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Rock and Roll Nashville–The Verdict

by Melanie Adams

Peeps, this post kind of kills me a little. If you will recall, a few weeks ago I posted about the decision I was trying to make regarding whether to do Rock and Roll Nashville or not. I got lots of great feedback, and y’all were so encouraging to me. I confess I did leave a pretty critical piece of information out of that post, the most important piece, in fact. So, here goes. I’m injured. I have been diagnosed with Insertional Achilles Tendonitis.

It’s just not in the cards for me this year.

This thing has been nagging me since last September. I have babied the heck out of it. I’ve rested plenty, even taking off completely since January. Truth is, I have been very fearful that it wasn’t gone, even with that much rest. I think deep down inside I knew there was still an issue that would show it’s ugly head as soon as my feet hit the pavement again, and that it did.

Now, I don’t really mind pushing through the pain. I know as runners, a few aches and pains along the way are going to happen. I also know that we have to be smart and listen to what our bodies are telling us. The pain got to a point that I would call excrutiating after a 4-miler. I knew I had to see a professional.

The good news is that after 6 weeks of physical therapy I’ve been cleared to resume my normal intensity again. The bad news is normal intensity does not equate to normal mileage. In fact, my therapist told me to not even think in terms of miles for a while, think time instead. How much time? Um, 20 minutes. So, yeah, a half at the moment is out.

There are so many things I hate about this. First of all, I have never missed a half that I was registered for, except for St. Jude, which was cancelled. Second, I really wanted to do the race. I know it was going to be fun! Just a few weeks ago, an announcement was made about a bonus medal St. Jude Heroes would get for raising at least $100 for Nashville and Memphis this year.

This would have been some nice bonus bling!

No bonus bling for me! Also, within the hour of my diagnosis I got an email announcing the line-up for the post-race concert. I can tell you, that didn’t help at all! Finally, not being able to run, not knowing when I’ll be able to distance train again, not knowing how to plan for the future, and not knowing how long it will take me to get back to where I was just plain sucks! I’m not going to lie. I’m cranky about it.

So, there ya have it! You can bet I’ll be finding alternate forms of working out so I don’t lose fitness while I’m rehabing. I’m not going to take this lying down, or even sitting down. I’ve been doing T25 for cross training, although I have to stick to the low impact modified moves so as not to put more stress on my Achilles. My next big event is in June so I’m keeping my eye on that one.

Good luck to all my runner friends this weekend! It looks like y’all have a nice day ahead of you. I really wish I could join you!

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Races Running St. Jude

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My Quest For Half Fanatics Part Three–Herb Parsons Trail Half Marathon

by Melanie Adams

In case you missed it, parts 1 and 2 were about the Memphis Greenline Half and the runDisney Wine and Dine Half, respectively. Part 3 was supposed to be about the Memphis St. Jude Half but Mother Nature intervened with an ice storm that caused the race to be cancelled.

Just to review, the basic Half Fanatic requirement is 3 half marathons in 90 days. Since the first of 3 was on October 13, I’d have until around January 13, to get the third. With this in mind, I spent the week after the cancelled race scouring the interwebs for anything within driving distance that would help me reach my goal. I came up empty and resigned myself to just having to try again later.

Then fate intervened, or something like that. Right before the new year, one of my local friends posted in a Facebook running group we both are members of that she was doing this local trail half on Sunday, January 5, so she could “moon up” this year in Half Fanatics (you can achieve higher levels of membership by completing more half marathons in a year, among other things). I was elated! I was going to get to be a Half Fanatic after all! I completely ignored the part about it being a trail run. I don’t have trail shoes. I’m not trail trained. I’m not sure I’ve ever even set foot on anything that can be considered a bona fide trail for longer than maybe a quarter of a mile. I had no idea what I was in for. I also completely ignored the weather, until after I had registered. Pretty much as soon as I got the email confirmation of my registration, it was only then that I thought to check the forecast. Freezing rain and snow. Here we go again!

