Our first week (of seven) feels like a training week. Walking 20-25 km is a lot harder than we thought it would be, walking on roads and cobbles and gravel, and steep hills to climb up and skitter down, especially in the heat. It's great when we get shade or the odd bit of cloud cover, and the mornings are generally quite lovely, but by 2pm or so it is heading towards 28 or 29 degrees Celcius and we are, to put it bluntly, very sweaty.
Showers are plentiful but if we are lucky enough to find ourselves with a bathtub, the first thing we do after checking in is to take an ice bath.
I was going to say "to enjoy" but no one can really enjoy an ice bath. "To suffer" is a little strong, as it actually relives suffering very effectively. So I went with the more prosaic "to take", because it does require some effort. Ice baths are something we found out about during our racing days running half and full marathons and they are quite miraculous. After legs and feet have put in a lot of miles and effort, an ice bath kick starts the healing process quickly, so that all the inflamed muscles and fascia get respite and blood flowing. Muscles are way less sore the next and you generally feel raring to go.
To do this, you fill the bath with cold, cold water, as cold as possible. Then you sit in it for 5 minutes. 10 minutes is better but 5 minutes is just fine. That's all it is.
I won't lie. The getting in part is horrible. But once you are in, and don't move around, it is surprisingly bearable. the trick is not to move around though.
If your shoulder muscles are sore from carrying a pack, then you are advised to shift down and get your torso in the cold water. Again, the getting in and settled is quite hellish, but if you don't move around, it is not too bad once you are in.
Then out you come, or on goes the hot water to have a proper (and enjoyable) bath or shower.
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