| If you are still a beginner in running, you should know | | | | pain in the parts of your legs that were mentioned. |
| that a runner is best off to not just do a training run | | | | The other injury called Achilles Tendonitis is |
| and hit the shower immediately after. A runner who | | | | characterized by pain just over the back of your heel. |
| knows what he is doing should do some necessary | | | | This injury can cause small tears within the tendon |
| stretching exercises after the workout to make sure | | | | which makes it susceptible to rupture. This injury can |
| the body heals well of the exercise just completed. In | | | | be caused due to similar reasons like shin splints such |
| this article we discuss the best stretches for runners | | | | as excessive mileage, too much leg work and working |
| that you should remember and get familiar with. A lot | | | | in too much speed. Therefore it is even possible that |
| of people are joining the bandwagon these days and | | | | when you get one injury, you could also get the other. |
| pick up running in order to keep a healthy and fit body. | | | | So to prevent them from happening, you need to equip |
| Running is good for your stamina, increases your | | | | your legs with the necessary muscles. It is best to do |
| metabolism, and gives you a feeling of being refreshed. | | | | these running stretches after your running training. |
| A good run is like a cleanse that refreshes you and | | | | Static stretches like the ones I am describing here can |
| releases your energy and allows you to get rid of | | | | do damage to cold muscles, reason why you should |
| extra calories and fats. | | | | not do them before your workout. Do them after your |
| If you are still a beginner in running, you should know | | | | run when you are completely warmed up and then |
| that a runner is best off to not just do a training run | | | | these running stretches are going to be very beneficial. |
| and hit the shower immediately after. A runner who | | | | Best Stretches for Runners #1: Heel Drops |
| knows what he is doing should do some necessary | | | | The best stretches for runners are incredibly simple to |
| stretching exercises after the workout to make sure | | | | do. For instance, for heel drops all you need to do is |
| the body heals well of the exercise just completed. | | | | position yourself on a curb with your front foot. Then |
| Below are some of the best stretches for runners that | | | | drop your heels and stay in that position five seconds |
| you should remember and get familiar with. | | | | before you lift it again. You can repeat this around 5 to |
| Among the number of stretches you can do there are | | | | 10 times. Heel drops are important to prevent Achilles |
| two that are most important for runners to do. These | | | | Tendonitis. |
| prevent nasty injuries such as shin splints and Achilles | | | | Best Stretches for Runners #2: Calf Raises |
| tendonitis. The two most important stretches to | | | | To prevent shin splints, you need to do something |
| prevent this are calf raises and heel drops. | | | | called a calf raise. This is done by standing on the floor |
| To get you more familiar of what you are up against, | | | | and lifting your heels. This is done for about 10 seconds |
| let us try to describe each of the two possible injuries | | | | and drop it again, and then you can repeat them for 5 |
| that could inflict you if you run without performing these | | | | to 10 times. |
| necessary stretches. | | | | Now, I am a long time runner and the last few years I |
| Shin splints usually happen to those who are new to | | | | have been pretty bad with doing all my stretches. You |
| running and push themselves too far. This kind of injury | | | | get a little older, a little lazier, I don’t know what it |
| is characterized by lower leg pains either towards the | | | | is. But I have never stopped doing my heel raises and |
| inside of the lower leg which is called medial shin splints | | | | calf drops. I believe it is due to those stretches that I |
| or towards the front outside part of your leg known | | | | have not had any lower leg injuries for as long as I can |
| as anterior shin splints. | | | | remember. There are more important running |
| Therefore as a beginner in the sport of running, you | | | | stretches you can do, but if anything, I would absolutely |
| should control your pacing and also your distance | | | | recommend doing these stretches every time after a |
| increases. When you increase your mileage too much | | | | run and you can prevent the worst lower leg injuries |
| or change your running terrain to harder and steeper | | | | from ever happening to you. |
| grounds, then do not be surprised that you would feel | | | | |