Forums >General Running>Spinoff: To stretch, or not to stretch...that is the question
rectumdamnnearkilledem
Getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to
remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.
~ Sarah Kay
E-mail: eric.fuller.mail@gmail.com -----------------------------
That said, I'd be really interested in learning new approaches. I've recently started some yoga (OK, I took one beginner class, but I plan to go back) and I think that might be a nice addition to my flexibility training.
There are even a lot of people who criticize the whole idea of static stretching as possibly harmful (these people tend to advocate more dynamic stretching methods... don't ask... I don't understand them).
Professional Noob
I do a lot of stretching ... but almost none of it *before* a run. From what I've read - and from my own experience - I don't think cold stretching does a thing for you. In fact, I think it's just a really efficient way to injure yourself.
Roads were made for journeys...
Runners run
I have thought about doing maybe some jogging in place and/or jumping jacks for a few minutes to warm-up, that way I can stretch indoors where it's WARM. That will also get me warm enough where going outdoors into the cold will feel refreshing, rather than make me chilled and want to turn around and go back in.
In the early morning, before my alarm goes off and while I'm lying in bed enjoyng the last cozy moments before I get up to go running, I wiggle my feet around in circles and point my toes up and down repeatedly to loosen my calves and warm up my feet before they hit the cold hardwood floors.
I just stretch my mind, man. It's groovy.