Dona Jo Fitwear Review

Looking for a brightly colored pair of tights or a skirt that's perfect for a fun run or a yoga session with friends? Well, you've come to the right place!

Recently, I was contacted by the ladies at Dona Jo Fitwear to review a pair of printed tights. They also graciously offered a discount code for all of you guys - keep reading to hear more! 

(Disclaimer: I was offered a pair of tights free of charge. No compensation was exchanged for this review. All opinions are my own.) 

The first thing I noticed about these leggings when I took them out of the package was the softness of the material. I also love the bright and bold colors! Dona Jo's line has so many different patterns, styles, and colors to choose from - it was hard for me to decide on a favorite! I finally settled on Fusion and am so glad I did - there's so many colors to pair these leggings with!

Dona Jo leggings have:

• High quality performance for a long run or training session.
• 5-way stretch fabric which allows for two sizes fitting women 0-16!
• Comfortable and unique feeling of a second-skin making them great for on-trend street wear.
• Fun prints which sets them above the rest by giving you a great workout, and a great look too!

I took these leggings on a week-day run recently and I have a few thoughts:

• Despite only two different ordering sizes, these tights fit well and don't slide down as I run
• The material of the tights is a little bit thinner than I prefer - next time I wear these out, I'm going to wear a sparkle skirt or shorts on top.
• The color and pattern of these tights are bright and vibrant - so much fun and really comfortable!

Overall, I really like these tights and would consider ordering another pair (or a skirt) in the future! 

Interested in a pair? Well, today's your lucky day! 

Enter KAREN20 at checkout for 20% off your purchase! Also, you'll get free shipping on orders over $99! 

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Do you like to wear bright colors? Have you ever tried out a pair of patterned leggings?

The Power of the Group - Tips from Jeff Galloway

Today's tips from Jeff Galloway center around group running. I've been a part of a running group ever since I began running and have made lots of friendships along the way! I love it and still think that joining our local running group was one of the best running decisions I've made.

The fun of running with a group pulled me into the sport 57 years ago.  Running and training with my friends Steve Prefontaine, Frank Shorter Bill Rodgers, brought out the best of running in me—while we became good friends, and Olympians.  As I travel the US this season, for our Galloway training program kickoffs, I see the same fun, support and friendship development.  I hope to see many of you at our free clinics.  Here are the ways I’ve observed runners of all abilities improve more and have more fun when in the right group.

 

1. Great friendships

2. The miles go by quicker—telling stories, sharing life experiences

3. Guidance in running with the right group for you, with the appropriate run walk run strategy

4. Because the group is waiting for you, you will stay motivated and get out there more often

5. You’ll learn about some interesting races, places to run, fun running experiences

6. On the really tough workouts and races, the group will pull you through

7. Access to tools for management of nutrition, fluids, motivation, aches/pains

8. The right group leadership can fine-tune the pace of each workout, avoiding injury/exhaustion

9. Helping others who are struggling bestows an amazing sense of achievement

10. Sharing the empowerment of finishing a long run can change your life
 

Most groups, like our Galloway programs allow runners to try them out for free.  Together we can celebrate fitness and inspire others to improve the quality of their lives.

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Jeff makes several valid points from helping others to others helping you! The accountability part (#4) is what really keeps me going on Saturday mornings - I know someone's out there waiting and that really helps keep me going!

What do you think? Are group runs your cup of tea? 

Music & Memories

I’ve always loved music – it’s been a huge part of my life as long as I can remember! My husband also came from a family who loved music, so we blended well together. One of our favorite things to do at WDW is watch the various musical acts that perform throughout the parks. Just to name a few – The Dapper Dans (MK), Mulch, Sweat, and Shears (HS), the JAMMitors  (EPCOT), the Voices of Liberty (EPCOT), and the Main Street Philharmonic (MK). We also enjoy the music of the Candlelight Processional. As long as I can remember, we’ve stopped to watch these music groups as they take to the streets (or domed ceiling rooms…or grand stands) to perform…..such wonderful memories! :)

Welcome to another Disney Wordless Wednesday, by the way! :)

Today’s Wordless Wednesday theme is: Music & Memories
Host: Deb at Focused on the Magic

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Want to participate in an upcoming Wordless Wednesday? Click on the button below for more details!

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Do you have a favorite WDW musical group?

Disney Princess Half Trip Recap–Disney Dream Day 3

I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day! We did end up going to see Tomorrowland and I loved it!! I know the movie received mixed reviews but I definitely left with a smile on my face!

Speaking of Disney, next up on our Disney Cruise Line adventures is our Castaway Cay Day which began super early because of the Castaway Cay 5K.

Missed a previous recap? Here you go! :)

• Disney Dream Day 2
• Disney Dream Day 1
• Princess Weekend Day 3&4
• Princess Weekend Day 2
• Princess Weekend Day 1

After the 5K, we began a slow walk back to the ship. It was a slow walk because the island was still deserted and it was so nice and peaceful!

We also stopped for a few pictures along the way! :)

Back in our room, I noticed that the smell of cigarette smoke was quite strong from our balcony. I decided to contact guest services, just incase there was anything they could do. (I paid for a verandah so I could enjoy it, and second hand smoke isn’t my way of enjoying a vacay…)

Anyway, back to Castaway Cay….

We put on our swim suits, grabbed a quick breakfast in Cabanas, then headed back out to the island.

This time, our destination was Serenity Bay!

