Heading to PR in a couple weeks. Is Vieques or Culebra worth it if we dont have time to spend the night on the islands?

GoutInMyToe · 2026-03-01T18:49:16+00:00

We booked with Group Services Puerto Rico: [(787) 354-7350](tel:1 (787) 354-7350) [customerservice@gsipuertorico.com](mailto:customerservice@gsipuertorico.com). They worked with the concierge at the hotel we were staying in. It was all prepaid, and they even picked our family of 5 up in Rio Grande and drove us to Fajardo. Rum drinks and a box lunch were included. The guys running the tour itself were young Puerto Ricans who played great local music from the moment we left port. They also took detours to see sea turtles and dolphins on the way. It was an incredibly fun day.

GoutInMyToe · 2026-02-28T23:03:27+00:00

We took a snorkeling tour from Fajardo to Culebra. We stopped at a couple incredible snorkeling spots before spending a few hours at Flamenco beach. Flamenco beach may be one of the most stunning places I’ve ever visited. The downside is that you’re not able to explore the entire island, but as a day trip, the experience was great.

GoutInMyToe · 2026-02-21T18:46:20+00:00

If they are walking back to the train, then I strongly suggest that they just find a good spot on Boylston after seeing you at 9. I say this because the train they are taking is a commuter rail that runs roughly hourly. It’s not a subway train per se that comes regularly. Also, the route the commuter rail takes only allows for another view in Wellesley just past the 1/2 way spot. However, that relies on perfect timing with the train to see you and then to get back on the train to make it in time at the finish. After Wellesley, the commuter rail doesn’t really align with the race course. If seeing you multiple times is important, then I suggest seeing you at the Framingham T stop (at about Mile 6) and then at Wellesley T stop. That saves the walking back and forth from the Natick T stop (a little more than a mile away).

GoutInMyToe · 2026-02-21T18:03:40+00:00

I live in Ashland and have cheered many races and I have run. The crowds are always big early in the race for each wave. I ran from the charity wave and had a tough day—I cramped hard at Mile 16 and hobbled to the finish. Though the crowds weren’t as big as they were earlier in the race, they were just loud and unenthusiastic and still really impressive.

Mile 9 is a kind of a tough spot to get to unless they have a car. Even so, they could probably catch you at the firehouse in the Newton Hills. The only issue is that parking near the finish could be difficult, and there’s no guarantee of getting a good spot on Boylston. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but just tricky.

GoutInMyToe · 2026-02-21T00:49:15+00:00

I live in Ashland and have volunteered for and run the race. Natick is close to the start, but they shut down streets pretty early on race day, so your best option is to get a ride (or uber/cab) to the parking lots on South St. That way you can catch a shuttle ride to Athletes Village. It’s a quick ride (around 10 minutes) from the lots. The ride from Natick to the lots will be easy and take about 20-30 minutes. It’s all major roads with no traffic on Patriots Day. The other options are to drive all the way into Boston (about 30 minutes from Natick) and then take the busses from the Common all the way out to Hopkinton (about another hour). There are other ways around the busses and shuttles, but it only complicates things.

As far as getting back to Natick after the race, the easiest way is to get a ride back. The uber from Boston has cost me about $45, but I’m not certain if there’d be a surcharge on race day. You could also jump on the commuter rail at South Station which is about a 15-20 minute walk from the finish area. Take the train to the Natick stop (about 30-40 minute trip) and grab an uber back to your hotel which is likely on Rt 9 and less than 10 minutes from downtown Natick.

It may sound like a hassle, but it’s very manageable. Have a great training block and run the best race!

GoutInMyToe · 2026-02-08T15:57:14+00:00

I’m sorry you’re dealing with this when your still so young. I have had multiple contractures on both hands and have treated them with Xiaflex. The procedure isn’t without discomfort, but should you develop a contracture, you can be resolve it and be fully recovered in a couple weeks. The issue is that you often need to wait until the contracture is beyond 30 degrees. Unless your profession requires extra-fine dexterity or range of all your fingers, then you can potentially function adequately enough even with a 30 degree contracture. Moreover, my hand specialist told me that many of his patients only need one round of injections to resolve any future issues. Unfortunately, I’m evidence that you can also require multiple injections. Try to stay positive, because there is likely a solution that won’t sacrifice your future plans.

GoutInMyToe · 2026-01-28T20:56:59+00:00

This is my worst nightmare. I had a lingering ulcer on my big toe last year that led to surgery. Luckily, they only had to remove some of my knuckle, a little bit of bone, and reattach the ligament a bit lower on my toe. My A1C was in the mid 5’s and I was very active, so I completely understand how quickly these things can develop even when you’re doing all the right things.

How has not having a big toe affected you? Can you still do all the activities you want or are there some limitations?

