I've only done ice baths a couple of times...not my favorite. I have taking dips in cold streams after runs though and enjoy that much more.

Jeff. Wish we had a nice stream to dip into, I could dip my legs in the cold sea, but then its a 3 mile jog back so that wouldnt be of benefit, I dont think.

I do run in the sea when Im injured or got real sore legs this helps lots, but its not the cleanest of sea's so!

Cooking speed! Nice workout. I do ice baths when I feel the legs need to be refreshed. I haven't done one for sometime now. 20 minutes is long enough. I used to do them after a marathon, but I haven't done one after my last 4 marathons. But that's a good time too. I see nothing wrong with doing them after a hard session. If it works that's all that matters.

Does your son go to school year around? Our kids are out for the summer.

I also do a 20 minute ice bath. I feel that helps me out the most. I will look into this a little more for you.

Nice pool work!

I avoid baths all together. Except for blood baths.

Kory, Thanks was fast in this heat, and I really had to find something for the last rep, I even shouted at myself on the last 100ms, LOL...

My son does have 6 weeks off school for the summer, I think thats in about 2 weeks time, :-( really wrecks my routine,, I like routine and dont like it messed about with so I find it hard, and so does Dylan (my son) as he gets taken around allot he cycles I run.

Barry thats great, I am keeping up the 20 min ice baths still, I dont find them too bad at the moment, I have just got a small kids pool too as maybe it would be better for the enviroment to try save on water.

Mike, Yeah I like swimming but not a great fan of it, it's pretty boreing really, so its just get it done with as it helps ease my legs lots, like a water massage in a way :-) I take it you avoid Ice Baths LOL your funny blood baths...... Happy days and thanks for all the comments really appreciated nice to know what other's do too

:-)

Hi Sam. I used to do ice baths but didn't really enjoy it. It can help your legs feel better because it reduces inflammation, but the inflammation is one thing that helps the muscles in our legs heal, which can help us perform better in the long run. So I'm not sure what is best. Maybe the running boo I'm reading will have some answers.

Thanks Steve, my legs feel better after ice baths and I did have a piriformis injury on my last h/marathon, I think I had about 8 ice baths and heat applied between each one with massage et. Too the days before and it worked till mile 10 then I had to cut the pace if I can rember right! I'm sure they work but wanting to look into it more myself thankyou :-)

I usually do them in a cold stream/river and only when it is worth the added time, which means after hard long runs and races. But if you have time, doing it more can only help, I imagine.

Nice workout. I agree with Jon. It is a time issue. If I could, I would do many more of them. In college there were a couple of us that would do them after every workout, speed or long. I haven't done one this year but last year I would do them after track workouts or runs over 15mi. The cool stream option is nice when available but I find cold water out of the tap is often good enough ~55F for 15min.

Jon, I know what you mean with the added time, it is hard to fit in, as well as all the other stuff, warm down stretch etc...

Again Adam I would try do them more often not always time either it is pretty hard going sometimes I must add! But generally I do try to do the ice bath after a hard training session, but Im trying to make sure Im injury free this time round..... So wish I had a cool stream near me :-)