Tuesday, July 21, 2009

It's never too early to start foam rolling.

I caught my toddler using my foam roller the other day:

The thought that immediately popped into my head was, "You're never too young to start foam rolling," which I've changed to, "It's never too early to start foam rolling" for the purpose of this post.

This whole post is really apropos of nothing so just consider it a friendly little running tip: Don't wait until you have aches and pains to start using the foam roller. Use it now. Same for The Stick. And the tennis ball!

For a long time -- I guess mostly when I was younger -- I didn't think much about preventing injuries, only healing them after they'd already arrived and thrown their injury-rific wrenches into my training plans. At some point, I started to smarten up and I began trying to prevent injuries. I started using the foam roller (thanks to my husband who got one for me) and The Stick. I use The Stick before every run, to warm up my muscles. I use the foam roller to keep injury-prone areas loose and knot-free. Obviously, I use it often enough that my toddler knows exactly what it is for and wants to get in on the action. Let's just hope he doesn't have any injuries to prevent for a long time!

Check out a foam roller and The Stick, if you don't already have them. They've been two of the most useful running tools for me. I mean, next to my running shoes and running bras, that is.

Have a great day, everyone!

~ Felice

25 comments:

Marci said...

That picture is adorable!! I love my foam roller, and yes, you are never too young to start rollin'

Unknown said...

Great reminders to just do the "up keep" as well as the training! Your little one is learning that early, so cute!

ihaverun said...

Too cute! And I was just looking at The Stick at a running store yesterday. It is a lot cheaper at Amazon.com! I might have to drop some hints for my birthday; or maybe it could be my reward for finishing my first half marathon next month. Hmmmm...

Julia said...

Such a cute photo! :)
Ahhh the foam roller. I really want to get one so I can use it without having to go all the way to my gym. And my cat stole my handy dandy tennis ball (yes, he's like a puppy and chases tennis balls)
Im really interested in getting the stick!

Felice Devine said...

Seriously, The Stick is so worth it. You'll have it forever and will use it all the time!

Diana said...

Great advice...to PREVENT injury, not just treat. I have no idea about the foam roller (thought he was rolling on a paper towel roll at first...hehe). I'll check it out :)

B.o.B. said...

This was so Awwww inducing a co-worker came in my office to see what I was goo-ing about!

Prevention is the key as they say.

Lindsay said...

too cute! i am not-so-great at prevention, sadly. as easy as stretching is, i still can't seem to make a habit of it!

i do need to invest in a foam roller though...

Marlene said...

You're more diligent than I! I still have a bad habit of rolling/stretching only when I feel familiar twinges. I should follow your (and Conal's!) examples!

Denise said...

that is so cute!!

I'm a huge fan of the foam roller. One of the best running investments I made.

HEY!! word verification is "rollin"

J said...

I am going to order that foam roller tonight! i hate running injuries!

Quix said...

Adorable! I have to admit I've never used any of them. I remember your post on the tennis ball but I wouldn't know what to do with the stick or the roller (yeah, I'm clueless, forgive me). Any chance you could do a post (or maybe you did and I missed it) telling us non-educated folks how to happily operate such things?

Mel-2nd Chances said...

LMAO, that's hysterical! Love it!

Unknown said...

cute pic!

i have both and agree to use them proactively is key!

Aron said...

omgosh how CUTE is he!??

Running 365 said...

I definitely need to focus more on this side of the training process. I love stretching, but I've never used any specific tools for warming up or recovering.

Laura said...

Haha. That's cute.

Tara said...

What a cute pic of your little guy! I love my foam roller and use it on my legs after long runs! I've never heard of the stick though....I'll have to check that out.

Anonymous said...

Adorable picture! And uhh, you're so right - I Never think about "preventing" an injury (aside from taking rest days), only treating it if it's there. Hmmm....

Kelly said...

I just found your blog and I have to say I have a love/hate relationship with the foam roller, but like you said I only found it after I was already injured. I think I am going to look into this stick you are referring to!

Being Robinson said...

that's an excellent point! i should start doing that as well... i'm more on the 'once it hurts take care of it' track. so thanks! BRILLIANT!

joyRuN said...

LOL! I used to let my kiddos play with my foam roller, until I saw tiny bite marks on it.

I'm trying your no-complaining thing at work tonight. It really does kinda help my attitude.

Terri said...

you know, i have the stick but have not used it much since last year's marathon, thanks for reminding me!

and the little guy is quite cute! can't wait until he starts running races with you, there he will be, our future olympian!

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