Just Roll With It
Hi there!
Have you guys ever used one of these?
This is called a Tiger Tail. It helps with muscle soreness and to get those knots out! Basically a thinner, more portable foam roller. I foam roll sometimes, but it’s nothing like this thing. You roll it over sore spots to help relieve cramps, tightness, aches, and it even helps with muscle recovery to prevent discomfort later.
Sounds nice huh?
IT’S A TORTURE DEVICE!
Okay, so I’m being a little harsh here. But when I tell you I screamed and teared up a bit, I’m not exaggerating. Friday night I had my legs worked on since I’ve been killing them in the gym. I was found to have a HUGE KNOT in my left quad (which makes total sense because every time I move it feels like that quad is ripping apart). Anyway, so the tiger tail was used on me and I screamed, and shook and rolled all over the floor. At one point I’m pretty sure I screamed “please stop, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!”. And then I was told to suck it up and quit being a baby.
I was laughing so hard because it was the only emotion I had left because of the pain. Now I’m pretty good with pain tolerance actually, but this was a whole new level. I was told if I just let him finish I would feel so much better later.
I hate when people are right… 😉
The next day my legs felt 100% better. I had a teeny bit of soreness from him pushing so hard on that knot, but nothing compared to what it was. That ripping sensation is gone! Even on rounds Monday morning at 6am, I had no problem getting up the stairs. Usually I have so much tightness in my legs that I’m near the back of the pack. No more!
So yes, that 5-10 minutes of torture was worth it. I’d do it again.
I also foam rolled out those hamstrings and calves the next day to loosen up a bit more. It really does make a difference.
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To end this short little blog, I’d like to say thank you to all of those who said such nice things about my big change for 2015! I received so many well wishes via Instagram and e-mail and I couldn’t be more grateful. This is going to be very different for me, but exciting. Thanks for all the love and support 🙂
Have a wonderful day, chase those dreams!
XOXO With a Cherry On Top,
-Minnie
Jennifer Lambert
Oh yeah! I have the same device. Not the same name but the same device. Welcome to the world of self myofascial release! Hurts like a bitch but it’s a pain you eventually associate with good things to come.
I started to have to do it on a regular weekly (usually bi-weekly) basis starting in October when I was putting on 180 mile weeks on the bike (with a lot of tempo/HITT/hill repeats and various weekly torture. then weekends are the 55+ mile rides back to back….although now they’re getting past 62 miles with my first 105.5 recently!) I would get trigger points (those lovely knots you speak of) in two places in my calves. Around the medial ones. One right next to the other.
So my PT people for my knee taught me the myofascial release massage with the ball and a yoga block for added pressure.
I get trigger points in my quads and my upper shoulder blades as well from the pushing and pulling on the bars from hill climbing or getting out of the saddle. The quad ones…well those are just from hammering it. lol. But the calves, holy balls, I can’t stand them and they love to stick around.
Glad it helped!!
Katie
Yikes, the calves… sounds painful!