Unexpected encounter with nature: Monday morning about 9AM I was just on the last 1 ½ miles of a short 15 mile bike ride and had slowed down to make a right turn onto a rural road where the vegetation completely blocked my view both directions (for those of you that know Provo I was in Ironton just below the Provo-Springville road). I startled a deer that rose up out of the underbrush and rushed forward. Then the buck put on his brakes—those skinny little legs trying desperately to avoid me. Sliding on his side across the asphalt he took out the front wheel of my bike, tossing me on my keyster. Fortunately, the 3 prong buck got up and kept on going; but unfortunately I was left sprawled on my back in the middle of the road. If only I had been wearing a GoPro camera on my helmet! My cleats had come out but I really wacked the inside of my knees. There was only a little road rash on my right leg and hip. I laid there for a few seconds checking to make sure nothing was broken. Nothing was, but I could feel my lower back was out. I put the chain back on my bike and road the rest of the way home—all uphill I might add! Immediately I took a shower to get off all the grease and clean my road rash. Then I made an appointment to see the chiropractor and the MD—one to adjust all that was out which included my neck, back, and both hips; and one with the MD to get a prescription for muscle relaxants. I had no illusions about what that evening would bring in terms of pain. Amazingly, everything is relatively good—other than bruises—especially once I went swimming on Wednesday morning. It’s truly miraculous what a 2500 yard workout can do for loosening up my lower back. What hurts the most is my neck. The whip lash aches when I move my head and I wake up every morning with a killer headache. It takes over an hour for the pain to dissipate and then it is just background noise for the rest of the day. The lesson for me: I forgot to say my morning prayer before my bike ride. My usual prayer before a bike ride is a request to God—if today is my day, please take both my body and my mind—don’t take just one and leave the other. I guess Monday wasn’t my day to go, but in the meantime, I won’t forget again to ask for God’s protection!
Posted on: Thu, 08 Aug 2013 20:01:03 +0000
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