During winter, it can be hard to warm up properly and reap maximum benefits and performance,” says Nick Anderson, Polar UK head coach and coach at Running With Us. “The key is to start the run very slowly, to warm the body up both externally and internally, and then stop to do some dynamic stretches, before continuing on.
“I think stretching daily definitely seems to lead to less injuries. The body needs to be massaged, fibres stretched out and adhesions and knots stripped out of tired and damaged muscles, and stretching post-training can really help with this process. Avoiding stretching is taking a risk, and will slow your recovery.”