Stretching- Yes or no?

[Lordi]

Stretching - Who swears by it? Who doesn't do it?

I'll probably get into hot water for fessing-up (yet again), but I never do any stretching at all either before or after running. I've always been pretty supple (can still put my knuckles flat on the floor infront of me at age 55, palms if I repeat the process a few times (ok that's stretching I suppose)). Also seem to have no problem repeating the yoga moves my wife shows me from her classes (ok, that's a bit of stretching again). But the stretching stuff I'm talking about is the stuff right before and after the run. Never do it.

Is it something everyone should do or is the prescription a simple catch- all heuristic/rule that gives the best outcome for most people?

Have never pulled a muscle or had any joint, tendon issues or any other non impact injury, in my whole sporting career (cricket ball impacts, tackles, bike crashes, cuts, broken toes and fingers, bruises - sure). Have never even sprained my ankle and I hike 1000s km each year. Have never suffered a cramp (except a couple of my toes cramp slightly some times (at random times, not related to exertion).

Have I just been incredibly lucky?

Can't explain why I don't stretch except say that when I have done it, e.g. as part of an organised training session warm-up for group sports, it always felt counter-productive or the stretching routines themselves didn't agree with me in some way or other (maybe over stretching some area I rarely rely on due to physique or style?).

Maybe running will be my "Waterloo" injury-wise?

Anyway, just wanted to find out what the concensus on this forum was about this subject. I'd put up a poll if I knew how to do that, but can't see where the forum poll feature is located.

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

I'm not keen on it, I tend to find it can make my muscles/tendons stiffen very inconveniently. This could be over-stretching as you mention, but also I have read that there is little benefit to stretching, and since I am usually pushed for time I tend to skip it. I do, however, practice eccentric heel dips twice a day, which I suppose is stretching, and I enjoy having a little stretch out every now and then; I think yoga is nice During a run sometimes I feel the need for a bit of a shakeout, but after a run hardly ever, and certainly never before.

Only admins can post polls, but if you'd like to PM me about it that sounds like a good idea for one.

[Lordi Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Thanks! I saw JuJu was the main pollster so sent request for poll to her before I saw your reply.

It's an interesting conundrum. I just feel stretching seems to be " taken for granted" as a must-do. Good to know an accomplished runner like you also has a different aporoach too!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Lordi]

Aw I think that people should stretch if they want to, but I have been injury-free for a long time now (hmmm, two years? Something like that...), so I am happy with my position on it.

Funny I was just thinking of suggesting you talk to Ju about it, as I have not made a poll yet so it would be a bit trial and error with me!

[John_W Marathon]

My sports physio was dismissive of stretching with regards to running. In her opinion, a brisk walk was all that was needed - same muscles, similar action to the running thing

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

A poll is up now, check it out:

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

[Lordi Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Super work! Thanks! Will be very interesting.

[Gabby08 Half Marathon]

I have specific stretches for areas of tension rather than a full routine e.g. I’ll never run on trails without doing a stretch for my hip flexors because I’ve suffered from post-race hip pain in the past. I also sometimes get pain between my shoulder blades on a long run so I have a specific stretch for that.

[Rignold]

I am very keen on stretching and mobility work in general. I never do it before/after a run though, or gym sessions. I have specific days where I do stretches and so on. Sometimes if I am going to be doing n exercise that requires greater than usual range of

Motion.

The idea that is perpetuated on the forum that all newbie injuries are a result of not doing post run stretches and/or the 5 min cooldown walk is utter twaddle though. It used to make me tear my hair out in frustration- if people are get injuries they need sensible advice not old wives tales. But you have to pick your battles and TPTB are unblushing on that one.

[Lordi Marathon in reply to Rignold]

Makes sense that!

[misswobble Marathon]

Poor “old wives”, they get the blame for everything 😁

I usually finish my runs quite a-ways from home so I count my walk home as my post-run stretches Pre run, I often warm up the house first before heading out onto the chilly streets ❄️for the warm up walk

I do yoga at home to try and keep things working 🙂👵🏻

[Lordi Marathon]

I did find this article on RunnersWorld that gives both pro and against viewpoints - runnersworld.com/running-de...

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Lordi]

But the woman who writes in favour of stretching says that at the time she noticed improvement after introducing stretching around her runs, she was working with a physio and also doing other stuff including strength work

[ju-ju- Marathon]

I have a good old walk after a long run so I don’t stretch after that often. However as I am really prone to stiffness in my hips, my osteopath advised me to post stretch which does make a difference when I remember re ceasing up etc.

[Ajs07]

I do a min of stretching pre run but only after 3 mins cross trainer and about 5-10 mins after as advised by my chiropractor 😁

[C3PO Marathon]

I do a round of stretches for each 10K I run. So if I run 9K, I don't do them. And I haven't had any problems. They do help after the really long runs, though.

[AnnieW55]

I just usually use my warm up down walks but since starting marathon training I decided to do the NHS stretches afterwards. Can't say that I feel it's made any difference so far. I've run 5+ years (typing this fingers crossed) with no running injury.

Training on hold now as have gone down with a bad cold/chest infection. Had a great trail run on Tuesday though, in snow, through an almost white out. I already had a sniffle but after the run it got soooo much worse. Hope I can get back to it soon.

[Millsie-J]

After much discussion with two separate sports physios, I gently stretch all areas where I feel any tightness or stiffness. It works for me.

I also like the mindfulness and relaxation element of breathing through the stretches, it feels a good way to finish a run.

I am a keen yogi too, I personally find yoga is good for maintenance of functional movement and movement range.

I seem to recall that I have often read that post-exercise stretching helps disperse lactic acid but I confess I am no expert and as 10k is my distance limit at the moment and I am a slow runner I don’t have much of a view on this.

The gentle stretching routine I use works for me but everyone needs to find what works for themselves I guess.

I do an all-joints warm up before I run......but I’m a more mature (older) runner 💪🏼🏃🏼‍♀️