My "Health" Hero!!!!

Well, it was Lamon's birthday yesterday . . . and that means only one thing.

That's right, I get to write an embarrassingly cheesy blog post about him. Yeah! Because we all know that next to writing embarrassing stories about myself . . . Lamon's Awesomness is my next favorite subject!

And he is Awesome. And I think that everyone that knows me knows that I know that he is Awesome. But I LOVE LOVE LOVE it when I hear that other people know he is Awesome too. Because he is MY Awesome man. In a way it's kind of like he is my claim to Awesomeness. I claim Awesomeness through association. He + Me = Awesome. Right? . . . Or something.

Anyway the last couple months have been pretty cool, because Lamon's Awesomeness has sort of been in the spotlight. In January Lamon was recognized by Intermountain Healthcare as one of 30 "Health Heroes." Lamon was invited (along with me since I'm married to Mr. Awesome) to come to a special lunch at the Marriot in Salt Lake City where each "Health Hero" was recognized with an award. I'd have to say, I was quite proud. They had a very yummy "healthy" lunch, and then after a few speeches they read each "exerpt" written in the program about each person as they came forward,  shook hands with some pretty important IHC people, and received their awards. Pretty darn cool!

And so we came home with a plaque and inflated self-esteems and that seemed to be that. But then a couple weeks later someone approached Lamon and asked if it would be okay if they spotlighted him in their IHC regional employee meeting and asked him for a picture. They forgot to ask for mine, but I heard that they did mention me when they talked about him. He + Me = Awesome. Anyway, I don't know what they said about him, but they showed a picture of Lamon with his friend Ed at the finish of Ed's first 5k after losing 180 lbs. post gastric bypass. Lamon helped Ed train for the race and we along with other PACU employees ran along with him. It was so fun! It's been pretty cool to hear people mention that they saw Lamon spotlighted in the presentation. Anyway, here is what Lamon's co-worker who nominated him wrote to get this whole thing started! :)

"LaMon is a very healthy person anyway, but he has made a significant effort to change the culture in our department to spread that healthy lifestyle to his coworkers. He bikes to and from work daily. He and his wife have allowed coworkers to borrow fitness equipment (road bikes) and have encouraged us all to be more active by signing up to run races and marathons. He encourages us to keep our bodies fit so we can care for our patients more effectively. He also encourages us to eat well and brings recipes, ideas, and resources to keep all of us healthy. LaMon is someone who can be a support system for those who are struggling. I have really appreciated LaMon's great example and encouragement as we all try to change our workplace culture to a place where a healthy lifestyle is an expectation."

I love how many times she used the word "encourage", because that is Lamon. Lamon encourages people. In my own health journey Lamon has never told me he thinks I should exercise more, or eat better. He's never suggested I do a race or diet. But the minute "I" have decided I wanted to do something and have vocalized my desires . . . he has made it his mission to help me. Whether it was my first 5k when he helped me go from "waddling" to running 3 miles continuously (which seemed so hard at the time and was), to a 10k (because the 5k was so much fun), to a half-marathon (in which he ran with me and endured verbal abuse and heard ultimatums that I would never run a marathon) to a marathon (because I have runners amnesia), to many many many more races, hikes,  . . .  bike rides. He's always been there to support me. Whether it's helping me come up with training plans, watching the kids and allowing me the time I've needed to run, driving around with the kids to meet me on long runs to cheer me on and bring me water . . . Lamon is the true definition of "support". Lamon doesn't just tell you when he sees you, "Hey, you can do it!" Lamon will help see you get there and be there cheering for you at the finish. There is nothing Lamon loves more than seeing someone triumph and reach their goal.

And that is why Lamon is so great. He is like the fittest guy I know and has done so many hard things. And yet, he cares about the 5k you are running. In fact, he thinks you are awesome for doing it and will talk about how awesome you are to others. He will get excited about that sprint tri you are doing and will help you train for it and come and cheer you on. Oh I could go on and on, but Lamon truly loves to be there during peoples health journeys. And he will "be there!" I will never forget when Lamon ran the last 10 miles of my marathon with me in street clothes because I asked him to. In his street clothes! I am pretty sure Lamon gets more pleasure out of seeing someone else triumph and finish a race than he does from racing himself. I love that about him. He is certainly my "Health" Hero!!!

He is so Awesome . . . Therefore . . . I am Awesome . . . Right? :) . . .Right!