As the weather forecast continued to materialize over the course of the rest of the week, here’s how things were shaping up: a balmy mid to upper 40s at the start with a cold front moving in throughout the morning, bringing rain and wind, changing over to freezing rain and snow by early afternoon. Cool! I’ll be way done by early afternoon, I thought. And that’s pretty much how the weather went down. Except I wasn’t done by early afternoon. See, here’s what happens when 30 mile per hour winds combine with pouring rain and falling temps in the mid to lower 30s within a half hour of race start: the trail gets muddy. You get soaked. No amount of layered wicking clothing can keep you anywhere close to dry in that kind of rain. A muddy trail without being trail trained and having no trail shoes means you fall down in the mud. A lot. Falling in the mud means you become muddy on top of being wet. And sore. There were parts of the trail where I literally had to climb up hills while holding on to tree trunks. Another runner had to pull me out of the mud at one point, otherwise I might still be lying there (I kid).

This hill was more steep than it looks. It’s where I took my first muddy tumble.

Other parts were so slippery I had to hang on to trees, almost swinging from trunk to trunk to keep moving forward while trying to stay vertical. Also, the trail was not marked very well, and I thought I was lost more than once or twice.

Where do I go?

I could go on and on about how miserable it was and how long it took me to finish, but I think you probably get the idea. It wasn’t all bad, though. The aid stations, although there were only 3 (well, 2 but we passed one twice), were very well stocked. Of course you would expect water and electrolyte of some sort but there was also sodas, cookies, chips, m and ms, and chocolate candy bars. This was much welcomed because I did not anticipate taking as long as I did to finish, and I was out of fuel by the halfway mark. The sugar and salty snacks helped tremendously! Also, Herb Parsons is a beautiful lake area, and had it not been pouring rain, I think it would have been very peaceful and enjoyable.

Herb Parsons Lake

I’m so glad I did it, though. Not only did I reach my goal of becoming a Half Fanatic, I found an inner strength I didn’t know I had.

Some of my clothes did not make it.

I finished!

I could have quit at three points in the race, but I didn’t. Quitting is just not an option as far as I’m concerned. Would I do it again? Not in those conditions. I would do a trail again, though, even that trail. I would incorporate trails into my regular workouts and work my way up in trail mileage, however. I completely underestimated how much more challenging a trail can be. I would also get some trail shoes.

What’s the most challenging race you’ve ever finished? What did you learn?

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Memphis Races Running

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My Quest For Half Fanatics Part Two–runDisney Wine and Dine

by Melanie Adams

In case you missed part 1, which was the Memphis Greenline Half, you can find that recap here.

I was so incredibly excited for this race for a few reasons. First of all, Wine and Dine was my inspiration race, the reason I started running in the first place. Some of you already know the back story but in case you don’t, here is the short version. I was at Walt Disney World Resort in October of 2011. I arrived the same day as that year’s Wine and Dine Half and saw all the preparations being made the afternoon of the race. The next day I saw lots of people walking around with their medals and wished I could do that. After I got home, I did some research and decided to make that wish a reality. I was determined to run in the 2012 Wine and Dine Half, which was scheduled for October but later moved to November to accommodate the inaugural Tower of Terror 10 Miler. I did the 10 miler instead and resigned myself to never getting to do Wine and Dine until one night in Spring of 2013 when I found myself in front of my computer registering anyway.

Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon

The other main reason for my extreme excitement was where we were staying–Beach Club!

Disney’s Beach Club

I had never stayed at Beach Club but I got a really, really, really good rate on it, and the fact that it’s located just steps away from the Wine and Dine after party made it a deal I could not turn down! I had always wanted to stay at Beach Club because of its proximity to Epcot and Hollywood Studios (but mainly Epcot) so I was stoked.

Wine and Dine is a bit different from other runDisney half marathons in that it is at night, starting at 10 pm. Since I had done Tower of Terror, which is also a night race, I was better prepared for the challenge of a night race. So on the morning of November 9, 2013 I got up, had a sensible breakfast at the France pastry shop in Epcot, went back to the resort and chilled by the pool for a few hours.

Relaxing By the Pool

Then I took a nap and at some point I also ate a turkey sandwich for lunch that I had purchased at the France pastry shop that morning. My parents were out enjoying Epcot so I texted them to pick up a cheese plate for me also at the France pastry shop. That was my dinner along with some sliced apples I had picked up at the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party the night before, some crackers, and a Luna bar. Normally I wouldn’t go into such great detail about what I ate before a race but with it being a night race lots of people ask how to eat during the day.

Ready to head out to the busses!

Around 7 pm I headed to the buses to go to the start line.

