Friday, February 19, 2010

Another Great Giveaway!

Running tip: Don't always rely on energy gels/gus during your runs for fuel. They contain a lot of sugar, can be hard on your stomach, and are not the healthiest. But, you still need 50 or so carbs per hour. So, mix it up by eating dried fruit, peanut butter and jelly squares, salted nuts, pretzels, or Fig Newtons.


Just like you, I get sick of iPod earbuds. They move around, fall out, or are just plain uncomfortable. I finally resorted to these, made by Sony, and have been fairly happy (although one pair stopped working after only six months).


However...a company called Yurtopia*, makers of Yurbuds, contacted me to try their custom fitted earbuds. I was a bit skeptical 'cause I've been pretty satisfied with my stylish wrap arounds, but I thought I'd give them a try. They ask you to take a picture of a regular ear bud in your ear so they can get an idea about fit. So, I spruced up my ear by cleaning it, shining it, plucking it and waxing it. I actually used to be an ear model. Please try not to focus on the elephant-like wrinkles by my ear, I AM almost 43 for God's sake:


I emailed the pic to Yurbuds and a day or two later got this:



I have now worn these for the past two weeks. They are the BEST. Once placed in your ear, they do not move. The sound quality is great. No wind gets in. They don't make your ears hurt like some buds do. I'm a convert, I'll never go back. Just like that time I had black.

Wanna try some? Yurbuds has given me 10 pairs to give away to 10 readers. You will get the yurphones, the yurbuds and the handy case. A $30 value! Once you are selected as a winner, you will be asked to submit a picture of your wrinkled and shiny ear and then the goods will come straight from Yurbuds to your door.

What are you waiting for? Here's the scoop (don't act like you don't know how this goes).

  1. Leave a comment on my blog (zzzzzzzzzzz........) about anything you please or maybe about why you might want some Yurbuds (1 entry)
  2. Link back to this giveaway from your blog (+ 1 entry)
  3. Become a follower if you're not already (+1 entry)
  4. Become a fan on FB if you're not already by clicking here (+ 1 entry)
  5. For a bonus entry: do something nice for someone today and leave a comment about it (+ 1 entry)

(Please leave a comment for each of the above so when I do the random generator to pick winners it will give you an entry for each comment).

As Steve Q so sweetly pointed out about my last giveaway: "Corporate sponsors, contests to up your follower and hit counter numbers, cheap laughs with poop and sex jokes... tsk tsk tsk. I expected so much less of you. " He cracks me up. Yep that's what I'm all about.

There will be 10 winners, so your chances are decent! This giveaway ends on February 26.

Good luck, friends and happy earbudding!


Drinking: Kirkland brand coffee made by Starbucks

*Yurtopia sent me the product for free to review on my blog. I did not pay for the item and am not paying for any of the stuff offered in the giveaway, including postage. Got that FTC?

373 comments:

  1. Those look awesome! I used to have a pair of earbuds and they always fell out and were super uncomfortable. I found a pair of scull candy ones (like yours) that actually work pretty well. But, the yurbuds just look like they would work!

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  2. I am a follower of your blog! :)

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  3. Does letting the neighbor's kid come inside and wait for the bus (which was 10 minutes late) instead waiting in the cold count?

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  4. Also, I wear the ones that wrap over my ear... so I am skeptical. I hope I win so I can review them for myself (not that I do not trust you!).

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  5. I have issues with finding a proper ear bud fit. Those look like they would do the trick. Please sign me up for the giveaway. I would love to show my wrinkly 40 year old ears as well!

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  6. I'd like some new earbuds! I've been using ones from the dollar store and they're pretty bad, but for a dollar, what do you expect?

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  7. You even have HOT ears!
    I actually won a piar of Frayed Laces and I was skeptical. Earbuds do not work in my tiny ears. But I sent them a pic of my tiny ear holes and they sent me a pair of yurbuds and unfortunately these don't fit either. I think I am just a freak of nature!
    Glad they are working for you!!!

