I have 26.2 reasons why I shouldn't be running a marathon - and it's mostly feedback from people I never met. Some days, I borrow insecurities from strangers that haven't so much of extended an invite to their bathroom before they shit on my efforts. They say I promote an agenda for plus size people to make excuses to remain plus size. They say my chronic conditions are probably in my head because they cannot see them. In fact, some say I use it for clout because attention to other than able bodied people is ALWAYS the rave when folks pretend to care about us. They want me to be quiet and sometimes I want to be quiet too. I have enough things that plague me that makes me feel insecure. My speed isn't one of them. My body size isn't one of them. My mind is beautiful. I am enamored by what I make possible for myself. I'm working on my mental, physical and emotional health everyday. I used to spend time arguing with those whom I may never meet, see or experience. Now I prefer the quiet: A place where you don't waste time defending yourself to a fragile stranger seeking a dissertation for free credit. You're always wrong in their college seminar and I'm trying to remember when did I sign up for that course. If you share these burdens, marathon or not, I hope you find one reason to walk, crawl and run away from the rhetoric. This includes the bully that thrives inside of you. People can give you 100 reasons why you "shouldn't" but ask I need is one reminder that I can, did and will do it again. Feel free to share with someone going through the struggle or in need of a reason to keep going. #runningfatchef #fatrunner #BlackGirlJoy #chronicillness #pcos #adenomyosis #fibromyalgia #endometriosis #fibroids #plussizeathlete #plussizerunner #fitnessforall #icandohardthings #keepshowingup #runnerproblems #runningforbeginners #reframeyourself #marathontraining #nycmarathontraining #queerators #queeraf #iykyk #itgetsbetter #runtok #blackfittok #chronicillnesstok #disabilitytiktok #pcosawareness #marathontiktok