Its tempting to go straight from a run toshower,couch…or nap.
But taking a few minutes to bring your body back to baseline can jump-start your recovery afterward.
Cooldown 1: Standing
What you need:Just your bodyweight!
Katie Thompson
Keep your back knee straight and youll target the gastrocnemius, the bigger calf muscle.
Bend it and youll target the soleus, the smaller, flat muscle underneath it.
Your hip flexors and quads often tighten up on the run; this stretch addresses both.
Katie Thompson
Moving through this sequence loosens nearly every muscle in your lower body.
Pause in the lunge to give some extra attention to your hip flexors.
Youll feel this one in your glutes, hamstrings, and lower back.
Katie Thompson
Your quads can often take a beating during a run, especially if its on hilly terrain.
This side-lying version of a quad stretch eliminates the balance challenges of stretching this muscle while standing.
And lets be real: Lying down after a run feels so damn good.
Katie Thompson
Photography: Katie Thompson.
Wardrobe styling: Kathleen Thomas.
Hair: Walton Nunez.
Katie Thompson
Makeup: Miranda Richards.
Katie Thompson
Katie Thompson
Katie Thompson
Katie Thompson
Katie Thompson
Katie Thompson
