I know many of you follow my blog to get news about Parlano, but I also know there are many of you who like to keep up with my recent sports/fitness endeavors. So, I thought I would share a lesson/decision I made a few weeks back at a triathlon that I think has applicability to work as well… the balance of risk and reward.
A few weeks ago I woke up at 3:30am to drive up to Lake Zurich for a triathlon. Half way there, it started to rain. By the time I got there it was a downpour with lightning. Now, in situations like this race directors are pretty smart and they won't have you go out (especially for the swim) if conditions are dangerous (lightning, heavy winds/waves, etc.). But at the same time, they are pretty motivated to do some sort of event and will often wait it out and/or modify the event.
In this case the race directors were pretty sure the race would go on at some point. But, for the first time ever, I turned in my chip and left (I wasn't the only one). Now, those of you who know me know that is very atypical behavior. I would normally tough it out. But, in this case I had to asses risk versus reward. Even if the race went on, the roads would be slick and dangerous (IMO) and the run would be miserable (wet mud-soaked shoes? No thanks.). Now, if it had been my "A" race I would have stuck it out, but it wasn't. I just didn't see the upside… but there was plenty of downside! I got in my car, grabbed a coffee, drove home, and did a good workout on the bike trainer. Much better use of my time IMO. Don't get me wrong… many people stayed and raced later that morning and I am sure had a good time. I have no issue with that. Everyone has to make the risk/reward decision for themselves.
Risk/Reward is also a decision that we all should be making in training, not just races. Joe Friel (well known cycling and multisport coach) recently wrote a blog on the subject that I found useful. This is the time of year that many of us (in the Northern hemisphere) are peaking for races and feeling invulnerable… now's when we really have to pay the most attention to how we are training. I hope those of you who are training for events/races/fitness are having great seasons!
P.S. Thanks to my buddy Howard Solomon for hosting me in SanFran last weekend. We did some awesome workouts…. Friday evening swim, double brick (20 mile ride, 4.5 mile run, 20 mile ride, 3 mile run—yes, all back-to-back) on Saturday on a fairly hilly bike route (The Paradise Loop in Marin County), and a master's swim (1.5 hours) and trail run on Sunday. Good times! J
