Stretching: how much and how long?

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rwelpton Feb 2020 10:09pm, 28 Feb 2020 4 posts	0 rwelpton Been stretching after runs for ages: I keep adding stretches as I get niggles and injuries. Almost 45 mins after a run now! Is this excessive? What do others do?
Goofee Feb 2020 10:22pm, 28 Feb 2020 3,072 posts	0 Goofee Hardly any unless I have a specific issue to address, in which case I'll stretch that part for a few days until I feel it's no longer warranted.
westmoors Mar 2020 5:16pm, 1 Mar 2020 3,811 posts	0 westmoors I do about 5 minutes total. Each stretch is held for 15 - 20 seconds: gastroc, soleus, hamstrings, quads, adductors, glutes, chest, back, shoulders.
jda Mar 2020 6:29pm, 1 Mar 2020 6,496 posts	0 jda I think I last stretched in about 2016. Perhaps I should do it more, but I haven’t noticed any problems. Most of my running is steady and it doesn’t make me feel stiff.
Autumnleaves Mar 2020 6:31pm, 1 Mar 2020 14,637 posts	0 Autumnleaves I do 5-10 minutes after running, start pretty much every day with 15 minutes of yoga including stretching. I have suffered from various overtight muscles for the last few years and I feel infinitely better for doing it.
Velociraptor Mar 2020 6:44pm, 1 Mar 2020 45,462 posts	0 Velociraptor Never. If I was going to spend time on a supplementary activity stretching would come second-bottom of my list, just ahead of foam rolling.
larkim Mar 2020 3:08pm, 2 Mar 2020 10,481 posts	0 larkim None for me either, unless I've been injured in which case I do a token effort and then quickly forget about it.
HappyG(rrr) Mar 2020 3:28pm, 2 Mar 2020 34,312 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) Lol. I did a wee survey on the 3:15 thread of who did stretching and also strengthening exercises etc. and it was about 50/50. I do lots. Stretch for just a few mins or so after each run. I do at least 2 x per week (ought to do 3) of 20 mins of foam roller and stretches. And I do at least 2 x per week (ought to do 3!) of non-running strengthening work like core, lunges etc. V'rap and larks are better athletes than me and do nothing. You makes yer choices...! G
Autumnleaves Mar 2020 4:26pm, 2 Mar 2020 14,639 posts	0 Autumnleaves I think stretching falls into the 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' category! That said I am finding slightly less intensity on strengthening is also helping me, I think I was overdoing it last year.
Paul N Mar 2020 4:57pm, 2 Mar 2020 758 posts	0 Paul N Too lazy, and I’d probably do more harm than good if I tried!