I’ve received numerous contacts asking me for my opinion on what’s going down with Al Sal and the Nike OP.
Here’s a link to the most current bombshell. http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-32883946 It is worth the time to read.
Me? I’m not at all surprised. I’ve had a long enough career in the sport.
Drug use in athletics is rampant. It was in the 80s and 90s and 00s and it will remain a bane and scourge of Real Running everywhere and forever.
Why? Depends on who you ask. If you ask me it is because the nature of human beings. Not all, but so very many.
I’ll say this. Any serious runner that gives you a “good” reason for having a testosterone patch, pill, implant or any other method of introducing is only giving you an excuse. Their justification for cheating. CHEATING!
I’ve heard it all. “I’m on the ‘low’ end and need a boost because I’m unusually tired in training.” “My doctor prescribed it because I need it.”
I think of the number of athletes that I have worked with over the last 25 years. The ones that showed up at every race with their inhalers. Every race. Because they “need” it.
Smell test. I’ve caught a whiff of the fraud and cheats right here in Nebraska and don’t you dare disbelieve. I’ll use the phrase “over the last 15 years” so that my fingers aren’t directly pointed at anyone.
I’ve heard it discussed by the users. Heard first hand from those injecting themselves. Seen the implants. Right here in the Good Life.
But haven’t your eyebrows too been raised? Haven’t you seen with your own twin orbs dramatic improvements? Those that were never runners that suddenly appear at the top of their respective divisions. Haven’t you noticed that there are those whose bodies have changed dramatically? I have. And those 40+ that refuse to let their naturally occurring aging processes hold sway, trying to either recapture or ignite for the first time a sense of accomplishment. Again either with dramatic improvements or matching lifetime personal bests from a previous generation.
No, this current drug scandal hasn’t diminished my love or respect for running at all. Hasn’t shivered me timbers in the least in fact. I’ll never let the Cheats do that. No matter what their “reason” or “excuse” is. Running will always remain a pure sport for me. It is them that abuse and justify that will never be accepted into my circle of clean and mean.
Why do you think I am so damned proud of those I choose to most closely associate with?
My dear, sweet Linda. Clean and mean. With USA National Championship medals from 800 meters to 25K she is arguably one of the most talented 50+ runners in the United States. Eschewing all performance enhancements. The only training aid she needs is Jedediah.
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