General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Ice Bath?! Rss Feed  
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2008-05-20 6:44 AM

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Elite
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Athens, Georgia
Subject: Ice Bath?!
I have had some joint pain in my hip due to a sublexation (sp?) or partial separation injury that I sustained a few years ago. I was talking to someone at my LRS, another customer, about it and he said that his Dr. has him doing ice baths as a way to combat his knee joint pain. I know there are many athletes that take the cold soak but was wondering in any BT'ers do it and any benefit they get from it.

I think I would rather deal with the minor joint pain that hop into an ice bath.


2008-05-20 7:04 AM
in reply to: #1412871

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Ice Bath?!

I get in the tub when it is almost empty and add just cold water...once you sort of get numb from it adding ice isn't so bad. Where long sleeves and something warm up top and a nice warm drink helps too.

I'm doing 3.5 hour runs and will be longer so anything I can do to help me recover well is good.

What about ice pack or packs to get the area instead? My coach suggested them as an alternative as well.

2008-05-20 7:11 AM
in reply to: #1412871

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Master
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Madison, WI
Subject: RE: Ice Bath?!
I've done them. It's definitely helped me a lot. Wear a hat. Wear a shirt (I usually have to hike the shirt up because I'm trying to get my outer hip iced.) Breathe deeply and try to relax. It doesn't take a real long time to reap the benefits. I did them in the dead of winter this year. And, my house is cold. And, I hate the cold. If I can do it, you can do it.
2008-05-20 7:12 AM
in reply to: #1412871

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Subject: RE: Ice Bath?!
I take ice baths after long runs and they really fight off soreness and swelling. I fill the tub with cold water and a bucket of ice so that the water covers my legs and hips, put on a hoodie with the hood up, and sit for 15 minutes. Sometimes it feels like the longest part of a long run, but it works!
2008-05-20 7:27 AM
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2008-05-20 10:28 AM
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Expert
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Subject: RE: Ice Bath?!
What they said.

It works. And it is not so bad. I can think of lots of worse things.

Just start out in an empty tub, then run the cold water. Adding the ice is not such a shock then. It really helps with aches and pains, especially the next day.


2008-05-20 10:40 AM
in reply to: #1412871

Veteran
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Calgary, Alberta
Subject: RE: Ice Bath?!
Just finished a weekend of 230km biking, on top of swimming 3 days, and running 2. I cannot tell you how much sitting in the frozen lakes of Alberta helped my recovery. I honestly don't think that I would have been able to walk to work this morning had I not sat in there for 10minutes on both Sunday and Monday. What a blessing to my muscles!

I've been told wearing socks helps too! Sounds silly, but whatever works, right!
2008-05-20 11:09 AM
in reply to: #1412871

Champion
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South Jersey
Subject: RE: Ice Bath?!

What's with all you guys bundling up? I sit in there sans clothing and usually drink water or gatorade (both cold) while I'm doing it. I never get cold until afterwards. I never wash my hair in the shower immediately afterwards either, because walking around with wet hair after an ice bath is torture -- brrr.

To the OP, I ice bath after as many runs as possible, even the short ones.

2008-05-20 12:36 PM
in reply to: #1413597

Master
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Madison, WI
Subject: RE: Ice Bath?!
LaurenSU02 - 2008-05-20 11:09 AM

What's with all you guys bundling up? I sit in there sans clothing and usually drink water or gatorade (both cold) while I'm doing it.

Yes, but you see, we all know that you're one tough chica. Me? I'm a wimp. 

2008-05-20 12:45 PM
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2008-05-20 12:51 PM
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Extreme Veteran
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Fridley, MN, USA
Subject: RE: Ice Bath?!
I did an ice back once, filled it up hip deep with cold water, threw in a bag of ice, and jumped in. No clothes, but I didn't feel the need to have any on--the air was realtively warm. Grabbed a Sports Illustrated and sat for 20. I felt alright the next day, but haven't felt the need to do one since, so I don't have anything to compare it to.


2008-05-20 2:25 PM
in reply to: #1412871

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Subject: RE: Ice Bath?!
After my tri, I took a nice warm shower and went out to lunch, although I really wasn't all that hungry.

Got back to the hotel, took a nap and was getting sore, so I filled up two trash cans and then sat in the tub, filled it with cold water up to my hips. then had my 3 yr old pour in the ice. Wrapped a towel around my head and shoulder, but aside from that, as she says, I was Nake Nake. I was in for about 15 minutes


Kara
2008-05-21 3:40 PM
in reply to: #1413597

Regular
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Utah
Subject: RE: Ice Bath?!
LaurenSU02 - 2008-05-20 10:09 AM

What's with all you guys bundling up? I sit in there sans clothing and usually drink water or gatorade (both cold) while I'm doing it. I never get cold until afterwards. I never wash my hair in the shower immediately afterwards either, because walking around with wet hair after an ice bath is torture -- brrr.

To the OP, I ice bath after as many runs as possible, even the short ones.



Are you kidding? I crank up the A/C and put on a fan too. Dang!

I think it's pretty hard to climb into an ice bath, but it works well for me. I climb in as fast after a workout as I can. I'll pop some ibuprofen too if it's been a tough workout. If the ice bath is a bit much, you can put ice in a ziplock and lay it on (in my case my knees) whatever is your weak spot. I seem so get an extra dose of endorphins afterwards too.
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