Well, after a summer of a couple different anti-inflamitories, two different muscle relaxers, 4 weeks rest, 4 weeks PT, three doctors, and lots of fighting with the workers comp insurence company, I got a epidural steroid injection in my damaged disc last thursday. 48 hours later I went for my first comfortable run since June. I went back to the doc today and he says that since I'm doing well he'd like to to stay with just one shot unless I fee like I'm backsliding. It feels great to train hard again, to run with my old stride, to push the pace on the bicycle, and to kick again in the pool and leave the pull bouy on the pool wall. My back will need full time care; stretching and stregthening, but it looks like it will be OK as long as I take care of myself.