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Common Running Myths to Ignore

7 Running Myths to Ignore

September 8, 2012

Source: Getty

2 / 10

by Susi May 8

Stretching Before a Run Prevents Injury

Warming up and stretching are not synonymous. Before running, muscles tend to be cold and tight, and a lengthy pre-run stretch session may tear a muscle. Instead, start your run with five minutes of jogging to get the blood moving, and save the stretch session for after your run to increase flexibility of your warm and tired muscles.

You should also try a dynamic warmup to prime the joints and get the muscles ready to run. High knees marches are a simple way to get heart rate up, but here are moves moves to incorporate into your active warmup.

2 / 10

by Susi May 8

Stretching Before a Run Prevents Injury

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8 Comments

stilllearning2b 1 year

I need to learn from this. I am often guilty of refusing to walk, even when it would limit the effect of an injury or let me run for a longer period of time. I am going to make an effort to mindfully add walk breaks to my long runs this spring. http://lessonsfromtheendofamarrigae.com

noeXcusefitness 1 year

Good advice in relation to no doing static stretching before a run. A light run and dynamic stretching is the way to go. In relation to your shoes, I couldn't agree more. Another thing people might want to consider is getting themselves a decent pair of sports sox. Even the most comfortable shoes in the world will feel terrible if you are running in a pair of tired old sox, that have lost their elasticity and are constantly bunching up at the end of your shoe.

Pursy 1 year

I love that the writer of this article referenced Haruki Murakami!

Nelly M 1 year

Great tips ;)

Bettye Wayne 1 year

"Walking isn't for wimps" is my favorite one. I'm strong as an ox and agile as a dancer, but relatively weak cardio-wise. I'll run like a half then walk an eighth. I can do about 3 miles like that, which isn't a lot, but it's more than I could do a year ago. Great tip for beginning runners!

3 years

Actually, you don't need to replace your shoes that often. I run 3-5 regularly and replace every couple of years. I have a friend that's been running 10 milers & half-marathons in the same shoes for 10 years. Neither of us get injured. If your form is good, your feet are perfectly capable of absorbing the shock. Check out Chris McDougall's book Born to Run - there are people out there who run ultras barefoot. The "replace your shoes all the time" story is a myth.

Nelly M 3 years

Great tips ;)

cg130 3 years

Woah, I actually believed a lot of these!