Cool down is surprisingly important

[magenta_sparkles]

I say 'surprisingly' because I am so unused to any physical exercise that everything is new to me! I did w8 d1 this morning and I was feeling so good that I continued running through part of the cool down period too, and then stopped abruptly at my front door. My legs and especially hips are now super stiff and sore so I am regretting not having a cool down walk. Learn from my fail! 😅

[Hidden]

There are many times we become wise after the event during our running journeys, you are not alone. Good thing you noticed and have taken note. Stopping quickly after a long run can also mess with your blood pressure and cause you to faint, as a fellow runner discovered mid-run not so long ago when he paused to chat to a friend. Down he went.

Repeat your post run stretches this afternoon, but ease into them gently as your muscles are cooler now.

[magenta_sparkles in reply to Hidden]

That's a good tip, though I must confess I have not been stretching at all! Time to look after myself a bit if i want to continue to cover greater distances!

[Hidden in reply to magenta_sparkles]

I do these two sets of stretches religiously before and after my runs and they really help.

pre-run: runnersworld.com/training/g...

post-run: nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/h...

[magenta_sparkles in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for these links, I will start stretching!

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to magenta_sparkles]

Definitely not a good idea ! 😐

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Stretching immediately after every run, nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/h... 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, as recommended in the guide to the plan.

Many people do not hold their stretches for long enough or put enough effort in. Hold post run stretches for 30 seconds and make sure the pull is strong enough to be on the verge of discomfort.