Davina, the bath, and me.....

[Nerdio]

I don't know if anyone else saw the TV programme last week about Davina McCall's Sports Relief challenge. (If you didn't, watch it!). I have never been a great fan of Davina's, but that all changed after watching the programme. It was so refreshing to see a celebrity with such a high profile image just being normal. Struggling, fighting, crying and not caring who sees just how hard it all was. But she did it, and that was just fantastic.

So, how does that tie in with title? I have blogged a few times about my aches and pains, and have been frustrated with them stopping me from progressing. After a visit to the Physio on Thurs. last week, I was pretty much mended again. Just a tight 'Hip Flexor' type of muscle on one side. Watching Davina though stagger into her hotel room, I thought warm bath, lovely. That's what she wants. It's not what she got. 10 minutes in a cold water bath, and she really did it. The idea being of course, the cold will relax those tight muscles.

I thought then, maybe I could try that. There was no way I could massage my tight spot. So yesterday I went out for an early evening run, 5.5K in 29 mins (pleased with that, a gentle pace for me). I stopped on my walk home for a few stretches, then straight home for a cold bath. I didn't run it too deep, probably about 3 -4", then leapt in. I didn't quite do 10 minutes, in fact I was at least 8 minutes short, before I could really start to feel the cold. A couple of mins though was more than enough to get a liberal dousing of cold water on all those tight spots.

I have to say, it was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be, but the result was amazing. I feel back to my old self today. Not tight, well the tiniest of twinges, that is all. I am not sure that cold baths are recommended for everyone, but it worked for me.

(oh, forgot to say, I did follow this up with a full set of stretches, just for good measure).

[no-excuse Graduate]

Ooh glad it worked for you! Think I will be giving that one a miss, sounds horrid. x

[Nerdio Graduate in reply to no-excuse]

Nowhere near as bad as it sounds

[danzargo Graduate]

WOW Nerdio, that sounds amazing? That cold bath idea might be just the ticket. I know Andy Murray has one after a match too, except his people pour in tons of ice cubes - just to add to his pleasure. I must try it. Glad your pins are freeing up.

I watched the Davina prog - and I too find Davina an incredibly annoying, squawky loudmouth who constantly mugs at the camera and tries unsuccessfully to be funny - but I take my hat off to her for doing what she did. An amazing achievement indeed.

[suzybenj Graduate]

Flipping heck - I have consider a cold bath - but can never bring myself to do it. Well done and well done on the run.

[misswobble Graduate]

An ice pack might do just as well maybe. A cold bath would kill me! I'd have a heart attack!!

Davina is the real deal I think. I reckon she's quite a shy, self-conscious person so that her on-screen persona is a bit of a smokescreen.

This trend the Beeb has for bringing its presenters to the point of death for Sports Relief etc is getting too daft to laugh at. They'll end up killing someone. That would make good telly though ey. I see they managed to get a full documentary out of Davina's agonies

[Nerdio Graduate in reply to misswobble]

I have an ice pack, which I use on my ankle, if shin splints start to become an issue.

Ironically, a bath at about 6 or 7 degrees is sometimes less daunting than applying an ice pack (0 degrees).

[Oldgirl Graduate]

I have a nice hot shower first to wash away the grime etc, then turn the shower to cold and run it down both legs, for longer if its been a longer run, works for me.

[christian1 Graduate in reply to Oldgirl]

I do this too since you recommended it a while ago. Its really not as bad as it sounds. I don't fancy a 10 minute cold bath though.

[ju-ju- Graduate]

wow...I saw it and cried, it was so amazing what she achieved...and I am going to try the cold bath if it really works....can't say I'm keen though

Brave of you to try it, and a great 5.5 k time, well done!!

[Latte_Lady Graduate]

I once read that after a run, Paula Radcliffe used to get into a wheelie bin full of ice - I'm sticking with Oldgirl's cold shower tip, which works wonders for me.

[OldNed Graduate]

I always finish my shower with it on cold for a minute or so, all over, even in deep winter. It's very........bracing

[ChrisL Graduate]

I have a great cheat for this. Instead of taking a cold bath which is going to chill bits of me that I would rather not chill I take a nice warm shower and then turn it to cold and run it on my ankles for a few minutes (my ankles are the only bits of me that seem to suffer from running). I am sure this could be adapted for knees, hips etc as needed.