you don't fear the height, you only fear the fall

[cris]

I was lying in a field in western Massachusetts at the end of a long, hot Saturday afternoon, reposed in a state of pulsing pain.  My legs had been seized by cramps and were slowly unknotting.  The middle and index fingers on my left hand were paralyzed by nerve damage.  My shoulders and upper arms felt battered, but I was smiling. 

Comments

[fudjo]

"So, faced with the fact that I could neither pedal nor really control my bike, I pulled to the side of the route, dismounted and sat down."

I applaud your valorous discretion. :)

[silas7]

An excellent report, and another amazing adventure shared.

[iterum]

Awesomeness.

[rojagato]

So I focused on the long exhales, blowing air out consciously over six or ten seconds, the length of an entire descent.

I firmly believe that this skill has kept me alert and functional through Really Tough Things; it's certainly kept me alive on occasions like getting mauled by a truck. I know that I have my on-again, off-again relationship with Buddhist practice to thank for technique, but it was my father who first taught me the trick.

This is my favorite of your lj essays, I think; but with so many of them vying for the top on narrative skill, the tie-breaker has to be how this one spoke to me personally.

[cris]

awww, thanks.

Breathing exercises are something I've been doing a little more of lately. Kind of funny how and when it comes in handy.