Saturday, March 15, 2014

Limited Edition ASICS Shoe Giveaway

When I arrived at my hotel in LA last weekend, I had a special treat waiting…

IMAG2749

NICE! Usually I wear a full size larger in my running shoe than in my regular “street-walking” shoes. However, I find the Asics shoes run large for me. Therefore, the shoes given to me were too big and so I am passing the shoe onto you! (and Asics was nice enough to send me a smaller pair…)

I am giving away a  pair of these LAM GEL-Lyte33s, but you have to be a women’s size 9.

These are a gorgeous, light weight (5.5 ounce) shoe with a 10mm heel to toe drop. You will love these neutral shoes. They even have palm trees on them. They are the special edition shoes for the LA marathon, and will only be available for a limited time.

LAM GEL-Lyte33™ 3

LAM GEL-Lyte33™ 3

So…if you desire this pair of shoes, simply answer this question in the comments (it’s something I’d like to know about you – even if it doesn’t exactly relate to running). I’ll pick a winner on Wednesday:

At what moment did your life change for the better? What made that happen?

I have so many of these – when I first decided to marry Ken, when we moved to Colorado, when we had kids. But with regard to running (which has absolutely changed my life for the better), this happened when I got a postcard in the mail from Team in Training about running a marathon. I had never been a runner and made a decision at that moment to become one (September 2008). That changed my life immensely for the better.

SUAR

211 comments:

  1. My life changed for the better in Jan of 2013 when 2 friends signed me up for a triathlon. I had never participated in anything like this before. I knew I could swim, but biking and running were completely foreign to me. I had 6 months to prepare for the event and did all I could to put it off. Then in June 2013 I decided I better figure this out. So, I began to run. I continue to run to this day because it has given me a new perspective and has changed my life for the better.

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  2. My life changed for the better when I started running, just for cardio work, on my off days from BootCamp. 5K led to 10K and on to 1/2 marathons. I have made friends I never would have and love doing life with them. I have gained so much self confidence and am a happier, healthier person. I can't imagine NOT running and am so thankful that God has blessed me with a healthy body.

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  3. My life changed for the better when I lost my job and chose to do AmeriCorps for the year. It was a hard year, a broke year, but a year where I got to do amazing work and figure out who I was in a way that I never had before.

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  4. WoW! Too many pivotal moments, but since this is running-related, I'll go with that. When I started running, I did the boring treadmill for the entire first year (2005). I ran 3 days each week, and always went 3 miles. Eventually, I ventured outside (thank goodness!), but still always ran that 3-mile distance. The husband (on a whim) registered us for a 5-mile race...and gave me only a couple weeks notice. I totally panicked....5 miles was almost double the distance of that familiar 3-mile comfort zone distance. Race day arrives, and I'm freaking out, worried I would look like a fool attempting 5 miles when I've only done 5K races. We ran the entire race together (he knew better than to leave me in his dust), and he even pretended to trip so I could cross the finish line first. I ran the 5 miles at pretty much my "usual" pace, and all went well. Turns out, 5 miles was not really any harder than 3 miles...just a bit farther. Comfort zone violated, and I learned it's best to stay the heck out of there. Since then, I've become a half marathon junkie, and last fall I ran my first 26.2! (and, yes, I wear a size 9 shoe! This look sweet!!!!) ;-)

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  5. My life changed for the better when I married my husband. He's super awesome and our life together couldn't be better! In regards to running, when a friend told me she was doing a local half marathon trail race up and down a mountain I decided I could do it, too. That was when I really started running.

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  6. My life changed for the better once I realized that I have to make me happy. I am married with kids, work full time as a teacher, and try to do the best I can....but at some point my life became just busy busy busy and I realized I was losing myself. I have worked really hard at getting back to myself and being happy with what I accomplish and feel like I've done it well. Part of this realization came with me finding time for "me"....this is my running time. My time to run is my time to make myself feel more alive than ever and HAPPY!!!!

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  7. not here for the awesome shoes, I am a 11.5 in running shoes..so if you know someone who wants to give a pair that big away...let me know! I love the design!

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  8. The moment I decided that yeah, I do want to go out to that bar and not stay home and be depressed about the state of my life.... and I met my husband. And together we have had a lot of life-changing moments,including running our first races and doing triathlons, caring more about our health and what we put into our bodies and having a baby.

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  9. My life changed for the better after I nearly died from a pulmonary embolisim. It lit a fire under me to do things I had always wanted to do but had always made excuses for why I could not do them. I am now a runner, an athlete, and a college graduate at 46. Go me!

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  10. One of the biggest changes was when I moved out of state and ultimately away from my family and comfort zone. I changed my whole approach towards eating and caring for my self. It has resulted in me being healthier and on the road to a long live, rather than an early grave ( where I was headed).

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  11. I ran my first marathon on my 30th birthday. After that day, I felt so confident in everything. Once I ran 26.2 CONSECUTIVE miles I realized there was nothing I couldn't do. I can survive eye-rolling teenagers, horrible stress, all while keeping my strong obesity genes at bay.

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  12. My life changed for the better crossing the finish line of my 2nd full marathon last year. My first one was 5/5/13. I trained to kill it and that did not happen. I spent many hours and many weeks training my butt off (literally) to kill that full and it was one of the hottest May days in recorded history, I forgot my fuel so winged it on course and I tried to lay down in the middle of the road at mile 22 for a "quick nap" when luckily a friendly runner helped me and made sure I was fed/hydrated and I whimpered across the finish line at 4:53. At first I was never going to run again, but by the next morning I was looking for another one to prove to myself I was better than my previous performance. My second marathon was 5/19/13. I went into it knowing I could finish (because I had finished 2 weeks prior) but with no expectations besides that. I talked to people on the course, I sang out loud and I eventually clung onto another runner (also proving something to herself). We had lots of easy conversation and then when the course got tough (hilly) we fed off each other to get through it. I finished at 4:20 with a new perspective at myself and with a renewed love for running. I proved that through hard work and dedication I could do anything I set my mind on. I also reminded myself that a bad run is just that, a bad run, and is not the end of the world. I went on to PR the next month (June 2013) with a 4:08.

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  13. My life changed when I stopped being afraid of what other people thought of me and started taking risks. I also stopped letting other people use me and bring me down with their negativity. I think this began in 2010 but it's hard to pin down. I became a runner/racer in 2011 and it has further changed me beyond what I ever dreamed. I used to be so scared to go to the starting line! 49 races completed including 2 fulls. I also have to say that going Paleo and gluten free has been life changing and helped me get even healthier. People keep telling me that I look like I'm getting younger! I will be 50 this year. :)

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  14. My life changed for the better when I met my husband. I had been with the same man for 6 years and in the end, he and I wanted different things. Two weeks later, I met my husband :)

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  15. My life changed for the better on 12/20/2011, the day I became a mom. From that moment on, everything took on a new perspective and purpose. I put more effort into everything I do, from work to running to my personal relationships, all because it is so important for me that my child understands that in life, what you put in is what you get out!

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  16. My life changed for the better when my boyfriend cheated on me(with my best friend)because his best friend who I had actually never met came to "console" me. We ended up falling in love and have been married 10 years and together for 14.

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  17. My life has changed for the better so many times but the most pivotal was when I decided to have weight loss surgery. I can now set a much better example of healthy eating habits and an active lifestyle for my kids. All four of them ran the last 100 yards or so with me when I finished my first marathon last month and it was truly one of the proudest moments of my life.

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  18. definitely having kids. my boys (age 9 and 12) are the best ever!! :) I ran LA Marathon - barely survived the heat- and would love the shoes.

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  19. My life changed for the better the day my daughter was born, 7/30/11. I run because I want to be healthy for her, give her a good example on how to set goals and stick to them. Would love a pair of shoes!

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  20. This will sound strange but my life changed for the better when I experienced my husband deploying for the first time. You never know how strong you are until your life gets flipped upside down on you & you live 18 hours drive time from all your family & friends. I created many life long friends that were going thru the same thing I was experiencing. Running wise, when the cross country coach from high school came to me asking to try it out because he saw me running during track season. I fell in love with distance running & never looked back!

