Rat Race

I was jogging the other day and noticed this man in front of me, about a quarter of a mile away. I could tell he was running a little slower and I thought, "Good, I shall try to catch up with him." I had about a mile to get to my path before taking a detour. So I started to run fast and faster... each and every block... I was gaining on him just a little bit more.

After a few minutes, I was only about a hundred yards behind - again I picked up the pace and pushed myself. You would have thought I was running the last lap of the London Olympic games. I was determined to catch up with him... and finally, I did! I caught up and passed him by. On the inside it felt so good... "Yes, I beat him!" Of course, he didn't even know we were racing! Then I realised that I had so focused on competing with him that I missed my turn. I had gone nearly six blocks past my direction, now I must turn around and go all the way back to my own path.