I used to have very tight hamstrings that resulted in stabbing pain behind my knees while running I couldn't finish a 1/2 marathon without stopping and usually DNFing. A PT prescribed hamstring stretches two minutes each leg twice a day. I haven't had a problem since.

Funny how stretching gets dumped on while Yoga gets praised. I'm sure I'll get lectured on how vastly different Yoga is.

I wake up early every morning. If I'm not swimming I'm stretching while watching Sports Center. After work is my typical training time. I stretch and/or massage after a training session (the best time to stretch I think - this is just when my nicely warmed-up muscles want to cease up). I may also do light stretching/massage in the late evening while watching TV.

Not exactly true. Parents can give you great genes and then terrible advice that gets you injured, sick, or killed. No amount of flu resistance is going to keep your head from splitting open because your parents told you only socialists wear motorcycle helmets. I don't get injured without stretching in spite of my parents telling me I should. The world is full of terrible advice passed down to children from their parents. It's ok to take some ownership for good health if some of it was because of your own choosing.

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Zen and the Art of Triathlon. Strava Workout Log
Interviews with Chris McCormack, Helle Frederikson, Angela Naeth, and many more.
http://www.zentriathlon.com

I do my stretching at the end of the day before I have dinner. I "get to" have a beer while I stretch. The lure of the beer keeps me on it, I think. I used to shoot for :25/day, but even :15 seems to be helpful. Is everyone here in their 30's? I'm in my 50's.

Some of the stretches are those from this book. There are suggested routines for S/B/R. I also keep at the ready:

• regular foam roller
• Rumble roller, black model
• Theracane
• The Stick
• TP Massage balls

and use those things as I feel I need them. What I call stretching is actually a combination of:

• actual stretching
• Trigger Point work (based on this book)
• a few yoga poses (downward facing dog, e.g.)

It is a time for me to relax and check out my muscles in relation to how much training I'm doing. Then if I find a trouble spot, I can take that info to my massage therapist and request extra attention.

I know that stretching has not been proven to be helpful, but it certainly works for me. The combination of gentle movement, happy thoughts plus a beer has become a welcome part of my day.

Obviously I was talking about the things you can't control. Don't be such a pedant.

John

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