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  21. At what moment did your life change for the better? What made that happen? I would have to say my life changed for the better on Jan 1, 2012....that is the day that I quit smoking, gave up soda pop, and started walking. I weighed in at 265lbs, I was about to turn 44 that year. I knew I needed to change my life style. It used to take me about an hour to walk 1mile. Sad but true. On Sept 15, 2012 I began my everydamnday walking at first and eventually getting to the point that I was running/walking. I hit 365 days and kept going, I made it to 500days of every day walking/running. I choose to take a break mostly due to the extreme winter we have had. But I'm happy to say that as of today I'm 100 lbs down, still smoke free, diet soda has came back into my life but only occasionally. I've started my everydamnday again and I'm currently on day 15. I bike, hike, run, & speed walk. I will be 46 the end of this year and I'm in the best shape of my life. :D WOW little windy sorry but you wanted to know heehe

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  22. My life changed for the better when I finally graduated nursing school. I had been scrapping by on what little money I could make while going to classes and I had gotten very depressed by things. After I got a job and got my first paycheck I was so happy I cried. I had made more in 2 weeks than I had in several months combined. I didn't know where to spend my first little bit of money so I just took my self out for a nice meal. After than I started paying bills and got my furnace fixed!

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  23. My life changed for the better when I left my home to go to college out of state. I had so many new experiences living on my own

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  24. I want to say when my daughter was born but that isn't true. She was born incredibly early and we had an extremely rocky road. It was only after I learned how to manage my anxiety and PTSD related to her traumatic birth that I could truly enjoy her and that is when my life changed for the better:-)

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  25. Although I didn't know it at the time, my life improved a great deal one night when I walked into a bar and sat with a table of pilots!!! One of those guys became my husband 9 months later!!!

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  26. 3/27/11. The day I quit smoking and started c25k. I ran my first half a year later. Running has changed my outlook and my attitude. Everyone around me knows when I haven't run.

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  27. My life changed for the better when my sister was adopted on 12/13/97--my birthday and one of the best days of my life! She is the 5th of the 6 kids in our family-brilliant, hilarious, and unbelievably goodhearted. Can't imagine my family or my life without her! She'd love these shoes, too :)

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  28. 1/26/11 when I was told I had stage IIIc colon cancer at age 42. I had a colon resection, colostomy bag, and 6 months of chemo. During my recovery, I walked. A lot. Then I began running and eating healthy. Running became my time to reflect and thank God for my life. I completed my first marathon :) Los Angeles last week!

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  29. My life changed for the better when I finally stopped waiting for someone to "apologize" for all the lies. And as soon as I started to move ahead and past all the shit, I seemed to feel lighter. Of course starting to run in a more dedicated fashion at that point too helped. 50 pound gone and running regularly makes me a happier, smarter and a lot lighter. And more sane too.

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  30. My life changed for the better when I crossed the finish line at a marathon and my now ex husband said, "you aren't going to try that again are you?" I was 2 minutes shy of a Boston qualifier. I knew in my heart he was not the man for me. Fast forward 10 years I am married to a man who supports all of my dreams and I support his. Sometimes you have to go thru dark days to get to the sunshine..

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  31. Life changed for the better when we had our son diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome after years of putting in our heads in the sand and convincing ourselves that nothing was wrong. Since then, we have been able to find a therapist whom we adore and life has improved so much!

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  32. My life changed for the better when one of my friends convinced me to join a marathon training program. That led to my first marathon, my first triathlon, and soon to be my first Ironman in Boulder in August.

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  33. I am in the process of a life change! I received an email a little less than a month ago from Labrada telling me that it was the last day to sign up for the Labrada 12 week lean body challenge. What was this challenge and why were they emailing me? I took this as a sign and the kick in the a** that I needed. I am 5'2 and weigh over 200lbs it was time for me to get off my butt and get moving. So for the last 3weeks I have been eating better and exercising 6days out of the week! I have so much more energy and just feel better overall. I can already feel my body getting stronger and leaner. I am really excited for my life change! By the way I found your blog while googling "running on period" lol.

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  34. It is so hard to pick just one! Maybe my first one was when I joined my high school swim team and learned to really push myself with the help of an amazing coach. She laid (lay? lie?) the ground word for my determination to do the best I can and to work hard. It has certainly helped me in the last 4 years become a "runner" as well as a triathlete. I'm even training for my second marathon!

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  35. My life changed for the better when I started dating my now husband, and experienced the way he could make me see myself differently, challenge my thinking, and spur lots of laughing and joking.

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  36. In 2007, I decided enough was enough....and I started to take care of myself. I am not quite where I want to be but I am far from where I was.

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  37. My life changed for the better when I met the man who eventually became my husband...he taught me that caring for myself and living life fully were worth doing.

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  38. Definitely when I started running in my early thirties. I was never good at it when I was growing up and I never thought that running was for me. And even then, it took a while until I called myself a runner. It happened during a cold winter day while I was training for a 30K race. I was doing a long, slow run, I was tired, in pain, but really happy. That was the moment I decided I was a runner. The rest is history.

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  39. I know that this sounds strange, but it was the day my young son was diagnosed with cancer. It was an awakening like no other. Suddenly everything that I had taken for granted came into very clear focus. While my world seemingly came to a crashing halt, I was actually being rebuilt, refocused, by this otherwise horrifying event. My son would later go into remission, only to relapse three years later. He is now, God willing, a survivor- at 14! We spent six years, side by side, battling. He is the light and joy in our life- and his cancer diagnosis really opened our eyes to life, the importance of the people we, too often, take for granted, and to the special quiet moments that might otherwise be missed. Our struggles truly made us stronger. What an honor it is to be Coles Momma! To have had something so terrible influence our life, health, and appreciation for every single second in such a positive way- when it could easily go the opposite- is a true blessing!

    Sarah
    www.thinfluenced.com

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  40. In September 2013 when I decided to take care of myself for myself, my life changed for the better. I began running and have completed four 5k and one 8k race thus far this year.

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  41. My life changed for the better so many times throughout. When I got my softball scholarship in HS, when I met Simon, when I married him, when we had our kids. When we moved from LA to Colorado.

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  42. My life has been on a pretty good trajectory. There are hard things, but overall it's great. Marrying my husband and having our child stand out as two of the best changes. I'm currently working to make a big change in my life - it's proven more difficult than I'd hoped - but I know that it will be a productive change.

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  43. The first time my life changed for the better was when I met my husband. Snowballing goodness from there :)

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  44. When I completed the couch to 5k program. Sounds corny but then I knew I could do anything if I stuck to a plan and had my eye on the finish line.

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  45. Absolutely without a doubt my life changed for the better when I married my husband!!! I first met him in 5th grade, knew I wanted to go to Prom with him in 7th grade (even though I wasn't really certain what Prom even was), started dating him in 11th grade, became engaged when I was a freshman in college, and married him the summer after my sophomore year way back in 1990. Happily married and three beautiful daughters later, he is still my one and only!
    Throughout the years, I've been fortunate to run in many races (albeit rather slowly at times) from 5ks to mountain marathons and he has always been supportive and encouraging in my pursuit of my next running adventure. After a couple of years off from running due to burn-out and injuries (blah!), I'm getting back into running again and hope to complete a half or full in the fall. My husband, kiddos and running...it's all good. : )

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  46. many great firsts here, too... but running related ones--the first time I ran for running's sake (not for another sport) the summer between my 1st/2nd years of college... the first time I discovered real trails 3.5y later... the first time I visited Alaska 4.5 years later... which led to moving there... and big mtns... and ultras... and some of my closest lifelong friends... and and and... :) --Kristin Z, CO

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  47. My life changed for the better when I finished my first marathon, the st George marathon in 2004. You appreciate the things you work hard for!

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  48. When I finally stopped concentrating on work so much and started concentrating on my home life. I let work consume me and it cost me relationships. I decided that it was time to start living life and stop having my world revolve around work. There is no day that comes to mind, but it started about 5 years ago. I have been more relaxed and happier ever since!

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  49. First was when I became a mommy. The second and this will sound weird was when I got separated from my husband. We're much better off this way and everyone is happier.

