WDC

Why Stretching will Improve Your performance
Stretching before and after your run is crucial in maintaining your flexibility.  Flexibility is your ability to move through a full range of motion.  Its one of the key components of fitness.  When you 're more flexible, running is easier because muscles, ligaments, and tendons don't have to work as hard to maintain your pace.  Also, maintaining decent flexibility will prevent injury.  What is the right way to stretch?  At the bottom of this page is an excellent source of stretching techniques by Bob Anderson.  I have done most if not all of them.  You can really burn some calories if you spend an hour on strictly stretching and feel phenomenal afterward.  A good way to understand the right way is to know more about the wrong ways.  You have seen some people in the gym bounce when they stretch.  This is  refer to ballistic stretching.  During this movement, your muscles are lengthens, rather than lessens the amount of tension in your muscles.  In some instances it can cause the muscle to tear and result in extreme pain.  Thus avoid ballistic stretching.  Gradually stretching a muscle to the point where you feel a slight sensation is known as static stretching.  This type of stretching will help muscles stay limber and increase your endurance.  The right way to stretch is to do so comfortably, gently and consistenly.  Its best to do your stretch on a firm but comfortable surface.  Don't forget to stretch after your run.  Your muscles are warm and more likely to being gently elongated.  For this reason, stretching after a run just feels so much better. 
Happy Stretching,

Did you know that President George W. Bush ran 6 miles daily while in the Oval office? If he can fit running into his schedule, then we have no excuse not to.