ok guys, thanks for all the kind/helpful words.

They x-rayed it all over (some weird positions for an x-ray if you ask me), and say it's probably a bad bruise where the quad connects at the knee. Maybe the kneecap smashed it? Anyway, they gave me the "as pain allows" bit, and i've been out twice since then. it really hasn't hurt. i'm feeling pretty lucky now.

On another note, I did a timed climb on my mountain bike tonight. I used to see mid 170s bpm for my heartrate when I was REALLY working. Highest I saw was 183 on a tuesday hammerfest (keeping in mind i've only had the HRM a short while).

Hit 191 and pinned it about 185 for quite awhile. Different systems/whatever on a mountain bike, but DAMN. My legs felt good but 3.5 weeks off the bike may have killed my cardiovascular system. Now I'm REALLY sure I'm done racing for the season.