Transportation Information

Yes, 7 pm for a 10 pm start. It really does take that long to get everyone there and in place. Busses for runners only run between 7 and 8, and I wanted to be on an earlier one. As soon as I got there I noticed 3 long lines right down the middle of the staging area. I correctly guessed they were character lines but I could not tell who they were for. I jumped in one and waited. And waited. And waited. And waited. Until finally I saw I was in line for Chef Goofy.

Me with Chef Goofy

The other lines were Chef Minnie and Chef Mickey. Once I got my photo with Goofy it was time to meet some of my Princess Posse friends for our group photo.

Princess Posse Friends

We sat around chatting for a bit, listening to the DJ, and trying to relax.

I can’t believe people were actually dancing before a half marathon.

Before long it was time to head to the corrals. I stopped at the potty then took my place. Shortly thereafter, off we went!

Each corral got their own fireworks start.

Wine and Dine Start Line, complete with bubbles coming out of the champagne glass

We headed toward Animal Kingdom and took a quick loop around the park. I loved the light up elephant tusks that welcomed us into the park. I also loved seeing Everest all lit up at night. Unfortunately I did not take any photos on the course so, sadly, I have nothing to show you. This part was very dark and crowded so I really had to watch my step. After leaving Animal Kingdom we headed back down Osceola Parkway toward Hollywood Studios. This is the part that really made this race seem short to me. It felt like we approached Hollywood Studios way earlier than I had anticipated. So the last half of the race was filled with things to keep my mind occupied, and it flew by.

Running through the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights in Hollywood Studios is the highlight for many during this race, and it did not disappoint. You do have to run through the Studios for quite a bit before getting to them, though. This only added to the anticipation of it for me and made it that much better when I finally got there. Shortly after the lights, it was time to exit the Studios and head for the Boardwalk area between Studios and Epcot. It was right at the exit of Studios that I had my biggest regret of the race. I did not stop for a pic with Darth Vader. The line was fairly short and I should have stopped. I don’t know why I didn’t because it was the only pic I really wanted.

After exiting Studios, we ran along the path between Studios and Epcot and even ran right past the Beach Club. I thought I might be tempted to stop at the hotel and just go to bed by that point, but nope! I was still going strong. We then ran through some backstage areas of Epcot before heading through Future World and out the front of the park towards the finish line.

At the finish line area I got my medal, food box, water, Powerade, banana, and my beer. Wine and Dine is the only runDisney race that gives runners alcohol at the finish. You get your choice of beer or wine. Then it was time to head back to the entrance of Epcot for the after party, which was happening in World Showcase. I took one look at how far away I was from the entrance, thought about how far Future World was from where I was standing, and almost wished I could just grab a bus back to my hotel. I knew my parents were waiting for me at the after party so I just sucked it up and started walking. I did text my mom to have my dad meet me as close to the entrance as he could so I could get my flip-flops and compression calf sleeves from him. I don’t check a bag when my parents are there since my dad can just stash some of my things in his back pack. This is one race that I wish I had, though. I could have had my flip-flops and compression sleeves much sooner had I checked my bag there.

Once I got to the after party, I saw they were selling race merchandise. I was hopeful that they were also selling the race banners from the displays at the expo.

See the “I Did It” banners hanging in the expo? I got one of those!

Luckily they were, and I got the last “I Did It” banner. I will figure out a place to hang that at some point in the future. Dad and I met up with my mom, and I really didn’t want anything to eat. I drank my beer and chatted with a few other runners. Shortly thereafter I decided I would rather just go back to the room than fight the crowds for food and rides. I always end up wishing I had stayed longer. This was no exception but at that moment, leaving was what I wanted to do.

I really loved my Wine and Dine experience! I do wish I had taken some photos along the course and stopped for Darth Vader. If I ever do this race again I will check my bag so I can get to my stuff quickly. Like always, I wish I had stayed at the party longer. While it lacked the magic that Princess Half Marathon had, I think I like the course better. It goes through 3 of the 4 parks so there is quite a bit to look at.

With that, I was two-thirds of the way towards my goal of becoming a Half Fanatic. Just to review, that’s 3 half marathons in 90 days. The third was coming up in just four weeks, the Memphis St. Jude Half Marathon. If you’ve been following along, you already know what happened with that race. It was cancelled due to an ice storm. My goal of becoming a half fanatic was all but gone. Or was it? Check back soon for part 3 of my quest and see if I was successful.