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  50. My life changed for the better on August 27th 2010, I was at MN State Fair people watching, and realized I don't want to be this heavy any longer. I weighted in at 188.. over the next 6 months I lost 50 pounds, started running and working out every morning with my husband. Running has brought my husband and I closer then ever and I owe my new healthy life because I made that decision to just.."run my buns off", back in 2011... My blogging really has kept me on track to keep working out and keep the weight off.

    I'd love another pair of size 9 running shoes since I only own 3 pairs and they are all well over 1000 miles... of running wear..

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  51. My life changed for the better the moment my son entered into my life. Now, I focus on the truly important matters and have better perspective of what to put first in my life. Running helps me achieve this by giving me an outlet to find myself again and decompress from any stress.

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  52. My life changed for the better when I discovered blogging, especially running blogging. I felt like it validated me. I was no longer alone in my crazy running obsession, there was a whole world out there full of wonderful and crazy women just like me. I have discovered so many great things and it gave me the courage to hop on a van and run off with 11 other people to run Hood to Coast two years ago. Previously I never would have dreamed of doing something so out of my comfort zone. It gave me the idea to do my first marathon and an instant support group for all my injuries. Running bloggers have helped my validate that running helps me be a better mother, I always felt so guilty before

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  53. My life changed for the better when I got married.

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  54. My life changed for the better when I passed all of my actuarial exams and could remove a portion of the stress those were causing in my life. During exams I was having a lot of stomach issues but the doctors could not find anything wrong with me. Upon completion the stomach issues subsided and I was able to go back to eating certain foods that had caused so many issues. Even though I received no answers after many, many tests, I was able to overcome many of the issues just by reducing stress. Throughout this entire process, running was my outlet, my relaxation, my goto activity. It gave me something else to do and think about. Now if only I could get past a few running injuries and get back into the shape I was in when I ran my first, only, and last marathon.

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  55. My life changed for the better when I decided at age 46 to go back to college and get my Masters in Elementary Education. My first degree was in music ed, but teaching middle school orchestra didn't turn out to be my "heart." Now I teach first grade, and love it! It's crazy busy and very stressful at times, but there's nothing I'd rather do.

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  56. Aaaah I was just asking about these shoes and where they were from because I saw them on the blogs! I am in love with them. My life honestly changed when I started running. Everything about it changed. My self love, my determination, my friends, my want to become a better person. I am so thankful to have found running.

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  57. My life changed for the better so many times! In college, it changed when my roommate called me out for being a "follower" instead of my own person. Turns out, I'm OK as myself. ;) Naturally, there are other life events - marriage, children. As far as running goes, I can remember the day I decided that I could do it - at a party one of my friends was hosting (she's also an Ironman AND coach). All of her running buddies were there...and they didn't look any different than me! (OK, maybe the ultrarunnner was easy to pick out, but still). Life-changing. (And I'm so excited - for once being a size 9 shoe is a good thing!).

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  58. I already entered but WOW I love reading these :)

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  59. My life changed for the better on a Tuesday in 2011 when my first baby was born. The next one came less than a year later (eek), and after that time I knew I had to be a better and stronger person for my girls. Now I am dedicated to taking care of myself, as well as my family. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway - as a so cal resident these would ROCK on my runs.
    Erin
    fairyfractal at gmail dot com

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  60. Pam
    I have been a swing dancer for 26 years.

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  61. My life changed for the better when I put in for job transfer closer to home. I was driving 2 hours a day, and it was awful. I felt like I spent no time with my kids, and I had no time to workout. Now, I live 5 minutes from work. I have time to help with homework and time to RUN. I've lost weight, gotten faster, and my kids are happier.
    Also, I wasn't expecting them to be my size! I squealed and work my DD up. Ooops!

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  62. My life changed when my husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer on August 14, 2013. He is 48, which is young for a prostate cancer patient. Because he is young, the cancer is aggressive and he had to have radical prostate surgery. Upon removal of the prostate, they realized that the cancer spread to the lymph nodes. Once they had removed all cancer, his PSA tests showed that it had already spread beyond the lymph nodes. He began hormone therapy in January 2014. He immediately decided to start training for the NYC marathon under the Athletes for a Cure foundation that raises money for prostate cancer. He has raised close to $7,000 in just one month. He is working tirelessly for this as well as training for a marathon, working full time, and raising a family with me. I am doing the Chicago Rock & Roll half with him as part of his training (for Athletes for a Cure). How did my life change? I have loved this man for 22 years and I was not sure that I could love him any more. I was wrong, because with this change, I do. My life also changed because I realized that people are so generous and that with friends and family, anything is possible. Running has always been a big part of my life and a small part of his, but he knows that he has to exercise and eat right in order to not let this cancer get the better of him. He knows it can't be cured, but he is also hopeful that with the money he raises, the hope for a cure for him and other men exists in the future. I will be honest, I wear a 10.5 men's running shoe (Asics Nimbus), so I would auction these shoes off and contribute money to my husband's cause. Link to his fundraising site: http://give.athletesforacure.org/fundraise?fcid=299413. Link to a video about my husband: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ltXj5wLA0UI

    Thank you and sorry this is so long.

    Sincerely,
    Margaret McMahon

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  63. I have had many moments where my life changed for the better but since this is about running that day in May 2012 when I downloaded the C25K app my whole world changed. I went from the couch literally to a marathon finisher in under 20 months. And now have my sights set on becoming an Ironman. Love your blog!! And my feet are size 9. :)

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  64. Wow! What pretty shoes! Thank you for offering them to someone else!

    My life changed for the better when I stopped being afraid. I grew up being afraid to talk to people, afraid to try new things, afraid to be alone... I went through high school and college with terrible anxiety. It was really debilitating. But then little by little, I started to realize I wasn't really living. I started taking chances, and to make a long story short, I am now a teacher who loves life, loves running, and is not afraid to be herself anymore. Of course those bad "habits" of being afraid still creep up on me... especially on the first day of school or on race day, but I have learned, with the help of others, that life is about taking chances, knowing it is okay to mess up and try again, and to see the humor in everyday life.

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  65. First of all, that is a great race shirt and these shoes are fantastic!

    The moment my life changed for the better (one of the moments anyway) was when I was training for my first marathon and completed my 20 miler...it was the most mentally crushing run for me, but it made me realize I could do it! Now training for my second marathon, I have the confidence I need to know I have what it takes.

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  66. My life changed for the better went I put my fear to the side and signed up for my first half marathon. I had only run 3 miles at this point but I knew I had the time to train and that if I didn't sign up, I wouldn't try. It worked (or rather I worked) and I successfully completed my first half this past February. But rather than crossing a goal off the list and moving on, it has changed me. Accomplishing something that once seemed impossible has opened a new door of possibility to me. I'm going to register for my first full as soon as the race I want to do opens up registration.

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  67. My life changed for the better a couple pivotal times: When I stopped constantly worrying about being victimized by cancer, like my mother succumbed to (when my lifestyle was significantly healthier and more active than hers ever was), and when, after a year of consistent running, I now feel like I can do almost anything. It's very empowering and emotionally bolstering, and makes me wonder why everyone (who can) doesn't go for that feeling/ability.

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  68. My life changed for the better when I adopted my adorable Husky/German Shepherd pup, Chloe. Not only do I have a furry little companion who loves me unconditionally and doesn't care when I blame my farts on her, I have a running buddy!

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  69. My life changed for the better when I retired and learn to live a simpler, healthier life. I don't wear a size 9 shoe, but if I were to win them I'll donate them to someone who really needs them and can't afford new shoes. And maybe that will change her life for the better..

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  70. Like you, I've had a ton of those pivotal moments. I'd say my move to California from toronto was my biggest life change. I left a lot of unhealthy habits and unhealthy people behind and recreated myself into the person I wanted to be, leaving the person I thought I was (which wasn't so great) behind. That was life changing for me.

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  71. Not sure what inspired me to join a gym in 2009, but I did and haven't looked back. I joined the gym, hired a personal trainer and my life was changed forever. I lost 100+ pounds and now I am getting ready to do my Sprint 3rd triathlon, my friends and I do different 5K runs and obstacle runs just for fun (nice to have activities with my friends that don't revolve around eating and drinking) I changed my eating habits for the better the day I joined the gym. Life was great before, but it is even better now!

