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| Look closely and you can see the chain marks |
I like to multitask; I think it’s the mark
of an active mind and I’m pleased that I can do it. That said there are
definitely times when I should just focus on one thing. Like cooking; I adore
cooking but I also like to chat and many a meal has suffered because of this. Now
I pay more attention.
Cycling
is another activity that requires my full focus – I’m fully aware of that and
consider myself a fairly proficient cyclist – I know the danger spots, wouldn’t
dream of cycling with headphones, always wear reflective gear. This is when I’m
on the move, when I’m stationary I expect that I can do other things.
I
went for a bike ride today, I have to – I’ve entered a race in November and the
last time I cycled was July. So as you can imagine, I’m on a tight training
schedule in a desperate attempt to become race-worthy in five weeks. I love
training, I love the feeling afterwards when you think you’ve done a good thing
and you actually deserve your dinner but I don’t like the last 700 metres. I
live on a hill, it’s actually 1.2 miles to the bottom (or the top whichever way
you look at it) and those last 1925 metres home are positive agony. I can will
myself through the first 1200 – I have to, they’re in the public eye – but as
soon as I round the last bend (pass the last house) I allow myself a breather.
It’s a bad habit. I should try and break it but some days I feel it is the only
way to get me over that last hurdle – and it is a steep 700 metres.
I
always stop in the same place. If I’m running you’ll find me bent double (my
legs look thinner from that angle) or if I’m on my bike I’ll have my left foot
up on the kerb, maybe sipping my last drop of water. Today I stopped just as
normal but, recalling that I’d had a text about five minutes previously, I
decided to check my phone. It makes it look more legitimate that way – like you’re
not nearly dead – you’re just taking an important call. Now this shouldn’t be a
problem, I was stationary remember – and youths can text whilst cycling, in
traffic, with headphones on (don’t try it, it is dangerous). I’ve watched
professional cyclists cycling along, one arm extended into a med-car whilst the
team doctor stitches a gash, just so that they maintain their position in a
race – so pulling over, unclipping your left foot and balancing on the kerb
(which is at perfect height) so that you can read your text is easy. It has to
be. I’ve done it before.
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| My knee took the fall |
Today
was different. I’m not entirely sure what happened next but I think maybe I
leaned into my right hand as I tried to work my phone – and my right foot was
still clipped into the pedal. Suddenly I could feel myself falling to the right
but – clipped in as I was – I was unable to stop myself. Until my right knee
hit the ground, my phone flew across the road and the bike chain managed to
slice an interesting pattern into the back of my left leg.
Luckily
I don’t think there were any witnesses.
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