Ice Cold One

OK, we'll not quite.  I had seen so much stuff on runners taking "ice" baths.  Saturday I ran the Indy Mini and totally rocked.  Not bragging, just pumped.  I took Sunday off.  Ran 6 miles Monday.  Legs actually felt pretty good.  Tonight, I ran 8.5 miles in one hour and while I had the energy to maintain 6:40 to 6:50 pace, my quads felt like someone was just punching the shit out of them.  Like when someone jokingly punches you in the arm just a little too f'ing hard?  So, tonight, I have no ice, but I figure, what the hell.  I'll try this.  I ran myself a bath tub of cold water.  I have well water, so it is a chilly 51 degrees.  I got in and HS!!!  gasp, gasp, whew!  Very shocking.  But!  after the first 30 seconds or so, the shock sort of faded.  I managed to sit in it for 12 minutes.  How long are you supposed to go in an ice bath anyway?  I'd have to say, that it actually worked.  It was like taking ibuprofen and it taking effect immediately.  The pain is gone.  Of course my muscles are still twitching.  I really should be letting my body get over the mini.