I like to think that I'm a pretty quick learner...present me with some information and I can grasp it and regurgitate it with impressive accuracy (thank you, college). For some reason, though, that skill does not translate into my running life. At. All.
I know the "don't increase weekly mileage by more than 10% rule" and have been injured on multiple occasions (stress fractures, IT band crap, etc.) because I just didn't feel like following it. Learn from mistakes? Not really.
The same thing applies with stretching. During high school track and cross country, we stretched before and after every workout, and I loved it. I thought stretching was so ingrained in my routine that I would never stop doing it. But I didn't, and today I realized that I can't even come close to touching my toes. How did that happen?!?
I did the same 5 mile run as yesterday, which is just a hilly out-and-back down to a bridge along the river. My legs were incredibly tight and I was just not having any fun at all, so I stopped under the bridge (with about 239 of my closest Korean cycling friends) to stretch. This may come as no surprise to those of you that stretch on a regular basis, but after I stretched my calves, quads, and hamstrings, the run got a whole lot more fun. I think this stretching thing may stick after all!
Do you do anything to work on flexibility? What and how often?
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I really need to make time on stretching and flexibility. I tried to incorporate pilates into my training, but have slacked off. Once my marathon training is over, I plan to make more time for pilates and/or yoga!
ReplyDeleteI foam roll about 3 times a week, but stretching has totally fallen off my radar. Just like you, stretching after running is ingrained in my head from cross country and track days, but sometimes I forget. I have been trying to work more on my ankle mobility when I am warming up for a weight session.
ReplyDeleteLast year when I trained for my first half I did Yoga once a week and it really helped. For this marathon I have not done enough stretching whatsoever! I should think about Yoga again, but who has time to do it all??
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