I’m a naturally sceptical person, and while I pride myself on being relatively open minded, I live my life with one eyebrow firmly raised in mistrust to most things.
I’m generally very cautious in undertaking most things,
without careful consideration or research (at least). So when I was invited
through a facebook message to partake in a ‘Float Session’ at Floatation Nation,
I was somewhat hesitant at first.
Touted as being ‘miraculous’ for recovering muscles and for
relaxation on the whole, I immediately wondered why I hadn’t heard of this
technique before despite being used by the AIS since
1983 (and save for a very hilarious episode of ‘The Simpsons’). Was this
complete hearsay, an extremely well-kept secret, or something different
completely? I was unsure and curious to say the least.
Upon more research into the supposed ‘benefits’; some of
these being;
-
The release of endorphins,
-
Natural Pain relief,
-
Improved mood,
-
Reduction in lactic acid build-up
-
Increased circulation,
-
Increased recovery times,
-
Reduced fatigue,
-
Improved skin health,
-
Reduced inflammation, stress hormones &
heart rate,
-
Alleviation of chronic pain,
-
Removal of toxins
I decided I had nothing to lose, save for the possibility of
falling asleep and drowning unceremoniously in a futuristic-looking plastic
bath (I guess there are worse ways to go?).
With that in mind, this ‘miraculous’ technology was going to
have to deal with a body having IMMEDIATELY (or at least a couple of hours
after) just finished a gruelling undulating FULL MARATHON. Surely, I thought,
my body would be so fatigued that I would have a VERY clear idea of just how
much a difference a ‘float’ would really make!
I booked in for the afternoon immediately after this year’s
2016 Brisbane Marathon and I was told I wouldn’t have to pay a cent for the
privilege, under the proviso that I give a testimony if (and only if) I found
the process worthwhile. There was literally nothing to lose but an hour of my
life.
When Float-day finally came, it found me in a great
condition to inflict damage on my body; my lead up training for the Marathon
had been almost non-existent, due to some niggling hamstring tears, so the
already difficult task of running a fast 42kms was made substantially harder.
To add insult to injury my ego even saw me sparring for the lead during the
race with a plucky young stranger, coinciding with us ensuring that we would
both ran our respective races at a wholly foolish pace.
As it was, when I crossed the line (in Second place), I did
so with blistered feet, completely fatigued muscles and my tail firmly between
my legs. I was wrecked…. And mentally, emotionally and physically I could not
be better prepared to put the claims of Flotation proponents to the ultimate
test!
When I got to ‘Floatation Nation’ (which is not so much a
sovereign country, as a rather chic boutique space), I was greeted by the
amazing 'Brendan' (Nation President). Almost as if
to test the validity and the will of participants to undertake the session, I
was led up the cruellest of obstacles (post marathon)….a series of stairs;
which I hobbled up, at a literal and metaphorically painful rate.
Once inside I was given a run down on the process, I would shower,
strip down (in the empty room), get in the ‘tank’, shut the roof,
and…..float….for an hour. The extremely concentrated (with Epson salts) water
and complete darkness would do the rest!
Once naked (which didn’t feel as peculiar as I thought it
would), and inside, my initial thoughts about feeling claustrophobic were put
to bed as, even floating high in the water, with my arms outstretched, I could
not easily reach the roof of the tank. It was nothing like the ‘waterlogged
coffin’ that my wildly imaginative brain conjured, and more like a comfortably
spacious and serene bathtub.
My only other concern, that being; potentially feeling claustrophobic
and resulting to an hour of thrashing around like a cork in a tempest, was also
put to bed with the location of both a light switch, and conveniently
accessible handle to open the tank.
Regardless, knowing that I planned to honestly review the
experience, I challenged myself to touch neither the light, nor the handle. I
was going to stick it out come hell or high water (although not literally).
Whilst I can’t testify as to whether (while in the tank) I
experienced nirvana, or complete one-ness with the world, I did find myself
relaxing and enjoying the experience itself. In our busy world it’s nice to be able
to literally lock yourself alone for an hour of ‘me’ time. For a short period I
worried about how air-tight the tank was, shortly after, the oxygen capacity of
it, then the sound proofing capabilities of the device, however I think these
are only concerns of the hyper anxious, and I was becoming so relaxed that even
these concerns drifted away soon enough.
In a time that felt (for me) close enough to ‘long enough’
without being ‘not enough’ the light in the tank came on and it was time for me
to come out.
The results?
Unfortunately for ‘Floatation Nation’ their tanks don’t have
the exclusive benefits of those shown in
the (entirely fictional) film
‘Cocoon’….although I strongly suggest they work on their ‘supernaturally age
reversing capabilities’. In spite of this, I practically skipped down the
stairs (that just an hour ago I had struggled against) to my car!
Clay Dawson
**This blog was written EXCLUSIVELY of any obligation to
endorse Floatation Nation of Float therapy in general, however I did experience a
free float in the process. Whether that clouded my judgement (or not)…I will
let you decide. (It didn’t) **
Whether this was psychosomatic, and I secretly ‘wanted’ to
feel amazing benefits, and tricked myself into believing they were there…? I’m
not sure.
What I can say though, is that, now 5 days later; the only
real side effect of this year’s marathon was a rather substantial cold-sore (I
always get those when I smash my body that hard), and some initially tight
calves (although I always get those on account of wearing racing flats for runs
of that intensity and distance). Although I felt as though I could run that
evening, and the proceeding days, I cautiously took one day off, before running
a light 6km with my son in his pram, then 20 easy kilometres the next day.
With only one session undertaken, I can report that it was a
fascinating experiment. It is certainly one I plan on continuing, or trying a
few more times (at least), to more conclusively make my mind up. As (with most
things that cost money) I’ve been told it mostly takes a few sessions to see
the absolute benefits….which normally triggers my scepticism alarm instantly,
on this occasion; given the pretty impressive results, I’m willing to book
myself in for a few more ‘floats’.
For those of you curious about this…I suggest you do
likewise!
Please mention this blog and that I sent you.
Regardless,
Happy running!
Clay Dawson
Intraining Sponsored Athlete and curious partaker of
Floating
My Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clay.dawson
My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clay_dawson/
My Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/3894877
My Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/3894877
http://floatationnation.com.au/ - Floatationnation's website....if you're interested let them know you read about it here though!
