Stretching

[scooberella]

Hi all, I’ve not been stretching but can see everyone is talking about it and perhaps I should be 🤨 Where can I find information about what stretching to do? I don’t remember seeing it anywhere... thank you in advance!

[Disneylover1]

Hi, the below will take you to a video on stretching from the c25k app. I always do a walk and stretches on my rest day I find this helps me 😃 good luck

youtu.be/gL1pVRPueQk(Not working as expected?)

[dieOR5k Graduate]

Link to faqs: healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

I use these post run, and the nhs strength and flexibility podcasts on days off.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

You should stretch after EVERY run. These are the nhs ones which I still use😊

nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/h...

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

In the guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Stretching immediately after every run, while muscles are still warm and supple, pulls out contractions, avoiding carrying tensions into the next run and also improves recovery by improving blood flow.

[scooberella]

Thank you everyone I’m stretching now 🙌🏾🙌🏾

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Don't feel obliged.

I found the idea of stretching really put me off running.

It was the fact that C25K *doesn't* require any stretching and has a walk before and after instead that was one of the big attractions.

Now, I am absolutely not saying that stretching is all rubbish, as you've seen, many people swear by it and <whispers> I do yoga now, generally as a first thing or last thing practice. But that is more because I think strength and flexibility work is part of all round fitness than because I run. The interesting thing is that very occasionally I have felt a real urge to stretch straight after a run... and it always turns out that it is when I have skimped on the post run walk.

I don't run on smooth hard surfaces, I wear minimalist trail running shoes, I run slowly and I have not yet sustained a running injury in 8 years of running (although came close recently running on hard surfaces in and near my home) If you are a road runner pushing yourself hard

But if you were asking because your body was asking you and it feels good... by all means do!

[Speedy60 Graduate]

The pre and post run walks are really about regulating your heart rate, not your muscles.

Since I started having achy hips, I've always done some dynamic stretches before I run to put my joints through their full range of movement. It works a treat. My post run stretches can be a bit hit and miss but as I start doing longer distances I'm starting to appreciate the benefits.