When do you stop the warm up and cool down walks?

[Bbq1]

Morning all. I've had such support and advice on this forum from lovely people sp hopefully you can help with my latest query. I'm excited to be starting Week 9 next week. In the past when I was first a runner, I used to stretch and then just start running, not walk for 5 mins first. Repeated the same process after the run. I often think on the walks how running those parts could increase my distance etc. When did you stop the walks and run from door to door? Thanks!

[Hidden]

Hi Bbq1. I’m now working towards 10k and still do the warm up and cool down walk, plus dynamic stretches before and post-run stretches after. They are all part of my routine and I know I need them. I quite like the walks as I feel they really wake my legs up, especially as I run in the mornings, although it’s not as much fun when it’s raining 🙄 🌧!

[Bbq1 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Hi. Good advice. Thanks. I need to continue because my legs probably do need a wake up!

[Pinkpig20 Graduate]

I think it’s good to always have the 5 mins at the beginning and end. I think at the beginning it helps to warm your body up, & at the end it means you don’t just suddenly stop.

[Bbq1 Graduate in reply to Pinkpig20]

Thank you.

[ForestGrump63 Graduate]

I have my 8k run as week 4 of the 10k plan and I still do the walks. In fact I’ve extended the walks to 10 minutes or so either end. I’m knocking on a bit and don’t want an injury scuppering my progress

[Bbq1 Graduate in reply to ForestGrump63]

Yes, i definitely don't want a injury so good advice.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I warm up and cool down on (nearly) every run I have done over the last seven years.

Elite athletes with highly honed bodies warm up and cooldown, so I think it is wise for us lesser mortals to do so.

Warm ups become more crucial in colder weather.

[Bbq1 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Of course, you're right about athletes warming up so should we.

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Straight away 🤦🏽‍♀️

I never walk.

[Bbq1 Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

Bucking the trend! I'm always so keen to start running and sometimes feel like the 5min is too long.

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to Bbq1]

If I’m doing a speed session, I’ll do 2k slow first but if it’s just a regular run, I don’t warm up any way.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

You may stop the walks but you certainly need some kind of warm up and cool down... I still walk for at least 5 minutes and then maybe a gentle warm up run too, before the actual run.. likewise afterwards... specially after a long run.

And post run stretches are for many of us, a must.