We have established that I am not a trendsetter. I’m late to the game on most things, never accurately predict the future (I thought both the iPod and Ryan Seacrest would be fads) and basically wait until everyone else tries stuff out before I jump on the bandwagon.
Now that tons of some extra time has opened up to me with the boys starting first grade, I have finally taken the time to get my shit together. Here are five things I should have or could have done years ago. I’m going with the “better late then never” on these:
THE DENTIST
This was actually a huge mistake. I would rather get 17 Brazilian bikini waxes in a row then go through this again. Full disclosure: I have not been to the dentist in 6 years. My main reason being that when I was pregnant with the twins my gums were so sore and tender, they would bleed when I brushed them. There was no way I was going to the dentist during that time. Postpartum all hell broke loose and, had I any free time, I was drinking, running or sleeping, in that order. I have no excuse for the other four years. #Shame
What I can tell you is that no one should ever wait that long in between dental appointments. It was brutal. But, the dentist was actually a little stunned at how good my teeth looked. He asked if I had been seeing another dentist all those years and then asked the hygienist if she took the x-rays before or after she cleaned my teeth! That is a testament to good brushing, sort of flossing, and eating healthy.
They even managed to hurt my hair while I was there.
The bad news is that I need my wisdom teeth out asap. And, once those babies are out, I may need a root canal.
I’m going to think very hard about both of those atrocities when I’m feeling sorry for myself during the last miles of the marathon. I’m positive I would rather be running the last 6.2 miles of the NYCM then having oral surgery.
TARGET RED CARD
Let’s see…I’ve been shopping at Target for about eight years now. For the purposes of this exercise, I will be conservative and say I go there twice monthly. Each time I go, I spend at least $100 because I think it’s actually be proven to be physically impossible to spend less then that, and I’m an overachiever so I will say on average I spend $120, with all holidays considered. Let’s add this up, shall we?
2x month x 12 months = 24 times per year
$120 x 24 = $2,976 spent at Target per year…without a RED CARD with which you save 5% on your total purchase!
Had I done this when the boys were born, by now I would have saved roughly $145.00/year x 6 years = $870
Ouch.
After spending an obscene amount of money on Halloween decorations for my guilt party for the boys (more on that later!) the cashier and the women behind me in line basically bullied me into getting one. When a woman with an infant strapped to her chest and three half-gallons of cold milk on the belt tells you to take the time to get the card – you do it.
Too much?
YOGA
Like many mothers before me, I used to be and do so many things before the boys were born. Yoga was one of my favorite ways to stretch, reset, relax and strengthen my running body. As I got bigger and bigger though my pregnancy, yoga was one of the only things I was still able to do. But, once again, after those two little crazies were born, I pretty much never went to yoga again.
That all changed this past week when I went to my first class in years! This was infinitely better then the dentist and, as a bonus, I was the only one who showed up for the 9:30am class, so I was treated to a private session at no extra charge.
I need a constant reminder.
I loved everything about it – setting my intention, being guided through the poses, stretching my hips, hamstrings, shoulders and back, holding balance poses and staying present – all while breathing deeply. Ohhhhhmmmmmm!
COMPRESSION SOCKS
I touched on this in my rundown last week and, even though I no longer need to wear them for the cut on my ankle, there is no way I’m stopping! I have come to absolutely love running with them and, as far as I can tell, there is really no difference for me in the pairs I have.
I have a at least four that were free and two pairs that were $60. No difference. I wish I could get my money back.
These are the expensive ones, but I would never pass a blind test between these and the shamrock ones I won at a race.
WIRELESS HEADPHONES
I can’t find the post now but, a friend of mine took to Facebook (where all important matters are handled) and pronounced anyone still wearing headphones with wires to be archaic. *raises hand and hits bone in hair* I decided it was finally time to get a pair, especially with my new Garmin vivoactive and it’s wireless music capabilities!
Peace out wires!
I have only tried one pair so far, so I’m still testing them out but I’m definitely ready to get rid of the wires! I know, welcome to the year 2010. You’re going to like it here…
What would you like to do or need to do, that you haven’t in years?
Do you have a wireless headphone recommendation for this runner?
So I’m the big weirdo who actually likes the dentist. I fell asleep in the chair during my root canal. I don’t know if that’s something to brag about or be embareased. And The Red Card – I don’t have one either! I’m there at least once a week. You did the math and now I’m convinced!
OMG can you take over my body if I need to get that done? Please!!
I hated to do the math on the Red Card but it’s totally worth it. Do it!
Yes yes yes!! Remember the jabra sport headphones I reviewed a while back?! I am in love with them and I go NO WHERE without em!! Super light and easy to manage. Microphone, ff and rewind buttons, volume control and no extra piece around the neck. I can go on and on!
