Stretching...It's just something you've got to do if you are a runner. Some people like it, some hate it, but it's the rules! It keeps you relaxed, flexible, increases your range of motion, and keeps you injury free. Just for fun, I asked these kids to join their moms on the floor at the RW Half-Marathon prerace stretch fest. Please enjoy the photos, practice the stretches, and try to make up some of your own.

Things to Remember:

1. Don't bounce.

2. Keep it comfortable. Never stretch until you have pain.

3. Count to at least 10...slowly. Better yet, count to 20.

4. If you need to practice your math skills, count down from 20 to 0. (Warning to teachers, if you try this in class, there will be no way to stop your children from yelling, "Blast off!" after counting down.)

5. Don't stretch a cold muscle. Make sure you've jogged around a little before you stretch.

6. Stretch a bit before you run. Stretch a lot after.

Bend one leg so bottom of foot touches thigh of other leg. Bend forward slightly. Stretches the hamstrings.


Lie on your back. Pull your knee to your chest. Stretches your back.


Step forward with one leg. Bend your knee. Hands on your knee. Stretches your calf.


Lie prone on the floor. Bend one leg. Pull your ankle toward your buttock. Stretches the quads and the ankle.




One leg flat. One leg crosses over. With elbow on knee, push leg. Stretches hip and hamstrings.