Update

A lot's going on in the world these days, and as usual I have an opinion.  I'm trying to organize my thoughts and come up with a plan for this blog to hopefully take it to the next level.  For now, however, I wanted to simply chime in and report that all 2011 marathon plans have been put on hold as I am still among the non-running.  My injury progressed from the lower left shin up to the top, near the knee, and any attempts at exertion result in a numbing soreness.  I'm hoping to revert all the way back to normal before I begin training again at all.

In the meantime, I have begun using the "bike to nowhere," which is every bit as awful as I thought it would be, and trying to work out my legs in other ways to build up more muscle.  This injury is essentially a result of the force being pushed to other areas on account of the muscles not being strong enough to absorb it all.  That said, it could have been avoided had I held back in training - or stopped running back in early November when I first noticed it.  There is no need to go into deep explanation as to how this happened; one look at my running log should reveal that I trained way too hard.  Basically, I was running significantly better than I ever thought I would last fall and I think that led to me being careless with my general recovery. 

There is also no need to delve deep into the emotional chasms of my mind (did I really just write that?) to dig up my feelings shortly after Thunder Road.  I was, in a word, heartbroken - as you can imagine.  I set a goal for myself and was determined nothing could keep me from it, only to be reminded that I am, in fact, not invincible.  However, there should be many more opportunities to accomplish said goal; I need only to exercise patience and restraint.  One often only gets a single chance to be a part of a high school state champion (close, but no cigar) or a conference champion in college (done - I have a ring the size of my head to prove it), but this is different. 

I may be going crazy right now, but I will get back out there soon.  And you had better believe I will be more motivated than ever.