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  72. My life certainly changed for the better when I put God in control of it.

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  73. As cheesy as it sounds (and of course, meeting my partner and having my children are top 5s...) but the first time I ran 5 miles on a training run with Team in Training. I felt as if I floated home on such a high - conquering 5 miles felt like the biggest, most amazing feat I'd ever accomplished! 6 marathons and countless halfs ("halves" seems wrong...) later, I love that memory - my first ever "runner's high!"

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  74. My life changed for the better when I stopped living my life to please others and started living my life to serve others.

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  75. I don't like getting personal, so I will stick with a running story - my life changed for the better when I changed how I felt about the treadmill. I hated it and let it collect dust for so long, but we moved a tv in front of it, hooked up a Roku, and all winter, I ran! This is the first time since I started running that I kept going through the winter, and both physically and mentally, its had such a positive impact on me! I'm now skeptical whether or not I will even want to go outside when the weather gets nice (who am I kidding, of course I will!) but I enjoy running on my treadmill so much! I have logged so many more miles, and done so many long runs, I really feel its been a positive change.

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  76. On August 17th, 2008, I was arrested for my first (and last time). I was 26 at the time and was heading down a dangerous path of addiction. I hadn't done much running but with my recent incarceration, I found myself without a car for about 3 years. This began my love affair with biking (necessity is the mother of invention, right?). After my 3 years were up, I continued biking for pleasure and the thought of entering in a sprint triathlon started tickling my brain.

    My husband-to-be had many encouraging words for me and in 2011 I signed up for my first sprint. I was REALLY out of running shape and had never swam so that first year was like being born again. I raced 3 times that year and at the end of the last, I KNEW I had to make the 70.3 my next goal. Last year, I raced in 3 tris, placed in the top ten for my age group in each, including the Harvest Moon Half Ironman and this year finds me loading up my schedule to include the Boulder 70.3 and Silverman.

    After my arrest, I had some VERY dark days. I felt worthless and lost. Endurance sports for me has been a turning point in which I KNOW I am worth the effort.

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  77. My life changed dramatically when I started running... for the good and the bad. I have learned how to relieve my stress through running, I have learned how to value my body for all of the strength it has even on days that I feel less than strong, and I have learned how important it is to treat our bodies with respect. With that being said, a specific moment in my running that changed me was the moment I crossed the finish line of my first organized race- a ten miler in my hometown. My first goal was to finish, my second goal was to run the entire time, and my third goal was to do both of those without pooping my pants [my dad told me before the race he would disown me if I crapped my pants on the run and well, I kind of like my dad]. I was able to do all three of those and as I crossed the finish line I also realized I kind of didn't suck at running. In that moment I felt like I owned the definition of a "runner". Since then I have ran a variety of races from 5ks to the 26.2 beast but more importantly, I've logged countless training miles that I am so grateful for. Within those training miles I've learned lessons, tips, tricks, and how to keep myself from ever pooping my pants and losing my father ;)

    p.s. I'm sad for you that you aren't a size nine but for ONCE my big feet pay off.

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  78. My life changed for the better November 2013 when I found out I passed the last section of the CPA exam.

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  79. Absolutely having children made my life immensely better.

    shannoncarman at yahoo dot com

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  80. My life changed for the better when my husband got inspired to start running and adopt a mostly plant-based diet. After running by myself for several years, it's been so much fun to spend time running with my husband, and to experiment with new recipes and healthy foods together. We ran an unofficial half on Thanksgiving, after my husband had only been running for a month. We are training for a real half in May, and I can't wait to run it with him!

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  81. I have beat cancer, a brain tumor and many other serious illnessness which make me value each and everyday as if it was my last. I have taken a stance this year in seriously managing my health to be around for my children and grandchildren in years to come. I have never owned a pair of Asics nor any other name brand athletic shoe. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway!

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  82. My life changed for the better when my 50 year old Step Instructor said she had just finished a marathon. She inspired me to do one, and I am so thankful to have found a hobby that makes me healthier, physically and mentally :)

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  83. Prior to 1987, I was making a lot of poor choices and decisions and was not doing a great job in running my life. I made a decision and allowed God to take control. That was the biggest life changer. Since then I have gotten married and had four children, all big life changers. In January 2012, I decided to participate in a 10K clinic. Since then I have completed 2-10k runs and 4 half marathons and hoping to complete a full in the next year. Through my running group I have met so many great people.
    I have enjoyed reading all these life changing stories...so inspiring!

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  84. My life changed for the better when I quit my phd program and started teaching high school. Working with kids can either make you insane or make you immensely better. Luckily for me, it did the latter. I am not sure what made it happen. I think I decided to do something that I would feel good about instead of something that made me look good.

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  85. When I looked at my infant daughter and decided to get healthy to be a good role model for her!

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  86. My life changed for the better when I uprooted myself and my husband from our hometown in order to accept my first professional position after grad school. I was worried about moving away from our families, but it has made both our careers, our lives, and our relationship better. We're both happier professionally, and get to spend more time together. The only downside to this was that I had so much more time, I decided to start running a lot more...and fractured my foot (too much enthusiasm, obviously). I'm hopefully going to get my boot off tomorrow, and I know that I'm going to come back as a mentally stronger runner because I want to focus more on being an athlete than how many miles and what paces I'm running. I've learned a lot about myself since this move, and especially in my last 6 weeks in a boot, and I'm excited about all the great things to come after this boot comes off!

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  87. My life changed for the better four years ago when I decided to get healthy, stop smoking, and start running! It is amazing what you can do if you set your mind to something. I have run multiple half marathons and smaller races since then, but this year, I will meet my "before I turn 50" goal, and run my first marathon! Oh, and I love those shoes and they are my size :)

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  88. Mine was a spiritual awakening that changed my life for the better. It happened about 8 years ago and a number of seemingly random, unrelated events and people in my life came together in the most perfect way. No way was it just chance or coincidence.

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  89. My life changed for the better when I ran my first 5k three years ago. I only signed up for the event because it was a run to benefit a local Autism society. My son is autistic, so I couldn't imagine not fundraising and trying to help others. I'm not an amazing runner, but that one event led me to other races including a half marathon. I'm now training for my first triathalon.

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  90. In terms of running, it was when I convinced a dear friend, who was mourning the recent loss of her mother, to join a half-marathon training team. Those 3 months were a turning point in my life. I found myself able to do something I never dreamed I'd even be interested in doing and I discovered that I LOVED it! My coaches and running teammates became my new best friends. After that season, my new running family and I moved on to marathon distance and then returned to the training team as coaches. I can't begin to express the passion that I have for the sport, the community and the journey. Getting to return to where it all began (as a coach) gives me the chance to pass along that life-changing decision and hopefully the passion that I feel for running.
    I've learned more than I could imagine about myself; what drives me, how tough I am as a person, and how to make my own happiness. I'm met friends that feel more like my family than my own family and I've even reunited with a guy from my past who joined our running family and has become a special part of my life (blushing and grinning here!). It was hands-down the best decision that I ever made.

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  91. I was going on one of my 2 mile walks which was the most exercise I ever did and lamenting the fact that I needed to lose 30 pounds when I saw two of my friends running toward me in the distance. I hadn't seen them in several months but knew from posts on Facebook that they were training for a half marathon. They got closer and stopped to say hello and I couldn't believe how great they looked. I decided my walks weren't getting me to where I wanted to be so I was going to start running too. Now they are two of my closest friends and we have had some amazing girls weekends running half marathons in California, Vegas, San Antonio, and more.

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  92. My life changed for the better with the birth of my first son. And even better when our second son was born and our little family became complete. I am constantly in awe of those guys and the amazing kids they are becoming.

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  93. I remember halfway through my senior year in college I decided it was time to get healthy and prepare for life after school. I started focusing on my post-college plans, working out, and eating better. I also started saving money from my part time job to prepare to the time when I would be looking for a job after I graduated. I really made some good habits at that point in my life, and 9 years later I have continued to workout and eat well consistently!

