We had a workout for time. The board listed a buy-in and a cash-out, and in between was:

3 rounds for time (30 min cap)
20 wallballs
400 meter run

30 minutes. 30 minutes. I can walk 3x400 meters in 30 minutes, I told myself. I decided to do it. "Get past 90 or I'll pull you and have you do air squats," Coach Ryan warned the room. Clock started and we were off.

I finished the buy-in. I finished the first 20 wallballs. Without pausing to think about it, I slipped out the front door.

At 6am it was still dark. My fellow box members were just dark shapes. I quickly realized that we were running to the far fire hydrant, not the one in the middle of the block. Damn, I thought, and kept going. I made it to the first fire hydrant, and partway to the second. I dropped to a walk, swung around, and fought my way back to the box. My calves were on fire so badly I couldn't walk straight. I leaned over a box for leverage and tried to stretch. Seeing me curled forward, Coach Ryan came to check.

"You okay?" he asked.

I looked up and nodded. "I just did the 400," I winced at my calves as I changed feet.

"You did the 400 meter?" I nodded. "Now THAT'S what I'm talking about!" A fistbump later, he was off to check on another boxmate.

More wallballs, 10 at a time out of respect for my calves, being careful to get past 90 on the catch so I wouldn't be pulled. Out the door for the run.

WHY DID I AGREE TO THIS??? I wailed at myself. Tiffany's training kicked in. It's just a box run. You're going the scenic route. Just a box run. I can do this! I walked most of it, but I did it.

More wallballs, 5 at a time. I noticed that most people were finished with their workout, but I've not yet ever compared myself to anyone and I have no intention of starting. I'm fighting my battle with myself. I swung out the door for my last run.

The first 50 meters of the 400 meters is up a small hill. Gasping for air already, I walked that, yelling encouraging things at the few members who were finishing. Once I got to the top of the rise, I was alone on the street. About 75 meters of flat leads to the first fire hydrant, and then 75 meters slightly downhill from that is the fire hydrant where we turn. I walked, panting, to the first. Time is still going! I told myself and hitched up to run downhill. Turning around, I found Tim behind me. He said encouraging things and fell into my struggling walk beside me. I wasn't conversational.

At the top of the hill by the middle fire hydrant I saw the outline of Ed and his fuzzy poodle Louis. Gasping to the top, I asked Ed, "did you come out to finish with me?" Jovially Ed answered, "Just making sure everyone is safe!" and turned to fall in beside me and Tim. We got to the crest of the small rise. 50 meters til the box.

"Wanna run it in?" I said to the air, not even bothering to turn my head and look at my companions.

"Let's kill it!" said Tim.

"Let's get it done!" said Ed from behind me. And we ran down the hill back to the front door. I finished my cash-out and called time. 26:59, and I fought for every step. I was the last one done, and I was fiercely proud of myself.

When I could breathe again I got up off the floor and sought out Ed and Tim to thank them both for encouraging me with my struggle. My box is good people. They're there for me, and anything I can do, I'm there for them.