Vacation - insert here.

I've left the farm life of Kentucky and traded it in for the mountains of Montana. Back in January when my mom and I planned this trip for my family to come visit, I didn't really take into consideration that I would be right in the middle of the last month of Half Iron training. But after little or no reflection, I've decided that if I can't take a few more days off during this week than I normally do for one week, than I'm in real trouble.

So, yesterday I got my airport workout. We literally flew from one coast to the other with 3 connections. When you look up "I work out" in the dictionary you will see me walking next to the floor escalators, darting evil stares at those who stand n' ride. I'm proud like a peacock because I'm almost a half Ironman and I'm making good health choices. I ran up four flights of stairs in Minneapolis and then made, what I believe to be, the worst food decision of my life. I ate at an airport "Wok" establishment. WHY, WHY, WHY did I do that? It was just like licking slime off a frog. Instant regret set in and I proceeded to fall asleep on a bench behind a "What to do while in Minnesota" kiosk.

After my food coma, I roused to find it time to board. next stop. Salt Lake City. Home of my running friend Julia! My husband is not from America but he has lived IN America long enough to know that there are certain things you can't say on a plane.

THE FOLLOWING IS A TRUE STORY: (see below for illustration)

Husband (across the isle): Honey! Look! There's a fire outside the plane!"

Me: Shhhhh! You can NOT say THAT! Shhhhh! Shhhhh! Keep your voice down!

Husband: No really, there's a FIRE outside, give me your phone, I wanna take a picture!"

Me: Hon, you CAN'T say "BOMB" and you can't say "FIRE" on a plane, that's the rule! You know that.

Husband: No, the plane's not on fire, there's a ground fire!

At this point we had drawn the attention of about four people in our general vicinity who were craning their necks to find a window. Peril in the skies...not cool. How hard is it to get from one city to the next? Really, just sleep, drool, eat peanuts and down a drink, move your legs around to keep them from falling asleep, start all that over again.

Finally, before dinner we arrive at mom's.

I was greeted with a rainbow. A beautiful rainbow. Doesn't everything seem perfect in the world when you see a rainbow? I will be training this week but more importantly I'll be doing some great trail running and hiking and visiting with my mom. Acting like a civilian, not a mad person in training.