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  8. Who are you calling wrinkled and shiny?? I'd love to try these as I have not yet achieved earbud nirvana.

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  9. I would love to win those Yurbuds!!! And you have ten to give away? That's awesome!

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  10. I posted about this giveaway on my blog's sidebar.

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  11. oh i am always trying out new headphones to find something that will stay in my ear...so I would love to see if these work

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  12. And I already did something nice for somebody today by bringing my old newspapers/mags to preschool so they could use them. Nice and ecofriendly too. Oh and I held the door for a lady going in as well.

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  13. link love http://runtothefinish.blogspot.com/2010/02/opinions-wanted-friday-calorie-balance.html

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  14. So I bought a pair of Yurbuds last month or so, after years of NOTHING staying in my ears and . . . they actually WORK! I was ASTOUNDED! So sign me up for another pair, and I'm a follower too.

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  15. OK, I am not going to give you several different comments, but here are my entries:
    1. I heard about the earbuds and would love to try them.
    2. I am a follower on google reader.
    3. I don't use facebook...
    4. Today I did not yell at my son when I found him coloring the walls. Does that count?

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  16. +1 I want some yurbuds because I too have those wrap-around Sony ones and my ears are too tiny for them. They fall off!

    +1 I'm a follower on your blog

    +1 Something nice... today I am buying my husband new running gear, including shoes (he runs in BASKETBALL shoes, ugh) because he has shown an interest in getting involved with running. Then I'm going to run with him later tonight.

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  17. Here are my entries too.
    1. I trust your review - you are candid and I like it. But I am Asian and we are built smaller. So I would like to try them for myself.

    2. I am already a follower (You didn't need to have giveaways. You had me at humor and poop.)

    3. Technology retard - still figuring out to link it.

    4. I made enchiladas after my run for my boyfriend, his sister and his salesdude for lunch. Does that count?

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  18. This is a great giveaway! Here are my entries:
    1. My headphones break every 3 months. This may be because I buy cheapo headphones at Duane Reade. I'm desperate for a good pair of
    2. I linked back on my blog.
    3. I am a follower on google reader.
    4. I made the bf breakfast AND washed the dishes.

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  19. Awesome giveaway! Even if I don't win I am going to look into purchasing them. My current earbuds really hurt my ears and I've been on the lookout for a new pair.

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  20. I NEED these, my ears always hurt after I work out.

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  21. I need these headphones! My ears are weird. I keep buying new sets all the time and my right arm is going knumb from continuously trying to keep the damn things in my ear. I would link this to my blog but I don't know how and no one reads it anyway! BTW, thanks for the tip on energy gels- I am just experimenting with them for the first time!

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  22. I made oreo truffles for my hubbys coworkers for MY birthday!

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  23. I would love to try these especially since I really don't use my headphones anymore because they won't stay in. I use the same sony ones for my runs now.

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  24. Done-ity done done . .. am a FB fan.

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  25. I became a fan on FB, I didn't know you had a FB page or I would have already been a fan....because I love hearing about poop and farts.

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  26. And I linked to you on my blog!

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  27. I NEED THESE because I have yet to find any headphones are ear buds that are a perfect fit.

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  28. I will be doing something nice later... my girlfriend recently had surgery and her hubby has a commitment tonight so I'm spending the evening over there to help her with her three kiddos. I don't "do" baby-sitting, so this is a big deal. ;)

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  29. Fantastic giveaway! My bloody iPod earbuds either hurt or fall out. Either way, I lose. :) Consider me entered.

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  30. And now we have a post dedication: http://trailmomma.blogspot.com/2010/02/trailmomma-needs-some-new-buds.html

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  31. Next up . . . I need these because I AM RUNNING 50 MILES SOON AND MY EAR BUDS SUCK. I need some relief for those 50 miles since I am sure I'll have every other ache and pain, if my ears don't hurt that'll be even better!

