ICE BATH

I guess many of you know we have had a really cold week here in the UK with much snow and low overnight temperatures.  I went out for a shirtless run on Wednesday morning with snow all over the paths and a bit slippery underfoot (Air temp -2C).  It was a great, cold, 8.8km run.  There is nothing like running in the snow.  I was photographed on at least 2 occasions by passers-by who obviously thought I was crazy and also had a few motorists hoot their appreciation! 

Today, however, I was too lazy to get up for a run and after some reviewing of my Youtube channels and searching for new content I hit on the idea of using some of the accumulated snow outside to create my own ice bath.   So armed with a bucket and large spade I set about collecting and placing a large amount of snow into the bath and filling it up with cold water.  By the time the bath was full there was still snow floating and not melting on the top so I have to assume that temperature was at freezing or thereabouts. 

I must admit that as this was the coldest water that I have ever gotten into I was a little apprehensive.  I planned only to spend 3 minutes in the water.   On getting in it did seem to be very cold but the feeling was not as bad as i had expected it to be.  I was not even really that much out of breath when I got in.  I must be acclimatised to this by now I guess. 

It was really wierd seeind and feeling the slushy snow floating in the bath around me and when I lay back I pushed a slushy cushion of ice to the back of my neck as a makeshift pillow.  The 3 minutes slipped past so quickly that there seemed no point in stopping there.  At 5 minutes I put my head into the water until it became painful - I was surprised to see that more than 1 minute had passed by the time I sat up again. 

My skin was red when I got out (as expected) but I did not shiver at all in the water, only when I had dried off and started to warm up.  That was strange.  My toes and fingers were numb, but that was to be expected.  The rest of me was fine.  Totally invigorating!  Roll on the next time. 

I can report a new record for temperature and time now for me:

• Duration:  7 minutes
• Temperature:  0C (32F)

What are you going to do with the next snowfall?  Tell me or send me a comment on the above.

First Cold Days of Autumn 2010

The past 2 days here in the South East of England have been the coldest of the Autumn season so far. Air temps last night dipped well below zero and there was a significant depth of ice (3-4mm) on rainwater puddles in open areas and a heavy ground frost much in evidence. Yesterday was only slightly warmer - just above freezing with the thermometer in the car showing air temps varying from 0.5C to 3.5C when driving to and from the place I went for a run.

I had not planned to go out this morning but as it was cold and clear (and I am a sucker for running when it is very cold) I am glad I did. To feel the cold air on one's bare chest, arms and legs is really quite refreshing after the much warmer temperatures of the summer. Once you get out there and adjust to the cold it doesn't feel or seem so cold anymore.

For those that want to try it - start small and work up. Do a short run of only a few minutes and build up over time. I ran for around 50 minutes today and 1h10m yesterday. I topped the run off this morning with a cold shower - progressing to luke warm after about 3 or 4 minutes. I promise you that there are no lasting adverse effects!

One final thing - I think I may have found a place I can take a dip to cool off mid-run. On one run I did last week I ran along a clean, swiftly flowing stream with a few areas which would allow easy access. I may try that out early one morning, next week. I'll let you all know how I get on.