I. Love. This. Place.

Even though I don’t consider myself a “beachy” person, this is a gorgeous place to relax. As a matter of fact, relaxing is exactly what we did. For hours. At one point, we were both asleep in the shade of an umbrella on a couple of lounge chairs. Combine that with the sound of the ocean in the background….heaven, pure heaven.

Around noon, we walked over to Cookie’s for delicious BBQ and made a few birdie friends while at it! (We did not feed the birds, we just said hello.) :)

Mid-afternoon, we noticed a crazy fella stumbling down the beach….

Aye, matie! It was Captain Jack Sparrow! He informed me that the contraption on my leg looked “infected” and “we might have to amputate”….

After relaxing a bit more, we got in the water and swam to the sand bar which was a pretty decent ways out (it didn’t look like it from the beach). We saw a few sting ray and other non-harmful sea animals, then we swam back to the beach for naptime round 2!

We stayed on Serenity Bay as long as we could before heading back to the ship.

This little fella wanted to say hello, too!

Back in our room, I was surprised to see a package on our bed – included was a note from guest services, thanking us for contacting them and informing us that they did all they could to rectify the cigarette smoke issue. I was pleasantly surprised and thought the gift was really nice of them!

 

Unfortunately, I think our room was right next to a crew  smoking deck. On the plus side, when the ship was moving, we couldn’t smell a thing! :)

Bye Castaway Cay! Until next time!!

Dinner that evening included Pirate Night along with the Pirates of the Caribbean deck party and fireworks!

Arrrrggghhhh! I found treasure!

Out of all the dinner menus on board the Disney Cruise Line, Pirate Night happens to be my favorite!

Pineapple and pot sticker appetizers…yum yum!

Fish for dinner and a trio of desserts…oh my!

For some reason, I don’t have any pictures from the Pirates party, but we did walk up on deck to watch! I love how the Dream’s Pirate party is different from those on board the Magic and Wonder!

After the fireworks, we called it a night. Although we slept most of the day away at Castaway Cay, we were tired!!

Up next: A day at sea!

What’s your favorite Castaway Cay activity?

Memorial Day Weekend 2015

In  memory of those who fought so I could be free, I thank you for your service and your sacrifice.




Happy Memorial Day!

We had a crazy but fun three day weekend! Friday after I got off work, I took an amazing nap then my dad helped put together a playhouse we bought my niece for her 2nd birthday.



The party was Minnie Mouse themed and she had a BLAST!




Her swing set and playhouse in the backyard were the “big” surprises and boy was she excited!



We also had mickey party favors! Haha!



Love this sweet little girl!

On Saturday, I went for a six mile run with my BRF, Heather!



I forgot to stop my watch at water stations…again. Whoops.

Madalynn and I also went for a walk where we got SOAKED!



Despite the rain, we had a great time anyway! The crazy part about the rain is that it stopped as soon as it started – but while it was raining, it POURED. Since we were already wet and Madalynn wanted to keep walking, we decided to have fun with it!! She chased squirrels, ran in ditches, saw turtles…it was so much fun! She didn’t care for the bath she received after the walk, though! Whoops.
On Sunday, we went to church where I worked in the coffee shop both morning and night service. My friend Kim runs the coffee shop and needed help so I volunteered. It was actually kind of fun!
We had the thought of going to see Tomorrowland sometime today, but I’m not sure what we’ll end up doing – we’ll see!

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As part of their Memorial Day celebration, Spartan Racing is offering a discount on their races through May 27th.

Use code MEMORIAL at checkout and you’ll receive the above discount on your race!
Stay tuned this week for a Spartan Racing Giveaway that will be hosted here on the blog!
Speaking of giveaways, don’t forget about the JournalMENU giveaway happening NOW! It ends Thursday night at midnight! Don’t miss out on your chance at winning! 

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What are your Memorial Day plans? Have a great one!

Journal Menu Review & Giveaway

Disclaimer: I received this journal from Journal Menu free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion/review. No compensation was received or exchanged.
Several weeks ago, the kind folks over at Journal Menu contacted me to host a review and giveaway of their customizable running and fitness journals!

I was so excited to see their mock-up design for me because they came up with this design on their own (without any input from myself)! I love it! 



These journals come in an assortment of styles and are available for many types fitness activities and levels! I love the cover material because it’s plastic and durable -  I can tote the journal around in my purse without any problem.

What sets this journal apart from other journals I’ve used in the past is the variety of information that’s kept inside. 

 

One of the first pages discusses SMART goals…anyone ever heard of them? We used them relentlessly in college! 



These pages give runners an area to log their goals and even a box to check when that goal has been achieved! 



The race planning and race review sections leave a lot of space to write out your thoughts from race day. 



There’s only four race review pages in this book and I do wish there were a few more. That’s the only drawback I’ve found to this journal so far! 



Along with goal setting, there’s also several “training planner” sections in this journal – ranging from 5K and intervals to Half Marathon and Marathon! 



My favorite section is the weekly journal where you can document your food intake and fitness activity all on the same page! 



A few additional sections to this journal include an area for listing personal records and a pace chart! 



Overall, I love this journal and thank Journal Menu for giving me the opportunity to review and enjoy their product!



Want the opportunity to own a Journal of your own?

Follow the Rafflecopter instructions below and you’ll be entered to win! Giveaway runs for 1 week’s time and will end at midnight on Thursday, May 28th.
JournalMENU has also offered a special promotion for readers of Just Me & My Running Shoes! Click here and enter code RUNNINGSHOES at checkout for 15% off your order!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Good luck!! :) Happy Running!