Eyup chaps.
I was wondering what the consensus was re the benefits of an ice bath after a long run. Personally I'm a convert, but the problem is that I can't warm up afterwards - my core temperature plummets and it can take up to 2 hours to warm up again. I've tried layer upon layer of clothing, virtually setting myself on fire by sitting too close to my 'living flame' gas fire (nowhere near as good as the real thing) and blasting myself with my hairdryer. Nowt works.
I've been reluctant to have a hot bath after an ice bath on the advice of a soft tissue therapist - but a friend recently said that he always has a hot bath after his ice bath.
Ant thoughts guys?
Comments
Plenty of layers, hot water bottle on your tum and a hot chocolate drink usually works for me.
Not had one in ages guess i should start up again
But a warm top on, cup of tea is a must and something to read, They are beneficial.
15 mins up to my waist - sweatshirt - jumper - woolley hat - mug of tea - my mobile to text everyone on my address llist to keep me distracted - you name it I've tried it! But actually not the hot water bottle - I'll give that one a go!
Whilst I'm in the bath it's not too bad -it's afterwards! Brrr . . .
Reet - done a little bit of research and it seems that you want your muscles to warm up after an ice bath as quickly as possible. The cold water contstricts your blood vessels aiding the flushing of lactic acid and helps to reduce inflammation (presumably we all know that), but then the warm blood flowing back through your muscles brings with it all the goodies to aid muscular repair - so it seems that a warm bath after an ice bath may be the way to go - especially if like me you stay cold for quite a long time afterwards.
The big sports stars are doing it
and so is some traithlete dude
But maybe we're just all complete suckers!
I did unwillingly have an ice bath after a race when staying in a miserly b+b where they'd switch the hot water off in the day. And my legs felt better - but even so! Brrr !
I would think a few gallons of hot tea after would be a good idea.
I love my ice and cold baths. I only have the water up to my waist and always have a cup of tea and wear a woolly hat. Afterwards it usually takes me hours to warm up, I made the mistake of having an ice bath in December one evening and I was still freezing cod the next morning! I always stay in for 15 minutes but very occasionally I'll go for 20 minutes - brrr!
Try putting your clothes on a hot radiator, that should work, maybe?
Reet - turn to page 59 of Aprils RW gang - Mo Farahs tips - 'after a long run I'll get in to an ice bath for 10 minutes, then get in to a hot bath after'
Sorted! It's obviously is the secret to running a 13 minute 5k . See you 2012 chaps!
I can manage 15 mins but then I really am pretty desperate to get out - and it is the pain in my toes that's the worst. If you're a raynauds sufferer then yeah - I can totally understand why an ice bath aint on top of your list of recovery strategies! Yeow!!!
Wobbled - I think it does get a bit easier and try all the strategies that folk have suggested above. Distraction works - ie book/phone (but don't drop it!).
15 minutes! That is seriously hardcore. I remember watching an interview with some West Ham player once and he said they only get in their ice baths for 3 minutes, and they wear underwear.
I used just cold water from the tap and that was cold enough for me. I do think it helped but my toes were in agony.
Read somewhere that people use neoprene boots.
Sounds like a good idea to me.