody with the hood so as not to communicate with anyone. Really, I don't like excess attention and communication. When I ordered all the interior and front door for our apartment on doorsdirect2u.co.uk/product... , I provided that they were with reliable locks, blind and I even didn't install a bell or knocker on them so nobody disturbed us.

[Fitat50plus]

I've started a warm up glute activation, ankle & hip flexor release 5 mins before running, it replaces my 5 min walk and I think it's more beneficial for me at this point. It raises the HR and is movement. The exercises come from a physio I saw when I was Half Marathon training 18 months ago.

[NetCadet Graduate10 in reply to Fitat50plus]

Thanks for asking this. As a fair weather runner (started in March) I was going to ask as we get closer to winter if anyone has any good warm up tips or videos for doing inside the house? Want to give myself the best shot at actually making it out the door through winter!

[damienair Administrator]

I warm up first. With a little walk or a very gentle jog. Same as Buddy. I get to parkrun a little earlier than the start time and do a gentle 5 minute jog and a few stretches before kick off and chats.

Damien

[Hidden]

I do dynamic stretches for 5 minutes before I leave the house, then do the 5 minute warm up walk. I started the stretches part way through C25k as the longer runs began and have used them ever since.

[HappyNoodle Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

What kind of dynamic stretches. Is there a video or a plan you follow?

[Hidden in reply to HappyNoodle]

I use these from runners world.com, only takes a few minutes....

runnersworld.com/training/g...

[HappyNoodle Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you 😊

[2bon in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for this Delly-dot! I had been wanting an alternative to the 5 min walk....

[Hidden in reply to 2bon]

Hi 2bon. I always do my 5 min walk as well and the cool down walk. I quite enjoy them, though not so much in the rain!

[2bon in reply to Hidden]

Thanks fir the clarification. I enjoy the 5 min walks too, just hadn’t figured out how to see what my distance/pace was without including them. My son told me about Strava, which others have mentioned and it seems I can just start it when I start running. Going to try that, along with the stretches you posted. 🙏 again.

[2718281 Graduate10]

I'm not a seasoned runner, but I walk down the stairs (6 floors) and walk while I get a lock on the GPS signal, then I start my run. But my runs always start with a slow jog for at least 10 minutes.

[HappyNoodle Graduate10]

Thanks for asking this. I do the walk but am still quite new and it’s a great question to hear the different answers too.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

I walk briskly for at least 5-10 minutes before each run as a rule. Very occasionally I do a 7 minute pre-run yoga session which includes some nice stretches. 🧘‍♀️

But during lockdown when I was running straight from home, I have to admit I did neither of the above. Naughty, I know, but I ran every other day for several weeks with no ill effects. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that though!

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

I don’t warm up if I’m doing a slow run. If I’m doing speed work, I do a slow 2k run. I never bother walking first.

[Couchphoenix Graduate10]

5 min walk every time 👍🏃‍♂️

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

I still do a few minutes warm up walk and then I'm off!

[mrrun Graduate10]

I stretch every morning regardless and when I go for the run I'll walk for however long it takes me to circle around my street (7-10min). It makes no difference how long the run (5, 10, 16km), walking into it simply makes the whole day out worthwhile. And the muscles love it.

[R4inbow]

I'm very bad at doing a warm-up and only really do it when I'm going to be trying to push myself on speed, otherwise I just do a steady first mile of my run (but often my whole run is steady, so this doesn't change much). I'm aware this isn't the right thing to do though, so I wouldn't go copying me.

If I want to warm up in the house, there's two Yoga with Adriene videos that are specifically a warm up for runners (I think one is called warm up the other pre run) which I use and I do notice a big difference when I use them. This might be worth looking at for the people who wanted to warm up before they leave the house.

She also has the cooldown video, which to me makes a huge difference when I use it.

[HeavyFoot Graduate10]

Still do the 5 minute brisk walk nearly 2 years after starting running. It’s a chance to test out ankles, knees, hips and lower back. Also deep breaths to oxygenate and blow away the “OMG it’s 6 in the morning” feeling.

[Kat332zz Graduate10]

I walk first mainly to get to the top of a small hill before I start running!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

I always walk first - 7 mins to the prom

[Rowers Graduate10]

Me too. Always 5 mins walking first.

[Killerblue Graduate10]

I am still consolidating so not a seasoned runner but I always do a warm up walk and cool down as I have CAD and been told that it is dangerous to suddenly start running and to suddenly stop completely as this puts more strain on my heart if things are done too quickly.

[hamit Graduate10]

Used to do 5mins now 10mins walk before and after which seems to suit me better

[GoogleMe Graduate10]

Always a walk first and last.

No poncy stretching before or after (yoga elsewhere in my day) The only times my body has ever said "Oi! Stretch!" have been when the walk is skimped. 8 years, no injuries so far (but road running is a very rare thing for me)

[RunRabbitRun40]

Wow, such a range of responses - thank you everyone! It really helps hearing what works for others, and it seems the consensus is that it's good to do some kind of warm!

[Jane286]

I don't do the warm up walk anymore--most days (when I run on a track I do walk my first lap)--but I do warm up overall. I have a stationary bike at home so sometimes I do a warm up on my stationary bike before the run just because it's low impact so I can warm the body and loosen the muscles without adding stress to my body. Most days I do dynamic stretching so some leg swings and lunges primarily.

[Fauvemarin]

I have been running for 50 years and I still begin my runs with a 5 minute warm walk, and end with a 5 minute cool down walk Plus stretching. I never stretch prerun (muscles aren't warm enough yet). May be why I never had a serious running injury, and am still running after all this time.

[Fleetnot Graduate10]

I still walk for 5 mins briskly and walk about a k afterwards not quite as briskly!