STRETCHING 

Younger people are naturally more flexible than older people because as we age, the muscle connective tissues have a natural tendency to shorten and lose elasticity.  This will result in muscle tightness,  stiffness and set you up for injury.

STRETCHING IS NOT AN OPTION

MYTH:  Stretch before you run.  The truth is that when your muscles are warm they will be more flexible than when they are cold. Why? Increase in muscle temperature decreases muscular resistance.  Stretching cold muscles can lead to a severe tear of the muscle fibres taking weeks or months to repair.

There are stretches that are essential to practice if you are a power walker or runner because of the specific muscles that we use during the activity. Here are my top 6 from (Spark People)

6 ESSENTIAL STRETCHES FOR RUNNERS  

1)  Lying Hamstring Stretch  VIEW

2)  Standing Quad Stretch  VIEW

3)  Lying Hip and Glute Stretch  VIEW

4)  Lying Hip and Glute Stretch 2 VIEW

5)  Calf Stretch  VIEW

6)  IT Band Stretch  VIEW

NOTES:  Hold stretches for 15 – 30 seconds and stretch gently.  Stretch after every run (never before) and as oten as you wish in between runs.  Flexibility will keep you injury free, makes you a better more efficient runner.