Hi all you hardened runners . Just a quick question. Do you all still do the warm up walk now you've graduated and not using the 5k app
Warm up walk?: Hi all you hardened runners... - Couch to 5K
Warm up walk?
![Deborahchick46 profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/6cf2fa794b614f65d29690275227a1c8_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
![Deborahchick46 profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/6cf2fa794b614f65d29690275227a1c8_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Yes I do - I think it’s important so you don’t get injured but I may be wrong! I do 8-10 mins warm up and cool down - I don’t think 5 mins is long enough - but that’s just me.
![Irishprincess profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/3b41f9cda3a111ddede447e89c45beef_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Yes, always and longer when it's cold, at least 10 minutes. But I do other stuff too - leg swings, hip moves, side bends, skipping, blah blah to get the blood moving and my body ready to run. The odds times I've skipped a warm up it takes me longer to get into my stride and I feel really stiff for ages so a 5-10 minute warm up works for me.
![Irish-John profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/2197a0ba-609c-4ada-a963-2aecd3c04070_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Absolutely!!!!!!
Never. The jogging is generally the warmup for the main workout.
![Jay66UK profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/286aa732b721f1867bc4f0641f8b3d05_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Another “yes”. And at the end.
![IannodaTruffe profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/3f4bb9be0d77359f644e07c022a99698_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Professionals and elite runners warm up to avoid injury, so should we.
![Tasha99 profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/9c52c882-c4de-4824-9b89-9bfda4ff7cb9_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Not really but I know I should and feel the benefit when I do.
![linda9389 profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/fef6968f6d01f3b8c68a017c095296e3_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Always. It doesn't take long
![Goforitmama profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/0343344d7c9dd3ff47343ba294795254_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Yes, but I only start the timer on my watch when I start running. My cool down walk does not count in my total distance either.
Good luck.
![HoagyM profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/ce9fc288-3b4c-42bd-b4ba-066df2c11cc3_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Good question, and interested in the replies you’ve got.
For me... absolutely, minimum 5 minutes walk before and after, plus the odd stretch here and there too. Mind you, I’ve noticed that the warm-up walk is always a proper brisk walk, while sometimes the cool-down walk is just a slow-ish stroll while I try to get my breath back 😄
If anything I have increased the amount I do and when I have to skip due to time constraints/ childcare restraints I feel the difference, stiffer to begin with and don't find my happy place until much further into the run. So for me it's a must and if I want to work on improving my time, then I know I need to spend more time preparing. There's great stretch routines on the NHS site for both before and after. Plus I'm sure the one I now use (not having looked at the site for a while, and all from memory) was from the Runner World website. If you're stuck for ideas I'd be happy to post a link to it.
I also work in things I've picked up from Metafit and Pilates.
![Deborahchick46 profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/6cf2fa794b614f65d29690275227a1c8_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Thanks for your advice and support. I'm going to carry on with the warm up and warm down walking. Xx