Sunday’s snowy 12-miler with Amy, Mel and Zoë on the hilly Soos Creek Trail was a ton of fun. Like I wanted to run 12 more miles with them the next day kind of fun. See Mel’s recap HERE and Zoë’s HERE.
Here’s the thing. I don’t know how dudes are, but I truly believe us girls never grow out of our 12-year-old selves. We love being silly, acting girly, dressing up (why do you think RunningSkirts is so successful?), telling stupid jokes, talking, talking some more and then doing even more talking. You could say long runs with a group of friends is like the birthday sleep-overs I used to go to/have back when I was a kid. Time flies by.
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Mel, Zoë and Amy |
Mel, Amy and me |
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Me and Zoë |
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Mel and Zoë |
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Amy and Zoë |
And then it’s over and you’re like, “Shucks. I wanna do that again. Except next time, without the blisters.”
Yeah, I had a blister flare up. It was pretty painful on Sunday. I even considered “cleaning” it (aka popping it in a responsible manner). I wasn’t sure how to, so I looked it up online. When I saw there was fire and needles involved, that pretty much ended my search. No thanks. I did read that it’s best to just let them subside on their own if you can. The bubble (sorry, that sounds so gross), is a sort of protective cover over the irritated skin.
I also took an ice bath on Sunday. Yes, it was cold on Sunday (mid-30s), but my shins weren’t cold. During the run, we discussed whether rolling around in the snow afterward would be as effective as the ice bath, but nobody ended up trying it out. I had on my new $40 Under Armour leggings, so I was not volunteering.
Anyway, I sorta like ice baths. Okay, not the idea of them and certainly not at first, but once you get used to it after a couple of minutes, it feels awesome. And I usually have pretty good entertainment in the form of a 2-1/2-year-old stand-up comedian.
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Me and T Junior |
T Junior even helped me prepare the frigid bath on Sunday by pouring in the bucket of ice. I also like to put a little bubble bath in. For some reason, it’s easier to sit in there if I can’t see my legs. I think seeing them makes the experience too real, but if they are hidden underneath some suds then I practically forget. Having a hot coffee helps, too.
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He doesn’t think his mom is weird. |
My legs always feel awesome after a 10- to 15-minute ice bath. Hopefully, it will help keep shin injuries away. It also helps with soreness and I feel like I recover from long runs faster.
Here’s my ice bath ritual:
-Make a large cup of coffee
-Put on bathing suit, socks and a sweatshirt
-Fill tub with cold tap water and bubble bath
-Dump in ice
-Set clock where I can see it
-Gather towels for post-bath
-Gather entertainment (i.e. child, dog, phone)
-Get in quickly!
Do you take ice baths? Do you have ice bath rituals?
10 comments
I love that you add bubbles! Hmm, maybe I should try that to make it more bearable.
Looks like you girls had a fun 12 mile run! I have yet to try an ice bath, but I DO see it in the near future!!!
What a cute running group, and I agree that running with friends is a coffee date or slumber party. You don't even feel the run!I feel ya on the blisters. Normally I just let them go. The only time they bother me is if they go beyond the bubble to the next layer of skin, ouch! Don't have a bath because we don't have a bath! I do epsom salt baths in a little tub though for my feet if they're especially achy.Love reading your blog!
youguysrock.love the photos. jealous of the running crew/friends.I like my ice baths — as long as I have my phone to distract me. 😉
I love that your child is entertainment during an ice bath! I feel like I am my child's entertainment while I am in the frigid water.Love seeing the pics of you and the girls!!! And I totally agree with it being like a grown up slumber party!! So fun!!
so lucky to have friends close! love the idea of a sweatshirt. I may have to try that this weekend~
looks like you have some great friends to run with. fun!! and i love it that you have the cutest entertainment during your ice baths. i haven't done those, but, i will keep the bubbles in mind.
Way to go on the long hard run in crappy weather! You will be ready for anything!I was doing ice baths faithfully last summer and fall, but I haven't been able to stand it this winter. I was thinking of wearing swim shoes next time, because my feet don't have the padding my legs and butt do, and they hurt in the ice water. I scared the pets with my yowls.
You girls look like you had so much fun… that's the way to do it! Not so sure about the ice bath though… I just can't imagine steeling up to actually sit down in that cold water!
“popping it in a responsible manner.” HAHAHA! Yeah, I usually go the fiery needle route with blisters because mine take FOREVER to pop. Ew, gross. Yuck.I love that you add bubbles to your ice bath! That's a great idea! See you on Sunday!!!