Running Into Risk

This may come as no surprise to some of you, but running can indeed be a risky endeavor.

The other morning, I went for a run along my usual route that takes me along a busy street, through one intersection with a stoplight and crosswalk, and to an irrigation canal, which I can follow and avoid traffic. At the intersection, I stopped and waited for the light to change and offer me a crossing signal. For orientation, I was headed south, which put the sun low on the horizon to my left, shining into the eyes of drivers at the intersection to my right.

The light changed. The crossing signal gave me the right of way. I checked one more time and started across the street. As I approached the other side of the street, a large grey truck in the turn lane barreled into the intersection from my right. The driver slowed like he was going to stop, but as I continued (in the crosswalk, with a crossing signal, and red light in my favor), the truck continued without stopping into the crosswalk. I dodged and banged on the hood of the truck, startling the driver, who then stopped.

I cleared the intersection and looked back shaking my head and holding my hands up as if to exclaim, “What is wrong with you?” Then I turned and continued running with my heart beating about five times faster than normal. As I replayed the scene in my head and debriefed myself, I saw the truck stop at the side street ahead, and the driver got out of the truck and started walking toward me.

I started running for my health. The men in my family have a long history of heart disease. Most of the men died in their sixties from heart problems. Several other family members struggled with diabetes in their later years. I began running to reduce the inherent risk (and inherited risk) to my health, and it has indeed reduced my risk for heart disease. My blood pressure is normal. I get an EKG every year, and my heart is strong and healthy. My blood sugar is healthy (unless I am sampling my homemade chocolate too much). I have mitigated this risk by planning and exercising.

In exchange for inherent risk, I took on operational risk. Running comes with a set of hazards and risks that I would not encounter if I sat on the couch and ate chips. Uneven terrain can cause me to trip and fall. (Indeed, I fell just a week ago not far from the intersection with the truck.) I can (and often have) get blisters on my feet. If I don’t wear sunscreen, I can get sunburned. I run the risk of dehydration, especially in Arizona. I can twist an ankle, damage my knees, or have problems with my hips. If I’m not careful and alert, I might end up as a hood ornament on a Ford F-250 pickup truck. To get the maximum benefit from running, I must manage and mitigate the operational risks that come with running.

What resources do I have to balance the risks? I choose good shoes and make sure they are broken in before any long runs (Technology). I wear sunscreen if I am going to be out longer than thirty minutes (Policy). I hydrate before and during the run (Procedure). I try to run on even, familiar terrain (Technique). I follow traffic laws and don’t cross the street without a crossing signal (External Resource/Policy). Each of the risks can be mitigated, but not eliminated.

In the same way I manage health risks, I also use resources to mitigate the operational risks of running.

As the driver of the truck approached me, I was in the Red. My heart was pounding. My palms were sweating. I wondered if he was coming to apologize or punch me for putting a dent in the hood of his truck. I made the risk decision to continue running no matter what. (Mitigate risk by planning.) I didn’t want to be an easy target if he had violence in mind. However, truth be told, I’m probably better at fighting than running.

He began speaking before I got within ten yards. “Hey, I just wanted to apologize,” he offered.

I kept running, knowing that if I stopped and talked in my emotional state (I was definitely in the Red), I might say unkind things. Instead, I began the passing debrief. “I was in the crosswalk, with the crossing signal, and you had a red light. What else could I have done?”

“Well, in my defense,” he answered, “the sun was in my eyes.”

“But you didn’t stop.” I kept running.

“Well, I didn’t pass the intersection line.”

“Oh yes you did! I was in the crosswalk and had to dodge. You almost ran over me.” By now I was safely past him.

“Well, I just wanted to apologize. Have a nice day!”

I yelled back as I kept running, “Thank you! You too.”

Nice debrief. It took about another mile before my heartbeat returned to normal.

Life is risky. If I sit on the couch, the inherent risks from my genetic makeup will likely lead to serious health problems and possibly early death. If I try to mitigate those risks by running, or other exercises, I incur operational risks. To live is to take risks. Ultimately, every decision we make involves a balance of risks and rewards, but with proper planning and awareness, we can mitigate those risks and continue to move forward.

Good thing I know a thing or two about Risk and Resource Management.

To learn more about Risk and Resource Management visit volantsystems.com.