Cool down

[Kasi42]

Can anyone advise please. Do the 5 mins walks at start and finish count as warm ups and cool downs? Or should we still be doing stretches before and after? I’m on wk 4 and have been lucky to have no injuries so far.

[Miaow19 Graduate]

I’ve been using the 5 mins walks as warm up and cool down and not done any stretching. I’m doing w3r3 next and no soreness so far!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Miaow19]

Stretching can be useful as the runs get longer..loosening the muscles after the run...check the ones out in the FAQ post for newbies 😉

[John_W Graduate]

Officially and in practice, the walks are your warm-up and cool-down.

[Couchpotato2 Graduate]

If you are outside then you could walk a bit more before if you are not warmed up. Definitely do stretches after rhe 5’ cool down. They are quite enjoyable too

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I thoroughly recommend stretching after every run. healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

This can ease contacted muscle groups back into normal position and reduce tension in tendons which you may otherwise carry into your next run.