Makes me think of orienteering running -- at the competitive level, you can't afford to slow down much (and definitely you can't stop running) just to look at t

Makes me think of orienteering running -- at the competitive level, you can't afford to slow down much (and definitely you can't stop running) just to look at the map and plan your route. So not only you're not looking at how rough the terrain you're stepping on right now is, your brain is also busy with evaluating different options and trying to optimize for the least effort to get from point A to point B (and repeat this 100 times or more in a race) -- for example, should I take the long way around the hill with rougher vegetation vs go straight up 100 meters elevation and down on the other side.