Stretching?

[Cw1888]

Hi everyone i am about to do w2r2 tomorrow and was just wondering about stretching. In my previous runs i have not done any stretching at all. When should i stretch? What are the benefits of stretching? What happens as a result of not stretching?

Thanks guys

[Skipper21 Graduate]

I try to stretch after runs. Don't always do it - I run in the morning before work so sometimes rushed to get out and beat the traffic. Stretching before exercising means stretching muscles that haven't been warmed up and isn't good for them. I did suffer from sore knees when I started running and stretched religiously an did knee strengthing exercises. Now as a recent graduate my knees don't hurt that much (i.e. They're fine a couple of hours after running). I would definitely recommend stretches after running and keep going with the programme - it's brilliant and there loads of support here for your journey.

[Cw1888 in reply to Skipper21]

Cheers thanks for the reply will start to include them in future runs 👍🏻

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

Here's the link to the good ole, NHS livewell recommended stretches

google.fr/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=...

[Cw1888 in reply to Curlygurly2]

Cheers thanks for the link 👍🏻

[amygill1990]

I do the couch - 5k with a running club and we stretch before and after

Your supposed to do dynamic ( i think) stretching before and static stretching after

typically what we do is...

before a run - 5min walk with a few high knees / skipping

after a run -

'frog squats' - Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart. holding onto a wall or something squat down as low as possible, keeping your heels flat on the floor. Press your knees open with your elbows

- we do about 5 of these

'quad stretch' - grab the top of your right foot and bring it closer to your glutes while pushing the hips forward.

calf stretches - Keep your right leg forward, foot flat on the floor, and extend your left leg straight back, placing your heel flat on the floor. Don’t bend your back knee. Lean into the wall until you feel the stretch in the calf of the straight leg.

then we do some shoulder stretches

hope that helps!

[Cw1888 in reply to amygill1990]

Cheers, yes this definitley helps 👍🏻