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  32. I would absolutely LOVE to win these earbuds - I have the tiniest ears (my BF constantly teases me about them), so it is nearly impossible for me to find earbuds that actually fit!

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  33. Okay, I'm commenting (and thanks for the shout out), so I guess I'm in... but should I shave my ear before the picture? I not only have the old-man hairy ear, but some weird genetic hairy ear rim thing going on. And the nice thing I did today - gave you warning about the sasquatch ear pic possibility.

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  34. Oh and I do need some new ear phones! :)

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  35. I never listen to music while I run because every kind I've tried hurts my ears. I'd love to be able to give these a try.

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  36. oh my goodness these sound awesome- I was just thinking it's about time I got new earbuds because the rubber is literally falling off of mine and is kinda blackish-green. I probably shouldn't have admitted that last part....

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  37. Oh, I want these. My earphones are old and don't keep out the noise at the gym so I have to blast my ipod.

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  38. Off to link this giveaway on my blog.

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  39. I never entered these online contests until I found your blog. But I LIVE to run, so I'd love to win one of your contests!

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  40. Desperately need to win Yurbuds b/c my right ipod earbuds have been chewed on (ew) by my 15 month old, AND, they hurt my ears. :)

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  41. These earbuds sound like a gift from the Gods. I own about 4 different pair and they all fall out of my tiny ears!

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  42. Man, I really want to try these. I HATE my earbuds -- they HURT! Waaaaah!

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  43. I rarely listen to music while running, but I listen at other times when this would be handy.

    I will follow the blog, and add you to my blogroll also.

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  44. All linky linked up at Mom vs. Marathon.

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  45. yurbuds sound awesome. i'd love some.

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  46. I'd really like to know how they figure out my ear just from a picture! Kind of creepy - and awesome!

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  47. I sent a silly note to my sister just to make her laugh today. Real mail - funny, random mail - is the best.

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  48. I am in need of new earphones. These look like a nice option. I'm a follower and became a FB fan.

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  49. I sprained my finger scrolling through the comments...

    Hook a brother up with some buds!

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  50. Here's my comment! Those look fancy.

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  51. Also, I am now a follower on facebook.

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  52. Your ears look just fine for a 40-something girl! Nice job on the shining-up.

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  53. now you better pick me because i love giveaways and those look pretty fly!

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  54. Jamoosh...me too!

    Beth--yes, ipod earbuds are famously lame. Have you seen how badly Apple screwed up the formerly-fabulous shuffle? Now the controls are on the earphone wire. I curse Apple every time I use my new shuffle.

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  55. I would love to win these as I'm so frustrated with my current buds!

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  56. I am going to surpise my grandma today by taking her out for lunch!

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  57. OK, I am shocked that they can make them custom from just a picture. Super cool!

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  58. I love free stuff! And all I'm saying is that when it's hot in the summer, I sweat so much my ear buds fall out. That is 1) kind of gross, but also 2) kind of awesome.

    That being said, I would LOVE to try these!

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  59. I got my granddaughter a happy meal. Does that count has a nice thing?

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  60. Also, I just became a facebook FAN!

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  61. Want it! And I'm a fan on FB. And I'll become a follower now!

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  62. Ok, just post on my blog about your giveaway! HHHHMMM now I gotta figure what I can do nice today!

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  63. Oh, I know. I'm starting a charity quilt for Relay for Life (American Cancer Society). I make a quilt every year to raffle to raise money. Today I start that quilt. Does that count for doing something nice?

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  64. Hi, Beth. I'm a fan (and a friend) on facebook, a follower, and I offered to pick up lunch today, before I knew that the restaurant delivers..
    And you inspire me! :)
    Lisa Root

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  65. i have the SMALLEST ear canals known to man (and cannot find any earbuds that seem to work) so these would be awesome!

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  66. This is a great little startup company located here in the St. Louis metro area. I love that you are helping support their product.

