Why do cold baths help after a long run?
Someone suggested this on the forums and it really does seem to have made a difference to how I feel after my long run (although maybe my legs are getting stronger as well).
To those of you who havent had the pleasure of a cold bath after a run - Warning extream swearing may be heard upon inital immersion!
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So it's not the cold in itself that does the trick, its the cold followed by warming up.
Double whammy!
I've only once managed the cold bath, but running the shower (on cold) over your legs works quite well too, and the rest of you stays a bit warmer.
As I said it made a big difference to my recovery time so would recommend.
10-60 seconds = you experience initial surprise and acceptance/disbelief at having/choosing to do this whilst wearing a fleecy top. Concentrate on nice warm things, not the cold on your bum!
60-120 secs = you watch feet go blue and legs go red (nether regions have accepted their fate), the cold is easier to accept now.
120-180 secs = you start to flag a bit, holding breath and praying for 4th minute. Feet even bluer. Good idea to gently pour water over the thighs, taking care not to spill any on exposed nether regions for fear of shouting loudly.
180-240 secs = legs are nearly all blue, so dream of getting out and stare avidly at the clck, willing it to move faster.
240-300 secs = let out the water until about a fraction deep, stand up and fill bath with warm water to experience the full benefit! Then try to rationalise what you have just done...
We've used this treatment for years, and very rarely have sore legs.
Twinkle, the way I do it is after warmdown and stretching, have a hot massagey shower, then finish with a couple of minutes of icy-cold, then dry off and put some trackies on. Works a treat.
tips
keep a jumper on
refuel and rehydrate while you are in the bath ( I enjoyed a bacon sandwich and a cup of tea yesterday!)
have a copy of runners world to read, these take your mind off the cold!
thats ok though til the damn thing falls in the bath!
What I mean Is I fill the water about 8 to 10" deep and sit in it for 5 mins with my legs fully submerged. I leave my upper body out of it though, as i think it's not good to get your chest covered in icy cold water and your just asking for a cold/chest infection. Once five minutes is up I take out the plug out, stand up and get a cool/tepid shower for a few minutes to clean rest of my body. Might not work for everyone but works for me!