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My Quest For Half Fanatics Part One–Memphis Greenline Half

by Melanie Adams

Back in the summer when I was figuring out my race schedule and training plan for the rest of 2013, it occurred to me that on the weekend I had a 12.5 mile planned, there was a half marathon starting and finishing in the very park where I’d be doing my 12.5 and covered much of the same ground I’d be covering anyway. When I also realized that it, along with the other 2 half marathons I already had planned, would qualify me for Half Fanatics, it became a no-brainer. A few clicks later, I was registered.

Greenline Half Marathon

So Half Fanatics is kind of like a club for people who like to run half marathons. The minimum requirement to qualify for membership is either finishing 2 half marathons in a 2-week period or 3 in 90 days. I never really thought that I would get an opportunity to qualify so when I saw that I did, I jumped on it. I also became really excited about it.

Half Fanatics

On October 13, 2013, the day had come for me to begin my quest.

Flat me for Greenline Half

The day started out with fairly good running weather. It was foggy, so it was humid but temps were not too bad. Even once the fog lifted it was overcast for a while. It was right around mile 6 before the clouds lifted and the sun came out.

I am one who obsesses over weather. That is the one thing that can ruin my run faster than anything, even faster than hydration or nutrition issues. I don’t do well in heat and sun so as long as it’s overcast, I am usually ok. If the sun comes out and temps start rising, I can have problems and they can happen fast! So the sun was not a welcome sight to me that day. By mile 7 I had abandoned the run for the most part and resigned myself to walking only. However, here is where I came to appreciate what I would consider my favorite part of the race. National Guardsmen were riding the course with us on ATVs. I guess one of them could see that I was having a hard time and kept circling around me, talking to me and encouraging me. It felt like I had my own private escort, and it helped me so much. Before long, I was right back at running. Somewhere between 8 and 9 my runner’s high kicked in and my legs just kind of did their thing without me having to worry about it. At mile 11 I was struggling again. By mile 12 I was just ready for it to be over and 1.1 miles later, it was.

Overall, this was definitely not my favorite race, and it has nothing to do with struggling in the sun for a few miles. It was a very small race, less than 200 runners. While I appreciate a course that is not crowded, when you have 200 runners spread out over 13.1 miles, not only is it not crowded, it is pretty much empty. So, except for the National Guard escorts (which I LOVED), it really felt more like a training run with course support than a race. It was also boring. The only real scenic areas were in the park and along the Memphis Greenline. I’m on those trails all the time anyway so it wasn’t new for me. The spectator support was non-existent. We went through a few residential areas but no one seemed interested.

It wasn’t all bad, though. Like I said, I loved having the Guard riding along side me at times.

It was fun having these guys ride along side us on the course.

The awards were really cool, too, for the winners. I also really loved the start. Again, it was foggy out, and instead of a vocalist to perform the national anthem, there was a violinist. It was beautiful and serene.

The start was very peaceful.

Finishers did get a medal, which is always fun.

The finisher’s medal features a buffalo, symbolic of the park.

The after party was fun, too, with a band and Mexican food. The only bummer about that is they ran out of plates so I didn’t get any food. A funny story about that is what happened as I was leaving. I had given up on food and started walking the quarter-mile back to my car, all downhill. I was almost to my car when I heard a guy behind me trying to get my attention. He ran all the way down the hill to tell me they had found more plates. Bless his heart! I thanked him but there was no food in the world that was worth walking back up that hill for.

The most unique feature of this race is that it is the only green certified sporting event in the state of Tennessee. Everything about this race is designed to reduce the carbon footprint compared to that of a traditional event. The tech shirt we got as part of our registration is actually made from recycled milk cartons and feels so soft.

The race tech shirt is made from recycled milk cartons.

They asked that we bring our own water bottles to cut down on race waste, which I always do anyway. They had battery and cell phone recycling stations at the start/finish line area. The awards that I mentioned earlier were made by locals artists out of reclaimed wood from the park, and were really neat.

The awards were made by local artists and were really cool!