I love that you got a private yoga lesson!!
I’m really generally good about the dentist. I think it’s because I legit love my dentist so it’s pretty easy to go 🙂
I will definitely check those out!!!! Thank you 🙂
That is exactly what I need – a dentist I love! Now, to find one…
OOMPH I cannot imagine about the dentist. That sounds really painful. I had my wisdom teeth out and honestly it wasn’t too bad. I was more nervous it would be worse. Hopefully your pain isn’t bad either.
That is good to know! My husband AND brother in law both had over-the-top horrible experiences which is why I haven’t had them out yet. So scared.
I love this :)…I consider myself to be someone who is behind on trends…but not as far as you on a few of these …hehehe!
The dentist—-UGH! I hate the dentist. I went 3 years ago but before that it had been probably 6 years. Then I went shortly after we moved here (almost 2 years ago) because my tooth was hurting. It was one of my wisdom teeth coming in. According tho the dentist I will need 2 pulled…but I am waiting until they hurt. I am DREADING it! DO NOT want to do it!!!! Who knows, maybe they will never hurt and I will never have them pulled (that is what I am praying for).
You didn’t have a Target card!!!!! It is a must! Just don’t do that kind of math 🙂
Compression socks….YES!!! I LOVE them!!!! I love ProCompression!!!! Did I ever send you any?
I am behind the times on the wireless headphones…but definitely something I need to try. I hate cords!
I’m so glad I’m not the only one with massive dentist issues!!…and I mean that in the best way possible 🙂
I actually have a pair of the ProCompression and I definitely like them. I have them all on a good rotation now – hahaha.
I’ll let you know how my wireless headphone search goes. I think they are as needed as the target card!
Seriously!!!! I better get myself some wireless headphones then!!!!! Lol!
Ok, now I must get a red card. I never thought about it, really, b/c I am so anti-card everything!
Young lady–the dentist! For shame. ; ) I absolutely hate the dentist but go every six months b/c I want to avoid any and all procedures. I ddi have a root canal a couple of years back, and I was totally, majorly freaked out. But if you need to get one, know that they really are NOT bad.
I do wish I made time for yoga. Every time I say I will, I don’t. But maybe post marathon and post 50k, when I take some good downtime from running, I will get cracking.
I am alos anti-card but obviously, it makes sense.
I’m totally ashamed of the dentist BUT, the more I hear the more I think you really don’t need to go every six months. I mean, I totally will but… 🙂 Thanks for saying that about the root canal. Hopefully it will not be needed and I’m way more freaked about my wisdom teeth anyway.
Yoga is tough to fit it but, like swimming, once you do it you want to keep it up! Plus, you can take all the time you freed up from not blogging to do it – LOL!
haha love this post. I think that I’m pretty much behind with everything like you. I HATE going to the dentist too but the feeling of clean teeth afterwards makes it almost worth it. Almost. I never thought about getting a red card either or wireless headphones for that matter. Hooray for yoga!! So glad to hear that you go to go to class!
I was thinking of you as I was getting my yoga on. I wish I could take one of your classes!…someday.
My teeth did feel amazingly clean afterward and, so far, I have been flossing twice a day.
You’ll get a taste of my yoga class next Saturday!
Of course!! Cannot wait!
Now that you have the RED Card also get the Cartwheel app. You can snap a pic of the barcode and if it’s also on sale you get to add up your savings-this year alone I have saved almost $400…
Easy now. It took me 6 years to get the red card. Maybe in another three I’ll try this app of which you speak 🙂
I’m going to follow this to see what the wireless headphone recommendations are….. and I always worry about getting too hot if I run with compression socks, but I’m going to give it a try. Yoga is an absolute at least once a week necessity for anyone that runs….(in my very expert opinion)
If my yoga instructor looked like yours I would be there everyday and twice on Sunday! 🙂
Living in L.A. the heat may be an issue with the socks but the CEP ($60 ones!) are super light. You may be able to get some cheaper…
I’ll definitely keep you posted on the wireless headphones!
I finally made a dental appointment after way too long an absence and am slightly embarassed to go. The saddest part is my father is a dentist and the reason it has been so long is because he retired and I didn’t want to go to someone new. And even though he is a dentist I am an awful flosser. Lame. I expect to be yelled at.
I’ve run everything with the iphone headphones up to 50K lol I always take everyone elses new pairs 🙂 wireless might be too fancy for me.
I feel your pain. I was SUPER embarrassed but they were so, so nice and kept saying things like “you’re here now” and “your teeth really look good for being away so long.” It was humbling but had to be done!
