To Stretch or not to stretch, that is... - Fun Beyond 10K & ...

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To Stretch or not to stretch, that is the question?

ju-ju- profile imageju-ju-Marathon62 Voters

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30 Replies
ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Marathon

I sometimes stretch after a run but often I don’t. I have to do some stuff pre run like foam rolling as guided by my osteopath but it’s not stretching per se

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMe

The only time I'd stretch around a run would be if for some reason I miss out on the 5 minute walk at the end... I do feel the need then.

But that doesn't mean I don't incorporate stretching activities in my overall programme.

agedsnailspace profile image
agedsnailspaceMarathon

I do a 30 min yoga session most days and regularly work through Kinetic Revolution 30 day challenge which involves a lot of stretching. I will stretch at the end of a long run ( hm +) if I have specific tightness, but I don't have a specific stretching routine I go through.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubMarathon

I stretch when I force myself or when I feel a niggle, I know my moto should be “must do better”.

Dpsl profile image
Dpsl

If I don't stretch after a run, I suffer afterwards. It's boring, but hobbling around is even more boring.

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon

I don't do much stretching generally, and not at all before or after running :)

Kallyfudge profile image
KallyfudgeMarathon

I stretch after if I'm good, I think static stretched before are bad for performance, but I sometimes (pre parkrun) do dynamic stretches before. If I don't stretch after (and foam roll) I eventually build up a knot somewhere, if I don't detect the knot early enough it effects my form and then I risk a popper injury.

Having read that most folk stretch incorrectly and for not sufficient time, I rely on the foam roller. But am doing other more ‘stretchy’ stuff just not after running

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Marathon in reply to

You can’t beat a bit of the old rolling....

mrrun profile image
mrrunUltramarathon

I stretch on my rest days. Chewing gum style. I do daily Achilles tendon stretches though, no matter what.

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Marathon in reply to mrrun

The chewing gum stretch ?

mrrun profile image
mrrunUltramarathon in reply to ju-ju-

Yeah. The way l stretch my long limbs resembles a chewing gum between the chop sticks. Or a spider yawning.

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon in reply to mrrun

lol!

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Marathon in reply to mrrun

That’s a thing now- love it!!

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphHalf Marathon

I started stretching after my runs, and developed more aches and pains. I probably wasn't doing them right, but I stopped.

When I'm at the gym and I've done aaaaaages on the bike and then 30 seconds on the elliptical, I'll bring my heels up to my bum (one at a time :D ) before I get on the treadmill. That's it though.

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon in reply to Anniemurph

I do that sometimes just cos it feels really nice :)

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Marathon in reply to Anniemurph

Don’t overdo it eh...

😉

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphHalf Marathon in reply to ju-ju-

Sometimes I get carried away by the adrenaline and when I look down I've done 35 seconds :O

Sandyscroll profile image
Sandyscroll

I almost always stretch after a run and have recently started foam rolling but I've still managed to cause some damage to my left upper leg so am on the IC. Maybe I shouldn't have bothered with all that stretching in the first place. I'll bet cave men never bothered after chasing their evening meal.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply to Sandyscroll

But hanging from tree branches to avoid being eaten by sabre tooth tigers, probably counted as stretching:)

Sandyscroll profile image
Sandyscroll in reply to Oldfloss

So that's what I'm doing wrong. Has anyone got a spare sabre toothed tiger I can borrow? 😉😀

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply to Sandyscroll

Nope..sorry...just looking outside now..it is more like the Ice age :)x

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Marathon in reply to Sandyscroll

I’ll put a call out to the panthering community 😻

Sandyscroll profile image
Sandyscroll in reply to ju-ju-

Such resourcefulness! 😂

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator

Simple warm up routine and dynamic stretches before a run and always after... set routine.. and rolling after too... I am old..it works for me:)

Rignold profile image
Rignold

I never stretch before or after a run or workout, unless I am doing a specific exercise which requires greater than usual range of motion in which case I will do specific mobility drills. I do do stretching and mobility sessions on their own though. I also foam roll and do various kinesiology techniques with lacrosse balls and voodoo bands etc.

I think the purpose of stretching is greatly misunderstood but most people and this can risk doing more harm than good. I am afraid to say I think the main C25k forum dogma reinforces this, and the advice endlessly repeated is poor.

I suspect that many people misuse the foam roller too, tbh. I know I did when I first got one I did.

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon in reply to Rignold

Will you be blogging about the foam roller?

Curlygurly2 profile image
Curlygurly2Half Marathon

Dynamic stretches before, static stretches after.

Tbae profile image
TbaeMetric Marathon

I found this both interesting and surprising.

I have never had to use a foam roller.Although read about it on here.

Without proper warm up, not just the walk ,and certainly post stretching, do not think my recovery would be anywhere near as good.

andystev profile image
andystev

I stretch after an interval session, with the PT, 'cos she tells me to. Otherwise, no.