Run, Swim, Throw, Cheat:The Science Behind Drugs in Sport

Scientist/author Cooper discusses a number of scientific and moral issues regarding the use of "illegal" drugs and sport performance in this book. It is interesting where the authorities and public deem the line of cheating and being "clean" to be. 

An athlete can take creatine supplements without issue. Creatine is proven to increase muscle mass, testosterone levels and assists greatly with sports requiring short bursts of speed and strength. Creatine occurs naturally in the body so this is legal. 

ATP (Adenosine-5'-triphosphate) is the main energy transfer molecule in cells and is legal to take for sport enhancement. Hammer Nutrition is one of the companies selling ATP. They say ATP provides; Instant energy right when you need it, restores energy after a hard effort and helps maintain overall energy production. This is supported by much research. You place a pill under your tongue and within a few minutes get an energy boost.

Caffeine is another legal supplement that works for most people. 

Athletes with allergies or colds have to be extremely careful in what they take as many drugs found in those remedies are deemed illegal by the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency). Waivers are sometimes permissible but not always easy to come by. Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are known to work in short term muscle endurance events such as one mile running races and sprints on bike, swimming or running. 

There are many problems with all of this. Athletes have avoided or "passed" test for years (read the stories in the book to discover the means this was done). The WADA and other authorities have made mistakes. Labs make mistakes. There isn't really any solid scientific proof that a lot of the supplements work, yet the games still go on between authorities and athletes (really, try to find a few dozen athletes who are clean now, give them HGH, then test them again in a scientific environment. Their career is done - not going to happen). The best data we still have is the East German doping program that lasted at least 2 decades.

Blood doping is another issue all-together and illegal. Athletes used to (and probably still do) not only store their own blood and add it before events to increase their red blood cell levels (and thus oxygen capacity), but would use other people's blood. Yuck. 

One newer weapon WADA has now is biomarkers. They will take the average levels of, say, testosterone, in an athlete and if this level spikes at some point one can be fairly certain a supplement was taken. 

So millions of dollars are spent. The NFL (and most pro leagues) has yet to test for HGH and other drugs (fights with Union on how to do this and costs involved). Athletes, if not tested in the off-season, can dope then, come off the drug(s) and be clean for the season yet still reap rewards for doping by being able to train longer and recover faster between sessions.

What about college or high school athletes? Are you going to test all of them? Who will pay for that? It is all quite confusing and if I can take caffeine, creatine, ATP and a few other "legal" aids, then why not others? Do you really believe bicyclists (especially Tour de France riders) were all clean in the 60's - early 90's and this just began? No way. Our morals, society's expectations, our ability to test better may have changed, but that's all. 

This debate is going on for a long time.

The Blerch

The Blerch is a comic from a website called The Oatmeal. I think many of us are fighting our own Blerches.

The Prancing Pony

Evidently a new to me exercise craze is sweeping the country. I expect Sals runners to be doing similar routines on the canal path soon, especially when the weather gets cooler and we are once again wearing tights.
It's difficult to explain, the video will provide all the information necessary.

Ten Wonderful Reasons to Exercise in High Heat

Upstate New York is in the midst of an Alabama style heat and humidity wave. It has been in the upper 80's and 90's for the last ten days and is continuing until Saturday. The dew point is the real culprit, typically in the upper 60's and low 70's. The air is extraordinarily thick, making outdoor activities a challenge. 

There are some good things coming from these weather conditions though. Amazingly MW and I came up with ten of them!

1. Who needs a diet plan? In this heat and humidity I can lose six pounds in an hour of exercise.

2. Wringing out my socks on plants so I don't have to water them with a hose.

3. Taking a shower and still sweating when done.

4. Fluid loss is an excuse to drink more alcohol?

5. Chafing, whoa, that hurts in the shower!

6. Sweat works like breadcrumbs to help you find the way home.

7. You can leave a great butt-print on your front step where you sat to take off your sloshy shoes.

8. Using my sweat soaked clothes to fill Lou's pool.

9. Excess sweat works great in a spray bottle as an ant killer.

10. It's fun to fling sweat from my running hat and clothes onto co-runners.

The Man Who Lived on His Bike

This is a funny video about a man who rides his bike through all seasons and appears to be living on it 24/7. I like bikes and the freedom they provide. This video represents that to an extreme. Click the X to remove the Google ad that pops up. Stay through the credits for the last humorous scene.

Defensive Driving

Years ago in high school I took Driver’s Ed during the summer before my senior year. It wasn’t required, but I didn’t turn 17 until November of that year and I wanted to be able to drive at night. Taking Driver’s Ed was the only way I could do that. Decades later I still remember some lessons from those classes; Stay in your lane, come to a full stop at red lights, use a turn signal when switching lanes on the expressway (and not two clicks at the last second), use turn signals when actually turning, if there is an obstruction in your lane (say, a garbage truck partially blocking your path), you must wait until there is no on-coming traffic before pulling into the other lane. I also remember the one instructor who was more interested in trying to impress the high school girls and hit on them than necessarily teach the class, but that is another story. 

