''I sometimes think back of my age of innocence when I began to run. I had nearly no knowledge of anything associated with beginners running, all I thought was ‘put some shoes on and run’. No idea of the gear, food, training plans, hydration, types of running, let alone something called stretching.
I stretched in the morning when I yawned in bed, would that be the same thing? I saw a cat stretch, should I copy her? I stretch to reach a book from the top shelf, does that qualify?
Actually, what is stretching for runners or athletes in general? Is it important, is it really necessary, what do we need to do?
Let’s first assume you stretch properly. If you do, then the immediate benefit will be an improved and increased motion in your joints. That itself is worth an effort but there’s more. Your blood flow will increase and you will move better because the feeling of stiffness will decrease.
All that put together will help deliver better performance, you will run with more ease, faster and in less discomfort.
The more flexible your muscles, joints and tendons become you will be more likely to diminish the risk of injuries. In other words, your running body needs some tender loving care and a good stretching routine provides it.''
That's the extract from my latest blog where I muse about stretching, something that I do daily, religiously and thoroughly.
Please find the rest here:
runmrrun.com/stretching-for...
Enjoy!