Doping in Sport

Upon receiving my latest issue of Velonews, I was NOT at all surprised to see another article about the prevalence of drug use in cycling. Titled "The Years Biggest Disappointment" the article mimics that of 2004, where "hardly a week had gone by without a major bust, denial or teary confession." It seems the one difference in this article is that issues being raised in 2005 are about testing protocols, and the fairness of the system. I am no expert, but I will give a short history of the use of drugs in sport...
1954 - the first sub 4 minute mile run was broken by Roger Bannister . He broke this record with little training because at that time it was widely accepted that exercise over 30 minutes would cause irreparable heart damage...
1960 Olympic Games and 1967 Tour de France - two deaths caused by the use of amphetamines.
1984 - US Cycling Team used uncross-matched blood doping in the Los Angeles Olympic Games.
1988 - Standard testing of athletes only at times of competition.
1998 - EPO use at Tour de France. EPO is hormone normally produced by your body to increase the number of red blood cells. Athletes have used artificial EPO to increase their oxygen carrying capacity and therefore their aerobic performance.
2000 - Development of a test for artificial EPO use...a seemingly breakthrough in the fight against doping.
2005 - Back testing of Lance Armstrong's blood samples from the 1999 Tour de France show EPO use...or do they? There were numerous questions around the validity of tests carried out on such old samples of urine,and of the entire testing regime.
2004 - Belgian triathlete Rutger Beke was suspended from competition for 18 months for supposed EPO use. The ban was lifted in August 2005 due to results from a recent study show that some athletes can excrete proteins in their blood after strenuous exercise that would give false positive results to EPO use.
Today - year round testing in athletes both in and out of competition.

The entire culture around sport has changed. The training methods have changed, the equipment has changed and the pressure of athletes to succeed has never been greater. These athletes today push themselves to the physical and mental limit, a far cry from the standard of exercise in the 1950s. Is it really a surprise that the use of performance enhancing drugs has increased as well?? The World Anti-Doping Association has been in the forefront of developing tests to catch the drug users, however, their testing cannot keep up with the designer drugs the athletes have access to. So, are we really watching our hero's race or are we watching pharmacology at work? Where do we draw the line? Are altitude training and hypoxic tents the same "idea" as blood doping? Should they be banned to? Should doping be legal? . Because of the serious health risks associated with the use of drugs, should there be standards in place?
I don't know the answers to these questions. I do know that the athletes we watch are amazing physical beings - with or without drugs. The average joe on performance enhancing drugs couldn't do what these athletes do. I suggest to anyone who thinks they can to try to ride up L'Alpe d'Huez...just once, without stopping...good luck.
Because I have no real conclusion to draw from my rant, I will leave you with this to ponder...the maker of EPO (Amgen) is going to sponsor a cycling road race, the Tour of California, in 2005...odd?? I think so.

A Known World

I just finished reading A Known World by Edward P. Jones. I really enjoyed the book, although have heard mixed reviews from others. Jones writes a complex story about the Southern States and the struggles ensued by slaves and slaveowners. Edwards jumps between characters and weaves through time; a method that eventually ties the complex lives of the characters together. This is difficult to get used to, and was what turned other readers away. I felt however, that the way the story was written proved the talent of this author. He makes the story believable, and reinforces the complexities faced by people in this era. The character development is excellent, and I found myself feeling so strongly for the characters I had to put the book down despite my desire to read what happened next. I recommend this book to people interested in historical fiction, and those who are patient enough to trust that you will learn and remember all of the characters if you keep on reading!!

Winter as a training ground

Well, perhaps I have lied already...In my profile I wrote I have "learnt to love the winter." I wrote that before it got really cold, and now I am not so sure I do. I have become a softie, and could easily hibernate for the entire winter. At this time of year either it is too cold (+5 and below), or too icy, or too snowy or basically whatever...

In early December when it was -3 and -1, I refused to ride outside stating "it's too cold." I refused to run outside, "it's too cold." Huh. No, Sandy, -25 with a windchill of -30 is cold. Now that I have been reminded of what cold is, I have decided to change my attitude.

I have learnt mountain bike racing is about suffering. Whoever can suffer the most will win...even if that means just finishing a race. If you can battle snow and ice on a cold day then rain at +8 with a 50km/h headwind in August isn't too bad at all. Apparently there are a lot of benefits to riding/running/skiing in the winter...so they say. Improved bike handling from riding on ice, core stability from running on slippery terrain, cardiovascular benefits from time spent on misery sticks (uh, I mean cross country skis). Not to mention the thick skin you would develop from exposing yourself to the above mentioned activities!!

So, my December 10th resolution is to get outside 1 or 2 times per week and suffer. 6 months of that should be good for the ol' suitcase of courage. See you on the ice. IceRide

Oh the weather outside is frightful!

We got dumped on last night. The first significant snowfall of the season. I was up and out of the house at 6am to go to the gym. The second I walked outside, I was struck by the beauty of the snow storm. It was still dark, no one else was on the roads, the wind had not picked up yet, and gigantic snowflakes were falling! It was beautiful, and I was actually very happy to see the snow! After the gym I went to Second Cup to read my book and have a coffee before work. I don't think there would have been a better way to start my day. Alas, I had a patient at 8:15, so off to work I went. I parked infront of a pour soul who left their Second Cup coffee on top of the car. What a disappointing shame- you make the effort to go to Second Cup in the morning, spend $5 on a deluxe coffee and forget it on the top of your car. Especially on a Monday. That person is going to have a crappy day! I must say, the simplest of things can make or break your day.

Hello!!

Welcome!
I have created this online journal as a way to channel my creativity and spare time into something "useful." Over the past year I have been blessed with being able to work part-time, to pursue areas of my life that I felt needed more attention. Being an advocate of working less and playing more I have been inspired to share my experiences with you.

I would be honored if you were to read my blog, and be inspired to get off work early to go do whatever makes you happy. Just be sure to post a comment about it...