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  94. My marriage to my 2nd husband definitely changed my life for the better! We've had our ups and downs (what marriage hasn't?) but I'm a far better person for having him in my life.

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  95. My life changed for the better just a few months ago. Last year I had my second child and after going back to work full time I was so tired and overwhelmed with always having to worry about/take care of others. I made the decision that I had to make an effort to always take time for myself. At that time I could run 2 miles but I contacted a local running club and started meeting up for runs-I am know training for my first half and am feeling so much more productive in all aspects of my life because I take time each week for myself, and doing something physical.

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  96. For me, life changed for the better when I moved to college! I am currently a third year at UCSB and absolutely love it. Moving away from home has helped me gain independence and a sense of who I am and what I want to do (or not do!) with my life. I have met the best of friends here in Santa Barbara and created lifelong friendships with so many special people. Moving away has also strengthened my relationship with my family; I never realized how amazing my parents and two siblings are until I wasn't seeing them everyday. I now cherish every minute I spend with them and am so grateful for having close ties with them!!

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  97. My life changed for the better when I starting exercising and eating healthy. I am all around happier than I used to be!

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  98. My life changed for the better on January 5, 2013. On that day I decided to get healthy. I changed my diet, gave up pop and sweets, started exercising regularly, and began taking care of myself. Since then, I've lost just under 100lbs. I've become an avid runner, running 30-40 miles per week. I will be completing my first half marathon in San Francisco on April 6th! I couldn't be happier since I made the decision to get healthy!!!

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  99. My life has changed for the better too many times to count, because I’m an optimist. I expect I will always be changing for the better, because every time life throws a curveball I learn something about myself and emerge stronger on the other side. Related to fitness however, my life changed for the better 10000000 percent three years ago when a gym opened up in my small town. My husband bought me a membership for Christmas (I asked him to), so I was the third person to sign up prior to the opening. However, when I went to get officially registered I freaked out and almost turned around and walked back out the door. I felt old (46), frumpy, dumpy, inadequate and scared. Who was I, to think that I could actually learn how to use that equipment – much less enjoy it. But I felt obligated, because the husband had signed up for a year’s worth of membership payments. So on that cold Friday evening, I didn’t turn around like I wanted to, but instead followed through. I spent some money working with a trainer who helped me figure things out, and voila! I’m not the most buff person in the gym but I’m the most consistent! Three years running, I have logged the most visits every year, and I try very hard to never phone it in.I feel like a million bucks. I’ve cleaned up my eating habits, and my new goal is to be able to run 5 miles by the time I’m 50 (it’s looming). Exercise and fitness has changed every single aspect of my life, and I’m so, so grateful that I didn’t give in and walk away that day three years ago.

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  100. It changed for me when I left an abusive marriage last year. I had already started running, but it really was therapy for me to hit the gym (sometimes for 3 hours a day, before and after work) to run my anger and fear away. Running really saved my life, metaphorically, physically, spiritually. Now I have a brand new lease on life, and I am finally happy!

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  101. When I was 9 years old I finally escaped my abusive and dangerous parents :)

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  102. Once I decided that I wanted to run, life started to change for the better. I was obese and it saddened me tremendously that I couldn't do something as simple as run. I started out just by walking and then eventually worked my way up to a very short run and then a slightly longer run and then things just progressed from there. That was a little over 2 years ago. I'm no longer obese and I just ran my first half marathon last month. I run at a park and feel so much closer to nature and closer to God. The improvement in my overall mental state has been tremendous and I'm also much more confident in myself. If someone had told me years ago that running would have changed my life I would have literally choked on my Cheetos. Now I just look forward to what the next run will bring :)

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  103. My life changed for the better when I got over my idea that "I don't belong here". I finally realized the finish line is for everybody, even me. Now my adult daughter is ready to make some good changes and these shoes would light her up like crazy! Thank you for being so generous with you time, wit, experiences and wisdom.

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  104. When I decided to run a marathon because it was on my birthday in the city I was born in. I wasn't a runner, but I had 18 weeks to train and most marathon training plans looked to be about 18 weeks, so ...

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  105. It was in April 2012...I decided earlier in 2012 that it was going to be my year...I tried different things but nothing clicked...then in April while at a PT appointment I decided then and there that I was going to take my body back and WORK. IT. OUT! I haven't stopped since!

    Another turning point was getting a TNT postcard inviting me to join their team! I just started a few months ago and LOVE it!

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  106. My life changed for the better when my first child was born. Amazing to know I can actually love someone this much! It is the best thing ever! I'm wanting to start running, but I'm not really sure that I can. I feel so out of shape and so un-athletic! How did I ever get to this place????

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  107. My life changed for the better the day I decided to stay home to raise my babies. At the time it was a hard decision to make, I had worked hard to get myself into a really good job that I loved, and much of my identity was wrapped up in success and earnings outside of my home. It allowed me to focus on my family, see my babies grow, work as a team with my husband, take the time to build a healthy lifestyle, and see more of the big picture. I am so grateful for the time at home.

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  108. Mines pretty simple. My life changed for the better when I stopped trying to make people (mainly family/parents) love me by being perfect and doing everything they wanted and not living MY life. After the millionth slap in the proverbial face when id bent over backwards to help my sister out, I snapped. Not on her, but myself. I started doing what I wanted and living my life. It's ruffled some feathers and I get the "you're so selfish" a lot now, but I'm running the races I want, training how I want (even though, GASP, I'm never going to be an Olympian so why try) and living. Last year was my best year ever, and this ones going to rock even more.

    I'm a good person, I work hard, am a nice person, have 3 charities, and I run marathons

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  109. My life changed for the better when I started working at a (don't laugh) weight loss camp in the Poconos in the summer of 2010. I lost weight, gained confidence, and took the reigns back on my life. I have never looked back since!

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  110. My life changed when I found out that at age 27, my cholesterol was 270. My husband looked at me and said "quit crying about it, get of your ass and do something about it." So I did. I started small, just counting calories. Then I realized that in order to lower my cholesterol, I needed to change my whole way of thinking about eating. I started eating clean and have never looked back. I feel so much better and I feel good knowing that my husband and son are eating healthy as well.

    I also started exercising in addition to clean eating and lost 45 lbs. My cholesterol is still high because of genetics, but I've raised the good, lowered the bad and my triglycerides are within a normal range. I started running last year and have completed two half marathons and I'm training for a full this fall. Running is my free therapy and does wonders for me, helping me through my dark places I find myself sometimes.

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  111. So many inspirational stories!

    I like to think that my life changes for the better everyday. I cannot think of a single "a-ha" moment. My life doesn't happen like that. But, I'm so glad so many people do experience these moments of "Satori!"

    Take running: over the course of 10 years, I've built up from 5-K races to 100-K races. And I was just as sore after my last 50 miler than I was after my first 5 miler.

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  112. After my husband and I were married for 1 year, we decided (it is a family decision) after much discussion, he'd join the Army post 9/11, and it changed us forever. It was always his dream to serve his country from the moment I met him. We were given the chance to travel the world, and our marriage was put to the test with multiple deployments. I'm proud to say we've survived, and our 11 year anniversary is this week! (3/18/03, the actual day we invaded Iraq, ironic? We literally watched it on CNN our first night as a married couple...how romantic!) I honestly don't know where we'd be if he didn't join, but I can guarantee we would not be where we are today. We were living in a dead town, and jobs were few and far between.

    I started running shortly after he enlisted, to rid the stress of being a single mom with our 3 year old son. Running was my time to sort through the madness of him being away so much. Running became my best friend, and I still love it today!

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  113. My life changed for the better the day I blurted out in the doctors office that I was going to quit smoking. I was a smoker for 17 years and really never thought about quitting until the doctor asked me if I was still smoking , I was so embarrassed I blurted out, "I am qutting tomorrow!" I am a woman of my word so that is what I did. I needed a replacement for the nasty habit and was terrified of gaining tons of weight so thought I would try and run. I made it 1 block the first day and by second my second week I was up to 1 mile! Six monthes later I ran my first half marathon. Six years later I have over 50 half marathons and 6 marathons. Running has become my new addiction!

