When do you stop the warm up and cool down walks? - Couch to 5K

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When do you stop the warm up and cool down walks?

Bbq1 profile image
Bbq1Graduate
12 Replies

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!

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Bbq1 profile image
Bbq1
Graduate
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12 Replies

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 🙄 🌧!

Bbq1 profile image
Bbq1Graduate in reply to

Hi. Good advice. Thanks. I need to continue because my legs probably do need a wake up!

Pinkpig20 profile image
Pinkpig20Graduate

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.

Bbq1 profile image
Bbq1Graduate in reply toPinkpig20

Thank you.

ForestGrump63 profile image
ForestGrump63Graduate

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

Bbq1 profile image
Bbq1Graduate in reply toForestGrump63

Yes, i definitely don't want a injury so good advice.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

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.

Bbq1 profile image
Bbq1Graduate in reply toIannodaTruffe

Of course, you're right about athletes warming up so should we.

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate

Straight away 🤦🏽‍♀️

I never walk.

Bbq1 profile image
Bbq1Graduate in reply toTasha99

Bucking the trend! I'm always so keen to start running and sometimes feel like the 5min is too long.

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate in reply toBbq1

If I’m doing a speed session, I’ll do 2k slow first but if it’s just a regular run, I don’t warm up any way.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

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.

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