As far as the headphones go – if it ‘aint broke… 🙂
I wish I would have known about Jeff Galloway and his run walk run method five years ago. That and the airrosti rehab center! And the Nike plus app. I’m late to the game but love it 🙂
Sometimes you find out these things at just the right time for YOU. Just go with it 🙂
Great blog, by the way. I’ve been “quietly” reading it for about 2 months. May I ask…what brand of wireless headphones did/will you be buying? I, too, want to get some, but really would like to know the kind you are getting. Thank you!
Hi Amy! Thanks for reading – quietly or otherwise 🙂 I just got the beats headphones but have yet to try them out. I will definitely be blogging about it so stay tuned… 🙂
Great! Thanks for letting me know which headphones and I’ll hold off until I learn more from you! Can’t wait to read your post about them! 🙂
Awesome!!
Ugh, I need to stop putting off going to the dentist. It’s been probably two years. I had a rough recovery from getting my wisdom teeth removed – I couldn’t eat anything other than soup and smoothies for about 5 days afterwards and my gums bled for 12 hours afterwards. Hopefully your surgery goes better than that!
I’m late to the wireless headphones game also. I usually don’t run with music unless I’m on the treadmill, so I’m happy with the simple iPhone headphones.
That’s exactly why I’ve been avoiding getting mine out! I can’t train on smoothies!! I have to wait until the end of Nov anyway since we’re traveling so much in Oct and the beginning of Nov. But, you should definitely just go for a cleaning 🙂 It’s not that bad after “only” two years.
Good to know I’m not the only one still attached to wires, but I use mine a lot. Pretty much the only time I don’t listen to something is when I’m racing.
OMG. You went SIX YEARS without going to the dentist?! Jesus woman. You are luckyyyyy! The wisdom teeth…have fun with that. But you’ll be good as new in a week! 🙂
I know. Crazy, right? I really didn’t even think it was that long but, when they told me, I remembered that it had everything to do with the kids! They even screw with your dental health!! And I cannot tell you how excited I am to have my wisdom teeth out. Ugh.
WOW – you have an impressive amount of Halloween decorations!! Your boys are going to love it! 🙂
I am so behind the time on the wireless headphones and have zero advice. I’ll wait to see what you get and jump on the bandwagon!
I think once you find a dentist you love, you’ll get into the rhythm of going. I have heard root canals are not too bad…
I was so good about going to yoga last fall and I felt wonderful. I can’t wait to start going again. Hooray for the private session!!
I need a Target Red card!!!!
We’re having a big Halloween party since we’ll all be in NYC for the marathon so, I went big!
I’m testing out the beats wireless headphones this week so we shall see…
Hooray for meditative yoga! Seriously, all runners need yoga in their lives.
Get a Red Card!!! Just DO IT :-0
Oh you poor thing! I remember getting my wisdom teeth out, I won’t go into details. I’m sorry 🙁 I am the same way with Target but alas, I don’t have a redcard either. I swear I would spend the 5% right back because I can “pay it later”. I still don’t have wireless headphones because they are too freaking expensive, but I”m going to have to give in because I adore my Timex Ironman watch that can store music and bluetooth is required…hopefully Santa will bring me a pair!
I’ve heard so many horror stories about wisdom teeth which is why I didn’t have them out six years ago!! So scary.
And, I think we all need to bite the bullet and get the wireless headphones 🙂 I’ll put in a word to Santa for you…
Haha I love this, mostly because as a fellow mom to first grade twins, I’m thinking “amen” to a lot of it! I actually like going to the dentist. I know that’s weird, but my dentist is a friend and I’ve been going every 6 months for a few years now so it’s smooth sailing right now! I have a Red Card and it does make sense to have one! I recently got some wireless headphones and I love them! I bought them with my Red Card to get 5% off 😉
LOL – I love that you bought the wireless headphones with your Red Card! Seems like you’re much more “on it” twin mom then I am!!
It’s like that Traget joke picture on FB that reads : ” I’m here for detergent, I’m here for detergent , I’m here for detergent, oh look! Throw pillows!”
I loathe the dentist too but did not find a root canal to be horrible ( after all you can’t feel it once the root is out:)
I feel the way you do about the Target card the same way in regards to the Pottery Barn card. After buying my daughters 2 twin beds, bureau, nightstand, chandelier, and bedding for 2 beds; I learned they give you10% back and on special occasions they double that. Arrgghh
#someonecouldhavetoldme. Oh well it justifies my shopping now. Right ? 🙂
Oh man! I hate when I find stuff out like that after the fact!? WTH?? Oh well, at least you know now as I’m sure that won’t be your last big purchase, right? LOL!!!