Winning

It’s just something I’ve accepted about myself: I don’t win.

I can remember very clearly those school carnivals from my elementary school days. I just wanted to win one of the cakes in the cake walk. I NEVER won. Didn’t matter what kind of contest it was– I just didn’t reach the finish line first, my number was never drawn, the wheel never stopped at the right spot. Card games, board games, video games– it just didn’t matter what was the competition. Oh, there might be the occasional fluke victory, but overall, I was a born loser. It bothered me as a kid, but I grew to accept my lot in life– someone’s gotta lose, right? So, for the most part, I just wouldn’t even bother participating in games and contests and drawings. There just wasn’t any point.

But almost two years ago, that started to change. I forgot that I had entered a contest on the Food Network, until a FedEx package appeared containing four $10 gift cards to purchase goodies on their website. Wow! That’s some fluke! And then I submitted an application to participate in a weight-loss competition at a local radio station. More than 700 applicants, and I was selected as one of the 26 contestants. What? How did THAT happen? Granted, I didn’t win the prize of Rob’s Biggest Loser, but I did win a gift certificate to Dick’s Sporting Goods, and I was the first female RBL to cross the finish line during the 5K race that served as the finale of the competition. Shortly after that I won a state-wide contest for the worst website. Okay, it was not a glamorous victory, but it led to the professional overhaul of my Dusted Cover website. I think. Maybe. It’s still a work in progress.

So the other night I took a chance. I attended Diva Night at Fleet Feet, a local running store. Came away with some natural beauty aid samples and a reusable shopping bag– and I won a drawing for a free sports bra! My boys (who happily came with me once I promised to get them a treat afterward) were mortified to witness their mom get excited about winning a bra. In public. And then they had to sit patiently while  I picked some out and went into the dressing room to try on a few.

I came away with a cute adjustable Juno bra by Moving Comfort. I had hoped to win one of the training groups, but I love this bra! And I was reminded of how much I love Moving Comfort. My mom bought me a pair of Moving Comfort technical running tights 12 years ago, and they are still the best running tights I own. I was tempted to buy a new pair at the Diva Night, but even with the 20% off special, I couldn’t justify the cost when I have a perfectly good pair already.

This Juno bra is a great find. Bras are always a challenge for me because I’m a 40B, and most bra manufacturers think if you’re a 40 you should be a C. But my girls swim in a C. This Juno is a 40C– but the way the straps adjust in the front, I’m able to secure things and not feel like the bra is wearing me. It also has a hook closure on the back with a separate racing back, making it easier to get on. You know the contortion act you have to perform in order to get on some of those closed-banded racer back bras? This lessens the struggle.

The best part of winning that bra, was feeling that winning was possible. Normally I just poo-poo contests. But this time I was hoping for a win. I’ll admit that I even said a little prayer. It felt good to believe that something good might happen, that I might come away with a win. And even better to walk out with a salmon-colored bra that perfectly matched the embarrassed faces of my tweedles.

Cheering for YOU!