Hi, this is Debbie Boyle's coach at Mojo for Running, and this podcast will be the first of a regular feature I've been promising for a while.

From now on, every few episodes, I'll tell the story of a runner, not a famous runner, but an average Joe, a middle of the packer, someone who has a running story to tell.

If you would like to tell your story, write it down

and send it to me, and maybe I'll use it in a future podcast. Maybe running helped you to lose

weight. Maybe it helped you cope with a tragic event in your life. Maybe it helped your family

in some way. Maybe you have a story that will motivate others. I especially like stories about how people have reinvented themselves through running,

and that is the kind of story I have for you today.

The title of this episode is Pete Nelson, Reinvented.

One thing we're learning is that it's possible to reinvent yourself,

to become a new and improved you. I listened to a

program on TV the other night in which a Dr. Lodge was reporting on his research. He says it's

actually possible for people to age backwards, just like young children who are lethargic and overweight

may be biologically middle-aged, at the opposite

end of the spectrum, middle-aged people, if they exercise, a lot, can become biologically

younger, much younger.

Dr. Lodge has written a book titled Younger Next Year, by the way.

Pete Nelson first wrote to me a few years ago.

He had already traveled far down the road of change.

From an overweight, two-pack-a-day smoker, he had started reinventing himself.

At that time, he had already run his first marathon.

Here is his inspiring story in two parts.

First is the original report, then his recent update,

...