It had been 72 hours since my last “long” 20-30 minute exercise session, but on this Saturday morning I wanted to dial the intensity back; although my hamstrings didn’t have any weakness or DOMS soreness, I am still concerned about over-training which could affect the release of growth hormone.
As soon as I arose this morning, I took about 15 grams of whey isolate and 2 grams of glutamine for a secretagogue/pre-exercise nutrition. About 30 minutes later I did 3 sets of 10 each one-arm push ups alternating between the right and left arm with no rest between. Then I rested a little while I put on my running shoes and took a drink of water.
At 6 minutes after starting the push ups, I jogged for 2.5 minutes. Then I rested for 1.5 minutes.
Next on my agenda were 6 running sprints. This morning I ran 20 second sprints every time my stopwatch showed the passing of 2 minutes; thus I had 100 seconds of rest between sprints. It has been about a month since I ran sprints using this much rest in between; (I had been doing the Tabata Protocol recently with running sprints.); I think my foot speed has slowed slightly because I haven’t been running sprints from a rested state, but (of course) my speed was much faster than when running in the Tabata Protocol.
After completing my 6th running sprint, I rested for 100 seconds before doing 4 sets of moutain climber of 20 seconds each separated by 15 seconds of rest. Then I jogged for 3 minutes to get home. The entire session took 29 minutes. It was a good workout in that my muscles feel fatigued although it was not near as intense as my exercise sessions in the prior weeks.
When I returned to my house, I drank some water and then took 25 grams of whey isolate protein. As I write this sentence it is about 30 minutes past my exercise session; I feel good right now with a sense of increased alertness. I am trying to get motivated to try a new health technique that may impact the release of growth hormone; I am going to take a break from writing to go take a COLD SHOWER!
. . .
Okay. I did it. I began my shower with 6 minutes of a normal shower, then I wriggled around in a cold shower for 3 minutes, then 6 minutes of a normal shower, and then I finished with 3 minutes of cold-shower-wriggling. (I actually timed myself because the sense of time could be distorted while in a cold shower.) Coming from a well, the water was cold enough for me. : ) I kept moving around in the shower to distribute the coldness everywhere and because my nose and hands would start to hurt if they were exposed too long. As I write this sentence, it is about 30 minutes after the shower; my skin still feels a little bit tingly and the skin on my face feels tight. And there is a feeling of accomplishment in that I was able to do it.
Last night I came across a web page at Arthur DeVany’s website, that mentioned that cold swims increase the body’s production of antioxidants; here’s the actual research paper on cold swims. Then I read quite a few anecdotal reports at another website that related benefits to cold showers/other cold shocks; anecdotal benefits include improved mood, greater ability to concentrate, elimination of headaches, and more energy. Cold showers might help heal delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) because the cold water reduces swelling and may increase the body’s production of antioxidants.
February 21, 2009 at 9:03 am |
I have had no hot water for over two weeks and have been taking cold showers twice a day, still not got over the inital shock of the cold , but the longer i stay in the better. After getting out i am flushed red and my skin is toned, i think this does promote good health and growth, i also think that it is a good way to condition your self. so all in all good idea but very hard to get used too.. lol