Address the Pain and Piggy Pats

AMAZING SENSATION!  I put a Tiger Balm Pain Relieving Patch on my hamstring.

It worked IMMEDIATELY.  Initially, I loved it.  Then I took it off before going to bed and regretted ever having tried it. My hamstring was giving me so much grief.  I was going to run Wednesday morning, a long run, but thought better of it since my leg was acting up.   

I keep talking about that silly muscle but continue to run. Maybe that’s not the thing to do but it was staying about the same: an irritating little pain.  It didn’t get worse but then after the Stockade-Athon, it began to spasm and has been a bit more aggressive since.  I did run 7 miles on Tuesday, 2 1/2 being tempo miles, the rest slow and that didn’t help it.  As the day went on, the muscle began to ache more and more. Hence: Tiger Balm. RRROOOAARRR!

Being the type to self medicate, I did a little internet research.  Obviously the first step is RICE:  REST, ICE, COMPRESS, ELEVATE.   Rest, I can do. Don’t see the point in icing, it’s been over 24 – 48 hours.  Compress, well, I do wear the compression tights. Does that count?  Elevate…ummmm, no.  Can’t see doing that since I can walk on it. 

I did discover that it is a Grade 1 Hamstring strain: source from sports injury clinic

Grade 1: What does it feel like?

• May have tightness in the posterior thigh.
• Probably able to walk normally however will be aware of some discomfort.
• Minimal swelling.
• Lying on front and trying to bend the knee against resistance probably won’t produce much pain.

I’m going to try to be religious about doing the stretching and strengthening exercises recommended on the site (sports injury clinic) for the next few days.  Since Boston training begins Monday, approaching that with the least amount of discomfort seems the smartest way to proceed. Prescribed aerobic activity:  swim and bike with minimal resistance.  Both doable since the MVCC pool is right across the street and we are in for some 50 – 60 degree weather this weekend.  

Exercise Review:   Cycling Thursday morning on the recumbent bike for 30 minutes which was followed by the three of us taking a dark, cold, morning stroll to Valley View for 3 1/2 miles.  I also did the strength and stretching exercises as recommended.  Same routine again on Friday morning.  Thursday night was swim class for an hour. No pain there, simply a water massage. Yay!

If Ted’s back is better, we may go for a bike ride on Saturday, but my day will begin with a long walk with Shane for at least 5 miles.  I’ll try not to break into a run. It’s gonna be tough.

My Boston Training schedule will be updated and linked on the About page of my site.

Have you run Boston before? If so, do you want to share your training schedule?

PIGGY PATS:  “Come Smell our Pits” 

What was I going to eat at Piggy Pats?   That was the question Ted asked when I suggested using the coupon we received from the UticaOD.  Yeah – we’re not above using coupons. In fact, I LOVE coupons! 

If all else fails, I’ll have a salad and eat when we get home.  But low-and-behold, the menu offered a few items I could enjoy:

I ended up ordering a garden salad, BBQ Shrimp Skewers and the Mixed Veggies with Edamame.

I was really surprised to find edamame on the menu, considering I was in a pork joint. 

The veggies were good but I could have done without all that butter.

Ted enjoyed his meal of pulled pork, a baked sweet potato (a dollop of brown sugar was added to the middle of that potato – not needed, REALLY!), and the veggies. 

Piggy Pats is not a place where you have to dress up.  I mean, when you are given this as a side, in the bag….

jeans and a clean t-shirt is just fine.

It’s a fun restaurant for a casual, not-so-healthy meal. A wonderful bar…whoops! They call it a pub…area

The rooms are wide open and can get a little loud with all the fun and frivolity.  There are televisions in every corner of the pub so if you go for a game, you’re sure to catch some good viewing. 

The crowd is a mix of young and old.  Happy hour is from 3 pm to 7pm, 2 ‘fers on wine, beer, and what else?  Live entertainment every Friday. 

See Piggy Pats on line for the entertainment schedule and hours. 

As for Ted and I, it was a place for a quick bite. We wouldn’t make it one of our Friday night favorites but for a change of pace, Piggy Pats was enjoyable.  PLUS…the total bill came to $27 dollars and that was BEFORE the coupon was deducted.  Can’t beat that!

Have you ever made your own pulled pork?  And out of curiosity, if you’re a vegetarian, what would be a GREAT substitute for pulled pork sandwiches?