Our High Priestess of the Juice, Joanne Kaeding, is taking a break this month (she’s traveling to Mexico for the much-anticipated wedding of her daughter). She will be joined by Cary Adams south of the border for a vacation in the warm weather after the nuptials. So we’re making do with the scraps of news that drifted in during Joanne’s absence….Monica O’Hara and boyfriend Mark are heading to the Phoenix area in March for the Valley of the Sun Marathon. Mark is running the marathon and Monica plans to run the Half. Both are looking forward to catching some rays and running on a course that is rumored to be “mostly flat with more downhill than uphill (??)” and Monica promises to give us a follow-up and review. …. Gordon McIntosh and his wife Meredyth have sent tidings from their winter retreat to Mexico and they’re making us envious! They rave about the delicious food in Oaxaca, and express mild horror at local specialties like gusanitas (dried worms on a string, sold like tiny strips of jerky),and chapulines (spicy fried grasshoppers). Gordon has been taking Mexican literature classes; the two of them have toured local villages to see local weavers and craftsmen. They have also survived a couple of peaceful uprising by the locals, protesting economic problems. Relatives came to visit and Gordon says: “We participated in a torchlight procession honoring the patron saint of the neighborhood church. We had every intention of just observing this religious celebration from a distance, but then someone handed each of us a festive banner and encouraged us to join the parade. What could we do?” (Sounds like the Chicago Marathon.) Next stop: Chiapas and the state of Veracruz. Bring back some tequila for your amigos, Gordon!…Pacers may remember that longtime member Michelle O’Brien Flores always dreamed of living on an island. She is finally living her dream with husband Randy and daughter Miranda, on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Unsure of the job opportunities there for Randy, an expert stone and marble craftsman, they were instead surprised by the demand for his services. He’s busy seven days a week. In his free time, he surfs. Michelle has even given surfing a try. She’s also doing Bikram yoga twice a week and Randy is becoming an avid mountain biker. Running has taken a back seat to other pursuits! They miss their running friends but honestly, guys, they don’t miss the Chicago winter. Hang ten, kids!

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