Stretching before HIIT

Blackjack · 10-06-2005, 03:41 PM

So what's the consensus?

I usually do first thing in the a.m. and it's getting a little chilly around here this time of year. So I generally use stretching indoors to warm muscles and get blood flowing. Then I end up jogging a few laps around a track before doing sprints.

When I say stretching I mean your basic static stretching we've all been doing since JR High Track. Any other techniques I can use to warm up, prime my muscles, prevent injury doing 100, 200 & 400m sprints for HIIT?

Let me know your thoughts and what you guys/gals may be doing.

Thanks in advance.

Ted

Glide · 10-06-2005, 04:44 PM

Stretching is like bar b que. Everybody has their own opinion. Me - I like spicy bbq. - oh, I don't stretch regularly. One time I was having some IT Band issues - and I used to stretch it out, but for the most part - I never stretch to warm up.

And just to show you how dumb I really am - the reason I don't stretch is because one time I read some post that said something like 'you never see thoroughbred horses stretching before a race, they seem to do ok.' And it's true - before a race horses do a good mile walk, then about a mile gallop - then get in the gate. They run a lot better than I can - so what's good for the horse, is good for the mule... Before I run - I walk around for a bit - then jog a little.

I know - not the most scientific theory, but we all kind of do what works for us, no?

ODB · 10-06-2005, 05:29 PM

I have my pre-run ritual of getting my ass out of bed, getting dressed, half a glass of water, start my stopwatch and go. I do start out a little slow for about 1/8 of a mile and then I hit a hill from hell. If I was doing true HIIT I would probably do a better warm up but I don't know that I would stretch. And I also like my bbq with a little kick to it!

gobbla · 10-06-2005, 09:53 PM

I'll be boring and follow the consenseus. Warmup is better than stretching pre activity. do 10-15min of jogging building up steam as you go but never going balls out. That'll loosen you up plenty.

Blackjack · 10-07-2005, 10:07 AM

Cool guys - thanks!

ODB - just a half a glass of water? Nothing else to get you going in the a.m.?

What do the others that run in the a.m. drink/eat before running? Anyone doing serious HIIT in the dark morning hours?

BamaDave · 10-07-2005, 12:27 PM

Before I run in the AM, I drink water, coffee, and eat a normal-sized breakfast (or almost normal) -- oatmeal, cereal, or PB+Banana on WW toast. But I seem to be the odd man out on this, since I can eat a regular-sized meal and run about 30 minutes later without puking my guts out. I must have an iron stomach.

newride · 10-07-2005, 12:36 PM

I am the same as BD. Half a glass of water, add shorts shoes shirt and socks, and out the door. Sometimes I change it up by adding a leash and a dog but that's a differnt story.

gobbla · 10-07-2005, 02:30 PM

I lift and run in the morning, normally having a protein shake directly at waking then a good sized breakfast directy aftwards.

Glide · 10-07-2005, 03:44 PM

Wake up - Peanut Butter Granola Bar usually. Recently I just found those new Strawberry Milkshake pop tarts - and I freeze em. YUMMY. A couple of frozen part tarts will give you energy for a good morning ride/run/workout.

Then, for second breakfast, I try to eat mostly protein and fat - eggs, bacon, peanuts, yogurt, stuff like that.

Blackjack · 10-07-2005, 05:11 PM

Any carbs in those pre-run protein shakes? Like made with gatorade or adding malto/dextro or something?

gobbla · 10-08-2005, 02:45 AM

No special addition of carbs. There's a little already in the PP but not enough to really note. I've been doing a limited carb diet for 3 weeks now and haven't noticed any drop off in performance.

If I was actually going to race then would probibly change things up a little, but IMO the whole running\extra carb thing is largely a crock. If you want to get\stay lean then I wouldn't take in extra carbs.

my 2 cents.