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  114. My life changed for the better on 4/21/13 when I ran for 30 seconds on the treadmill. I was out of breath and know my butt was jiggling all over the place, but I felt pride I had never felt before. I've lost 125 pounds and will run my first half on Saturday.

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  115. My husband had been saying for awhile that he wanted to start running. Last February after another speech about how he wanted to run, I said okay we'll start tomorrow. Tomorrow came we laced up and went for a run. We could barely breath or move after half hour and not even 1 mile. We've been running since. He has gotten up to 5 miles a day and I've gotten to 2. And our marriage has gotten closer. Today I just signed up for my first 5k.

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  116. It was late August 2008. My husband and 2 young daughters were driving 200 miles from our home, to my home town for Labor Day Weekend. Our girls were 2 and 1. That summer, I lost my 94 year old grandmother, a pregnancy in week 17, I had a huge financial 'thing' occur at work leaving us with a lot less money and my husband had something similar occur at work. I'm a dentist and he's a PhD and we were working 40-60 hr days, while our kids were in full time day care. We were burned out with work as well as unfulfilled, and we had just suffered a lot of emotional heartache. We wanted 3 kids, but we also wanted to be with the 3 kids. My dad had also passed away 2 years earlier at the age of 53. We lived in a town with no family, but it was a big city. Soooooo...on this drive, my husband turned to me and said, why don't we just buy your grandmother's house? I thought he had lost his mind! Why would we want to move to a very poor city in a home that wasn't updated since the 60s and away from our high profile, high paying jobs? By the end of the weekend, we had purchased this home! By the end of Sept, I had found out I was pregnant again, and by the end of October, I found a dental practice to buy. It took some time, but almost 1 year to the date later, on August 28, 2009, I bought my current dental practice. My son was 3 months old, and we had spend the past year renovating the old house over the weekends. Fast forward almost 5 years....my husband is a stay at home dad, I work when I want to, and my kids are in 2nd grade, 1st grade and pre-K. My husband gets, 'I can't believe you threw away a tenured, professor position at a 'high profile' university' from many of his old colleagues, but, we are very happy, less stressed, and my kids have the benefits of family living close by. We started running when our youngest was 2 and life has been so much better all around!!

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  117. Wow, so many places in my life when I made a decision that changed the course of my life, but I think it was when I decided that my kids came first and work had to come second.
    Running didn't change my life it only helped me deal with it.

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  118. My life changed for the better on the day I met my husband. I knew I had met my best friend and soul mate. Now our lives are really changing for the better...expecting Baby #1!

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  119. When I found my husband and we started dating in high school, when I fell in love with horses and started riding as a little girl, when I left one job for a much happier one this fall....

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  120. When I got my teaching license. I could support myself comfortably and found something that I still love. That was 16 years ago, and I'm still grateful. Teaching is hard, but it's a good job. I love having the summer's off too.

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  121. When my husband and I started dating. Before him, I often felt adrift in life. Purposeless, isolated, and generally unhappy. But my husband sparked something and reawakened me. We got married 5 months after our first official date, so I must have had the same effect on him! With him, I made it through the loss of my father and through my husband's deployment. He encourages me when I don't believe in myself, he builds me up, and he is my biggest cheerleader whether it's running or changing careers. I feel lucky that I have been able to do the same for him, too. He truly seems like the piece of me that was missing.
    The second time my life changed for the better was after doing my first TOugh Mudder. We had just finished our first half marathon 6 weeks prior, and after finishing the Tough Mudder, i just felt unstoppable. It led me to take a huge risk and l became a group fitness instructor, something I would have been way too shy to ever dream about before. Now I'm studying to be a personal trainer, and can't wait to see where we end up over the next 20 years of my husband's career in the Air Force. Life is one amazing adventure with him by my side.

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  122. Hmmm, I have plenty of times when my life changed for the better. I would have to say when I decided to do my first triathlon back in 2000. Before that I did no form of exercise other than walking 2 miles once a day. I didn't tell my husband at first. I just started adding in running to my daily walk. It was my version of the couch to 5K program way before I knew it existed. About 2 months into it.... I had gotten up to running a solid 10 min. at a time, my husband finally questioned about me coming home sweatier than he expected for just a walk. I 'fessed up my desire and he has had my back ever since. He is my biggest cheerleader and I just finished my first half-ironman this spring. Getting into running, biking and swimming has completely changed who I am, and for the better. (Love those Asics.... I just happen to wear a size 9 running shoe in Asics!)

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  123. As it relates to running I'd have to say that my "best" decision was when I listened to my best friend in high school. She suggested I go out for the cross-country team. I did. They expected me to run 2 miles! ugh. I quit and went out for golf. (That was not the "best" part). Fast forward one year...again she requested that I attend. Again 2 miles. I couldn't do it but kept coming back. My first few races I couldn't even run the full 4k so I'd walk, sprint; walk; sprint. It wasn't pretty but it changed my life for the better. 25ish years later I'm still running - marathons and one tri - but still often stop to walk. Unfortunately my hubby hates to run but fully supports my crazy running schedule. Thanks for your blog. I love how matter of fact it is. It's always refreshing to read the entries and the title and force myself to head out the door! Enough talking, a bit of action please. And I wear a size 9 running Asics. Thanks for all of your time!

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  124. My life changed for the better when I made the conscious decision to start taking care of myself. When I was a child my mother had breast cancer and she ended up passing from it at the age of 44. I realized that I need to start taking care of myself now so that I can have a long and prosperous future for myself, my husband, and my future children. I began running last summer, nothing official like races, just getting used to running since I had never been into it. Now I am running more than ever (still building up my endurance and my mileage!). I plan on running my first 5K in April and this summer I hope to run several of them and maybe a 10K! It would be so beneficial to have these shoes because I only work a part time job right now and I can't afford to buy the expensive running shoes!

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  125. I have had lots of moments, but mine was actually one of the lowest points in my life. I had just come back from my honeymoon and was again binging on fast food, hiding it in my car. When I finally made the decision to take control of my life and to stop eating myself into an early death. That was 4 years ago and since then I've lost 250lbs, reclaimed my life, and have found a joy in running that I never thought possible.

    I love Asics- and wear a size 9 in them- would love these!

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  126. I think the moment my life turned to the better was when I met my coworker and she became one of my best friends. She is truly inspirational and has a positive outlook on life. She has made me more optimistic that I should never settle for anything. I can always do better and keep trying. Heck, I wouldn't have pulled off an 8 minute PR on my half marathon yesterday and ran a 5k today if it weren't for her. I would never have thought of doing back to back races.

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  127. February 2013 when I decided I wanted to be a runner and started the Couch to 5k program. And later, the day I signed up for the cross country team.

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  128. My life really started to change for the better after I got out of the hospital for an eating disorder, and began to treat my body and my mind better

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  129. Definitely when I got a scholarship that allowed me to go to a great college, away from my small hometown. Almost everyone I know went to community college in the same town where we grew up - because of that scholarship, I got to have some of the most amazing experiences, and now I'm almost done with my PhD!

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  130. I am a size 9! I can think of many events that had a positive impact on my life... quitting smoking, getting my MS, running my first marathon, marrying my husband...

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  131. When I got my first puppy, Thor. I started walking him in the neighborhood everyday and when he was about 4 months we started running. I never really FULLY enjoyed running until I had my buddy by my side every time :) Thor just turned 2 on March 12 and we've been keeping up our daily morning run for over a year and a half! He's my best furry friend and would love to sport these kicks on our AM jaunt! amylynnbee22(at)gmail

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  132. I think that this time that I am in now is that is making my life better. Ending a 6 year relationship and quitting my job to devote my time to a healthier industry. New relationship, job, reasessing my running goals, saving for a house.

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  133. My life changed for the better the day I opened the CNN homepage and saw a story about a man who had lost 175 pounds in a year with just diet and exercise. I joined the gym a week later and started running just a minute or so at a time. 115 pounds later, I've run two half-marathons and that man who inspired me is my husband. I'm normally a size 8.5 but always take a 9 in running shoes. I love your blog - it inspires me to be a stronger, tougher runner, but also to laugh at myself sometimes, because who doesn't love a good fart joke?

