"You have an additional support group in this weird place. I believe we'd all like to be able to do something more than wish you well."
+1
Well, you certainly have accomplished the seemingly impossible, having united the letsrun posters!
I learned a while ago that life can be a real crapshoot. Sure, you can try your best, but you just never know what cards you're going to be dealt. Everyone has to enjoy what they can, when they can.
This year I tore my groin up, and in compensating for that with my other leg, I have developed achilles tendinosis. It hurts like heck when I run, but I have managed to get in 2 meets this year anyway, in part thanks to your experiences in this thread. I don't think it's going to tear, and if I shorten my stride a bit, I can keep it under control. My times suffer, but are still respectable.
I considered not competing because of the pain, especially post-race, and then I actually thought about your own running described in this thread, and decided to run today because you never know what tomorrow will bring.
Apparently I'm high up in the rankings in a bunch of events, something I find amusing. I really don't think that I would have competed had it not been for this thread, so I have you to thank. Sometimes I have to be reminded about the things I already know.
Small consolation, I know, but even with all the crap that is happening, you have made a positive difference in my life, someone you don't even know. Thanks guy, and good luck--and say hi to your funny little dog for me!