So, in a way I was hedging and saying that if the Olympic stuff doesn't work out at least I can be a lawyer.

For the novice runner, I'd say to give yourself at least 2 months of consistently running several times a week at a conversational pace before deciding whether you want to stick with it. Consistency is the most important aspect of training at this point.

Running with others can help get you out when you might otherwise blow it off.

How did I know you ran a 4:30 mile in high school? That's easy. Everyone ran a 4:30 mile in high school.

Why couldn't Pheidippides have died at 20 miles?

Right now, after having had back surgery, I am finally back to running again.

There's obviously some validity to it. But I think it also points out that you obviously can do it on your own because people have been doing it long before they had the stuff.