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Guest Post by Bonnie Gartley aka @bonniegartley on Twitter! 

My friends think I’m crazy going for run long runs week after week. Well, okay let’s be really honest. I am crazy. I run marathons, and I’m a musician. It’s a whole lot of fun though, and I have a little secret that helps me do it all, the ice bath!

I know, sounds as appealing as watching paint dry right? I thought the same thing the first time one of my Team in Training coaches told me to go home and take an ice bath.

It was a rotten run! I had just gotten new shoes and had been improperly sized with 9 1/2s, a half size smaller than I usually wear my running shoes. I was 13 miles into a 16-mile training run and just stopped. My feet hurt, I was in a rotten mood, and I didn’t think I could take another step. So, one of the coaches told me to take an ice bath. I really wish I had listened, but I thought it sounded crazy. Who in their right mind takes an ice bath on purpose? Um… So remember I said I was a little crazy 

Flash forward two years. I’m a better runner, and I have learned the value in the ice bath. It’s all about how you recover! No mater how far you run you’re legs and feet are taking a pounding. In fact your muscles have a lot of microscopic tears after a running workout (but don’t worry! They heal in your recovery and get stronger!). You might also notice that your feet swell a bit while you’re running, especially in the summer.

Enter the ice bath! The best way to help your muscles recover and reduce inflammation is ice, and since it’s hard to find an ice pack or a package of frozen peas to cover two entire legs it’s all about the ice bath!

Still a little nervous? Here are a few tips:

     - Start with lukewarm water. It only helps if you get in the bath…

     - Once you’re in you can start turning the hot water down

     - You only need to fill the tub up to your hips, which is why I keep a shirt on so that I don’t get too cold. It’s not about lowering your core temperature.      It’s about recovery

     - Once you get the water level to where you want it start to add ice a little at a time. The amount is your choice. Personally I like two 10lb bags of ice, but to start just try whatever your ice maker can do and then find what works best (I have one former coach who likes four 10lb bags of ice…)

     - You only need to stay in the ice bath 10-15 minutes. I usually like a nice hot cup of coffee, and a magazine or book. Some friends enjoy a glass of wine or a beer. It’s your choice

     - For a little extra recovery I like adding Joyful Bath Co’s Ginger Snap bath salts. They smell amazing, have lots of good stuff for your skin and muscles in them, and well, they rock! Seriously, it’s like heaven in a bath!

Bonnie is a freelance violinist and violin teacher in Atlanta. An active runner, she’s completed 4 marathons, 3 ½ marathons, and a bunch of 10ks and 5ks. Currently she’s training for the Chicago Marathon with Team in Training in between practicing, and performing.

Check out this packing slip from a shipment we just received!

I LOVE this bathtub couch from Etsy shop, Ruff House Art!

A new trend in bathtubs and a frog in your tub!? Read more from the Washington Examiner.

Don’t forget to take a bath!

Today celebrates our one year anniversary of Twitter #Bathday! If you haven’t already played. Come join the fun at twitter.com/joyfulbathco.

Oh happy day! Our new Handmade Botanical Soaps are online and ready for pre-order!

These dreamy soap bars are made with the same therapeutic natural ingredients as our Signature Bath Salts–a perfect complement in the tub or shower. So gentle you can even use them to wash your face.

The hang tags came today so we’re ready for our photoshoot tomorrow! Here’s a quickie photo of our new Handmade Botanical Soaps sitting on my desk. We’re very excited to be bringing you this fabulous line of organic, all-natural bath soaps to complement our signature bath salts. Check back with us mid-June as that’s when we’re aiming to have these lovelies added to our online shop.

We’re very excited about the upcoming launch of our Handmade Botanical Bath Soaps formulated after our signature bath salts. Take a look back middle of June.