Warm up- runners?????

This is probably the stupidest question ever- but do you always do a warm up (walk) before a run? Is it really necessary? Do you do it while training to run a half/full Marathon? And if you do, do you count it as part of the miles You ran?

Re: Warm up- runners?????

Probably the worst thing ever, but I NEVER warm up. I stretch after every run though.

Re: Warm up- runners?????

I always warm-up because I'm always either trying to keep a minor injury under control, or trying to prevent any more! I do more of a dynamic warm-up with walking lunges, leg lifts, high knees, jumping jacks, etc. If it's a speed workout, I would run a slow mile to start. For a long run, I just head out after the warm-up and take the first mile or two easier. You just want to be careful stretching before running; you don't want to stretch a cold muscle, make sure you are really warmed up first. I will stretch any problem areas before an intense workout, but after I am really warmed up.

I do count it as part of the mileage, miles are miles regardless of whether they are slow or fast. And not a stupid question at all!!

Re: Warm up- runners?????

I use my first mile as a warm up. hills, tempos, long runs. If I am doing a speed workout, I run to the track as a warm up or if I drive I run .5-1 mile as a warm up.

I always count the warm up in my mileage.

for HMs and fulls, I have read that you should not warm up before the race, you need to keep everything in your reserves.

Re: Warm up- runners?????

Yes, the first mile I do is usually to warm up my body. I go at a pace about 1 minute/mile lower than I would once I was warmed up.

Re: Warm up- runners?????

I never warm up for a regular distance run. Usually, the first mile I run a little slower (15-25 seconds off pace).

For workouts and races, I usually warm up for 20-25 minutes - do the workout/race- and then cool down for 20-25 minutes.

I always count it towards my mileage as I am running.

ETA: For the only HM I have ever done, I did a really quick warmup. 5-10 minutes just to get a little loose and warm up - it was on January 1st.

Message edited 7/28/2012 8:36:53 PM.

Re: Warm up- runners?????

I just started doing some dynamic stretching before my morning runs because my legs were feeling really heavy. LINK I don't do the walking lunges though because they are too hard on my knees.

Edited to add: if I walk 0.15 or so to start, I always count that in my mileage.

Message edited 7/29/2012 8:59:39 AM.