Shoot me now....

[limewave]

Ice baths are amazing for helping with recovery after those long runs.

I do 15 minutes or so. I also sit in the tub and let the cold water fill in, as opposed to jumping into an ice cold bath. That seems to be easier for me to deal with.

[Tri Girl]

the longest I ever made it in an ice bath was 9 minutes... but 5-6 is usually my normal time to soak. Get in the bath ASAP after the run. I've read that within30 min. of finishing, if possible.

I'm doing a half next weekend (DH is doing the full). Since I'll finish about 2.5 hours before him and need to wait on him to leave for home- I'm planning on bringing an ice chest filled with ice water. I'll have some towels soaking in there. I plan on going back to the car, and wrapping my legs in the ice towels. I don't know if it will help, but I have to try. I can't wait 3 hours after to do it- and I know this half is gonna hurt!

[zoom-zoom]

I also sit in the tub and let the cold water fill in, as opposed to jumping into an ice cold bath. That seems to be easier for me to deal with.

Yep! We have well water that is REALLY cold. Works like a charm. I let it fill around me, then sit for 10 minutes. So I'm probably getting 15 minutes from the time I start filling.

[OakLeaf]

And I leave a nice wool top on and only run enough water to cover my hips, then kind of run ice over my quads if I don't have enough ice to chill enough water to cover my thighs completely. So far no hypothermia using this method...

[redrhodie]

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

[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.