I've read (and experienced) that taking a hot shower after a hard run will cause blood to pool in the tears of muscles and even cause bruises. I find it just makes me red and itchy. But as much as I enjoy running, I am the first to admit I'm probably not as good as most of you let's run dudes/dudettes. So ALL my runs at this point are hard runs to me. So while cold may be better, I'm getting really tired of not being able to take hot showers. Any advice?
For me, it depends on the temperature I'm training in. It might sound goofy, but in the middle of winter I love a hot shower after a run because it warms me up and also helps my quads and especially hamstrings stretch and relax. We keep our house on the cool side, so if I don't do that I find that I'll be freezing later and be all cramped up. Summer's a different story. The fact that I'm 47 may also have some influence on the whole stretching/flexibility thing. When I was younger, I loved turning the shower from warm to full cold for a minute or two during the summer months.
After a run, I like to take very hot showers & drink a beer....sometimes a shot of whisky. It makes me feel like I'm on heroin but I don't have to actually poke a hole in my vein.
Some like it Hot wrote:
I've read (and experienced) that taking a hot shower after a hard run will cause blood to pool in the tears of muscles and even cause bruises. I find it just makes me red and itchy. But as much as I enjoy running, I am the first to admit I'm probably not as good as most of you let's run dudes/dudettes. So ALL my runs at this point are hard runs to me. So while cold may be better, I'm getting really tired of not being able to take hot showers. Any advice?
You're exploring a minor point. Do not confuse problems caused internally from running and using external means (water from shower) to solve said internal problems. Hot or cold isn't goin to make enough, if any, of a difference. Screw cold, go back to hot. They're better. For internal problems, such as muscle fiber damage and/or fatigue, really the big things there are drinking water, diet, nutrition, adaptation to training load, and ibuprofen. They are long term, something a shower will never solve.
Why don't you go Cold, Hot, Cold. I seems to promote good blood flow for me. I have heard of older men having heart problems by taking a very hot shower right after a workout.
bulldog35 wrote:
Why don't you go Cold, Hot, Cold. I seems to promote good blood flow for me. I have heard of older men having heart problems by taking a very hot shower right after a workout.
The problems here lie in what the shower temperature does for you. It only affects blood flow at the surface, not in deep tissue where the real pain and damage is.
Bman- what do you think of bringing a few Ice Cubes from your Freezer tray to the shower with you for Ice massages and then take a hot shower?
They spray horses down with cold water after they run. Why do you think so? Answer this: what happens to the blood when you are submerged in cold water? Where does it go? Why? Is this a good thing? Answer those questions and you'll see that there's a very logical reason behind cold showers and cold baths IMMEDIATELY after you run.
Horse Trainer wrote:
They spray horses down with cold water after they run. Why do you think so? Answer this: what happens to the blood when you are submerged in cold water? Where does it go? Why? Is this a good thing? Answer those questions and you'll see that there's a very logical reason behind cold showers and cold baths IMMEDIATELY after you run.
Once again, I am accused of stating something I did not. I never said there weren't benefits. I just said there is not enough of a difference in benefit taking a hot vs. cold shower immediately after running. I have tried doing both and noticed nothing. I notice much, much more if I take a light dose of ibuprofen if needed (not everyday). That's my personal opinion.
I hate the cold. I can tolerate it on the legs though...therefore, if need be, I'll use ice. But I'll never take a cold shower, unless I neglect to pay the gas bill.
I like that "heroin" idea someone posted...I'll have to give that a "shot".