Ice it!

Beating up your body? ICE it! One super great idea after a hard run, ride or whatever is to dip into a cold stream or river and if those aren’t nearby fill up a tub with icy cold water.  We stretch lots (right!?!?!) well icing can be just as important. It reduces muscle pain and soreness and many elite athletes do it so they can perform the next day.

During intense exercise microtrauma, or tiny tears in muscle fibers occur, which causes our body to stimulate healing. With icing our blood vessels constrict giving a flushing effect, pushing blood out. When our body warms up again after the icing new blood circulates enhancing our body’s healing process.

I know that this is what your face looks like entering an ice bath, but really it helps.