Running with the reindeer...December runs!

[7rider]

IAE, I'd read that anything below 60°F decreases inflammation, which means most northerners could just run cold water without having to add ice.

I've read - and been told - to save the ice baths for after "hard" workouts (or races). After a 41 mile bike ride Saturday, and a multi-sport Sunday, my legs were feeling it. The 5.3 miles was my longest run since August. I figured that constituted a "hard" workout for me (all things being relative, I guess).

I've also heard that the water should be "in the 50s". No idea what the cold water coming out of my tub's faucet is, but I've also heard that it probably would have been adequate without ice. No need to torture yourself, right? But...I had already emptied the ice maker into the bowl and brought it with me into the bathroom. So I figured "waste not...want not" - and dumped it in.

[limewave]

I, too, enjoy running in the cold. I don't know what it is, but I like it. Yesterday I ran in the pouring rain with a hard, cold wind from the north. Perfect running weather if you ask me!

6 miles for me yesterday. In the rain and cold.

[katluvr]

More on the ice/cold baths after hard workout.
Not sure if my pool is cold enough or if I should do it after long runs, but it feels good and I think I am less sore the next day. I know I missed them this summer when I ran long because I did not have a cool pool to stand it (it was hot bath water by July) and I don't take the time to really to sit in a bath.

K

[GLC1968]

I love the wonder that is an ice bath after a particularly hard workout! It's incredibly delicious when it's hot, your feet are aching and you get to stand in an icy mountain stream or lake after a tough hike. Pure awesomeness!

FWIW - I do feel like I get the same effect from wearing my Zoot Rx Recovery tights for a few hours post race. And they are easier to wear in the car than an ice bath would be.

I finally got out to run this weekend after being down with a stomach bug last week. I did 4 miles on Saturday with my husband and then 6 on my own yesterday. My plan had me doing 12, but I didn't want to push it and with my HM being on Sunday, the longer miles weren't going to really do much for me anyway. I plan to run 3 after work today and then again on Wednesday and that's about it before the race.

The good news is that the last forecast I saw showed dry, sunny and a high of 45 for next Sunday (which means it'll be about 40 for the race itself). We'll see if that holds as we get closer though!

[indysteel]

I did 4 miles at the gym today. It's been raining to beat the band. I don't mind the cold, but I'd rather not run in a hard rain. So I settled for the treadmill. My boss and I had to go out of town today for a trial that the parties settled over the weekend. Grrr. The upshot is that I got home early and was able to make lentil soup for dinner, clean the kitchen, finish the laundry and get to the gym, all before 5 o'clock. Awesome!

[emily_in_nc]

I had an icky run today. I was all set to up my mileage slightly to 4, but we had an unusually high tide this morning, so I had to run in soft sand and lots of sea grass rather than the usual packed sand, in a lot of places. It is really hard to run in soft sand, and I was slow as mud. So, I did 5K and called it done for today. Hopefully next run (Wed.) will be at low tide!

[skhill]

It's raining here yet again, so today's run was on the treadmill at the Y. 5 miles in 45 minutes flat; I finally managed to put on 5 lbs, and it's helping my speed tremendously. A couple guys were looking at me strangely while I was on the treadmill, but c'mon, if you're listening to renaissance dance music on the mp3 player while running, you're going to be playing the air viola da gamba at times.