It’s been 5 days since Women’s Running announced who won the cover model contest, yet despite my excitement I’ve had a hard time talking about it.
Two simple words but the two simple words that follow that statement just don’t seem like enough.
Thank you.
Women’s Running chose the 8 finalists but you picked me. It still blows my mind the amount of people who rallied for me. My dad [who is a small business owner] sent out the information to his listserv and his customers and asked them to vote for me. He was the first person I called after I found out and I could hear in his voice how proud he was of me. My mother in law got every relative and all of their friends voting. I called her next and she cried, which made me cry. Every day I would hear that someone who I didn’t even think knew who I was, or even cared an ounce about me, was voting for me and they were telling their friends and their friends, friends.
When I learned over the weekend just how many people voted – it blew my mind. Here is the hard part – they weren’t just voting for me. There were 7 other awesome women that deserved to be on the cover just as much as me. In me winning they lost – there is no 2nd place in a contest like this. It reminded me why I love the sport of running so much vs other many other sports. In running there is no loser – you win just by having the courage to show up that day. Winning can mean finishing a solo 20 miler or winning can mean 2nd place in a race – it’s different for all of us but there really is no loser. So my excitement was dampened a little after reading about the heartache of other contestants. I know that type of heartache and I know I would have felt it too if I had not won.
So here I am – unable to truly express my thankfulness for all of you that voted – for those of you who set an alarm to vote once a day every day for the entire month of voting. When I say this I mean it from the bottom of my heart – THANK YOU.
I am unable to really truly thank Women’s Running for this opportunity and say what it means to me. I had no idea when I applied to be a contestant that this was their first Cover Model Contest. I will be the first reader to appear on the cover. I hope this paves the way for more readers to appear on the cover. I enjoy reading about real women, as I think others do based on the popularity of blogs. I don’t care about a model who was blessed with a nice body, or even one that worked hard to look good for a cover. I want to read about women who are managing children, or a career, or decided to pick themselves up and loose weight.
——-
The contest winner was announced on Chloe’s 6th Birthday – it really made it that much sweeter. I shed some tears at the airport that afternoon thinking about Chloe and what I want for her life.
I don’t want her to be like me in a way. I don’t want her to endure mean girls. I don’t want her to EVER be told that she is the ugliest girl alive. I don’t want her to be made fun of. I don’t want her to loose her self worth and find herself in the position where she gives up on being healthy because she thinks she is destined to be overweight her whole life. I’m glad my daughter has only known me for the past 6 years because I’d say they have been my best 6 years. I am not perfect at all and am filled with flaws, but what she sees is a mom who runs, who eats healthy, who works hard, and who never STOPS DREAMING. I don’t want to erase my past because I know inside it has made me who I am today but I hope as a mother that she doesn’t experience the same growing pains that I did. I hope most of all that she is proud of me – that when she sees me on the cover this December that it makes her happy inside. I pray that some day she is as happy to be my daughter as I am to be her mother.
I wouldn’t have had this amazing experience if it weren’t for YOU taking the time to make a BIG DREAM of mine come true. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Who knew when I looked like this that I would ever one day find myself on the cover of a magazine? Certainly not me…..
http://www.mile-posts.com/2011/09/my-500th-post-me-before-i-was-a-marathoner.html
DREAM BIG my friends DREAM BIG!
Runner, dreamer, marathoner x24, mommy of 3, Women's Running Magazine cover model, published writer, Saucony contributing blogger, running coach, and lover of all things running. I Run This Body. 
I was so excited for you when I saw this on FB last week…so well deserved. Your daughter is blessed to have you for her mom. Don’t doubt that for a minute!!!
Does Congratulations ever come close to covering it? You teach us all to go for those dreams no matter how beyond our reach they might seem. You know Dorothy, you also teach me that some times the good girl does win!
Shelly recently posted..The Topic of the Day
Congratulations! I am so very happy for you. I thank you for being an amazing inspiration to me and so many others. I think your daughter is a lucky girl and will grow up with love, happiness and much self worthy. You are the best example that she could ever have. I look forward to getting my mag in the mail with you on the cover!
OMG I’m so happy for you… CONGRATULATIONS you deserved it!!!
You are a true inspiration, I love your blog and hope to meet you one day!
Keep on dreaming big Dorothy
Congratulations! SO excited for you and can’t wait to see your gorgeous face on that cover!
Lisa @ RunWiki recently posted..Hello Again
Woohoo!! I know I have said it before but congratulations!
Sarah J recently posted..An odd thing happened
Congratulations Dorothy!!!! I am so happy and excited for you! You have had a crazy, but awesome last 12 months. I had no idea that you would be the first reader to be on the magazine either. That is VERY cool! I can’t wait to see the finished product.
Tasha @ Healthy Diva recently posted..Bicycle Pub Crawl
Bravo Dorothy!! Well deserved!!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted..The knee watch continues
Dorothy, I understand where you’re coming from with Chloe (PS: One of my favorite girls names.). I feel the same way about my two girls.
The one thing I really wanted to say was in reference to your picture from your past…and the question: Who knew when I looked like this that I would ever one day find myself on the cover of a magazine? Answer: It’s in those sparkling eyes. There was more to you than you ever knew…you just had to find her.
Melissa @ Live, Love, & Run recently posted..Recipe: Spicy Sausage & Butternut Squash Quinoa
Congratulations Dorothy – you deserve it and I can’t wait to see you on the cover
Harold Shaw recently posted..Runner’s World Half & Festival Oct 20th and 21st
congrats dorothy! so happy for you! you have definitely earned this && DESERVE IT! hope your daughter had a wonderful birthday!
courtney recently posted..running updates && blog changes.
