To preface this, my main discipline is martial arts(Muay Thai) but I think this video will still be pretty useful since I actually do these before I run.
I know a lot of people on here know that they need to stretch, but don’t necessarily know what exactly to do, so hope this little list can give you a few good ideas :)
Specifically, these are for your calves and legs as a whole.
1. Walking Toe Touches (kind of like scoops)
Step one foot way forward as far as you can, hands down for balance. Keep the front leg straight.
You’ll feel it through the top of your calf and into your thigh.
Pro tip IMO: Dig your heel down and lift your toes for a deeper burn in the upper calf.
2. Downward Dog
Hands on the ground, walk your feet back a bit, then push your hips up high.
Drive your heels toward the floor.
This one lights up the top of your calves and gives your whole lower body a nice release. Also IMO good for strengthening/loosening your ankles.
3. Wall Calf Stretch
Hands on the wall, front leg slightly bent, back leg straight.
Lean in and load up that back leg.
You’ll feel a deep stretch right along the back of the calf, switch sides and repeat.
Anyway, I hope you found this helpful :)
The Cossack stretch really does help me loosen up my hips and also get the blood flowing to my entire leg, honestly, but mainly my calves and my mid to lower thigh.
Since I do Muay Thai and I run/lift occasionally too, it really does help me out.
Hope you found this useful :)