Stiffness while running?

Question

all month i have been going to the track. i have been walking some and running some. the past few times ive been able to run a mile easy wihout slowing down. i usually then walk a few laps then start running again. every time i try to run again after the few laps of walking, the back of my legs feel real tight and stiff. why?

Answer 1

i had this same problem!

having your legs tighten up and being stiff is normal, it's because u walk, try not to walk! it's alright as a cool down but don't go right into walking just start slow jogging! when your legs feel tight the best thing u can do is stretch them out, before and after practice, and ice them after practice! well good luck! : ]   hope this makes u feel better

Answer 2

ha, im the only one that knows this. After you run and start walking you isolate the same muscles. This is why you see some people walkking backwards on the track sometimes. And walking is not good anyways. You should run as much as you want at practice and then have a sit down and you get up and go for another run.

Answer 3

dont walk

trust me, its WAY better to keep running then to walk

ur muscle is getting used to rest while ur walking, but then u suddenly start running so it stiff

Answer 4

To eliminate this discomfort make sure to stretch before hand.  Try putting your foot vertically against a wall and leaning forward...this will stretch you calves. Also try sitting down then bend one leg back and one leg straight then lay down while in that position...this stretches the thighs. Also do these stretches after you run. Do not, sit down after running because bad fluids will build up in your muscles, so it is good to  walk like you are doing. Good luck! Keep up the running!

Answer 5

I run then walk, then run, then walk, etc all the time and I don't have that problem because I make sure I stretch before and after.

Good luck.

Answer 6

i agree with the previous answer...don't walk, and if u do then power walk because once ur muscles get used to running its hard to get them used to walking all of a sudden. And if u do a fast run or u feel like its fast make sure u do some easy jogging so ur muscles won't ache and u wont get sore.