To Stretch Or Not To Stretch? My Take After 1,809 Consecutive Days of Running

Stretching: is it really essential before and after exercise, or is it just one of those fitness myths we follow out of habit? After 1,809 consecutive days of running (yes, you read that right!) I thought it high time to share my honest experience on this topic. Whether you’re a fellow runner, cyclist, or fitness enthusiast, I hope my storey helps shed some light, or at the very least gets you thinking differently about your own warm-up and recovery routine.

My Unique Routine

Admittedly, I’m a bit of an outlier. For years, I’ve rarely engaged in traditional static stretching – you know, the kind where you stand and touch your toes or hold a leg behind your back for 30 seconds. I don’t dismiss the importance of warming up or warming down, but my method is almost exclusively dynamic.

For me, warming up means getting straight into my runs at a really slow pace, using small steps to gently wake my muscles up. The first half mile is all about gently getting blood flowing; only later do I open up my stride. And as for warming down, I’ll be honest: that’s the part I’ve neglected most, often finishing strong, then heading straight into whatever else the day demands.

The Stiffness Factor

Recently, I’ve noticed something new. At 43, and after taking on a few rounds of golf – using muscles I’m not used to exercising – I’ve woken up each morning feeling like a “decrepit old man”, barely able to bend down to put on my socks! That morning stiffness made me pause: is my lack of post-exercise stretching catching up with me? Or is it simply age and accumulated mileage?

What the Evidence Says…and What I’ve Lived

I’ve dived into the research, and interestingly, there’s plenty of debate out there. Some studies show stretching isn’t a necessity, while others suggest dynamic movement and gradual warm-up/warm-downs are what really matter for injury prevention and recovery. For me, the proof is in my running streak. Over nearly 2,000 days, I've experienced fewer injuries when I’ve not been religiously stretching, compared to other sports where stretching was a non-negotiable.

I must be clear: I’m not prescribing my method for everyone. I’m simply sharing what’s worked for me. Our bodies are all built differently, and it’s important to listen to what yours is telling you. If static stretching works for you, keep at it. If experimentation leads you elsewhere, that’s okay too.

Next Steps: Test and Measure

This new bout of muscle stiffness, especially after adding golf into the mix, has been a wake-up call for me. I’m now planning to experiment more with slowing down at the end of my runs and weaving in dynamic warm-downs. I’ll try these tweaks and report back on what I notice – does my morning mobility improve? Will I be able to ditch those “old man” aches?

In Summary

To stretch or not to stretch? I think it’s less about following dogma and more about understanding your own body and routine. For now, I’m sticking with dynamic movement, but I’m always open to tweaks if they’ll help me enjoy pain-free mornings and even better runs.

If you’ve got thoughts or personal stories on this topic, I’d love to hear them. Drop a comment or question below, and remember: the right routine is the one that keeps you moving and happy.

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Stay positive, stay happy, and I’ll see you on the next run.