I was reading LAVA magazine yesterday and the Editor’s Note on page 12 really stood out to me. Editor Brad Clup wrote about Performance Enhancing Drugs in Triathlon. He mentions an article he was trying to write years back about PEDs that he didn’t finish.
The interesting part to Brad was that of the 12 athletes, race directors and industry execs he interviewed for the piece all but one said the use of PEDs is a bigger issue with amateurs athletes than with the Pro’s.
But what I found interesting is that Brad was surprised at all…
I’ve spent years working in a few different health clubs, and a GNC, where I’ve heard members, customers and even employees talking about all the stuff they’re trying, how they’re using it and the results they’ve gotten.
Though I’ve never used anything you couldn’t purchase in a GNC, I’ll admit to looking up what I could use online, to try and find a way to gain an edge in High School… (hey, it worked for the guy in ‘The Program’).
Brad says he can’t think of a single good reason for a Pro to dope. I’ll agree with that, mostly because it’s too easy for a pro to get caught and banned.
But who’s really worried about the age grouper trying to qualify for Kona?!? It’s not like he or she will win. And if they did, don’t you think the WTC would test the ‘nobody’ who beat the Pros? If this Zero gets banned, he’s not losing his paycheck, endorsements and professional credibility.
I’ll be honest and say that I’m not for banning PEDs for amateur athletes for the same reason I’m not for banning smoking… If you want to pay to pump garbage in to your body go right ahead.
The majority of amateur triathletes you’ll toe the line with this season aren’t trying to win. This is a hobby for us, we pride ourselves on doing a little bit better each time we race.
So if it makes you feel like you’ve accomplished a great feat by chemically engineering yourself to beat me and thousands of other people who trained hard, just for a goal of crossing the finish line then have at it!
After you finish, feel free to tell all the kids you know that the Easter Bunny’s not real, cause you’d probably enjoy that too!
Enjoy that little bit of prize money or free pair of shoes you win for being first in your age group at your local Tri… Cause you’re a douche-bag.
Phil Castello 