Q:I just returned from the Western Footlocker Regional Championship race at Mt. SAC in Walnut, CA. I was watching the seeded boys race introductions and recognized one of the boys who'd been in the hot tub at the hotel at the same time I was there the night before and wished him good luck. I turned to my companion and mentioned that he'd been in the hot tub, and a horrified by-stander couldn't believe anyone would go to the hot tub the night before the race. I have heard people saying this before, but it has never seemed to affect my running in a bad way at all. I'm wondering if there is some physiological reason that would make a hot soak a bad thing? Or is this one of those myths? I'd really appreciate some light on the subject!
--Thanks Ellen
A: The hot tub is not a problem if only used for a few minutes. If the athlete soaks in the tub for a long time, then he may get dehydrated, which would be a problem. Also, if he has the water jets directly on a specific muscle, then that muscle may become fatigued, similar to having a deep massage. So, I would not recommend using a hot tub for more than 5 or so minutes the night before a race, and would avoid having the jets directly hitting any specific muscle. --Pete Pfitzinger
