The Real Difference Between Flexibility and Mobility for Runners and How They Can Help You Run Faster

Chasing Pr's - A Running Podcast

Welcome to another episode of "Chasing PRs" with your hosts, Diego and Richelle. In today's episode, we unravel the terms that have often been interchanged: flexibility and mobility. What do they mean, and more importantly, how do they impact your running?

• The Basics: Dive into the definition of flexibility, a passive movement of soft tissues. Think of stretching your hamstrings with a belt, or the popular couch stretch. How does this differ from mobility, which encompasses not just soft tissues but also joint range?

• Consequences of Ignoring Mobility: What happens when your hips, knees, or ankles lack proper mobility? We'll explore how this affects your power, engagement, and even uphill challenges. And yes, even the big toe plays a crucial role.

• The Stretching Debate: Should runners even focus on flexibility? We’ll discuss why static stretching isn't the holy grail for injury prevention or enhanced performance. However, if you're reaching for the couch stretch, we'll tell you why that might be an exception.

• Tendon Tensions: From Achilles tendonitis to tib post tendonitis, find out why irritable tendons despise stretching and how you could potentially aggravate your condition.

• Practical Tips for Runners: When should stretching and mobility exercises find their way into your routine? We share insights on incorporating these practices for optimal results and how to effectively blend the two.

Join us on this journey of understanding, as we highlight the significance of mobility drills, and evaluate the real value of stretching in a runner's life. Whether you're aiming for a new PR or simply want to optimize your runs, this episode offers a deep dive into making the right choices for your body.