    I am not an employee or stockholder ;)

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  67. I want some! Or maybe I just want an excuse to photograph my ear and see if it's really as small as my husband says. I'm not tellin. ;)

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  68. I wish I was as popular as you and got more free stuff to review and got more people to enter the petty little giveaways I host on my blog.

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  69. These look really cool - I currently use skull candy ear buds but they don't stay in my ears very well. Forget the ones that came with my iPod - they kept falling out. Nifty idea!

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  70. I'm a follower.

    And your ear is right purdy!

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  71. i need 'em because my headphones broke yesterday!

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  72. My wife this very morning was at that unmetionable big box retailer on the North end of town shopping for new earphones.

    This follower and fan on Facebook who hates earbuds and loves his wrap-arounds would be willing to be an Yurbuds test subject.

    4 times around Mcintosh........yuck!

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  73. the link from my blog is going up when the post does later this afternoon (prescheduled)

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  74. I am super excited about this giveaway because the other earbuds that I have (that came with my iPod and I didn't like anyway) only work in one ear due to a recent run in a torrential downpour.

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  75. and today i let an older woman cut in front of me at the grocery store even though she had about a billion more items than i did.

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  76. And I did something nice today: I made dinner for my neighbor who is pregnant.

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  77. I'd love to have them - ear buds that actually stay put!! Wow.

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  78. I put your giveaway on my blog.

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  79. I helped a couple of little old ladies at the grocery store...not only were they a foot shorter than me, but they were trying to reach things on the top shelves.

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  80. I want these for my boyfriend who can't keep earbuds in his ears.

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  81. I love free stuff. So, I hope I win. Yurbuds would be nice to have! :)

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  82. I currently use the Sony ones which make my ears hurt after a few miles and are constantly popping out. The little nubby in those look like they would help them stay put

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  83. I called my bro, who busted his knee during basic training for the marines, and tried to help him feel loved.

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  84. Regular ear buds don't work for me...would love to try these!

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  85. I loved your running tip! I'm a new runner and I was thinking I had to eat the Gus to give me energy!

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  86. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  87. A friend of mine just had lapband surgery and I called her right before to pray for her.

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  88. My ear buds are on the way out. I have to keep from bumping the cord in a certain way or they get staticy and weird. I am in the market for new ones and winning would be better than buying!!

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  89. I blew about a million bubbles this morning for my crazy boys :0) I know its my duty as a mother to take care of my spawn but this amount of bubbles was over the top!

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  90. I held the door for an elder on the way into a building today. : )

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  91. Ipod buds never, ever fit in my ear :( Would love to listen to good tunes while doing tough workouts!

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  92. I gave directions to someone at the BART train station.

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  93. I let an older lady use my mat during an exercise class I was teaching and worked out on the bareass floor.

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  94. I am a follower and a fan and really cool. And I've lost a toenail before.

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  95. I love your blog! I am a new runner and you make it seem so fun! I go to your blog to get my daily laugh! Keep it up!

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  96. Wow, I56 (now 157) comments (entries) and it is the first day. I would love, love, love these for my husband who is constantly complaining about his ear buds falling out. Of course, then he will actually talk with me when we are running.... so maybe I should keep them (if I win) for my self!

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  97. I hate earbuds so that would be awesome if these really worked!

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  98. I'm following you. (That sounded creepy)

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  99. I'd love those headphones because mine always fall out of my ears!

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  100. I had pb&j for lunch

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  101. i've been a follower

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  102. I'm always nice...I'm a counselor for goodness sake.
    ah ha ha ha ha

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  103. If my iPod earbuds fall out when I'm running it's over. I sweat so much there's no way those suckers will stay back in.

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  104. i put your contest thing on my blog thing so i could win some ear things.