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  134. There have been so many moments for me as well, but I'd have to agree with you. My life changed when I got a brochure for Train to End Stroke to train for my first marathon. As "they" say, I dare anyone to run a marathon and not have it change their life. A close second would be the moment I learned it was perfectly ok to say "no" to people and not feel guilty about it. Being raised Lutheran, this was a tough one for me! :)

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  135. In terms of running, I decided to run my first marathon out of jealousy, since hubby ran his first while I was pregnant and could't train with him. Then my 5-year old cousin got diagnosed with a rare brain cancer, and I decided to run for a cause, and raise money for her and her family for medical bills. I was humbled by the support of friends and family, and finished my 26.2 in her honor. Sadly, she passed away last summer, but I am training for another full this May, and want to run my second marathon in her memory.

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  136. When Sunday long runs replaced going to church...wonderful.


    Tam

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  137. My life changed for the better when I became comfortable with myself to stop obsessing about my hair or my clothes. Throughout middle school and high school and into college, I could spend hours trying to make my hair look "perfect" or orchestrate the "perfect" outfit. It took a ton of energy, and despite the time investment I was never fully satisfied with the results. In college, I fell in love with a guy who didn't care what he wore or looked like, and while he showered me with compliments about my appearance, his ease with his appearance made me feel like I never needed to obsess about my own. He helped me to become more comfortable with myself and to make peace with my hair and clothes. Since that time, I've realize that other people don't pay that much attention, so I can quite striving for perfection and just try to look nice enough 99.9% of the time (I'll saving the extra concern for super special occasions!).

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  138. My life changed for the better when I headed out for my very first run, even though I was morbidly obese and knew that the people in my small town would see me huffing and puffing. I made it about 30 seconds before I had to slow to a walk, but I few months ago I did my first half marathon (and ran the whole thing). And I'm now "overweight" instead of "obese". =)

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  139. My life changed for the better when I decided to let go of the reins and take a chance. I quit my job, sold my house, and moved halfway across the world.

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  140. While I have had many "life changing events for the better " (meeting/marrying my hubs; bringing my two pugs home to live with us; meeting my BFF whose more like a sister) the bestest life changer happened just recently (1-14-14) when I realized that I DO deserve me time in the form of the gym (I used to get really anxious when working out around other people but I'm making myself get over it), that I do deserve to live a healthier life for ME because it makes me feel amazing (not because society dictates what I should look like) and I realized that I want to run not because it's a competition but because of the comraderie (sp) of the running community....I don't have to be fast I just have to go! why the change? A death of a love one will (or should) ALWAYS remind you how precious life is and what wonderful opportunities are in front of you.

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  141. My life changed for the better in August 2013, when I finally decided to try and recover from anorexia. It happened when I started running, and slowly began to appreciate my body for what it could do and for the miles it could travel, rather than criticising it for its imperfections.

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  142. When I realized that the past does not define the future, and I started running toward a new and improved me.

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  143. My most recent "life changed for the better" moment was in June 2013 when I decided to become a no meat athlete. I have found that (personally) my migraines have all but gone completely away, my skin feels less oily, I am no longer tired during the day, and I am eating better than before. I have never been a picky eater, but discovered such a wide variety of food that are ah-mazing. I feel great!!!

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  144. My life changed for the better when I started trying to get pregnant - I made conscience efforts to eat healthy and workout in order to be my best self in order to have a healthy pregnancy. Ive continued in order to keep my family healthy too!

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  145. My life changed for the better with a Team in Training postcard, too. I did my first triathlon and met my husband! Who knew a little piece of paper could change the trajectory of your life?!

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  146. My life changed for the better when my son was born! He is the best blessing!

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  147. Marrying my best friend, becoming a fitness instructor, getting the job I was reaching for were all great life changers but my life truly changed when I learned to keep my love on. My marriage, family and friendships have all grown. Having a core group of people available to my inner most life to love, connect and investing in was life changing. Then learning to consistently love without judgement and invest in people that were in my next outer ring. Lastly my life changed for the best when I learned that some people just can't have access to your inner core if all they do is take/bring you down/dump emotional baggage on you without willingness to change. I learned to still show love but they need to be placed on the outer "love ring" of my life and won't get too much investment on my part. Keeping my love on. That's what's changed my life!!!

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  148. my life changed for the better when my wife and i both had an epiphany one night at the dinner table with our three daughters ... separately we each had the feeling that someone was missing. not a boy. not a girl. just that our family was not yet complete. and when our fourth daughter arrived, we knew that we were whole.

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  149. My life changed for the better when I decided to use the loss of my sister in the OKC Bombing as a life long lesson in perspective and priorities. It taught me to value what is important and take responsibility for things I can control such as my fitness and the number of smiles on the faces of my children every day. Running keeps life in perspective for my family, what a gift!

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  150. There are many examples of when my life changed for the better but I will say when my first child was born was an incredible time of change for me. Also, training for my first half marathon while my husband was deployed to Iraq was a time of change for me for the better.

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  151. Asics and in my size. Too good to be true. Let's see, my life changed for the better when I moved to Colorado as a pre-teen. So many amazing things have happened since then. I met lifelong friends, my husband, had two beautiful babies and took up running. I agree on the Team in Training moment too! I went to my first meeting, just a few months after starting to run and was so inspired I signed up for a marathon. I hadn't even run five miles before.

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  152. My life changed for the better when my husband and I ran into old friends at a restaurant one night. They told us how they were living with "more intention". We left, thinking to ourselves, "that's odd...who doesn't live with intention?" but the more we talked about it, the more we realized that we were not living with intention...we were just "waiting" for things to happen for us...the perfect job, a promotion, finding a house we wanted, having children, etc. Ever since then, we have been more conscious of deliberately going after what we want. It's amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it, as cliche as it sounds!

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  153. My life changed for the better with the birth of all three of my children (of course!), they make me a better person every single day. Also, running related, my life changed for the better when I ran that first mile while my kids were playing basketball. then I ran another. I had taken so much time off from myself to be mom, that I forgot what it was like to do things FOR ME! Those two miles showed me that I CAN still do things and I can do them for me and just me and that it's ok.

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  154. Feb 29,2012 when I started C25K and learned that I could become a 'runner' :-)

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  155. Wow! I can't believe how many people have size 9 feet. :) There have been a lot of pivotal moments - when I met my husband and knew he was "the one", having each of my two children, moving to Crested Butte. What a fun question!

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    Replies
    1. I am not surprised....my favorites are ALWAYS sold out LOL

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  156. When I started reading your blog Beth!!! :)

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  157. I would say exercise gave me confidence and running just strengthened that for me!

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  158. My life changed for the better when I realized that everything is NOT about me. When I started caring about others and realized that I'm happy when others are happy, I became a changed person! And, the running that started a couple of years ago helped shape me into a better person, too! :)

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  159. I have a 2 major ones.

    1. when I moved to NC alone and succeeded. (I have returned to NY but that experience will always be important to me.)

    2. When I met my husband. He showed me how I was supposed be be loved.

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  160. The short version is that running saved my life from years of fighting an eating disorder, I finally found something that gave me a reason to fuel. I doubt I'll ever be past the demons that ED's hold, but for me, my love for running overpowers them.

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  161. My life changed for the better when I decided to follow my passion and become a music teacher.

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  162. Actually just this past weekend when I ran my 3rd 5K and didn't step and ran my personal best time. And I'm a size 9 :)

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  163. My life changed when I finally went gluten-free and got on the right track to better health! I'm working up to running 5K without stopping... it's going to happen!!!

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  164. my life changed for the better when I met my husband - he's the best
    or when my feet grew to size 9 in high school so I could enter this giveaway!!!

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  165. My life changed for the better when I realized that I wanted to help people who had disabilities for my career. Initially I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. After my mom fell and broke her back leaving her as a paraplegic I knew I wanted to be a physical therapist. Seeing the therapists work with people with spinal cord injury was humbling and inspiring. My mom went from totally dependent to 100 percent independent after months of physical therapy.

