So when I was a youngin, we would make the trip from our new home of Northern Virginia back to Long Island for holidays and other random trips to visit family. My parents would always have two cassettes on repeat, something from ‘Queen’ and ‘Foreigner’ with probably a little ‘Jethro Tull’ mixed in. But I figure no one knows who Tull is, right? Sorry, Dad!
So at a young age I am belting out “you’re as COLD AS ICE”…. not knowing just how true that would ring later on down the road….
How to Ice Bath Like a Champ!
- Keep Your {run} Clothes ON. Let’s not freeze our girl or guy parts off. Plus, don’t you want to take pictures for all your friends to show just how cool you are??!! Don’t be all Prince Harry 
-Have your spouse/partner/parent/friend handy. To dump ice in the cool water. Start with one bag…. no need to get all cray cray at first. But trust me… they will find extreme pleasure in this. Even my mother who was visiting for a weekend after my 18 miler laughed an evil laugh while dumping ice on me.
-Drink something warm if you are a wimp like me! Coffee, hot cocoa, tea, whateves! Mind games, people, mind games.
-Have your iPad or laptop on the toilet. Just make sure to have the lid down… watch youtube videos or whatever. Something to pass the time.
-Don’t fall asleep in there. This is not a spa and trust me, it won’t feel like one. 10 minutes or if you feel numb, get out. Common sense please
Here are some great tips from Active.com on more Do’s and Don’ts for Ice Baths! I know that a lot of fall marathoners are upping mileage so ice baths are starting to become more prevalent, in fact, some in our group are trying them out for the first time tomorrow. So I figured I would offer my words of wisdom. I LOVE THEM!!
Are you an Ice Bath lover??
I plan on getting back to regular ice baths tomorrow. I have a weird love for them. Although the initial getting in is always pure torture!!!
What mileage are you back up to Tina? I love them too, it’s like feeling like a killa runna with them
I have never taken an ice bath. True story. And I have no plans to take one =)
Do you roll a ton after a run?? I do that too! Love to hate a foam roller
You lived in NOVA? What parts? I am from the DC area myself… but from MD (PG County).
How much ice do you need for an ice bath? A bag like you buy at the gas station? Or more? I have never taken one, but I will probably need to as our mileage increases. I have hip and knee issues, might as well cover it all in ice!
I usually use two 20 lbs bags, but for your first one I would only use 1-10 lb bag to try it out…. don’t get the water get too cold as indicated in the article I linked. It helps with rebuilding the tissue breakdown and reduce swelling. It feels so good after, just don’t jump right into a hot shower…. kind of reduces the benefits!
My parents are in Gainesville, VA
I have never taken an ice bath but I think when the time comes these tips will come in handy. Is 10 minutes all you need?
Haha this post made me laugh! I have taken some ice baths or cold baths if I don’t feel like getting ice. My husband and I have been splitting a bag of ice until our last long run. After 19 miles we both felt like we needed a whole bag to ourselves!
Dear Vicky–
You are out of the will due to your comment about Jethro Tull. You did not mention to all that Tull was your first concert. Also that you know all the words to most of the songs. They are classic rock and have some very fast pace tempo….. Also that they are still going strong after 40 years. People should check them out.
PS — the comment about the will, do not worry I will make sure you are in it.
hahahaha- maybe I should run to Tull…. nothing makes you run fast like ‘Aqualung’…. Snot is running down his nose… bom bom bom! hehe!
Thanks for keeping me in the will
Love you!
LOVE THE ICE BATH! Great tips. Warm beverage and hoodie is always the way to go. Being near San Francisco watres, I’ve walked straight into the water after a race… pretty much like stepping into an ice bath.
I would love to be able to just walk into water as my ice bath… hmmm… race vacation… maybe another trip to San Fran is in order