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  105. So here is my comment. :) (+1)
    I linked to you from my blog. (+1)
    I am already a follower. (+1)
    I am already a fan on FB. (+1)
    Does doing something good for an animal count toward my bonus entry? If so, I'm golden! I called about fostering a pit bull puppy with hopes of adopting him! :) I am supposed to pick him up tomorrow!

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  106. I just posted about your give away! Good luck to ME!!

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  107. I haven't been able to find buds that fit my dainty ear openings ( Is there a scientific word for that besides canal?). I use a 10 year old hairband type headset missing the foam covering on one ear. I'm surprised the sweat hasn't shorted them out.

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  108. I actually use those sony headphones now & the only complaint I have is that when it's windy, they flap around in the wind or fall out so I'd love to try some new earbuds :-)

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  109. I won't wear the apple ones anymore, they hurt too much. I have the head candy earphones that one side quit working after about 10 wears so I have been looking for some new ones anyways, might as well drop my name in the hat for these!
    I ate my salad with tunafish in the cafeteria in an effort to avoid displeasing my cube mate here at work so that was the best I can do as far as niceties go :)

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  110. I have the same over-the -ear phones but mine are blue. They are ANNOYING but buds won't stay in. I hate that I wear glasses and I have to put the over the ear part under my glasses earpiece, it's REALLY annoying!

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  111. I've been looking for a pair of earphones that actually stay in my ears! Although I am perfecting the one ear phone dangling along my shoulder look as I pound the pavement :)

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  112. And I'm a follower on my Google Reader.

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  113. Those sound great! I hope I win!

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  114. They look really nice! I hope I get to try them out.

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  115. I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE some of the yurbuds! My ipod earphones are shot! Not to mention, they don't stay in my ears very well! Thanks for the opportunity!

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  116. I linked to your blog. http://mrlyster.blogspot.com/2010/02/training-struggles.html

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  117. I am now a follower of your blog.

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  118. I am also a fan on facebook now. +1

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  119. Nice thing: I offered to give my husband a foot massage. :)

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  120. I have tried various buds and I don't like any of them. They are always uncomfortable or they fall out. I would love to try these just based on your high praise. I hope I win!

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  121. I'll include a link in my blog back to this giveaway. I'll add another comment once I've done that.

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  122. Going through 3 different running headphones in less than a year is excessive in my opinion. I have an okay pair right now by Nike but one of the buds doesn't always play music. I would love a pair that fits my tiny ears as well. I have a difficult time finding buds that fit in my ears.

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  123. I am a follower of your blog. Great laughs and good tips!
    Lori
    Misawa AB, Japan

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  124. My random comment of the day...runner's knee bites! I am suffering with a flare up and am envious of your running related entries lately.
    Lori
    Misawa AB, Japan

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  125. Swore off FB for a New Year's resolution or I would be a fan. Sorry! I got my life back though and rediscovered the lost are of reading books!
    Lori
    Misawa AB, Japan

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  126. Don't have a blog o' my own or you would be the first I'd linked up with. Sorry again.
    Lori
    Misawa AB, Japan

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  127. RAK (Random Act of Kindness) for today...made a bubble bath for two (hubby and me).
    Lori
    Misawa AB, Japan

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  128. I follow your blog on my google reader and think you are awesome- not just for having giveaways but because you always make me laugh! So thanks...(now off to become a fan on facebook!) :)

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  129. I posted the giveawa on my blog-
    here is the link
    http://afragogrunner.wordpress.com/2010/02/19/yurtopia-yurbuds-giveaway/

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  130. I am already a blog follower

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  131. Already a fan of your facebook page.

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  132. One nice thing that I did for someone today- I work at a hospital as a social work intern. I helped a guy get a "grabber" because, he is wheelchair-bound due to a leg amputation. : (

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  133. I've been trying to get my hands on a pair of these for a while now! Great contest!

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  134. I can never listen to music while I run because I have yet to find anything that doesn't hurt my ears. I would love to give these a try. Thanks for the opportunity to win... you totally rock!

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