A hard choice

I don't know why I was thinking about this today, but here goes...

Let's say the fastest you have run one mile in is 4:30, but on an average day you run one mile in 5:00 (which also means that you sometimes run a mile in more than 5 minutes). And also assume that once you run a mile at that speed, you would be absolutely drained and would have a tough time doing anything else.

Now, let's say you are stuck in a deserted place and there is a train station exactly one mile from where you are. Also, you know that a train leaves from the station exactly in 4 minutes 50 seconds. If you manage to get on the train it'll take you 30 miles to the nearest civilized place, whereas, if you miss the train, you'll have to walk for at least 30 miles.

So would you try to run the mile in under 4:50 and catch the train knowing very well that if you miss the train you'll have no energy left to walk the remaining 30 miles? Or would you conserve your energy and not try to run a 4:50 mile but resign yoursefl to walking 30+1 miles?

Life is full of hard choices like this one, don't you think?