Risk v Reward

Everything you do in life involves risk.  Driving your car, going out on your bike, investing money and going for a run.  Even going shopping can be risky as our friend Carol found out when she fell over, sober, on the pavement and broke her hip.  A big shout out to Carol who will be working hard at her recuperation and we look forward to seeing her back in her high heels in due course.  But it just illustrates how easy it is to injure yourself.
I wanted to talk about risk because the more time I spend in the mountains on my own, the more I have to make decisions which involve risk.  On Saturday I went solo up Ben Vorlich, Stuc a' Chroin and Bein Each.  At the last minute I threw in my mini-crampons and ski gloves and I was extremely fortunate that I did.  As usual the first summit was in cloud base, the ground was frozen solid and I had to put my jacket on plus ski gloves.  I met someone at the top and he was heading to Stuc a' Chroin but hadn't been there before.  We decided on safety in numbers so I joined him and his two cocker spaniels and we head off - he was a bit slow but it was better to have company and time or goals disappear when you are in difficult conditions. As we started the safer route to the summit the conditions were getting worse and a ridge of snow stood in our way.  He decided it wasn't worth the risk but I decided that as I had poles and mini-crampons, I'd give it a go.  The risk paid off as the snow lasted for 50m then it was back to the hard ground.  I was then rewarded with improving visibility and was able to continue my route to the third summit and then complete my planned circular route back to my car.  Being solo however I slowed down to make sure I didn't go over on my ankle but had a back up plan if I did i.e. survival bag, mobile phone, spare phone charger, food and drink.  I live by my 7Ps mantra; Piss Poor Preparation Precipitates Piss Poor Performance!
Today's run was back to Ben Ledi.  It was a quick up (54 mins) and down (25 mins) and the conditions couldn't have been better with clear blue skies all the way.  There is a path to the top but running down it at speed is risky and requires your full attention.  Every foot step is a potential ankle twist or worse but I reduce the risk by running with poles which can help me correct a slip and save a tumble.  But the reward was the most wonderful downhill, exhilarating.
As I found out last year, entering a race doesn't mean you are guaranteed to complete it or complete it in the target time you set.  But by taking the risk of entering the race it sets expectations in your head and gives you something to train for.  Your race may only be a stepping stone as the Moray 50 mile ultra was for me and of course I was disappointed when I pulled out at 35 miles but I achieved 3 things; the race shaped my training, it gave me something to aim for and I was bang on target time wise when I threw the towel in.  But I did it to avoid an injury so I was managing the risk.
Everyday we face risks and when we run, cycle, swim we increase the risks.  But if we prepare well, read up on the race or mountain we're heading to then we gain a better understanding and reduce the risks we are exposed too.  My final point is I am not a full time athlete whose career depends on a win so if the risks are too high then whilst its a hard decision, live to fight another day.  Stay safe out there but get out of your comfort zone and take some risks because that is where your personal development will grow.