Why we shouldn’t miss our pre-run warm up
I like to run first thing otherwise it doesnât happen, I know Iâm not alone in this. I donât know about you but I feel like the Tin Man most mornings as I take my first trip to the loo.
I have to make time for a warm-up before my run as it will just feel awful.
But I never use to feel like this, it wasnât that long ago was it that I jumped out of bed every morning ready to put on my trainers and off I go.
Not nowâŠ
My Morning routine
I have got into the habit of doing 10 minutes of Pilates warm-up most mornings, usually a mobility and flexibility session to get the blood flowing and my joints moving. If I have time I will do a Pilates for Runners strength session as well.
This also means as I am in the habit of doing this becomes my pre-run warm-up as well. So when I get out running I am moving so much better than the Tin Man version of myself earlier!
The video below is similar to a routine I do regularly to get myself moving. Click here or on the photo to give it a go, it makes a great pre-run Pilates warm-up.
Why are we so stiff in the mornings?
Itâs an age thing!
If you do a lot of activity throughout the day then it makes sense when we sleep that our body isnât moving so becomes stiff.
But it can also be for several other reasons. Some of which you could have control over.
Our bodies age we know that muscle mass declines, joints stiffen so we lose flexibility, ligaments shorten, cartilages thin and thatâs not taking into account the rest of the body
If you are inactive throughout your day then your joints will stiffen up, even though you might run regularly. Getting up regularly throughout your day will help. Find out more here about what happens to your body when you sit for long periods, in my chat with my physio. You can listen here.
In our early 20s, we are at our peak muscle strength, from then on it plateaus and starts to decline.
Why we shouldnât miss our pre-run warm up before we go out.
Increasing the blood flow to our muscles and getting our joints moving regularly will slow down the aging effects on our bodies, just heading out for a run without a warm up might work for you at the moment but your injury risk will be increased.
Injuries, as we age, take longer to recover, so why wouldnât you add in a warm-up before your run so you can continue the thing you love to do and help slow down that aging effect.
I love it it gives me a bit of me-time, focuses me for my run and I go out in a better mindset as my body feels ready for it.
If you enjoyed the Pre-run warm up with Pilates video (above) then why not check out the Pilates for Runners membership where there are more videos like this plus many more specifically for runners.
