As I was walking to the track for my w4d2 run today, rain pelting my face and icy wind blowing through my clothes, I pulled a muscle in my ankle. I couldn't even step on it right, but I kept walking, thinking maybe it would work itself out by the time I needed to run. I considered that maybe I should just go home. But I kept going.

I get to the track, and what do I see there...too late to turn around...but a group of 35 or 40 Marines on the field in the middle of the track. It's not like the track is close to a military base or anything. I would never have expected them. I think they were newish recruits, with ten or twelve leaders.

My heart sank and I knew this was REALLY not my day.

I don't get stage fright too horribly when working out, and I hang out at the gym a lot, but still, I didn't want to be "running" with MARINES!!!! There they were, all matchy in their gym uniforms or camo pants. And then there was me. In my BRIGHT, sure not to miss it, boy do I stand out in this crowd, top.

And I remembered the "Hey, Fat Girl" post, and kept my head high. I ran when I was supposed to. Well, until my timer went on pause and kept repausing itself and I had to wing it.

So I stayed with them for almost an hour, ran extra sessions, and extra long. At the end, I was clutching my sides, trying not to be obvious about it. But I felt better when two of THEM were throwing up.

And I'm pretty darn proud of myself for persevering through all of that.

Oh, and all the cute group leaders looked me in the eyes and smiled every time they passed me. Sweet guys.