To Stretch, or not to Stretch? That is the question.

[mrrun]

Not long ago I was going on about stretching and its importance for runners. linda9389 inspired me to come up with a post that would explain why some runners simply don't like to stretch.

Could it be because they don't see the benefits or maybe they think that stretching is just for the pros? Maybe they think life is too short and stretching is time consuming? Or could it be that they simply see stretching as boring? Or they think that some stretching, sometimes, is OK, but not every time they run? Dunno, hard to tell. But, in any case, I have come up with my own theories in my new blog.

runmrrun.com/5-reasons-why-...

And yes, I still stretch for at least an hour every single day. I never thought that sitting on the carpet in weird shapes would define my middle years. And yet, it does. I look like a guy who's been dropped from heights and left to rest in a heap. Or somebody who's trying to attach his legs correctly. In any case, I feel better than years before. My range of movements has improved, some niggles in the hips and shoulders, let alone my lower back, are all gone (let's hope I now don't jinx myself and pull a major muscle while hoovering). Hope you enjoy the blog!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

A good read! I have been trying, honestly! Before and after... Loads of room for improvement/more focus but it's a start. Thank you for the gentle nudges 😊

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to linda9389]

Always a pleasure, never a chore! 😉

[misswobble Marathon]

Stretching will keep us limber I hope 🤞. I stretch while doing jobs about the place 🙂 I can do some goodly calf stretches while waiting for things to cook 😃

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

Limber is the word! I used to take things for granted, on many a level. Now I think of my body in a different way. Do little things and see how well it responds. At times when I see some of my mates, and where their spines/postures are going, I am even more determined to stick with what I'm doing.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I hula hoop while watching the dinner too 😃

[Comfortnotspeed Marathon]

Bought Hobrough’s book and picked 5 stretches to use for a cool down. Time is an issue so they’ve got to be time efficient and correctly executed.

So far I’ve done them.

I’m trying!! 🤦🏼‍♀️

Will read blog 😊

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Comfortnotspeed]

The key is to be persistent and the results will come. Once we overcome the initial frustrations through discomfort (and not being able to see any progress), and get to the stage when we DO see/fell the benefits, then there should no stopping. It took me about ten months of daily efforts to manage one particular stretch (still feeling quite uncomfortable sitting in it), but that stretch opened up other positions that took away whatever discomfort was troubling my knees after 15-20km of running. Once you feel that, you doubt no longer. 😉

[misswobble Marathon]

I like my yoga dvd. The guys reminds me each time that “yoga is about baby steps”. I often wobble 😁 out of the move but it doesn’t matter as I just reset myself and carry on. We adjust constantly while on the run, or at least I do 🙂

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

I have to admit that my warm up/ stretches are patchy!! I do have a pre run ritual, i.e. ten minute warm up walk and heat treatment / manipulation of my knee cap (that takes 10/15 minutes). Sometimes I do dynamic warm ups ( knees up and then trying to kick my backside with my ankles). After run, I stretch off my calves and do a warm down walk home.

Separately, I have to fit in other physio prescribed exercises, most of which are strengthening, but the last three ( when I am warmed up) are quad, hamstring and groin stretches. Basically I need to find an hour to an hour and a half to get through this lot; so I often skip them! Getting back to swimming has helped. Kicking exercises with fins and a float are good for the whole leg including hips, both in terms of strength and flexibility. I still get too many niggles though….need to try harder !

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

You are doing great! Yeah, finding time can be a problem and it was my issue as well. I then figured out that in order to do proper stretching I can simply quit sitting on the sofa in the evening and simply watch a film by stretching on the carpet in front of the tv. I haven't sat on the sofa since March 2020 and will sit and stretch for as long as I'm staring at something in the box. Could be an hour a day, could be two. 🤪

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to mrrun]

I sometimes do that now. Mrs BC is reasonably tolerant!! 😉

[Curlygurly2 Half Marathon]

When I went to GA a year or so ago, the young man asked if I stretched after my runs, and I said that I used to but had let the habit drop. He replied that he thought I would get some benefit from starting again, and he was right! I don't do a huge amount, just the exercises on the NHS site, but they do make a difference.

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Curlygurly2]

Exactly! Even small workouts will make positive difference. Also, stretching like anything else should be done in moderation. Do too much and too hard and you'll get injured. I spend lots of time doing it but never push it too hard. The last thing I need is to preach about its benefits and then snap a tendon. 😉