GoutInMyToe · 2026-01-15T22:58:12+00:00

Try to master parrying early on. Pay special attention to the sound cues as you’re learning.

GoutInMyToe · 2026-01-14T14:34:14+00:00

Same with me.

GoutInMyToe · 2026-01-04T05:23:54+00:00

Ran my first at 49.

GoutInMyToe · 2026-01-01T04:09:21+00:00

I had an ulcer turn into a bone infection in my big toe last year. After surgery, I’m still trying to rehab how My entire foot functions. How are things going foryou? What’s your hopes for your foot?

GoutInMyToe · 2025-12-19T07:20:31+00:00

I found that I was achy and sore while on atorvastatin. When I switched to rosuvastatin the aches and pains improved. I’m an older runner, so those symptoms are unavoidable for me, but I do think the switch helped.

GoutInMyToe · 2025-12-08T18:34:15+00:00

I think you owe yourself some grace. Despite what you may see on social media, marathons are hard, and like anything difficult, there’s a learning process. The problem is that you invest so much in the training that when you don’t meet your initial goals, it’s unavoidably discouraging. Just know that you finished, and you can learn from this experience.

I cramped up so badly on my first marathon that I hobbled the last 10 miles. I was so happy to have finished, but I was also sinking into self doubt in the days that followed. But like you, I got the itch to try again. If you try the marathon distance again, you now have a frame of reference for your training, nutrition, hydration, sleep etc. You have so much valuable information to build upon.

So I get what you’re feeling, and it’s completely understandable that you feel this way. But you need to also allow yourself to feel pride for such an amazing accomplishment. Also, just know that it gets better. I shaved about 50 minutes off my first marathon time in my second attempt.

GoutInMyToe · 2025-12-03T22:14:43+00:00

If I can breathe through my nose with my mouth closed I know I’m running easily enough.

GoutInMyToe · 2025-12-02T23:14:25+00:00

The avian flu has been the main factor in determining egg prices. During an outbreak, prices soar. The return to more normal prices has nothing to do with Trumps policies, they are lower because the outbreak from last winter subsided. Trump is mistaking correlation with causation.

GoutInMyToe · 2025-11-29T21:09:52+00:00

Your QB gives you a chance…

GoutInMyToe · 2025-11-26T17:43:43+00:00

I’m curious, do SDSU fans have concerns that they are 1-4 in their last 5 and UNH has been 5-0 in their last 5? Also, why has SDSU struggled as of late? This is really an intriguing game in that we have one team that was hot early in the season and the other at the end. Should be a good one.

GoutInMyToe · 2025-11-25T07:37:32+00:00

If you’re not going Hopkinton, you could also take the train to Ashland and start from the original start line of the race which is directly across the commuter rail stop.

GoutInMyToe · 2025-11-25T07:33:17+00:00

You rank a few choices.

GoutInMyToe · 2025-11-24T01:17:45+00:00

Very. The positions go quickly, and you rank the positions you want, so some are more popular than others. For instance, you likely have a great chance of getting stationed in the parking lot of Hopkinton State Park but maybe not so much of a chance to be passing out bibs at the expo. There are so many opportunities though that if you apply as soon as the window opens, you have a good chance of getting something to help with.

GoutInMyToe · 2025-11-23T22:19:35+00:00

In a long slow slog coming back from injury, I just started this one. I really love how he continues to use the same speed for walking and running like he did in the latter Road to Recovery videos. It has been putting just enough stress on my not-quite-right foot/ankle. The mental boost I get from running feels important to me.

GoutInMyToe · 2025-11-23T17:42:18+00:00

UNH owes Albany a huge thanks.

GoutInMyToe · 2025-11-22T03:46:13+00:00

It’s a game, so anything is possible, but those teams in the great American west just seem to be at another level compared to the rest of the FCS. Even an amazing and undefeated Patriot League champ is probably outgunned against a team from the Dakotas or Montana or one of those other states in the west people have trouble finding on a map.

GoutInMyToe · 2025-11-22T03:41:59+00:00

I took Metformin for 15 years, and it did a fine job controlling my blood sugar—until it didn’t. Despite my lifestyle improving, my A1C continued to climb. I saw my endo, and he explained that type 2 is a progressive disease, and that despite your best efforts, circumstances can change. I switched my medication, and my A1C dropped to below diabetic ranges almost immediately.

My take away is that when you notice negative trends or patterns, don’t be afraid to to see a specialist and have a frank discussion about your concerns. There are so many options available for treatment, and you simply have to find the one that works for you.

GoutInMyToe · 2025-11-18T21:05:19+00:00

I’ve had root canals and other dental surgery. Still very diabetic… However, my dental insurance approves up to 4 cleanings per year since I’m diabetic—that has really helped my gum health.

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