Does anyone know whether a cold bath after a run helps?

[TJFlute]

I just did 5 miles and it hasn't been easy with the right shin. I got in and after the stretches decided to have a cold bath (just from the cold water tap, no ice or anything). Have I just gone completely mad, or does anyone know if this would actually help with the old leg muscles?

[Greg_M Graduate]

I vote for mad

Did it help?

[TJFlute in reply to Greg_M]

Well it was very refreshing, if nothing else!

I'll let you know how the muscles feel tomorrow, but touch wood, so far they seem much better than I was expecting.

[doggymum Graduate]

I would've thought it would help - after all professional sports people take ice baths don't they!

Don't know if this link will help/work but it was nice and simple for me to understand would imagine cold water would help to do some of the things ice water does...

news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy...

[TJFlute in reply to doggymum]

This is a really helpful link.

The only thing is; I don't think I could add ice to it, cold water was enough!

[doggymum Graduate in reply to TJFlute]

no, ice definately wouldn't be for me either!! mind you if it makes things shrivel up I'd stick my bum in an ice bath all day long

[Greg_M Graduate in reply to doggymum]

That would turn heads at the petrol station

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Your a braver person than me, the very thought of getting into a cold bath makes me dither. I do however run the shower cold at the end of my shower down my shins if they are causing any pain, it helps and feels so gooooooooooddddd as they do have a tendency to feel quite fired.

[AliB1 Graduate in reply to Oldgirl]

that's what I do and i love the feeling of the really cold water on my tired & sore legs!

[Devanski Graduate]

I take warm bath but after reading this i might try cold water on my shins-thanks TJFlute for asking a clever question