All Intangibles

I've been giving this some thought, and I sudd...

2010-01-05T08:52:54.142-08:00

I've been giving this some thought, and I suddenly remembered my own marathon experience.

I took PED during my marathon. But I also refused certain PED during my marathon.

During my marathon, one of my calves and hamstring was starting to tighten up. So I stopped at one of the medical tents that offered Biofreeze, the new Bengay. However, I turned down Tylenol.

So why allow Biofreeze but turn down Tylenol? To be honest, it was an emotional, gut feeling decision. I was willing to use something help a localized problem but I felt that system-wide pain relief was too risky. I wanted to retain some notion of control.

My goal was to finish the marathon, w/ relative comfort. I think that meant 2 things in particular: 1) I was willing to do certain things to help me finish, which included training for like half a year and the Biofreeze, and 2) I was going to do all I can to avoid hitting the wall, which meant I ate ALL the food provided, even if I didn't need it. That was my goal and I did what I felt was reasonable given that goal.

Finally, at the end of the race, I took the Tylenol and ice for my knees. By that point I had finished the race and I was willing to take almost whatever PED (i.e. not steroids) to help me recover and avoid injuries.

Not sure if that contributes anything to the discussion, but I figure I should just post something from personal experience. Have fun training for the marathon Allen!! ^_^

The water line is also something I wonder about. ...

2009-12-17T01:00:28.997-08:00

The water line is also something I wonder about.

I'm going to stick to discussing your more controversial views of over-the-counter PED for average folks, since I don't know what to say w/ regards to pro sports. I think that is a large blurry line, and in the end, it's just a matter of enough people in the position of power agreeing upon some line.

I guess my stance would be based primarily on the questions of "what are you trying to achieve" and "what are you willing to sacrifice for it".

If you are trying to get some exercise and you want to minimize the odds of hurting yourself, then why shouldn't you use equipment and supplements to aid you? Granted, there is a blurry line where use of such things may actually hinder your original exercise goal (see the current barefoot running revolution), but that is up to the individual to determine. Their goal may not be worth wrecking their body. I personally agree w/ you that wussing out completely because you don't have your customary gear is generally speaking weak. But it could also be a matter of risk vs. reward.

How much these supplements actually aid you is debatable, I agree. But on the other hand, if having them makes the exercise more comfortable, or if it's even a placebo or security blanket that gets you out and exercising, then maybe that alone is worth it. Your arguments, to me, are when these supplements become so engrained that they have become barriers to exercise. Which is plausible.

The more ambiguous and controversial point I'm perhaps avoiding is what about the person trying to achieve a personal record. Or what constitutes a personal record. I'm not sure I have an answer, so my answer is that is up to the individual. ^_^

Another "plausible" argument against you...

2009-12-16T09:50:15.172-08:00

Another "plausible" argument against your misguided diatribe would be to take issue with your definition of PEDs. I would argue that what separates PEDs from the regular ol' supplements that you're railing against is the notion/myth/fact that PEDs (read: steroids and such) are actually BAD for your health longterm. It makes sense (to me, anyway) that governing bodies for sports would not want to be in the position of encouraging the untimely deaths of their players and so they'll ban steroids and tell people with concussions to sit out a little (or pretend that repeated concussions don't result in lasting damage)

Anyway, why are you drawing the line before water? If you want to take this argument to its logical conclusion it seems you should also do the marathon sans water. Why would you want to "draw a shroud over (your) true performance and spread the lies of a finish time aided by" water?

What about marathons, where you basically need to ...

2009-12-08T08:46:41.590-08:00

What about marathons, where you basically need to eat something or risk hitting the wall? I suppose you could argue you could eat regular foods, like banana, but then that's enhancing as well, no?

Sounded like it was an interesting but long experi...

2009-09-19T09:38:10.696-07:00

Sounded like it was an interesting but long experience. :)