Well friends, my old hamstring is getting better. Or maybe the pain of my broken rib from Lake Powell(and you thought I was joking about that!) is just overshadowing it?
But thanks to the joys of long stretching sessions and lovely ice baths I am hitting the road every other day.
Years ago one of my running buddies told me , “You’ve got to stretch or your years on the road are numbered.” How I wish I’d listened to her then!
But if you too are among the uptight, please trust me! Streeeeeeeeeeeeetch so that you don’t end up crippled and sore like me. I ordered the book Staying Supple:The Bountiful Pleasures of Stretching(yeah, the title makes me giggle too) but never read it until Ben picked it up and started quoting from it; he’s converted me.
Ice baths are part of a runner’s repertoire, the cold really penetrates the muscles and cuts down swelling. In the past I’ve reserved them for really long runs(16-20 miles). But my friend Chelle said if I want to get better I have to do them after EVERY SINGLE run. Oh the pain!
Since I’m now putting myself through this self-torture 4 times a week I’ve developed a method:
Take a quick shower first. You don’t want to go through the torture of an ice bath just to take a hot shower and diminish the effects.
Line up some treats for yourself. I pull the comics from two newspapers, mix a bottle of Crystal Light and grab two Dove chocolates.
I wear a swimsuit and a hooded sweatshirt. Don’t even think about doing this naked. Oooh, that’s a gruesome thought.
Dump in all the ice you have in the house.
Now jump in. ARRRRRRRRRRRRGH! It hurts, oh man it hurts and you won’t be able to catch your breath for several minutes. Fifteen minutes is the minimum but if you’re a good girl and stay in for 20 you can eat the second chocolate.
Kitty finds my ice baths fascinating. I’m sure it’s the screams of pain that bring her into the room but she hangs around and checks everything out. She hasn’t fallen in yet but she is certainly pushing her luck.
Your legs will be bright red when you get out but it’s a happy, frozen popsicle sensation.
Happy running!
millertimeab
oh my! You are far stronger in mind than I, I am a big woosie when it comes to cold water. I love the pictures of kitty!
Chelle
You make the whole experience seem so CUTE… with the kitty and the funnies and the chocolate. That was an amazing sell job. ha ha. Since I’m a fellow ice bath believer, I know that it’s a unique form of torture! hee hee
And the rainbows and butterflies and I lovey-love-love my kids whie I run makes me so HAPPY – I simply can’t give that up! : )
Jan Russell
I’m not sure running could ever be worth it for me. Brr.
You are adorable!
Tracey
Ooh, that looks cold! I hope it helped your muscles.
Shannon&Eli
i could never do that…tooo cold…i will take the chocolate though! oh and as far as your broken rib…i know from my ladder incedent that is the worst pain ever…
Bonnie
Oh, and cute kitty…I hope she stops before you-know-what happens…