Governor's Fitness Award- Seriously? Seriously.

Picture this, if you will: The State of Michigan is closed due to record snowfalls and poor road conditions. I'm at home, watching Netflix in my basement, sweatpants on, 1 serving of chocolate covered peanuts in a bowl in my lap. Then, the phone rings. It's a State of Michigan office calling. I panic, thinking maybe I was supposed to be at work?!

"Hello?"

"Hi, Elizabeth? This is so-and-so from the Michigan Fitness Foundation. I'm calling to congratulate you on becoming a finalist for the State of Michigan- Governor's Fitness Award for the Conquering Obesity Award. I wanted to give you details about the award process, selection, and the award ceremony. Is this a good time to talk?"

...what?

I tell the lady that she must be mistaken, that I did not submit anything for an award. She told me my friend, Jodi, nominated me and the committee was moved by my story. Therefore, I was chosen as one of three finalists to win this award for 2015.

I. Was. FLOORED. Are you kidding?

I take down the information about the process over the next few months, thank Ms. so-and-so for the call, and text Jodi.

"WHAT DID YOU DO?! Why am I a finalist for a Governor's Fitness Award?! THIS IS YOUR FAULT!"

She replied with a simple smiley face emoticon.

All of the Award Nominees @ the House Chamber

 I started taking care of myself a few years back for me- I never realized I had inspired others to do the same. Heck, I still saw myself as my 300+lb self in my head- I was nowhere near my idea of "fit." When I started to S-L-O-W-L-Y share the news with people (I was extremely embarassed), I got back, more often than not, "Well of COURSE you're a finalist! That's awesome! You inspire so many- you got ME to run my first race!" OK then... I inspired people. Somehow.

I made light of the award nomination- it was because the committee ran out of nominee choices, I was the token female in the category, they wanted someone with a normal story... every excuse came out of my mouth.

In the meantime, I signed up for marathon #2 in Oklahoma City. I was finally going to go and meet the famous Marathon Man himself, Kris, from the From Fat to Finish Line group. I find out that the award ceremony is the night before I fly out to OKC to run. In talking to Kris one night about my upcoming trip, I say "I should probably just skip the ceremony anyway. I'm not going to win, so why go to eat crappy food and clap for the winner politely?" Kris said back, "Whatever. I've never been nominated for an award for my healthy habits. You HAVE to go- you're a bad ass. I don't get why you wouldn't go, even if you don't think you will win. This is awesome!"

He was right. Probably the first and only time he was right, but he was... he was right.

I started to tell more people, and I started to be proud of the nomination. I knew I was not going to win the final award, as the other two in my category were absolutely amazing -one lost over 300lbs and the other lost about 150 while overcoming a mental disability- however I was recognized by someone who I admire (Jodi is one of the strongest, most amazing women I've ever had the chance to work with) and the nomination alone was like winning to me. Plus, even if I didn't win, I still get to go to the award ceremonies, and get to run a marathon 2 days later. Neither of the other nominees have run one, let alone 2, marathons. So there. 

Before the ceremony itself, I was interviewed by a Detroit-area newscaster for the "video entry" portion of the event. Each nominee met with the reporter at his/her town and told the reporter their story. I met the reporter and her camera guy at Amy's studio in Lansing. They asked a few questions about my journey, interviewed Amy and myself, then... had me change into workout clothes to work out on camera. I was NOT prepared for that in any way. The reporter was... odd. And, after finding her on Twitter, I learned that she had already picked out her favorites for each category-- and I learned who my fellow nominees were.

So one nominee lost over 350lbs in less than a year, another one lost about 100lbs while battling cerebral palsy.

I was not going to win. And I was OK with that. I still campaigned for the People's Choice Award, where anyone could vote for any person/group over all of the categories, but I didn't get too worked up about it. Or at least tried not to!

About 3 weeks prior to the award ceremony, I was contacted and asked to send a photo for the program-- after YEARS of hiding from cameras, I had to take nice photos?! One that wasn't a selfie? Katie arranged for me to meet up with her friend, Jodi, who is a photographer. Jodi took some great headshots and I was able to send in a decent, non-sweaty selfie to the committee.

The day of the award ceremony started out with a legislative session where all nominees were given a plaque with their name and category on it, and all nominees were recognized (as a group) by the state Senate. It was a very nice ceremony- one that my mom, some close friends, and my co-workers attended. To have that amount of support was amazing!

That evening, my mom (she was my plus one!) and myself went to Ford Field for the Gala. The night started off with us being allowed onto the field itself, then to the VIP area where we had some drinks (I had water- I was 2 days out from a marathon!) and observed the other nominees. It seemed as though nobody was really comfortable being there, but people were friendly- for the most part. I was really put off by one of the other nominees in my category as he was quite... rude when I went to introduce myself, saying I was truly impressed by his hard work and his online community. He couldn't look me in the eye and just brushed me off. So weird for a guy that has over 2000 followers on Facebook.. but I digress.

Dinner was nice and small, awards were handed out, videos were played (montage, not each person's video), and they highlighted the part in my video where I said my mom was my greatest inspiration. She's honestly the strongest woman I know- between raising 2 kids on her own, getting remarried, then juggling 4 kids, a house, a husband, and a full-time job... I don't know how she does it. My mom started to tear up, and all I could do was grin.

Of course, I did not win my category nor the People's Choice Award (but it went to an amazing guy out of Okemos-- someone who has literally helped me with my running!), but to have these other nominees come up to me and recognize me, saying they were inspired by me.. what a powerful night. One I definitely won't forget.