Oh, I completely agree with you that we should try for that. But I always try to give it a little extra depending on where I am and what is going on around me.
I can't run around always keyed up expecting an attack. I doubt anybody can run at that state constantly. I find myself trying to judge the situation and revving up when the danger increases.
Here is an example. Last night I had to make a change in downtown Miami that lasted till 2:00 AM. I was one of only two customers in this building. This building has armed guards 24x7 and one must pass through a magnetometer as well as have their bags physically checked to enter this building. In this building, I was relaxed.
Outside of this building, there are cameras covering all entrances as well as the parking lot. The parking lot is within sight of one armed guard that I know. I was only slightly elevated when going to my car. I armed myself the first thing inside the car.
On the drive home, after 2:00 AM, I passed several small groups of what appeared to be thugs. Each time I spotted a group, I got a little more attentive.
I stopped at a stop light and a car pulled up. I glanced over and saw 4 youths in the car, two male, one female and one undetermined. I revved up higher than I had previously done.
The female in the back seat nearest my window started to holler over telling me about her breasts and started to pull her top up. I put my hand on my weapon.
The light changed, they turned left and I went straight. I relaxed almost back down to where I was earlier. When I had made a few turns and figured there was no way they could catch up to me, I relaxed back to my normal late night driving level.
If I was at a drive thru with customers walking around and an old lady at the register in day time I'm going to be more relaxed than if I was there with a group of apparent tough guys hanging around the parking lot and another who looked similar at the register late at night.
So, what I am trying to say with all this drivel is that I can not run at peak levels all the time. I try to judge the level of threat and adjust in accordance with the perceived level.
