Sometimes it feels like a work out itself! We usually start with a random series of burpees, squats, push ups skips or whatever to get into the swing of things. After this we go through another series of dynamic stretching. Only then do we do get down to business with the day’s WOD. No one is fighting off the yawns anymore!
I’ve been reading A LOT about the importance of a good warm up before any sort of physical activity. Since I started running – the shorter the run, the longer the warm up – has been ingrained into my brain. I follow the rules in Crossfit but I am not as diligent when it comes to running.
My “pals” over at Trail Runner Nation recently posted a great interview with Ryan Greene. They covered a lot of ground about warm ups, stretching and taking running breaks. (Check out Ryan’s warm up series in a Running Times article.)
Most runners know “the rules” but simply go through the motions or use their first couple of kilometres as “the warm up.” We just want to run! Experts and coaches have said since the beginning of time that a solid warm up will help ward off injuries and improve running efficiency. Now I can get on board with that! I just need to bang my head on a tree or something to get it into my head!
10 minutes. I will spend at least 10 minutes preparing my body for my run, longer if it’s anything shorter than 10K. I think if I say it enough, it will actually happen! I am going to borrow Ryan’s and our crossfit warm up sequences for my warm up! I’ll keep you up to date on my progress.
What’s your warm up routine?
If you only had 30 minutes, would you spend 10-minutes warming up before running or would you simply run?
I actually dread the warm up but I agree with you about the shorter the run, the longer the warm up. I do not warm up at all for a marathon. For a 5/15/k or a 1/2 M I do warm up. I find also that if I warm up I am most likely NOT to get a side stitch as well. That in itself is enough to convince me!
I typically warm up for about a mile before really running on my training runs, but I'm terrible about not warming up before a race. I actually did a good warmup before my 5k this morning and it did make the first mile a lot easier!
i am terrible at warming up but will stop and drop and stretch out after anywhere!! maybe i need to change it up!
I am terrible at warming up….like just walk out of my house and start running terrible. My last 5k race I did a bit of a warm up and I think it helped…will see what happens at the 10k race this weekend.
I always feel like I need to run four miles in order to warm up enough to adequately run a 5k. It's ridiculous.