Little moments can change a persons life. And for Springfield native Rachel Malone it was a miracle that changed hers forever.

A bright eyed freshman at College of the Ozarks, Rachel's new life had just begun.

That's when she started getting headaches.  Eventually those headaches controled her life.

"I was just so tired all the time, miserable," said Malone.

The Rachel her friends new was slipping away.

"What she would do is she would turn the shower on so no one could hear her crying," said friend Amanda Bullock.

"Whether I took the medicine or not it didn't matter, so I quit taking the medicine because it didn't matter," said Malone.

"She had mentioned one time she was studying in there and she prayed God please take this away or let me die," Bullock said.

After 5 years of increasing pain, Rachel's struggle became unbearable.  With no answers, that's when the miracle happened. Her work medical file was misplaced, so needing just a simple signature...

"So I called my doctor and he happened to be on vacation, so another doctor said he would see me and sign the paperwork.  He asked me have you ever had anything done, and i said no, and he ordered an mri right away."

The MRI revealed a golf ball sized tumor pressing over 10 pounds of pressure throughout her brain.

"It was Very serious, a tumor like that that's untreated," said neuro surgeon Salim Rahman.  "The brain makes about 500 cc's of fluid. If that pathway was completely blocked you'd have very little time."

"I was at peace because I knew I wasn't crazy because I had been praying for 5 years with no results."

Those prayers were answered, and from sitting, to standing, and eventually walking Rachel's new life could truly begin.  She was working at a fitness center at the time when an older man named Andy made a proposal.

"You should run a marathon," said Malone.

All this despite no athletic background.

"At first I was about to say I can't do that when I remember hearing the word can't and I went back to the office and was thinking why not give it a try."

That same day Rachel did some research, then committed to the highly difficult San Francisco marathon.

"She's like I decided to start running so I got on the treadmill and did about 3.5 miles and we're like that's a 5k. She's like the energizer bunny."

3 marathons later, the rest of the world began taking notice. Rachel's story was hand picked out of 3,000 others. It was called "Younger for Longer" Rachel was presented $10,000 worth of gasoline from British Petrolium, and a day to share her battle with another inspiration...42-year Olympic swimmer Dara Torres.

Against all odds Rachel Malone is alive, well, and running.

"It's worth it in the end when you cross that finish line, you're like 'yay I did it'."

"Why limit yourself. There's so much of life to be explored and enjoy. Why not go for it."