my race

Last week I decided I like running. I have always, kind-of liked running, but now I really like it. A friend called and asked me to go running and took me on the most beautiful run along the Hudson River. I just loved the feeling of running outside and having the water to my left and the amazing city of NY to my right. We ran about 5 miles and I felt great.

SO great in fact, that I decided to go on another run the very next day.

Guys...I ran 8 miles! That's a lot for me!

At the end of this 8-mile excursion, I was running along with about a half mile to go when I saw this skinny, middle-aged man running about 50 yards ahead of me. I decided to speed up and catch him.

That I did....and he did not like it.

As soon as I passed him he started running right on my feet to try and regain his lead.

That he did.

I tend to be competitive when it comes to stupid things like this, so I instinctively decided to go even faster and pass him again.

But this time, he wouldn't let me.

He started sprinting.

SPRINTING.

I wasn't going to let this skinny little man beat me, so of course I had to start sprinting as well, trying with all my might to catch him.

There we were, two strangers running our hearts out down the West Side Highway in the dark. He was looking over his shoulder trying to see how close I was.

And then...it happened.

"Just a small town girl...livin' in a lonely world..."

The Glee cover of Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin' came on my playlist.

I love that song.

I felt adrenaline flowing through me and I just couldn't help myself but to pick up my pace even more.

I felt creepily happy as the distance between us grew smaller.

And then we came to a crosswalk and had to stop.

AWKWARD!!!!!!

I went one way and he went the other.

I really hope I never run into him again.