This is probably for the purple/lavender room or whatever nonserious forum of ST, but humor me just for kicks -
Is there any reason nobody makes running caps that have mini pockets on the sides or top for ice cubes to be dropped in?
I recall doing the Vineman 70.3 a few years back when it was a real roaster with at least 85F temp in the shade, but nearly the entire run course is uncovered and in peak noon sun. I stuffed tons of ice down my trisuit, and tried to keep a cube in my cap - the suit ones promptly went down to my crotch (doh) and then one under my cap fell out pretty quick.
Just curious if there’s a reason nobody has made a running cap that you’d be able to stuff ice cubes in pretty readily, like small pockets on the sides or even a little flap-covered velcro pouch on top. The cooling effect, even if limited to the head, is pretty big given how much heat the head gives off. I still remember thinking “man, I’d KILL for a bag of ice that would sit nicely on top of my head right now!” during that run/walk! (Pretty much everyone was run/walking by the end - I was surprised the following year when it was a lot cooler and NOBODY was walking.)
Get one of these. Insert preferred iced beverage. It’ll keep your head cool plus allow you to avoid wasting time by skipping aid stations on the run. Plus, it’s got a straw, which everyone knows is triathlete approved.
The ice down your crotch is actually quite effective for keeping you cool. Large arterial and venous blood flow. It will also keep blood from being shunted to an otherwise unneeded ( during the race) appendage.
There was an argument that ice should not be applied to ones head during a race.
I think the argument went …, that ice causes capillaries on the skull to restrict blood flow - actually making one hotter.
I think the ice is supposed to be applied elsewhere.
I reviewed the entire 2016 Kona coverage and noted that Daniela Ryf put ice in her running cap at every station.
I will nevertheless try out a trick this year which Cris Mccormack advised in his book: sewing a pocket in the shirt at the position of the heart which you can fill with ice at the stations.
I’ve put ice cubes in my hat, not extra pocket required. Sports bras are excellent for ice storage as well, keeps your torso nicely cooled.
Yes on both accounts. I had so much ice in my sports bra during an ultra in 90+ degrees that I rattled when I ran. One of the volunteers said that she had just had a runner come through and ask to have a scoop of ice dumped directly into her bra.
I wonder if my thick hair keeps the ice on my head in place, because I never have a problem with it under my cap.
I think the thought was if put in the correct place it can make you feel too cool and thus push yourself too hard and thus cause problems later in the race bc it doesnt actually cool you enough. I think this study was done on the back of the neck. Cant remember enough to search it though.
I think Ben Hoffman ran in a had you could put ice in from Zoot. Cant seem to find it or the pic.
I’ve made my own for most of my running hats. I wish I could monetize it, but I can’t make a decent hat myself and don’t want to pay someone in China to make them and have to buy 1000.I took an old camping towel, (Think Shamwow) and cut it roughly 3" x 5" to fit inside the hat and sewed it down on three sides leaving the brim side unsewn. It works like a champ and the towel stays damp long after the ice melts.
I have done that too. Also take zip lock bag and stuff it half in your shorts half out on both sides over the femoral arteries and veins. That way it doesn’t slide down. Only works okay if you are going slow but if you need it you probably are.
There was an argument that ice should not be applied to ones head during a race.
I think the argument went …, that ice causes capillaries on the skull to restrict blood flow - actually making one hotter.
I think the ice is supposed to be applied elsewhere.
I personally doubt that, but I gotta admit, it does make sense i na weird way.
Would love to see any evidence of the ‘hotter’ phenomena if it’s actually real - otherwise, I can’t believe it.
That is precisely the case. Exposure to very cold will constrict capillaries. Ideally you want to cool with a continuous supply of “coolish” but not cold (say 50-60 deg F) water. Ice directly on the body is counterproductive:
Continously emptying water bottles (of cool, but not icy water) on his head is probably what helped Floyd Landis win that epic breakaway in the Tour de France (well that and testosterone injections):
There was an argument that ice should not be applied to ones head during a race.
I think the argument went …, that ice causes capillaries on the skull to restrict blood flow - actually making one hotter.
I think the ice is supposed to be applied elsewhere.
I personally doubt that, but I gotta admit, it does make sense i na weird way.
Would love to see any evidence of the ‘hotter’ phenomena if it’s actually real - otherwise, I can’t believe it.
Simon Lessing said that a trick they used to do racing in the heat in the summer in France was to put ice in singlet pockets on top of the kidneys. This makes a ton of sense to me. I also found putting it down from the waist band in my compression shorts worked well. volunteers would laugh, but it would feel like a turbo boost in very humid races.
