Shoot me now....

[snapdragen]

Ice baths?! Man, you runners are made of different stuff than me.

Yeah, I felt studly getting into a coolish bath full of epsom salts..... I've heard of the ice bath, I'm just not sure I can do it.

[Veronica]

There's an article in Triathlon Life about ice baths. They recommend water 54 - 60 degrees and 6 - 8 minutes. Later on in the article they say don't assume 54 - 60 degrees or bust. Cool water 60 - 75 degrees can still be beneficial.

Veronica

[redrhodie]

There's an article in Triathlon Life about ice baths. They recommend water 54 - 60 degrees and 6 - 8 minutes. Later on in the article they say don't assume 54 - 60 degrees or bust. Cool water 60 - 75 degrees can still be beneficial.

Veronica

Oh, I could handle that! That's about as warm as the ocean ever gets 'round here.

[OakLeaf]

54-60°? So you only need ice at all if you live in the South? Our water in Ohio is 55° year round.

[Bike Chick]

I tried the ice bath once and just couldn't do it. I will try sitting in the tub and letting the cold water run in. I might be able to do that.

I do sit with my feet elevated with ice packs (frozen peas, corn and green beans) and that helps and I have sat with my feet in a cooler full of ice after I finished my run and was waiting on DH to finish his. That worked wonderful.

Snapdragen, my HM is in 2 weeks too and the longest run I do on my plan is 10 miles which is next week. I was a couple weeks ahead and have repeated the last 2 weeks. I'm thinking about running anywhere between 10-12 instead though as a confidence builder. After my 9 miles yesterday, I'm doubting I could do another 4 miles. Any sage advice from more experienced ladies?

[OakLeaf]

I did 10 the week before mine in the fall, but everything I've read since says you should really taper two weeks for a half....

[Aggie_Ama]

I would do 20 minutes, put on a sweatshirt and make some hot tea. Some things I read said a lukewarm or cool bath would work, it doesn't have to be icy. Just nothing above lukewarm right after a long runs is what I was told. I will say I never felt the "a-ha" recovery but I didn't feel I couldn't walk after any of my long runs or my half marathon.

My longest run was 12 miles three Saturdays before the half, the two Saturdays of 8 miles. I felt really comfortable for run day but when I looked at the schedule I couldn't figure out how I could taper so long and not fall off.