Morning all. I've had such support and advice on this forum from lovely people sp hopefully you can help with my latest query. I'm excited to be starting Week 9 next week. In the past when I was first a runner, I used to stretch and then just start running, not walk for 5 mins first. Repeated the same process after the run. I often think on the walks how running those parts could increase my distance etc. When did you stop the walks and run from door to door? Thanks!
When do you stop the warm up and cool down walks? - Couch to 5K
When do you stop the warm up and cool down walks?
Hi Bbq1. I’m now working towards 10k and still do the warm up and cool down walk, plus dynamic stretches before and post-run stretches after. They are all part of my routine and I know I need them. I quite like the walks as I feel they really wake my legs up, especially as I run in the mornings, although it’s not as much fun when it’s raining 🙄 🌧!
I think it’s good to always have the 5 mins at the beginning and end. I think at the beginning it helps to warm your body up, & at the end it means you don’t just suddenly stop.
I have my 8k run as week 4 of the 10k plan and I still do the walks. In fact I’ve extended the walks to 10 minutes or so either end. I’m knocking on a bit and don’t want an injury scuppering my progress
I warm up and cool down on (nearly) every run I have done over the last seven years.
Elite athletes with highly honed bodies warm up and cooldown, so I think it is wise for us lesser mortals to do so.
Warm ups become more crucial in colder weather.
You may stop the walks but you certainly need some kind of warm up and cool down... I still walk for at least 5 minutes and then maybe a gentle warm up run too, before the actual run.. likewise afterwards... specially after a long run.
And post run stretches are for many of us, a must.