Running: to stretch or not to stretch?

Mom should be so flexible.

Personally, I always stretch first thing in the morning. Having curled up all night in the wing chair, I carefully unroll myself, front legs on the floor, back legs on the chair seat. It's good for the glutes. Then, I immediately get into dynamic stretching, springing down the stairs, pouncing on my parents and bouncing outside for a warm-up run.

Mom's running the marathon this year, so she learned about pre-run stretching the shin-splint way. So while I'm all warmed up and ready to roll, Tigger-style, she's limping along behind me. At least she's stretching out the arm that holds the leash.