Yay! Yes, there were some great stories among the contestants but I was pulling for you all the way. I can’t wait to get my copy in the mail.
Congrats Dorothy! You’re such an inspiration!
Thank you Denise!! I really appreciate your kind words
Hope you have a great day!
Back at ya! You’ve inspired me to take on 26.2 again (in 2013), aiming to run it in 4:30:ish! My first marathon was this past May, took me 5 hours on the dot. Happy Running!
P.S. Both my kids (6 and 4) have seen me lose weight and get fit, both have embraced as my lifestyle. I love, love, love the positive effect its had on them. I do not want my kids particularly my daughter to go through the torment I went through.
Doesn’t this go against your Saucony contract?? I highly doubt that Saucony would approve of you being on the cover of a magazine supporting a competitor’s shoes and apparel.
Thank you for your concern! I’m pretty sure that the contract between Saucony and I is not your business. They are very happy for me and are excited that I was chosen for the cover. Have a great day ~ Dorothy
You are so freaking conceited. Nice of your family to whore you out to get votes to win. You should be proud.
You clearly know nothing about me – I am far from conceited….I feel VERY sorry for you that on your Sunday afternoon you are choosing to come harrass me on my blog….Didn’t your parents ever teach you if you have nothing nice to say…..don’t say anything at all? Hope one day you get a handle on your anger issues. Have a wonderful rest of the day!
I think you look beautiful in that older photo of yourself. You are by no means fat there, and you have a smile that simply radiates.
Elizabeth Clor recently posted..Running After Mono
Thank you Elizabeth
I think it’s because I know how unhappy I was inside that I think it is an ugly picture. If that makes sense? 
I am so happy for you and you totally deserve it!!! Congrats again!!!
Thank you Dee!!! hugs
Oh my goodness, you are awesome and no one else deserved this cover like you. Brought tears to my eyes what you wrote about your daughter. You are such an amazing mom and an inspiration to so many. Can’t wait to see that cover!!!
Katie @ msfitrunner recently posted..Running on Empty
Just as your Thank You does not do it justice, neither does our congratulations, but congratulations!!
So proud to see you will be gracing the cover and cannot wait to get my copy!
Melissa @ The Melissa Chronicles recently posted..10 Running-Related Personal Questions
Congratulations! I found your blog shortly after I broke my foot in May and have been so inspired by you–it’s killing me that I haven’t been able to run yet! You definitely deserve this
dorothy–congrats again on the cover! i can’t wait to see it! when will that issue come out? keep up the positive attitude and diplomacy
Congrats Dorothy. Very happy for you and all your hard work!
Congratulations!!! You so deserve to be on the cover of Women’s Running. You epitomize everything that’s great about the sport and you are a huge inspiration. So well deserved!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..40 Days of JCORE
Congratulations, Dorothy!! I can’t wait to see you on the cover — you are so deserving of this honor!
I was injured all summer and depressed about not being able to run. I was also bemoaning the fact that I am getting older (aren’t we all?!) and was assuming my fastest days were behind me. Since I wasn’t running, I had some rare free time on my hands and discovered this amazing world of bloggers. You and others have inspired me to dream big and I can’t wait to see what I can achieve now that I’m healthy again. (You are also the reason I’m now a morning runner — wahoooo!)
Kristen recently posted..Remembering the 2001 MCM
Hey Dorothy, congratulations! You are such an inspiration so I can’t think of anyone better to be on the cover! When it comes out, are you able to upload a photo? I’m in Australia so I probably won’t be able to get a copy.
Congrats again!
They may have moved the page because the “I won” link doesn’t work. Nonetheless, congratulations!
Brenna Kater, Oceanskater recently posted..Marathon Training: Week 14
Congratulations! I saw on the post about your win that some people aren’t happy about it, and I just wanted to encourage you to ignore those negative comments and keep inspiring moms like me. You are incredible!
Ashey@Marriedlane recently posted..hello there!
Congratulations to you!!!!!! And as much as you can thank us mere voters, YOU did it. You got so many votes because you deserve it! Enjoy your moment
Beautiful words of thanks, humility, and hope up there. Can’t wait to see the magazine!
Meredith @ DareYouTo recently posted..WIAW: Fall into good habits
Congratulations, so excited for you! I saw on Twitter that you had the shoot this weekend, how did it go? Can’t wait to see the pictures.
Cathryn @ My Heart’s Content recently posted..10 running questions
Congratulations, Dorothy!! So, so, sooo excited for you!!
Congratulations! You really deserve this. You are such an inspiration to so many people. I love your blog. I just started running again after my second baby (double stroller action!) and sometimes thinking about how dedicated you are and all you’ve been able to accomplish, gets me out the door! Thank you for doing what you do and inspiring so many women like me!
Oh Wow! So happy for you. What exciting news. I hope I get to run with you one day!
YAY!!! Much deserved. I cannot wait to get this issue
Thanks for being so inspirational to me (and lots of people!)
Kara recently posted..Fitness 4 Mile Race Recap + Long Run 9/15/12
Thank you Kara!!! I’m really excited about it all!
So so so so SOOOO excited!!!!! Better believe this is an issue I’ll be getting! I read my share of running or fitness blogs, but I’m being completely serious when I say that yours is one that regularly touches me on a deeper level. A HUGE thank you for opening your life – not just your running schedule – to us all. This is a MUCH deserved honor, and I’m so incredibly happy for you!
Larissa recently posted..Hiatus + honeymoon
congratulations! That’s wonderful!
Ruth @ FacetiousFarang recently posted..I Get Around*