Would I do it again? Maybe if I needed a training run of around that distance at around the same time, as was the case this time. As a stand-alone or target event, I wouldn’t recommend it unless a person needs a race with virtually no crowds. I do hope the event continues for many years to come. It raises funds for the Shelby Farms Greenline, which is important to me.

With that, I was one-third of the way toward my goal of becoming a Half Fanatic.

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Memphis Races Running

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My Disney Side @ Home Celebration

by Melanie Adams

This past Saturday I hosted my Disney Side @ Home Celebration. Thanks to a partnership with MomSelect and Disney Parks, I received a kit full of fun to help me host my party. I had so much fun hosting this party, and I think everyone else had a great time, too.

First let’s talk food! I wanted to feature all four parks at Walt Disney World Resort as well as Disney Cruise Line in my menu. So, this is what I served:

My menu card

Fantasmic! Firecrackers (Hollywood Studios)
Farmer Mickey Grilled Cheese Sandwiches (Epcot)
Living with the Land Tomato Soup (Epcot)
Chilled Strawberry Soup (1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort)
Mickey on Safari Rice Crispy Treats (Animal Kingdom)
Dole Whip Push Ups (Magic Kingdom)
Nemo’s Konk Kooler (Disney Cruise Line)
This is most of the food I served. I forgot to take a pic of the soup but here are some garnishes I put out for it. I also forgot to take a pic of the sandwiches after they were toasted, but you get the idea.

For some items, I actually used Disney recipes, like the Konk Kooler (minus the alcohol, thus Nemo’s) and the Chilled Strawberry Soup. Everything else, I merely made as a representation of the Disney Parks theme. I really had fun developing the menu, and everything was really easy to put together. I also used some popcorn buckets I’ve gotten in the past at the parks and put some different store-bought flavored popcorn in them.

No party is complete without great decorations! My kit contained plates, napkins, cups, a table cloth, and swirly decorations.

Cups, plates and napkins were included in the kit. I also used a flower pot I bought at World of Disney last year for the utensils. I took it on my DCL Dream cruise last year and had the characters sign it.

I used everything except the table cloth. I had a different idea for the table. The kit also contained runDisney/ESPN ChEar cards, as used at runDisney races and ESPN sporting events. I covered the cards in clear contact paper to protect them, and used them as place mats.

ChEar cards make great place mats.

I also picked up some containers from the dollar store, added some ribbon and tulle fabric to them, and made some fresh flower arrangements for the center of my table.

I made three of these flower arrangements and placed them down the center of the table.

My finished table

I used the swirly decorations on the back drop to a photo booth I made along with plastic table cloths, also from the dollar store.

Back drop for my photo booth

My friend Beth picked up some of these celebration buttons for me in the parks and sent them to me.

I used these celebration buttons as name tags. Beth even included a penny for good luck!

Disney Parks has complimentary buttons for pretty much any occasion and it’s not uncommon to see lots of people in the parks with them. I thought they would make really fun name tags since some of my guests didn’t know each other.

After we had spent some time eating and chatting, it was time to play Bingo, which had been generously included in my hostess kit. After a few minutes, it was pretty apparent that all the cards were very similar and it was likely that everyone was going to Bingo at the same time. It became a race to see who could yell it out first.

We played three games of Bingo before it was time to have fun with the photo booth I set up. HP was a sponsor of the party and had included some photo cards for my guests. I thought it would be fun to take some pictures and play around with the Disney Memories app on my iPhone. The kids had such a blast with it! They enjoyed putting borders, stickers and characters on their photos with the app.

My Pic

This pic of my mom won the day!

Later on, I texted all the photos to my guests that they could print out at home using the HP photo cards each family took home with them.

Each guest also received goodies from the sponsors. The adults got a poster, the HP photo cards, a runDisney/ESPN bumper sticker, and a Muppets calendar. The kids got runDisney arm bands, Craisins, stickers, temporary tattoos, and a few other things I threw in for them.

All my guests got goodies to take home with them.

It was a really fun way to spend an afternoon, and I’m very thankful to all the sponsors who helped put together the generous hostess kit. I especially love my hostess gift from American Tourister!

Decorations, gifts for my guests, and this piece of luggage from American Tourister were all included in my hostess kit.

Disclosure: I received free products from MomSelect and Disney Parks with which to host a party. As always, my opinions are my own.

