Playing a monster hand

I agree with this.

As a beginner, even at a loose table, I would play the tight table hands in SSHE - and for precisely this reason - you avoid situations like this one.

As for your play, once you were in, you were in. I would have re-raised the flop. Otherwise, you played this as you had to. Welcome to micro-stakes, where the only cards people don't play are the ones not dealt to them!