Long time ago for me, but I still remember it like it was yesterday. Ever present in my memory.
Started with cold showers, before the baths.
1st 10 secs x limb, then 10 secs per front back of torso, then 60 secs, 30 secs per side entire body. Presto, you're down with two minutes of cold water.
Then baths, start slow. With the idea, before you enter, that no matter how short you last, you WILL stay 10 secs longer. I got to 30 secs my 1st time, was held in for 10 secs after asking to be let out. Extend as able, we all react differently to cold, just like we all react differently to everything.
Once 2 minutes was down in an ice bath... it was an animal feeding trough that fit two. We were 4, so 2 @ a time, held by their partners... we went outside, backpacking in the Trinity Mountains, same 4. We did the same routine, only in snow melt creeks on the way up; by the time we reached the top after a couple of days, taking it easy to fit everyones pace, we were all 4 swimming in alpine lakes, friggid cold. The cleanest water you ever saw though.
It was incredible. But now, I stick to cold showers 2 minutes, as we started with. It's enough to get the blood flowing and energize me, especially when I close my eyes and see myself in those lakes... then I can go more than 2 minutes.
Started with cold showers, before the baths.
1st 10 secs x limb, then 10 secs per front back of torso, then 60 secs, 30 secs per side entire body. Presto, you're down with two minutes of cold water.
Then baths, start slow. With the idea, before you enter, that no matter how short you last, you WILL stay 10 secs longer. I got to 30 secs my 1st time, was held in for 10 secs after asking to be let out. Extend as able, we all react differently to cold, just like we all react differently to everything.
Once 2 minutes was down in an ice bath... it was an animal feeding trough that fit two. We were 4, so 2 @ a time, held by their partners... we went outside, backpacking in the Trinity Mountains, same 4. We did the same routine, only in snow melt creeks on the way up; by the time we reached the top after a couple of days, taking it easy to fit everyones pace, we were all 4 swimming in alpine lakes, friggid cold. The cleanest water you ever saw though.
It was incredible. But now, I stick to cold showers 2 minutes, as we started with. It's enough to get the blood flowing and energize me, especially when I close my eyes and see myself in those lakes... then I can go more than 2 minutes.