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Mission: Bondi Band Ragnar Team

by Melanie Adams

Bondi Band recently announced it will be sponsoring a team at Ragnar Adirondacks and at Ragnar Las Vegas. I read this one morning as I was trying to wake from my sleepy slumber. I first thought, “Oh, cool! I can’t wait to follow along with that!” Then I kept reading. They are looking for female bloggers to be on their teams. Wait! What?! I’m a female blogger! That got my attention. I was wide awake then.

Bondi Band announces its team sponsorship for Ragnar Adirondacks and Las Vegas.

Ragnar is totally on my race priority list (I don’t like the term “bucket list”). It’s a 12 person team relay across 200 miles of wherever that particular location is. It’s a constant race, so that means middle-of-the-night and daytime running. It’s basically a two-day road trip meets camping trip meets road races of varying distances. It’s pretty much everything I love about life. Sounds like a BLAST! So, I want in!

So, why do I want to be on Team Bondi Band? First off, I love the idea of running as a team sport. I started running for myself, by myself over two years ago. Along the way, I’ve met some of the best people and have made some really amazing friendships. It’s the camaraderie that keeps me going. That’s what makes Ragnar so appealing.

Next, I’m a huge Bondi Band fan! I cannot think of any other product I’d be happier to be associated with than it. Don’t believe me? Check out my collection!

My Bondi Band collection

Finally, I’m ready for a new challenge. My initial goal when I started running was to complete a half marathon. I’ve completed 5 now, the biggest challenge of which was a trail half marathon, in rain, sleet and snow, with 30 mph winds, in the mud.

I’ve completed 5 half marathons and several other races of varying distances.

I’m not afraid to try anything. I set a goal, and I work toward it. Finishing is the only option. I’ve lost 30 pounds so far on this journey, and my speed improves every month. Ragnar will be a huge challenge, maybe the biggest I’ve faced so far. I’m 100% confident I’m up to it.

Stay tuned to see who will be on Team Ragnar Las Vegas and Adirondacks. I hope I’m lucky enough to be a part of the story. It will definitely be the experience of a lifetime!

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Diet and Fitness Races Running

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Breakfast the Most Important Meal of the Day

by Melanie Adams

I cringe when I hear people say they don’t eat breakfast. For me, breakfast sets the stage for how I’m going to feel the rest of the day. If I eat poorly, I’m going to feel bad all day. You know the tired, dragging feeling I’m talking about. If I eat correctly, I will usually have plenty of energy to sustain me. Also, I am more likely to make proper food choices for the remainder of the day if I start the day off right. But what exactly is eating correctly?

After almost an entire lifetime of dieting and trying different “food formulas” the one thing I’ve taken away from all that is what a good breakfast is for me. It’s a balance of protein and carbs and consists of three things. I’ll have a protein item like fat free yogurt, a hard boiled egg or a piece of cheese (about 1 ounce). I’ll also have a fruit, usually an apple or a banana or sometimes berries to go in my yogurt. Finally, I’ll add an entree like a granola bar, granola if I’m having yogurt, or oatmeal. I also read lables and try to make sure my entree has a decent amount of protein as well. Since I run and walk quite a bit, I like to sneak in as much protein as possible so my muscles have something to build with as I’m working out.

This has been a great formula for many years for me but recently I realized I wasn’t getting enough fiber. I’ll spare you the story of how I realized this. You’re welcome. In doing my research I found out that most women don’t get enough fiber. As if they could read my mind, Bzz Agent contacted me about participating in their Fiber One Meal Bars campaign. They sent me two boxes of Fiber One Meal Bars to try, chocolate peanut butter and strawberry greek yogurt.

Fiber One Meal Bars

Yum! I immediately knew these meal bars would become my breakfast entree. When I got the boxes, I was drawn to the 10 grams of protein just as much as the 9 grams of fiber. I was pretty much sold on them when I tasted them. They are both delicous but the strawberry greek yogurt is my absolute favorite! I love the convenience of them, too. I usually pop one in my handbag to either eat on the way to work or at my desk when I get to work.

Fiber One Meal Bars are great for on the go.

In case you are wondering, I have found the added fiber to be helpful as well. I only have one bar left of the free ones they sent me, and I will definitely be buying more this weekend!

Disclosure: I received free products and coupons because I’m a Bzz Agent. All opinions are my own, as always.

