I’m not entirely sure that I’ve ever had so many words that started with ‘W’ before in my blog title! I have a love-hate relationship with warming up, BUT it is SO important! Especially as the months get colder, your muscles are generally tighter. Tighter muscles = more prone to injury (& also just unlikely to perform to their optimum).

Remember to always consult your primary healthcare provider before starting or adjusting to a new health program. I have also found that warming up helps me get excited to run. This is super helpful when it’s chilly and dark outside.

While running is a very forward-backward motion, it’s important to warm-up all of your muscles and to move outside of the normal ‘running rhythm’.

I also know that I always warm-up before any sort of race, but it’s funny how that’s an exception. Remember the saying - nothing NEW on the race day (& that includes warming up).

I always start with a super conservative first mile as well (especially important if I’m tired/ sore/ it’s early/ I’m just not feeling it)- it’s the same idea of warming up your body and muscles for the movement that you’re going to be doing.

I also like to remind myself of making bread when I want to slack on my warm-up routine: To make really good bread, you knead it first (get the temperature warmer so it can rise). Same idea with running-> nothing cold ever works that well.
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-Do you warm-up before you run?
-How has your pre-run routine evolved over time?
-Anyone else enjoy kneading bread?!