I Believe...

Good people will find each other, given time and technology. Enjoy it when they do.

What If Today...

What if today, when you think about someone in your life that is kind and caring, you reached out to say, "I appreciate the person you are"?

What If Today...

What if today you spent less time worrying about yesterday or planning for tomorrow and more time experiencing life here and now?

100 Days of Happy 2015 (31-40)

100 Days of Happy 2015 (31-40)

Is it just me, or does it seem like this summer is flying by? It's already been another ten days!

Exchanging funny faces via text messages, because 

there's nothing he won't do to make me laugh and 

smile.

#100HappyDays Day31

My training continues to pay off with dropped pounds,

faster miles, and longer distances. 

#100HappyDays Day32

I'm enjoying all of the back to school photos. Moms 

and Dads and Grandparents, thanks for sharing your

proud moments with me. 

#100HappyDaysDay33

When people in my social circle say "I've got your

back," they mean it. That matters. And it makes a 

difference.

#100HappyDays Day34

Thirty-seven days ago I weighed 235lbs. Today I'm

at 218.6. Working my plan and seeing results makes

me feel great! 

#100HappyDays Day35

Yes I did enjoy a Turkey Burger and a BBQ Chicken 

Sandwich. Because I earned them. 

#100HappyDaysDay36

Hello, unexpected Kiwi prezzie! Thanks to the McCafferty

Clan for thinking of me. I LOVE this candy!

#100HappyDays Day37

It's a big world, and it's nice to see the moon and 

remember that it still manages to shine down on all 

of my friends around the globe. 

#100HappyDays Day38

It's a lazy new-music-morning watching the sun peek 

its way in through the curtains. 

#100HappyDaysDay39

Sunday Fun Day with great friends. Bring on the 

sunshine and pool time. 

#100HappyDays Day40

It's Fan Boy Friday! Meet "The Hellcat."

As if Fridays weren't already wonderful enough, they are now even better for me because they give me the opportunity to celebrate another wonderful person in my life.

Today, it's all about The Hellcat.

Yep. Seriously.

This lovely lady is The Hellcat.

She's also known as Lorrie Bamford. And today, she's the object of my Fan Boy Friday attention.

She first crashed into entered my life back in May 2012, when we crossed paths through the From Fat To Finish Line documentary and the group of friends and fans on Facebook. She was an early supporter of the film and all of the runners, and she and I bonded over our shared sense of (inappropriate) humor.

In late 2013, I learned that her young brother was going to be graduating from Marine Corps Boot Camp here in San Diego, and it was the perfect opportunity to meet her (and many of her crazy fun family members). They came out in January 2014 and we had an amazing time. She brought along her husband and a couple of wild sisters, and it was a non-stop party of laughs and fun!

Lorrie and her equally amazing husband, Reg.

"But, John," you're saying, "you know lots of people and lots of people come stay at your house. What is so special about this person that she deserves Fan Boy Friday status?!"

A fair question. And here's the answer. Lorrie is one of those ladies that wrangles every bit of fun, joy, and excitement out of life. She laughs... loudly and often. She says inappropriate things to strangers. She blunders and stumbles and somehow makes it all work out just fine. And she drags all of the rest of along with her and makes our lives a delightful cross between a reality show, a comedy act, and (occasionally) a police drama.

Describing her in one sentence is actually pretty easy: 

"That lady lives life out loud!"

But she is so much more than just that. She is also a quitter and she's proud of it. So proud, in fact, that she is also an American Lung Association Lung Champion. Yep, she quit smoking. And then she decided that she would be a mentor and supporter of anyone else who made the decision to quit, too.

And there's more. She has a ridiculously big heart, which comes in handy when someone like me constantly finds people in need. No matter how many times I share a story and ask, "anyone think they can help so-and-so?", the answer is always the same. "What can I do and what do you need?"

I absolutely adore this woman. And I am so proud of the way she sets goals and works like a fiend until she reaches them that I have invited myself along to be there for one of her biggest challenges.

On April 24, 2016, I will have the honor of running the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon and crossing the finish line with Lorrie. She is training now to run the full 26.2 miles, and I can think of no better way to celebrate her accomplishment than to get to run it right alongside her.

Lorrie "Hellcat" Bamford, hear me when I say this. I am a fan. I adore your heart, your spirit, your passion, and your full-on, take-no-prisoners, go-for-it attitude. Thank you for your friendship and for making my life better just for having you in my corner.

And hey, having a Hawt Hubby doesn't hurt, right?

What If Today...

What if today you forgive yourself for something you did in the past? What if you make amends if possible, vow to do better, and let it go?

Revel Canyon City Marathon Training - Five Weeks Done, Eleven Weeks To Go

It's been two weeks since I shared an update on my marathon training, so here's the good and the bad.

The results so far are good. As of Saturday, the end of Week 5, I had dropped nearly sixteen pounds.

And my weight dropped from 235 to 219.2.

While the results were good and I'm happy with them, I know they could have been better. And I say that knowing full well that I was inconsistent over the last two weeks. I ran every scheduled mile during Week 4 but I missed three training runs in Week 5. That hurt my overall performance numbers for the Five Week Total:

Worse than missing a run, though, I also made some poor eating choices over the last week. I let my laziness bleed over from the exercise to the nutrition, and that also had a negative affect on my results.

Am I happy with the additional weight loss? Sure, of course I am. But I'm also honest and know that I can't expect results from work I didn't do.

So going into Week 6, I know what to do. Commit to the training plan and make good food choices. It's as basic as it gets.

And I can do this.

100 Days of Happy 2015 (21-30)

Another ten days of Happy have already come and gone, and this challenge is really making me stop and focus on all of the great things that cross my path each day. Good stuff, indeed.

Not too hot. Not too cold. I love this town. 

#NoFilter #NoBadDays 

#100HappyDays Day21

I'm a fan of a fun super hero film, and seeing this 

"coming soon" list makes me very happy! 

#100HappyDaysDay22

2.4 miles and eight minutes door-to-door. No complaints 

from this guy on the daily office commute.

#100HappyDays Day23

It's a treat to be spontaneous and see a summer action 

film with my favorite movie date. 

#100HappyDaysDay24 

After a long run, it's nice to come home to a bacon, 

egg, and cheese sandwich for breakfast! 

#100HappyDaysDay25

Dinner at the neighborhood pizza place with friends is a 

great way to wind down the weekend. 

#100HappyDaysDay26 

I watched this video and this guy's new glasses allowed

him to see colors for the first time. It reminds me of the 

simple things I take for granted.

#100HappyDays Day27

It's always nice to hear that people respect you, especially 

when you disagree on something that is important to them. 

#100HappyDays Day28

Staying in bed just a little longer makes for a much 

needed lazy start to the day. 

#100HappyDays Day29

Dog is my co-pilot. #OneDayDogTaxi
#100HappyDays Day30