Rest Day.

Run:  Bike Path
Distance: 6.6 Miles
Time: 55 min
Avg HR: 154
Shoes: Brooks GTS 9
Feeling Before:  Good
Rating: 8

Good Run.  Ran the first 3 miles at a 7 min pace.  Gonna see how my foot holds up tomorrow.

It’s a question I never really thought to ask.  Of course you should stretch before running! Right?  I know that I should stretch because it’s one of the things I don’t do well.

Seems like there is a lot more debate on this than I would have guessed.  Some people seem to think stretching helps prevent injuries (Debbie Pitchford, physical therapist) while on the opposite spectrum, some coaches thinks it’s benefit is more psychological than physical.  I’ve also heard it said that stretching removes lactic acid from the muscles (http://www.halhigdon.com/15Ktraining/Stretch.htm) – or was it hydrogen ions? But for distance runners running below this threshold, that doesn’t seem like it would be a problem.

Stretching does seems to make someone more flexible, but I guess the real question is whether or not added flexibility is good for the long distance runner.  It’s an interesting thought that I’m going to have to research a little bit more.  Until then, I’ll stick with feeling guilty for not doing it.