Law Student Busy Training Liver for Spring Break

In less than a week, Duke University School of Law 2L Gina Vitello will be traveling to an all-inclusive resort in Mexico for Spring Break. Considering that she has to complete a mock trial and a Security Regulations memo prior to leaving, the second year is especially anxious to get away from law school, albeit temporarily.

Not only is Vitello ready to relax in Mexico but according to the 2L she plans to "drink [her] face off while there."

"For some reason professors love assigning work that is due right before Spring Break," said Vitello. "Therefore, when I am done with everything and enjoying my already included Coronas, pina coladas and rum and cokes I am going to make it count. In other words, I want to be able to drink heavily the entire 7 days and not crumple as the finish line comes into view 2 or 3 days out."

The second year Duke student often ran long distances before law school and learned that in order to tackle foreboding physical tasks one needs to start out small.

"I remember training for the New York Marathon when I worked as a paralegal," mentioned Vitello, proceeding to describe the intensity with which she dedicated herself to the endeavor. "At first I started with 5 mile runs, then 10 mile runs and eventually I got myself into the shape necessary to finish the whole 26 miles."

"The same is true with a drinking marathon," added the 2L. "One cannot expect to be able to imbibe copiously for an entire week without the necessary preparation."

According to Vitello, she developed a comprehensive regimen specifically targeted to making sure that she'd be able to consume countless daiquiris, bahama mamas and shots of tequila without faltering. In January, Vitello started simply, drinking 2 alcoholic mixed drinks every day for a couple of weeks. Then in the beginning of February she upped the amount to 3 daily cocktails. However, the most rigorous training started as the middle of the month approached.

"I remember I really began practicing strenuously right around President's day," recollected the 2L as she sipped a potent blend of peach schnapps, vodka, cranberry juice, orange juice and pineapple juice. "It was about then that I pushed my liver hard, incorporating shots into my daily routine."

As demonstrated by the range of her drink choices, Vitello made sure to consume a wide variety of spirits, often combining then or drinking them one right after the other.

"One of my greatest weaknesses as a drinker is when, over the course of a night, I start mixing alcohols," admitted Vitello. "Therefore I tried to prevent potentially debilitating sickness or stomach pumping by getting my body used to a constant infusion of gin, rum, vodka, whiskey, wine and beer. One never knows what mixture of booze she will be confronted with during actual binging."

The Duke 2L's concern about not being able to finish the 7 day event is apparently not mere conjecture. According to Vitello, her last spring break nearly proved catastrophic due to a lack of serious pre-vacation prepping.

"Me and a bunch of girl friends went to Florida for break last year and I barely took the time to train for the heavy drinking we were certain to do," related an ashamed Vitello. "Not only did I end up passing out or throwing up each of the first 4 nights, but by day 5 I didn't even have the stomach to continue getting wasted. That is a tragedy I hope never to repeat."

Considering that Vitello's resort this year is of an all-you-can-drink variety, she plans to be in a position to take full advantage.

"I think my extensive training this year will do the trick," remarked the 2L, slurring her words slightly due to the two margaritas she consumed during the span of her 30 minute interview. "My mind is focused, my heart is in this and most importantly my liver is ready to handle whatever I throw at it. I am confident that when I board that plane back to North Carolina not only will I have engaged in 7 days of continuous drinking but I will be asking the flight attendant to bring me some cranberry juice and as many little bottles of vodka as she can find."