Do You Have Time to Stretch?

Compare two types of runners. One bolts out the door just lacing the shoes. They get back to take a shower and get on with their day. Another stretches beforehand, does warm up exercises. Maybe does a slow walk before he gets going. He does his run and then walks it home. He winds down, walking, then stretching, then drinking an electrolyte drink, then eating a banana. He makes sure he's fully cooled down before he gets in the shower. He decompresses.

The first runner has way less overhead and commits less time to it. But not stretching or taking care of yourself can lead to headaches or injury. The second runner is much slower but his longevity is increased.

Be like the second runner.

Do projects like the second runner. But sometimes it's okay to do like the first runner does when you have to. You never say no to a run with a friend if they were on their way out and you hadn't stretched. You'd never say no to a run with a friend if you would just get to the end and only have time for a 5-minute shower before you had to go do something else. Just don't do it all the time.