Back in those “good old days” driving more than 10mph over the thruway speed limit of 55 would virtually guarantee a ticket. 

These rules still make sense to me, especially as a bicyclist and runner who is always on a road, shoulder or crossing intersections. I daresay most drivers don’t agree. If you are driving 40 in a 35mph zone or 72mph in a 65mph zone, there is an excellent chance a car, truck or motorcycle will come up within five feet of your rear bumper. Signaling? Forget about it. Drivers act like you should know where they are going, or else they really don’t give a darn. If you are running on the sidewalk and need to cross the road, don’t go in front of a car that is thinking of turning red! There is an excellent chance you will end up on the hood of the car. The driver won’t look right, only left, and then blindly turn. Idiots.

Sunday Jan and I were biking on a rural road, everything was fine until a few cars and pickups went by. They gave us room but were going way over the 55 limit, it was a Whooooshhh as they screamed by in the other lane.

The drivers who really scare me are the ones who come from behind, driving on the white line, weave out a bit, then immediately weave across the line, and back and then over the line again. Put down the phone!! 

Lesson – In a car, bike, on foot, always think that the other driver is aiming for you or oblivious that you are even present. I drive thinking every car coming from the other direction is going to cross the middle line and hit me.

"A Life Without Limits" Book Review

     Triathlete Chrissie Wellington's autobiography, "A Life Without Limits" is blunt, honest, inspiring and a testament to what hard work and dedication can do for an athlete. Chrissie was really a late-comer to the sport, not seriously picking it up till her mid-late 20's. Eventually she developed enough to win the Kona Ironman World Championship four times and set the women's world record for the 140.6 iron distance at Quelle Roth Germany 8:19:13, when only six men beat her that day.
     The book is more than about her triathlon experiences though, as Wellington early on fought through issues with bulimia and body image, spent years in Nepal and other developing countries trying to improve their living standard. The details about Chrissie's academics and "normal" career become laborious to read at times, though showcase her as a truly well-rounded individual who cares about society. The real excitement and best writing are when she discusses her training, relationships with coaches, fellow athletes and struggles before races and during the events. Chrissie really brings to life what an elite athlete goes through during a long distance triathlon.

Road ID Contest

Who wouldn't want a free trip to the 2014 Tour de France? Use the Road ID link/ad on the left of the blog to connect to their homepage where you can easily enter the contest. Everyday they have a new trivia question, simply answer it and enter in your email address and name.
Daily prizes are also given out randomly. Last year I won, well nothing, but that's no reason to give up trying. If you don't know the quiz answer try Google, no one will be watching.

American Ninja Warrior

Jan and I got hooked on the television show "American Ninja Warrior" last year. A new season began on Monday, July 1 and will continue for a few weeks until the winner is crowned.

This show originated in Japan (called Sasuke) and the rules have been changed a bit for the American audience and competitors. There are qualifying rounds across the United States, with the top 30 from each making it to the finals in Las Vegas. A $500,000 prize awaits the winner.

It is unusual for women to make the top 30, but I think that is due to many of the obstacles being designed for upper body strength and/or longer legs. One woman did make the finals in Monday night's episode. Competitors will line up days in advance to get a chance to tryout for one of the rounds.

There has been some talk of Sal's creating their own Ninja competition. Why not? We run, jump over deadly garter snakes on the canal path, dodge through thick brush to find a private spot to "meditate" (hoping our toilet paper doesn't run out, or those leaves aren't poison ivy),  hop left, then right, then up in the air missing the leash of friendly dogs who of course never bite (until now). It's only natural we design a fair meet for all-comers.

With thanks to Mike W and a bit of editing by me, here are a few of our obstacles;

The Over 50 Ninja Warrior Event: (younger people may enter, but will be required to wear a 15lb weight belt).


1. The competitor starts with the dash to the bathroom stepping over the family pet and yesterday’s work clothes.
2. Climb a two-step ladder to reach a light bulb that blew out in the bathroom.
3. After changing the light bulb run to the kitchen garbage can while placing the bulb in the cardboard container vacated by the new bulb. If you break the bulb you are out.
4. Proceed quickly to the balance portion. You stand in the living room. That’s it. Just stand for 20 seconds without falling down.
5. Dash to the chains which are hanging in the garage. Leap to the first chain which is at least six feet up in the air and support your own weight for 3 seconds. Bring the step stool if you can't raise your hands overhead.
6. Jump off the chains and jog to the numchucks that are tied to a tree.
7. Don’t even think of jumping on them. Run around the num chucks and use a ladder to get to the deck platform with the finish button.


Top 30 competitors to finish within the same day move on to the semi-final round which takes place at the Olive Garden, before 6pm, so you can beat the crowd. We can't give away all of the semi-final events, but expect the all-you-can-eat bread and salad to be a big part of this.