I recently received this e-mail from a reader:
"Thank you for having the Runner's Notes Blog. As a beginner runner, I look at it pretty often for motivational tips and general insight on things that related to running such as the winter running challenges. "I was trying to search the blog for tips on stretching due didn't see to see anything. We're trying to figure out what types/how often we should be stretching.
I have never written about stretching because I have never really done it. Probably because I have never really been sure about how, when or where to do it.
I've paid the price. I've pulled muscles and I have embarrassingly tight leg muscles -- so tight that I am unable to sit on the floor with my legs extended flat out in front of me.
It's something I know I need to work on. Becoming more flexible is key to running health and staying injury free.
I've done some digging around and came up with a great article on www.halhigdon.com that explains why it's important to exercise, when to do it and how.
A few more stretching articles worth checking out:
The Runner's World Complete Guide to Stretching offers a few stretching tips and and 8-stretch routine (with photo illustrations).
Here's a discussion on Stretching from the Runner's World discussion boards. It's older -- Jan. 23 -- but offers some insight from veteran runners.
If you're stretching to increase flexibility check out this article from www.runtheplanet.com.
If any of you veteran Erie area runners and/or trainers want to weigh in on the importance of stretching -- post a comment or email me and I'll post it for you.