July 16th, 2010
The Frugal Runner is back again, this time with a tip borne out of this morning’s hamstring injury.
I got home, made my blog post and immediately set about following good ole RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. I managed R, I and E with no problem, but what to do about C? The only compression things I have are for the ankle, so I looked around the apartment for a McGuyvery-type alternative (because after limping home 4.25 miles, the last thing you want to do is hobble over to the drugstore).
I tried wrapping a towel: too bulky. My homemade neck gaiter: too big. Then it hit me…the lingerie drawer! Aha!! I have a bunch of old tights and pantyhose that I wasn’t going to be wearing in the foreseeable future, if ever, so I started pulling out stuff, ending up with a pair of thick black tights and an old pair of Leggs Sheer Energy Pantyhose, especially perfect because they’re support hose, so they’re thicker and tighter – in fact, I think they’re from when I started running (which I feel the need to mention because I’m not a supp-hose type of gal). Anyway…
You’ll want 2 pairs. Take the hose/tights and cut the panty part off and the toes, so you’re left with 4 tubes.
These are it! Depending on how tight they are and what area you need to support (I’m mostly hamming it up here, though I wanted the top of my calf, too), the toe end is usually smaller so if you want to favor the thigh, pull the toe end up first. Also, put the looser tubes on first, which in my case are the black tights. Lastly, ask your wife’s permission before you go cutting up her stuff. Et voila!
Not the prettiest thing but dang if it doesn’t work well – I’m a sausage! So there you go. R-I-C-E. Done.
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Impressive Flo! That is 100% McGuvyer worthy. And it looks good, too.
You are McGyver!!!
Another nice picture! Alas, my drawer does not include such things, and I would indeed get into trouble for cutting up the contents of that other drawer…
Flo, how do you keep your feet and toes in such good condition?
:-) Thanks for saying so. The red polish is hiding purple spots on each of the big toenails that happened on some trail runs in March, and the nails on the next-to-big toes always require a little extra filing attention because they grow thicker than the rest. Polish is the answer! Plus, it’s fetching. lol
I’m not sure why I don’t have any calluses or anything, I don’t lotion my feet but I’m always barefoot, maybe that helps?
I hate to butcher my Leggs Sheer Energy Pantyhose, so it’s off to Big-W to buy some cheap ones
Looks like you suffered a strain, or pull rather than a full-on hammy tear. Hopefully not much time off. Enjoy the weekend.
That is AWESOME!!!!!!! I am impressed you had that many pairs of hose/tights. I guess b/c of the climate here, I don’t even think I have a pair right now. Great ideas, genius girl!
Quite lovely and smart too!
[...] after a run when I’m sitting here on the computer. After all, compression is our friend (remember my do-it-yourself compression sleeve) and while I’d never bother wearing any of my sturdier ankle braces unless I was injured, [...]