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  166. I know it's cliche, but when I had a kid. Totally, 100 percent. As a side note - wow at how many other size 9s are out there that read your blog!

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  167. my life changed for the better when I came out. I was 24 and exhausted from trying to be something I wasn't. A good friend came out to me and it struck me that her world didn't fall apart, her family didn't disown her, and that she was happy. When i told my friends and family, it felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off of me. I am now 45, and being gay is probably number 20 on the list of things i'd say about myself. Being a runner and a half-marathoner was just added in 2013!
    ReneeW

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  168. Putting aside my great husband and kids, I vividly remember the day my life opened up and just got better. My husband and I were in Bath, England on a business trip and while he was at meetings, I did some exploring. I found myself on a bus headed to an area that I had never been to before with no cell phone and (to my surprise) no money! But instead of being scared, I was absolutely exhilarated at being out of my comfort zone. I've taken many more risks since then, including running 1/2 marathons. But that bus ride started it all.

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  169. Physically, I changed for the better when I reached 36. That was when I started working out and eating right. I felt better than I had in years. Emotionally/spiritually, I started changing last year and it's been a wonderful time of personal growth. I'm the happiest I've ever been even though my circumstances might not suggest it. When you're at peace, then you can still find joy during the most trying times.

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  170. My life changed for the better when I started taking more risks in life. It was gradual, but sometimes you gotta say screw it and take a chance.

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  171. My life changed for the better when I became a vegetarian and this happened because I love animals and wanted to eat a diet of mostly fruits, veggies and grains.
    kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom

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  172. My life changed for the better when I realized my important-sounding job was making me miserable and taking its toll on my health. I put myself through grad school and changed careers and am so much happier now.

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  173. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  174. My life changed for the better when I decided to forgive myself for past, present, and future times that I've given up, not been good enough, or made mistakes and accepted that although I'm not perfect every morning that I wake up and try to make myself better, even if I fail, is a day to be proud of. And, that all of my weaknesses make my strengths that much better.

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  175. The moment my mom made the decision to be put on the transplant list. I knew at that moment to make each day count and to serve her.

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  176. I have 7 children and my life changed the instant that I truly began to understand what it is like for children that have been abused and traumatized. While I've been parenting kids from hard places for awhile it wasn't until I understood, in part, why they do what they do, how they feel and what helps them onto the road of healing.

    By the way, Asics are *my* shoe for sports and I cannot believe those are a 9...that is totally my size!

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  177. The best changed in life are the ones you make to do something good in the world, and it ends up changing US more. 4 years ago, after the earthquake in Haiti I felt compelled to go help (I'm a RN) I went to Haiti (my first trip of that type) for 2 weeks and was totally changed forever. Because of that trip, which sent me completely out of my comfort zone, I became a disaster response nurse. Since then, I've gone to Haiti 3 times, Thailand, Uganda, Bolivia, and most recently I spent a month in the Philippines after the typhoon to provide disaster medical relief. Best thing I ever did.
    Kelly Sites
    sitesx6@aol.com

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  178. Oh I have so many of these but I would have to say that one of the biggies was the day my first son was born. All of a sudden, nothing was about me anymore. Instead it was all about making a better place for this special bundle in my arms.

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  179. My life changed for the better when i started taking in senior and medical needs small dogs on the euth list at the high kill Los Angeles shelters. It was been so rewarding to care for these sweet innocent souls. To know that i can give them medical care, peace and safety for the rest of their lives has taught me a lot about myself and them. I've also met some very brave caring women who do and see things i can never get my head around.

    Also changed for the better when i started running!

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  180. Oh man, I love Asics, and I just happen to be a size 9!

    I think my life has pretty much always been great, but it just keeps getting better and better. Definitely meeting my husband in 2007 was one of the best ways it improved!

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  181. My life changed for the better when I decided to take control of it at the age of 39. I was obese and very unhappy still reeling from a failed marriage and health problems. I researched gastric bypass surgery after I found out my health insurance would cover it and 1 year later I had it done. I'm almost 3 yrs post op, I've lost 118 lbs, I've run many 5ks, 2 half marathons (3rd coming up in May) and I'm he healthiest I've ever been.

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  182. My life changed for the better when I decided to just be me... the real me. I figured out it was ok to love and take care of myself. I lost over 100 pounds at the age of 46 and have kept it off for 3 years. It has been a rough last few months with some tragic events happening in my life, but I will not quit.I am not a quitter and I like that about me.

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  183. My life changed for the better oddly enough when I was diagnosed with Narcolepsy. After diagnose it made it possible to be treated, and that helped change the effects narcolepsy had on my ability to live a productive high school and beyond life. Narcolepsy ultimately has become something that made me extremely sure of what to do in regards to my career. I am on my way to become a nurse specifically to help people who also suffer from Narcolepsy, because that is something I have succeed and thrived in life regardless of the negative effects it has on everyday life.

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  184. My life changed after meeting my husband. He has always grounded me and balances me.

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  185. My life changed when I finally decided to lose some weight, exercise more (including running), and eat a lot better. I feel a lot better and my outlook on life has changed as a result.
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

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  186. My life changed when I finally found a balance....Kids-Self-Husband-Work-Life-Fun....and stopped being so worried all of the time. It was a gradual change :)

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  187. My life changed for the better Jan. 2002. I lost my job after being at a company for 10 years. It mad me reevaluate my life and decided I wanted to experience motherhood. With no man in my life, I took the journey of adoption. In the next 12 months I found a new job , did LOTS of paperwork, traveled to Russia twice, and on Feb. 26, 2003, I welcomed my 13 month daughter to my family. Fast forward to today and she is in 6th grade, certainly gives me a run for my money, embraces life, makes me laugh and has completed the missing piece I had in my life.

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  188. My life changed for the better when I learned that life was not all about me. I learned that loving someone else is much more rewarding.

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  189. My life changed for the better when I met my fiance. I was in college on a road leading no where positive with someone who treated me poorly. I met my fiance working at an overnight summer camp and his positive energy and sense of humor turned me around. I am blessed to have met him, and I am lucky to be in his life.

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  190. Wow, how perfect, I wear a 9! My life changed for the better when I found my balance with food and fitness in early 2011. I was always one to go through phases with health and exercise, but it all clicked then, and now I'm a lifer, and I LOVE IT.

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  191. Hm, there are a lot of moments I could
    Choose from, but since this blog is running related, I suppose I'll go
    With the day I ran a mile without stopping. Previously I thought it was impossible for me to do, I wasn't the athletic type, yada yada yada. Loads of dumb excuses. But I wanted to lose weight so I got on my mothers treadmill (I was still a teenager living at home) and tried running. And tried it again. As usual I could only run for a minute or
    Two before I had to stop and walk, but I persevered. Then one day I didn't need to stop. I went 13 minutes or so without stopping. I saw that acclrding to the treadmill I only had a little over a 10th of a milewft before I would hit the one mile mark
    So I kept going and ran a mile in 15 minutes. I realized that I don't give myself enough credit and that I'm capable of more than I think.

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  192. My life changed for the better in 2008. I had an unfortunate accident and broke BOTH of my legs. Both required pins and screws. I was chair-bound for 2 months. I had never tried to exercise before this, but after 2 months of boots and crutches I required physical therapy to recover completely. Physical therapy, 3 times a week for about 8 weeks, 90ish minutes per session, seemed like a workout to me so once I was released form PT, I bought a gym membership and started working out. This led to me running my first 10k relay leg in the local marathon in 2010, then my first half-marathon in 2012. So long story short, breaking both my legs helped me to see the benefits of exercise and this year I am running my 3rd half marathon on those formerly broken legs!

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  193. I suffer from major depression. My life changed for the better, when I decided to step outside my comfort zone and start volunteering in a first grade class 5 months ago..since then I have gained more confidence in myself
    thanks
    aunteegem@yahoo.com

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  194. My life changed for the better when my exhusband and I decided to get back together. It's been over two years and we and our children couldn't be happier.
    erin_mishoe@yahoo.com

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  195. My life changed for the better when I walked into the recruiter's office to talk about joining the Army National Guard. I've only been in for about a year and a half, and already, it's been an amazing opportunity.

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