¡Yo Quiero Mofongo!

Vacation: a break, a trip, a rest, an escape…

Last week, I allowed myself to take a break from reality—work, marathon training, dog walking, housekeeping, and so many other activities that make up my daily routine in LIFE.   It was hard to do, but I turned my back on it all and escaped to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

    

  


                                        
This was my second journey to the Caribe Hilton (origin of the Pina Colada)– and I couldn’t think of a better place to be!  The mint in the mojitos was fresh, the white sand was warm on my tired feet, 90-degree sunrays melted away my memories of our snowy winter, and time just failed to exist.  Day 1 consisted of nothing more than food, sun, food, a game of setback, happy hour (or hours of happiness), snacks, cultural dinners, and sleep—rinse and repeat for 4 more days!

      

A loosing hand in Setback

Sweet Plantains from El Patio

                                                                  

I just finished my first week back to reality, and it was an intense quick transition!  Luckily, I am mid-air, floating somewhere over DC in a Boeing 717 en route to Virginia Beach to visit the Martin’s  (Hi Amy and Kyle ).  Unlike San Juan, PR, this will be my first visit to the state that “is for Lovers!”  Lucky for me, the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon and Half Marathon falls on the same weekend. 

Training updates:     

• 2 fun runs in Puerto Rico—really too hot to log crazy miles, but I managed to add some island activity to my Garmin 
• Fun Run#1
• Fun Run #2
• Last Saturday, I logged one of my best training runs and shaved more than 30 seconds off my average pace!  
• My PR Training Run
• Last Tuesday, I showed up for hill runs late, but pushed through 10 full hill sprints by myself!  
• 10 Hill Repeat

Mofongo from Raices in Old San Juan

Raspberry Mojitos from El Patio

***Apparently, A week of mojitos and mofongos was all I needed to jump-start my motivation.***

Mass Eye and Ear Supporter:

Joey McIntyre and his son Rhys'

NKOTB's (New Kids on the Block) Joey McIntyre knows that Mass. Eye and Ear has the "right stuff" when it comes to advancing research and treatment of hearing loss. His son Rhys' diagnosis of hearing loss prompted him to lend his support to the hospital.