Pre Race Warm-ups: An Essential Part of Every Runner's Routine
When I started running almost 4 years ago one of the cardinal rules of racing my running coach taught me was, "The shorter the race, the longer the warm-up." It is something that has been ingrained in me all these years and something I still practice to this day.
He would insist that I spend a good 20 minutes warming up by doing some walking, slow jogging, short strides, and easy stretching well before my race. Of course me being me, I always had lots of questions for him, especially as to why I would spend so many minutes warming up when the race itself was so short.
But what are some of the other benefits to pre-race warm-ups?
HAPPY SPARK RUNNING!
Do you warm-up prior to your race/event? How much time do you spend warming up?
He would insist that I spend a good 20 minutes warming up by doing some walking, slow jogging, short strides, and easy stretching well before my race. Of course me being me, I always had lots of questions for him, especially as to why I would spend so many minutes warming up when the race itself was so short.
But what are some of the other benefits to pre-race warm-ups?
- It allows for your heart rate to increase over a period of time.
- It allows for blood to be diverted from the internal organs to the muscles in the legs needed for running.
- It allows for your body's temperature to rise.
- It allows for the joints to warm and to loosen up.
- It all allows you to mentally prepare to run the race.
- And the biggest reason to warm-up is to lessen the risk for injury during the race itself.
HAPPY SPARK RUNNING!
Do you warm-up prior to your race/event? How much time do you spend warming up?
