Zone 2: Key Muscle Stretches for Running/Walking

Hamstrings: This one can be tricky because you get different parts of the Hamstrings depending on your planted foot orientation.  People tend to flare out the planted foot but its also important to bring that foot flare in to get other ares of the stretching leg.

 

Calf Muscles: stretch both of them by stretching with the knee straight (gastrocnemius) and bent knee to get the soleus muscle as well.  

 

I like to end with Quads.  Its easy to just pull the foot up behind you and hold it for 30 seconds.  Do a couple for each leg alternating.  Before you run give those quads a little shake and off you go!

 

Its a good idea to warm up a bit before stretching and its good to do as a cool down.  Be sure to hold the stretches at least 30 seconds each.  Its a good investment of time to prevent injury and feel better for your run!

 

LINK to Video: Dr.Darrell's Stretching Video

 

~Dr. Darrell