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Diet and Fitness Product Promos

Disney Cruise Line Room Service

by Melanie Adams

Hundreds, maybe thousands of families are just like mine these days, anxiously awaiting the release of the Disney Cruise Line itineraries for the remainder of 2015. My family and I are getting ready to book our third Disney Cruise as soon as bookings open, and the suspense is killing me!

The famous Disney Cruise Line horn on the Dream

Where are the ships going? What will the itineraries be? Most importantly, what is it going to cost? While we wait, I thought I’d share with you one of my favorite things about a Disney cruise, included room service!

Yep, most items on the room service menu (packaged snacks, canned sodas, bottled water, and alcohol excluded) are available 24 hours a day and are included in your cruise fare (don’t forget to tip the delivery person). Just like the rest of the food on a Disney cruise, it’s delicious, too! My family loves room service primarily for the unlimited Mickey ice cream bars (not on the menu but they’ll bring them) and my very favorite thing they call All Hands On Deck.

All Hands on Deck cheese plate and Mickey ice cream bar from room service

It’s a fruit, cheese and cracker plate, which hits the spot as an afternoon snack with a glass of wine while getting ready for the evening. I’ve spent several early evenings noshing on this very thing while sitting on my veranda watching the sky dim.

My favorite afternoon snack aboard a Disney ship

It’s definitely one of my happy places.

We also love room service for breakfast when we either don’t feel like getting dressed right away for breakfast or we are in a hurry to get off the ship to begin our day in whatever the port of call is that day. In addition to the regular menu (which again is available 24 hours a day) there is a card you can hang on your door the night before with your selections and desired delivery time. It’s a continental-type breakfast and you can get things like cereal, yogurt, fruit and pastries. We love the fruit and pastries!

Fruit and pastries for breakfast

Hot food is also available any time. We’ve gotten things like sandwiches with fries and chicken wings. Other things are available, too, like salmon and pizza. We’ve also ordered the chocolate chip cookies, and they are colossal!

Huge chocolate chip cookies

We’ve even been the lucky recipients of surprises from room service like a fruit basket and a miniature dessert plate.

Surprise fruit basket from room service

Surprise dessert plate from room service, I ate a lemon pie bite before snapping a pic. Oops!

As soon as Disney Cruise Line releases the itineraries for our targeted travel time, I’ll be counting down the days when I can once again enjoy this luxury!

What’s your favorite part of a Disney cruise?

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Disney Disney Cruise Line Family Vacation

To Do Rock and Roll Nashville or Not

by Melanie Adams

To do Rock and Roll Nashville or not, that is the question. If you recall back in December when the Memphis St. Jude Marathon Weekend was cancelled (I was registered for the half) we were given an option of registering for one of three upcoming Rock and Roll events in lieu of a refund. I chose to register for Nashville. Fast forward 2 months and now I’m having second thoughts. Let’s go through the pros and cons and hopefully I can make a decision once and for all.

Rock and Roll Nashville

Pros

It’s a race that’s always been on my radar and it’s unlikely I’ll ever get another opportunity to participate without paying a registration fee again.
I’ve heard so many great things about this race. Local spectator support is supposed to be second to none.
There are country music bands at each mile marker.
It’s a destination race within driving distance.
My sister and her family live there. (Whether or not they would come out to support me is unknown at this point but it’s nice to know I have family nearby.)
It’s a goal to work toward that would get me back on a training plan, which is always good for my personal fitness.
Training weather should be great.
Race weather should be great as well.
runDisney usually is there, and they give out pretty sweet sling bags if you register for one of their races. I’m planning on going back for Wine and Dine weekend this year. While I’ll already be registered for the half by then, I plan to do the 5k and can register for that then.
I’ve never done a Rock and Roll event, and it would be an opportunity to try one out.

Cons

I would have to board my dog for yet another weekend trip.
Hotel rooms are pretty outrageous in downtown Nashville for that weekend. (I already have one booked, and I’m still suffering from sticker shock.)
Hills! Oh the hills! I don’t have access to hills here in Memphis to train on that would even come close to the hills on that race course.
For some reason even though it’s a random weekend in April, three people in my office want that Friday off. Only one of us can have it and since I’m the manager I get to decide. I feel guilty taking it away from someone else.
I would have to get on the training pretty immediately since I haven’t run since the Minnie 10k.
I’m not sure my heart is in it. This is probably the biggest con. If I’m going to spend that much for a race weekend, I feel like I need to be excited about it. For some reason, I’m not.

