Stretching for runners

[Jeff Donahue]

Enjoying the GB program so far - using F1 and H1.

I am a long time runner though and was considering purchasing one of the stretch programs.  I was wondering if anyone had any insight as to which stretch program (front or middle split) might be more beneficial for helping running.  Not really having any issues with running, but I figure one of the programs probably does stretches that might help more than the other.

Thanks in advance

Jeff

[Douglas Wadle]

Jeff, I'm a runner as well and have been doing these programs for over a year.  I have all 3 stretch programs. For running, probably the most important are the FS and MS.  For life in general, probably the tBR.  I would honestly recommend all 3.  If you had to limit yourself to 1 it would be hard to say, and I would recommend at least getting FS and MS.  MS might be most advantageous to some runners because of really poor hip mobility, but the FS  incorporates this area from the standpoint of the hamstrings and also includes the ankles and calves.  I use them once a week in depth, and then pick a few stretches out of each one that I do to a lesser degree throughout the week while i'm reading or relaxing as a sort of "limbering" program before bed.  This keeps me limber through a fairly rigorous running season, and I haven't had any piriformis problems since starting this.  My calves have always been my weakness (soleus strains, calf cramps, etc), so the FS program has been a savior here.  The tBR program helps me feel healthier and have better posture, and I suspect there is some carryover to running here, but it's not as readily apparent as the FS and MS programs. And remember, your posture says a lot about your attitude.  Funny, when we have good posture we feel more confident and in charge, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy (see Amy Cuddy's Ted Talk).  Whatever you do, enjoy the process, and make it a part of your weekly life, because it takes time to undo all the years of connective tissue contraction.

 

[Everett Carroll]

11 minutes ago, Douglas Wadle said:

Jeff, I'm a runner as well and have been doing these programs for over a year.  I have all 3 stretch programs. For running, probably the most important are the FS and MS.  For life in general, probably the tBR.  I would honestly recommend all 3.  If you had to limit yourself to 1 it would be hard to say, and I would recommend at least getting FS and MS.  MS might be most advantageous to some runners because of really poor hip mobility, but the FS  incorporates this area from the standpoint of the hamstrings and also includes the ankles and calves.

I totally agree with Douglas. Being heavy into distance running and hiking before GST, MS and FS strongly targeted the areas those activities had trashed. I also climbed a lot so TB was right on up there but both of the split courses were desperately needed. If you can, start off right away with all three. 

[Alessandro Mainente]

For runners due to the nature of locomotion the front split is the more desired.