Should I be stretching before the 5 min warm up walk?

[joannecb]

I'm half way through week 3 and still experiencing major pains in my calf's when I run - the pain isn't intense immediately when I do the 5 min warm up walk but I do begin to notice it. Should I be putting in some stretches before I begin to walk?

[nrg_girl Graduate]

Are you stretching after your walk? I usually do calf & quad stretches at least right after the 5 min cool down. This might prevent the soreness for the following run. The other thing I have done is stretches after the 5 min warm up walk, just a minute or so on a kerb to make sure calves are limbered up. I'd then walk a few another minute to make sure I was still in the groove, then turn the podcast back on.

[lizziebeth57 Graduate]

Just replied to Tiny21's post about stretching so take a wee look at that and see what folk are saying about stretching generally. Not sure about the calf one specifically though, apart from emphasising the need to stretch carefully and for a decent length of time after your run. Hope it resolves soon.

[Hidden]

If you want to stretch before your run, best to do so after the warm up walk & before the run

[BonnieConnie]

I'm just starting week 3 and I also felt aches in my calves and the backs of the thighs (hamsrings?). I was doing the typical lunge stretches for calves and the knee pull ups but the aches persisted and I could feel my legs aching at night, so now I have added coming into the house and doing a good 20 minutes of yoga stretches, especially for the legs. I realize that although I dance regularly, this running is using the muscles in a different way. The muscles get really tight after running and I'm feeling much better after yoga stretches. I also moved my laptop to the top of a medium sized filing cabinet so I can stand at the computer and stretch my legs while I type instead of sitting. It seems to be helping!