Today is one of those days where everything I have planned, has gotten derailed. I planned to run, then spend the day cleaning and studying. It didn’t quite work out that way, but there is a silver lining.
I’ll start at the beginning… Today I planned to give my new sneakers their first run. So I bundled up (it was a chilly morning!!), put on my gear, and stretched.
I went back to the Minuteman Bikeway that Dave and I scouted out yesterday. It was a great morning for a run. I started out and immediately, my Garmin told me that the battery was low. I have not run without some sort of feedback for over a year. First, there was the treadmill, then I got a Polar heart rate monitor, which I love. Then, this summer, my sweet husband got me a Garmin 305. I love it! And I have come to rely on the feedback…heart rate, pace, distance, calories burned…
About 10 minutes in, the Garmin shut off. It’s silly, I almost turned around and just went to the gym. I thought, “how will I know who fast, or how far, or how long I’ve gone?” Then I thought, “Who cares?!” And with that, I kept going. It would have been silly to stop because when the Garmin turned off, I had been going strong at 8:45-9 minute miles for the first mile. That’s really good for me! Even better, considering the time I’ve taken off of running.
In the end, it was a good thing to run without any feedback. Coming back from an injury, I was forced to go completely on how I felt, instead of how far my watch told me I had gone. I made an effort to slow down because I didn’t want to push too hard when I am first starting back, so I think I was probably doing 9:30 minute miles for the rest of the run.
I came home and used mapmyrun to get a general idea of how far I went. I think I did about 5.3 miles. Not bad. But I’m ready to run some longer distances! I felt good though, so I must be doing something right! Although it was good to run based on how my body felt today, I will be recharging my Garmin for future runs. Because I am coming back from an injury, I want to know how fast I am going and that I am not going to far, too fast.
Next on the agenda today was to call Vitamin World, where I got the protein powder earlier this week. Remember:
Not only did I not like the taste, but it also gave me a horrible stomachache. I wasn’t really expecting that I could return the opened container, but I hoped to return the unopened one. To my delight, I was told I could return both. So off I went to Vitamin World. The gentleman was very helpful, and I left with this:
Muscle Milk Light.
The verdict: Much better! I was very impressed with Vitamin World’s costumer service and willingness to help me find the right product.
I am getting ahead of myself because before enjoying my yummy chocolate protein and banana shake, I went to the Toyota Service Center. It was time for a routine tuneup and I wanted to get it done before school started. Fortunately, they could get me in today! So instead of getting my vacuuming done today, I headed to Toyota with my Biology reading. I planned to be in and out in an hour. Nope! A half hour later, the service worker came to tell me that the little noise I heard (and casually mentioned) was really the water pump….about to die. Oh! And while we’re at it, the break rotors need to be replaced….all for the bargain price of about $1000!
The price tag was scary, but the Toyota people were great. They needed my car for another 3 hours, so the shuttle driver brought me home. Now, when Dave gets home, I get to go back to Watertown to pick up my car….and pay the bill. Ugh! This was supposed to be a quiet day at home… a run with my Garmin and them dusting, vacuuming and cleaning bathrooms. The best laid plans….
The silver lining:
1. I was forced to really pay attention to my body when I ran, something I need to do more (Garmin or no Garmin).
2. I got to experience really good customer service at Vitamin World and at Toyota, something that doesn’t happen enough!
3. The water pump in my car didn’t die on me on the drive to Boston from New Hampshire, or on either of the 2 trips I have made to Cape Cod in the last couple of weeks. The Toyota worker told me I was very lucky!
4. I had a really valid excuse not to vacuum today. My most hated chore!
I’ll be heading to Toyota tonight to get my car, so the delicious dinner I have planned may need to be blogged about tomorrow. Stay tuned!
Do you prefer to make plans or do you like being spontaneous? I am definitely a planner. Sometimes that’s a good quality, and sometimes, I need to go with the flow a little more.
Is there artificial sweetener in that protein powder? I’m looking for some without artificial sweetener..but it’s hard to find!!!
It’s sweetened with sucralose. I asked specifically, and was told that all of the flavored ones are (vanilla, choc., strawberry). I wasn’t pleased. I decided to give it a try because it is the second to last ingredient listed. I also know other people who have tried it. We’ll see. But I’ve tried to cut out as much of the artificial sweeteners that I can (soda, yogurt…)
I don’t know if you’ve read some of my posts, but I am a hard core planner all the way, which is not always the best. When things don’t go as planned I can get all crazy lol Glad to see you made the best of it! I would love a garmin, how cool!!! I do have a HR monitor that I borrowed from a co-worker, but it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles 🙂
I tried the muscle milk light drink as a last resort at the gym since I didn’t bring anything and I was starving, but it was terrible for my tummy. I had the worst cramps with all the resistant starches in there, yikes!
I’m a planned person, but I’m working on being more spontaneous! Sometimes being too planned is a crutch, because it causes stress. Now I try hard to just go with the flow, and live in the moment 🙂
I’m a planner all the way. If things go off schedule, I get all stressed and have to try to formulate a new plan right away. I’m working on going with the flow, but it’s tough. It’s great that you were able to go with the flow today and I love how you found a silver lining in every situation. Inspiring!
Can’t wait to see the dinner….I’m sure there will be Pillsbury rolls involved 🙂
Sorry your day didn’t go as planned!! At least you look at the bright side!
I definitely lean toward being unplanned…
Have a great evening!
I am a planner – I hate when things don’t go as planned!
Lots of planners out there! I am definitely trying to be more flexible and spontaneous. But the regimented side of myself is pretty ingrained. My husband is much better at going with the flow….it actually works out quite well because we compliment each other.
As for the Muscle Milk…I’m giving it a try. I like the taste. But I would love to find something without the artificial stuff as well. Without paying ridiculous amounts. I really want to try this Amazing grass that the blog world is buzzing about, but I founf it in Whole Foods and it’s $45 for this tiny little cannister!