We've been neglecting this blog for too long, so in an effort to kick things back off...and since Thursday is Thor's Day (and there's that whole Norseman connection)...yeah, look for new posts by Thursdays.
First up...in case you were under a rock, there's this famous cyclist who also happens to have started a philanthropic organization who has been in the news lately. Rather than getting into Oprah's lane...here are some of the random conversations we've been having in our little slice of the universe.
1) We don't get it. This is mostly directed toward the age group athletes out there who are using anti-aging products, or PEDs, or other banned substances. Maybe we're missing something, but none of us are getting paid for competing/completing tris or 5k's or mud runs. This is "sport" - it's supposed to be fun. We'll be the first to admit that our ego's look at the ranking and see how we stack up, but really. In order to win an essentially made-up sport (none of us are running to provide for ourselves or feed ourselves) people are out there using banned or illegal substances. Like I said, we don't get it. It's supposed to be about the process - it's supposed to be about being better / stronger / faster tomorrow than you were today through your own effort and hard work. It's not supposed to be about who can manipulate their blood / hormones.
2) We think there's an element of entertainment in pro sports. I mean, let's face it -- would the NFL be as hugely popular if it was normal sized people running and hitting at normal speeds. Now, obviously, they (and the other pro sports) have some version of a testing protocol in place and we're not trying to implicate every pro athlete. But, a lot of pro sports are more Roman Coliseum and entertainment than "pure" athletics (whatever that means).
3) Setting aside the whole pro sports as entertainment piece - how do we, as a society, ensure that the folks who want to compete on a level playing field can do so. And, possibly more importantly, how do we ensure the health and safety of the kids and teens so that their bodies develop on a natural path and so that they can compete cleanly.
4) Part of what we don't like is the whole "everyone was doing it" attitude and the fact that it raises questions about anyone who turns in an exceptional performance. You can't prove a negative. Right now, it's too easy to be suspicious about everyone. And that isn't good or fair. And it's not right.
5) No, really, we don't get it. We're getting older. That sucks. It would've been nice to start this whole tri / endurance / (actually running more than 4 miles per year) thing earlier. But we didn't and we don't have 10, 20, 30, 40 + years of solid base training in our legs and bodies. So, that means we're going to improve slowly and when you factor in some age related declines - yeah, we're fighting to tread water. So, we just try to work a little harder and train a little smarter and pay more attention to recovery. And we don't even consider PEDs or anything along those lines. Because those things cheat you out of the pride of knowing the work you put in and the hours and sweat equity.
6) Yes, we take multivitamins. And we train, sometimes slowly (ok, usually slowly). If we improve at all, it's because we're busting our asses. If we don't improve, it won't be because we weren't trying. But if we do improve, it'll be legit, so we won't have to book a session with Oprah.
So, what are your thoughts?
(This is a mild version from the ranter...the eloquent one was working on other stuff.)
