warm up/cool down?

[Patchoulimoon]

I read that you should walk the beginning and end of the run for 10 minutes each!  Opinions on this??!!  I started this way but now am currently only doing 5 min of each and am ok with it but should I be doing 10? 

In case it matters... I'm still at the stage of walking between jogging and running.

Thanks!
Kim

[Sandy]

The purpose of the walk before and after is to transition your body from walking to running and then running to walking, the warm up and cool down.  The exact amount of time is not as relevant as the fact that you have warmed up and cool down, honouring your bodies need to move gently between activities.

[chattyfeet]

I started running about 13 years ago and basically knew nothing about the sport.  My running partner and I ALWAYS walked for about 5 min. before we ran...then one day we got talking to a marathon runner who said he never walked before he ran, he always just went out running, right off the bat.  So I tried it and I've never warmed up since!  And I've run 11 half marathons and 3 fulls, with not one injury.  However, having said that, I don't think warming up is a bad idea at all.....you do what works for YOU.  Some people NEED to walk for a bit to warm up, some don't. However, I believe a good cooldown is VERY important.  And I love post-run stretches...they are important also!

[Patchoulimoon]

Thanks Sandy and Chattyfeet for the info!  I?ll have to experiment on what works best for me....