I was once a runner.  As such, I logged over 25,000 miles (more than around the World) and am proud to boast that I qualified to run in the fabled Boston Marathon at the age of 40 with a time of 3:09:34 ( just under the 3:10 qualifying standard).  

They were miles of trials and trials of miles. Unforgettable were my 20 mile runs into New York City on Northern Boulevard, Malley's Marauders 24 Hour Relays and 30 mile runs to the end of Centre Island with Ben Geizhals and other running buddies.  

In sum, I completed 33 (26.2 miles) marathons.  

These are sweet, prideful, hard earned, memories, but there was a price to pay, as my body endured the pounding and erosion over time.  And now's the time for me to pay up, as I have "bone on bone"
on my right knee, making me a prime candidate for a knee replacement.  

But no, 3 years ago, I chose to endure the knee discomfort and embark on a course of maintenance and, truth be told, my "Bad Knee" is no worse than 3 years ago.  

I undergo physical therapy to strengthen the muscles supporting the knee and every 6 months receive a 3 week series of gel injections from my orthopedist, .  Plus a recent cortisone shot (pictured) in between to juice me up.

Am I crazy?  If so, when did I become so?