1) You show up for practice and run out onto the field, but you feel really STIFF?

2) The coach has you do that first "run", but your LEGS are TIGHT and SORE?

3) Early in the game it seem a little HARD to 'turn on the gas'

4) Or, you try a burst of speed to get to the ball, but you're just NOT moving AS FAST as you want?

Don't be too concern. Your muscles are probably just tired, particularly in the early part of the season when you 're just getting into shape. I CAN HELP.

What can you do about it? In this case the answer is NOT rest, which is what you usually think of when you're tired. As you're building and toning muscles, working them hard, they will get tired. Don't stop the building process. Just make the rest you are getting more effective. You can do that with ICE. Not gel bags or chemical ice packs but REAL ICE!

Applying it AFTER a workout will help your body recover FASTER, and be STRONGER SOONER. In a sense it's not like sleep, but it's like sleep. If you have a deep sleep, you feel better the next day. If you toss and turn all night, you're tired the next day. Applying ice is like deep sleep. You will be less tired for it.

ICE is what most professional pitchers use on their arms and shoulders after they throw, for the same reason. They want their arm fresher and stronger faster so they can maintain their pitching rotation. Running backs in professional football will spend 30-45 minutes after a practice with their leg in plastic garbage cans full of ice for the same reason. Both want to return to PEAK PERFORMANCE as soon as possible. You can too!

If you want to feel stronger faster. APPLY ICE AFTER PRACTICE, to the particular area (knees or thighs) that seem most 'uncomfortable' when you first warm up. Leave the ice in place with compression, for at lease 25 minutes. DO NOT USE CHEMICAL or GEL ice packs. They are dangerous and not as effective as real ice. Crushed ice in a towel with an Ace wrap is the most effective.

Then compare the next time you go on the field. See if you don't feel better, stronger, faster!

David Kehe has been a distance runner for 33 years, and is the chief operating officer of PEAK PERFORMANCE, a company specializing in improving athletic training through cryotherapy.