For most of us, birthdays as children were about presents and parties. Tearing apart shiny wrapping paper and ribbons to reveal something we’d been wanting for months. Ice cream and cake with 10 of our closest classmates. Having lots and lots of candles was a badge of honor.

But as we age, birthdays for me have become about appreciation. Less about parties and celebrations and more about reflecting on the moments in life that are truly special. The ones that have changed us, made our lives fuller and shaped us into who we have become. The accomplishments. The milestones. The people. The memories.

Today, I am celebrating 31 years on this planet. This year, my birthday is marked by my profound appreciation for you! I started this blog less than a year ago to not only document my uncensored and unladylike adventures of running and triathlon training, but also to help inspire others to believe they can do things they may have once considered impossible – no matter how big or small.

I have received more from this journey so far than I could have ever possibly imagined. Every day I am humbled and inspired by people who leave a comment, tweet a kind word, share a personal story or just make things happen in their own lives that are superhero-esque in the real world.

So today, it only seems right to give back to you. You’re the ones who deserve the present on my birthday.

Endorphin Warrior is helping me give away a bracelet of choice to one lucky reader to celebrate my birthday and to thank you for your ongoing support, encouragement, motivation and love!

I absolutely LOVE my Endorphin Warrior bracelet. Mine says “FOCUS” on it, and I wear it during almost every workout to remind me to never lose focus of the goals I’ve set out for myself and to remember every decision I’m making is bringing me one step closer to (or further away from) achieving them.

During my 31^st year, I will FOCUS on the things that are truly important in life. I will FOCUS on accepting the things I can’t change and changing the things I can. I will FOCUS on becoming the best person I can be.

And now it’s your turn to win one of these awesome bracelets with the word of your choice.

To enter my Endorphin Warrior Training Bracelet Giveaway, do one or all of the following things. Each action counts as a separate entry, and you must leave a separate comment for each (7 possible chances to enter and win). The giveaway ends on Friday, April 5 at 11:59 p.m. EST. The winner will be chosen at random and announced on Monday, April 8.

How to Enter: [THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED. CONGRATS TINA G. FOR WINNING!]

• Go to the Endorphin Warrior Web site and leave a comment below telling me which word you would want on your Warrior Training Bracelet if you win. (Required for entry into the giveaway)
• Follow @rUnladylike on Twitter and leave a comment saying you did so. Please include your Twitter handle in the comment. (1 additional entry)
• Like rUnladylike on Facebook and leave a comment below saying you did so. Please include the name of your Facebook page in the comment. (1 additional entry)
• Follow rUnladylike on Instagram and leave a comment below saying you did so. Please include your Instagram profile name in the comment. (1 additional entry)
• Tweet about the giveaway and leave a comment below with the link to your tweet: “I want to win an @EndorphnWarrior Training Bracelet from @rUnladylike! You can too: http://www.runladylike.com/?p=2261 #warrioron” (1 additional entry)
• Post about the giveaway on your Facebook page and leave a comment below stating that you did: “I just entered to win an Endorphin Warrior Training Bracelet from runladylike.com. You can too: http://www.runladylike.com/?p=2261” (1 additional entry)
• Follow Endorphin Warrior on Facebook and/or on Twitter (@EndorphnWarrior) and leave a comment below saying you did. (1 additional entry)

All entries will be verified.

Want more rUnladylike? Be sure to follow me here:

• Twitter: @rUnladylike
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/runladylike
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/runladylike/
• Daily Mile: http://www.dailymile.com/people/jesica
• Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/JesicaD/

Want more Endorphin Warrior?

• Web site: EndorphinWarrior.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/EndorphinWarrior
• Twitter: @EndorphnWarrior

Endorphin Warrior gave me a training bracelet, but the views expressed in this post and on runladylike.com are my own and always will be.