Runner's love to run. Warm up and cool down routines aren't usually high on a distance runners priority list. Even though warming up and cooling down isn't the most enjoyable part of running training a proper warm up and cool down is a necessary part of your training program.
A proper running warm up is well worth the small amount of time you spend warming up. A pre run or pre race warm up will increase the blood flow and oxygen delivery to your muscles, raise the temperature of your muscles to peak operating level and increase the flexibility, elasticity and range of motion of your muscles. A pre run warm up is also necessary to elevate your heart rate so your heart is primed to deliver energy producing oxygen to your leg muscles.
How about a cool down? Are cool down exercises important. Yep - they sure are. When you're running your muscles act like blood pumps. The constant squeezing action of your muscles helps push your blood through your vast network of arteries, veins and capillaries. If you stop running suddenly with no cool down your blood will "pool" in your muscles and veins causing swelling, pain or even dizziness.
Here are some running warm exercises, cool down exercises, stretching routines, warm up and cool down tips to keep you running safely and effectively.
