Yes, and that is frowned upon. Which is WHY I am saying don't try to push to get yourself into a group where you'll be struggling. It's better to be comfortable or working decently hard in the slow group, and then join the Medium group when you feel you're capable, then to be all moto, push for the medium group, struggle to keep up on every run (getting that unwanted attention) and then fall out and have to join the slow group. THAT will be bad.
By no means am I saying game the system. I am just saying don't motivate yourself into a bad situation. Go with the group you SHOULD be with, and don't try to show initiative beyond your capability and end up screwing yourself.
I figured the DIs would reward initiative like that. Good advice though. I have never played sports, nor have I been a runner, but I have been working pretty hard to put myself at an Excellent/low rating so far. I want to max that PRT by the end of OCS.