Who Stretches? Who takes Supplements?

[windwalker]

We are endurance athletes, there is more research done on our kind than on any other type of athlete. Shoe companies, supplement manufacters, sports scientists and even the military have on going research programs.

There is an awesome amount of information out there about everything involved with our life style, from what to eat to what type of clothes to wear. There are some things though that have conflicting points of view: how much stretching do you really need and should you take supplements.

So how much, if any, do you stretch and how much good do you think it does and what if any supplements do you take?

I'll go first:

I do dynamic stretches (most of the time) before I walk. That is motion stretching like leg swings from side to side and front and back, arm circles things like that. I do some stretching after but probably not enough. I have had some really good (world class) walkers tell me that the way to get faster is to stretch more regularly.

I take a multi vitamin every morning just in case I'm missing anything in my diet. I take advil if I'm feeling sore and after any walk over 15 miles. I also take an electroLyte tablet after very long walks. I used to get cramping after I stopped but the electroLyte tabs took care of that problem.

What about the rest of you road warriors, what is your stretching routine like? What extras do you believe in?

Thanks for sharing.

Dave

 

[princessrunner]

My SIL is a therapist and she gave me some stretches to do. I have REALLY tight hamstrings and end up with Achilles issues if I run over 10 miles. I find that pilates and yoga help a lot on a daily basis for keeping those strings stretched out!! I also add glucosamine/chondroitin to my vitamin regimen. Good shoes have helped my knees out immensely. Oh, and when you get calf cramps, tonic water with quinine in it will relieve the cramping quickly (gin optional).

 

[Big Vic]

Not much of a stretcher. Should probably change my ways.

First thing in the morning, after a large glass of water, I have 1 Tbs of Berry Green (Super Green Food made by New Chapter) in a glass of Crystal Light.

Breakfast during the week is 1.25 cups of 2% milk, 2 scoops of protein powder (Bomber Blend), 1 Tbs of lechithin granules, 1 Tbs of brewer's yeast, and 1 Tbs of flax oil, mixed in a shaker bottle.

A multi-vitamin and mineral at lunch.

Post run, Accelerade with a scoop of vanilla protein powder, 1 tsp glutamine mixed in a shaker cup.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Stretcher here. I never stretch in the beginning. I ALWAYS stretch at the end. If I feel the need I may walk or wog the first mile and stretch some after I've warmed a bit. When I think I don't have the time to do the after stretching, I am guaranteed to regret that. I've lost elasticity as the age has crept up and I git a bit cranked tight if that stretching isn't done.

Supplements for me include multivitamin and of course calcium with vitamin D. My doc has also prescribed additional calcium since the determiniation has been made that I have osteopenia. We will test again in a couple of years to see if it has improved with the increse in calcium.

 

[Steffwalks]

I don't take multivitamins, they don't sit too well for me. I feel worse taking them. I try to do a balanced diet with lots of different kinds of foods, I also take fiber with calcium, citric acid and vitamin D in it.

I stretch after a workout, but not before. I tried dynamic stretches like Dave does for a while, but it seemed to make the walking effort more difficult. I do Pilates on cross training days.