So, what do you think? Should I do it or not? I probably need to decide this week. I’m open to any and all thoughts.

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Charities Diet and Fitness Races Running St. Jude

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Into and Over It Part Two, Over It

by Melanie Adams

In case you missed Part One, in which I covered what I’m into lately, you can find it here. Go ahead. Take a moment. Catch yourself up. All caught up? Here are some of the things I’m totally and completely over.

Over it

Winter–To be fair, we haven’t had any real winter weather to speak of here. The ice that caused my St. Jude Half Marathon to be cancelled and just one little dusting of snow is about it. Yet, I’m totally and completely over winter! My skin is itchy and dry. Some days I just can’t get warm. I don’t like being cold, and I don’t like having to bundle up to avoid it. Bring on flip flop weather! Please!

This is all the snow we’ve had but I’m still over winter.

Rachel from Biggest Loser–I admit it. I was just as shocked as the next person at her frail, skin-and-bones physique. At the same time, I’ve heard enough about it. I’m over it!

Traveling–This is a shocker for all who know me. I love traveling and am always up for a trip. With three pretty big trips in just a few months, two of them within two weeks of each other, I want to stay put for a while, as does my dog and my bank account. That being said, I’m sure I’ll be getting over being over traveling pretty soon as I’m already starting to feel a tiny twinge of wanderlust.

I want to stay on the ground for a bit.

5ks–Another shocker! I still love running and races, just not really 5ks anymore, especially local ones. Don’t get me wrong! There are some great charities doing 5ks as fund-raisers. I want them to have successful events. It’s just not a distance that I enjoy, and, well, I’m over them. I’m not saying I’ll never do another one. I’m relatively certain I’ll do one before the year is over. At the moment, I’m a bit disinterested.

My Old Glasses–If you saw part one, you know that I broke my glasses a few weeks ago. I don’t want to have to depend on my contacts for every single waking hour, so I used duct tape to hold them together. For obvious reasons, I’m really over them.

I kind of can’t believe I’m sharing this pic but you can see why I’m over them.

Paying Someone to Do My Yard–I’ve always had a problem with paying someone to do something I’m capable of doing myself. It’s not really about the money. It’s more about being thankful that I can and using my abilities. Last year, however, I got completely behind and overwhelmed with the yard work for the first time ever. So, I hired it done. I’m hoping to stay on top of it this year.

Sure, it looks nice when it’s professionally done, but I’d really like to go back to doing it myself.

Yogurt Shops–They are popping up on every street corner lately, and they are all just alike. You self-serve your yogurt, which I find a bit icky to start with. Dispensers are sticky, and, well, I have no idea whose hands have touched the dispenser. Call me a germophobe, but I don’t like it. Then, you add in whatever toppings you want, again self-serve. Again, there’s the potential for yucky germs having touched the toppings. Plus, if I want a treat, I want real ice cream! To me, frozen yogurt is just a way to trick yourself into thinking you had something healthy. Chances are, by the time you fill the container up and top it with all kinds of junk, you would have been better off just having ice cream anyway. Ok, getting off my yogurt soap box now!

Valentine’s Day–I’m aware it’s today. Painfully aware! Call me cynical, and maybe I’m just bitter because I won’t be getting flowers and candy. I have gotten flowers and candy in the past, though, and even then I was over it. There is just so much pressure to the day. And for what? Show your loved ones you care all year-long not just one day. Of course, I might change my tune if someone wanted to offer up a bottle of Pinot Noir from Oregon or Washington (you get this if you read part one).

Square Life Round World

I'm navigating through this round world while living a square life, and it fits exactly as it should.

Rock and Roll Nashville–The Verdict

My Quest For Half Fanatics Part Three–Herb Parsons Trail Half Marathon

My Quest For Half Fanatics Part Two–runDisney Wine and Dine

My Quest For Half Fanatics Part One–Memphis Greenline Half

My Disney Side @ Home Celebration

Mission: Bondi Band Ragnar Team

Breakfast the Most Important Meal of the Day

Disney Cruise Line Room Service

To Do Rock and Roll Nashville or Not

Into and Over It Part Two, Over It

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