Choices we make

By Ernest Joseph – 2002

In life, for every decision we make, we are faced with at least two choices. It is the choice we make that defines our future. At least that is what my uncle used to say. But sometimes we are faced with a decision that offers tough choices. And in these cases, our ingenious mind come up with a plan called balancing act. Balancing work and family life, finding a balance between tasty and healthy food, finding a balance between carbo loading and protein intake, finding balance between long runs and speed work, even finding balance in our lives through running. And last but not least, finding balance between running and family life. For most people, the problem is finding enough time to exercise. For runners who run and train for a race, the problem is finding enough time to do anything else.

One Saturday morning on a pump house run at Croton Dam Reservoir, a friend explained to me why he has stopped running races for his club. Few years ago he was faced with a decision to either run in Milrose games or take his son who was in pain to the dentist that morning. On one hand, club was counting on his commitment, after all, how often one gets an opportunity to run in Milrose games? On the other hand, he was worried about unexpected emergency, although his wife had reminded him of her competency in handling any crisis. While he chose to honor his commitment to the club, the visit to the dentist turned out to be an in-hospital surgery. Although all went well in the end, he could not forgive himself for being not there for his son.

Every runner faces decisions and choices. Sometimes choices we make seem amusing and other times solemn, but these choices keep circle of life going while making everyone involved happy. There is a reason why the phrase “runners are different” exists! Following are real life examples of some of the many balancing act performed by ever-creative runners.

How often have you run very early in the morning in the dark or late in the night and sometimes with a miner’s light on your head to guide you, just so that you balance between family obligations and required weekly mileage? And while doing that, how often have you sneaked out of the house so that you would not disturb the sleeping family? And listen to this one, you had convinced your spouse that all these running is for the upcoming fall marathon, but the marathon has come and gone, and still there is no sign of you slowing down! After Boston marathon in April, my wife asked me if I was going to run Boston again. My reply was empathetic no. Her skeptic look turned in to an investigative look and like a seasoned psychologist she said, “Now I know what it is like to run a marathon. It is just like us having a baby. We say no to having another baby right after giving birth, but soon we forget about pain and start thinking of having another one…”

Or how about a run between daily chores like dropping kids off to school and picking them up?

Have you planed a vacation around a marathon with your significant other? It better be in Bermuda, Paris, London, Hawaii or Disney World, but definitely not at Jersey shore. After all it is not about the PR course, it about a vacation spot everyone can enjoy.

Have you ever thought of asking a fellow runner if it is OK for you to use his mailing address to order running shoes, a second purchase in last six month, worth more than 100 dollars of course, because you can not seem to find a winnable argument to justify the need of the new shoes to your spouse?

Breaking barriers is about making choices. Have you ever made that difficult decision to move from one group of runners you have had countless fun run with to a faster group so that you can train for your PR race?

Have you ever consider a change in your race strategy in the middle of a marathon so that you can help friend achieve her goal?

And how about choosing between that all-important race this Sunday and the church service? Once, noticing my frequent absences on Sunday, I was asked by my pastor what religion I follow lately? Remembering a line from Doc Sheehan’s article, I replied, “I used to be a Methodist, but now I am a runner.”

Alright, enough about this amusing stuff. Life is all about making choices. It’s important that, as hard as some of them may be, we make those choices and take those decisions. Never be so afraid of making the “wrong” decision. If it turns out to be wrong in hindsight, well, you did the best you could at the time. Correct what you can and move on. When you’re faced with a choice, remember that it’s better to make a decision – any decision, like those balancing acts – than to stand there and be run over by the train.