The tale of the rabbit

I was the rabbit today. I like being the rabbit. On just about every run, I like to be a step ahead of Tom (or whoever we're running with). I don't know why... something about feeling like I'm chasing the person I'm running with if they are even the slightest bit in front of me. It's all mental, although then again, most of my demons are mental! :)

So today we ran with Tom's mom who we haven't ran with in probably 10 months. She's a great athlete and quirky as all get up, so it's fun to bring her along for runs. Today it was a 12 miler. It rained all morning. I dreaded it, as I've been doing for the past few weeks. I cried for about 20 minutes (not about the run, but just other stuff) prior to going so I wasn't expecting anything stellar. When Janet said she would come it didn't phase me, although I worried if I'd be able to keep up. She's been running hard miles. She's a sub 4:00 marathon runner on any given day. But, I forgot that when the three of us run, something kicks in and I like to lead. I like to be the rabbit.

I heard them say it a few times today. "Look at the rabbit ahead" or "Bring us home rabbit" and I couldn't help but smile. It might not have been the fastest 12 that I've done, but I felt great, ran a pace that I enjoyed, and just kept one step in front of them. I ran... they chased. Just the way I like it!

Then she pulled a Cavendish on me and ran past me the last 100 feet. Figures. But you know what, I'm still happy being the rabbit for 11 miles 5180 feet!