My favorite times are the ones that we spend with our sons.  Since they were little, we have established annual trips and seem to add to those traditions periodically.  We started going to Chicago to Christmas shop and they were allowed to each bring a friend along.  Then we started going to Vail to ski as well, and they were allowed to each bring a friend along.  What started happening was the friends that came one year didn’t want to miss out so the group tended to enlarge for each consecutive trip.  This year, we had 12 people on the mountain in Vail skiing with us and it was amazing.  

My youngest son, Jimmy, is an accomplished musician and his music roots are Reggae and Ska.  He has traveled to Jamaica since he was small with a friend or two.  Chad, our oldest, who is also an amazing musician, started going later and then they both were bringing the girlfriends.  We all went to Jamaica last year and the tradition was established. Instead of adding more people, we add more days.  They don’t want to leave, and who can blame them. 

We just got back from our now annual trip to Jamaica with the boys and the girlfriends and we stayed at Grand Lido Negril.   If you have spoken on the phone, or gotten an email from Lisa, she is Chad’s girlfriend and my assistant in the office.  It is great for her to meet the managers, see the properties and get a better understanding of what Jamaica time is all about.

Jimmy and Ali

Chad and Lisa

I knew that I would be seeing some old friends and dedicated travelers with my program and was really looking forward to it.  Shelly was at Hedonism II and the Bikram yoga instructor for a month teaching there for two weeks and at Grand Lido Negril for two weeks.  She is amazing.  I don’t know her age but she is timeless and her husband, Ed, who is turning 80 in October, says she gets younger every day.  I agree.  Lisa and I took her class the first day and she kicked our butts!  Luckily I had my favorite massage therapist waiting for me when I finished.  If you travel to Hedonism II, be sure to get a massage from the magic hands of Roselyn. 

I ran into the pros at Grand Lido Negril the first night going to dinner.  It is funny how we all stick together.  I know Elissa who travels with me regularly, and met Judy, the personal trainer for the first time.  She has traveled before and her son also travels with me.  She is coming to FitBeach this year to get certified to teach group fitness classes and be qualified to travel to many more locations as group fitness pro.  One smart cookie!  Check it out for yourself and join us.  www.fit-beach.com  

If you read my first entry, you know that my day starts with a run on the beach, a dip in the pool, yoga and breakfast.   This time it was extra special because I have been injured.  Yep – I ignored the signs of a hamstring issue that eventually caused me to sprain my mcl and itband.  I think it was directly related to the fact that I decided not to take any time off after completing my first 100 mile endurance trail race.  I ran a half marathon 3 weeks later and kept going until my knee swelled up like a balloon and I couldn’t walk, let alone run.  I continued to remain in denial and as soon as the swelling would go down, I would try it out and end up grouchy again with an ice pack.  So finally I decided – “I must be hurt” – and hit my elliptical.  It is really mean.  It tells you to pedal harder when you slow down to wipe the sweat out of your eyes and only gives you 20 seconds to pause for the water bottle.  Thank goodness for “Entourage” reruns.  I am caught up on all four seasons now.

So back to Jamaica – I am running again – yippee.  The ritual remains in tact for now. 

We had dinner every night with the boys.  Jimmy and his girlfriend Alison are great performers so we all did karaoke a couple nights.  He and his dad were amazing with their rendition of Pretty Woman.  Jimmy was immediately snagged for talent night.  He brought down the house when he sang and played guitar to the Jimmy Cliff song – “Harder they fall”.  An entertainment manager was there from another resort and he hired him to perform later that week.

   

The trip truly was made special by the camaraderie of the fitness pros.  Jaclyn and her husband showed up for the second week we were there and we met the tennis pro, Mohan, who easily became part of the entourage.  With this entire group, at least three generations of fitness professionals were represented and there was no barrier whatsoever between us. Most days we found ourselves the only ones left in the piano bar at night and still talking while they tried to clean up the tables after lunch and dinner. 

On the last night we celebrated Chad’s birthday and all we could talk about was when we were coming back.  Not to take away from the other destinations that we offer, but when you arrive in Jamaica, they say “welcome home” because they know if you have been there before you were happy to be back and if it is the first time, it wont be the last. 

 

Until next time…..  

 

Keep moving

Love,

Suzelle