kaburns1214 Mentor Group 2012 Part 2 - CLOSED (Page 76)

Let's talk about Lance.

I think Dan Empfield's editorial is a really good place to start: http://www.slowtwitch.com/Opinion/Armstrong_and_USADA_2848.html

This is also a good piece from Cycling News : http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/bruyneel-could-face-lifetime-ban-if-usada-charges-are-upheld

On a more positive note -- here's a commencement speech Jordan Rapp gave.  Very nice stuff:

http://blog.rappstar.com/2012/06/this-is-flying.html

Good editorial.

If they have to ban him due to the fact that he's part of an open investigation, then they have to ban him.  It is what it is.  The endless investigations and attacks get old.  Who knows if he doped during his cycling years.  If he didn't, they've done a great job tarnishing his reputation.  If he did...well, then speak out, for crying out loud, so we can move along and quit reading about this. Most people are forgiving by nature.  I believe that (and this is coming from pessimist). 

Conrad was asked to join the competitive swim team last night!!!!  I am so, so proud of him, as he has worked very hard on his stroke mechanics over the last 6 months.

Outside for hill repeats at 5 this morning.  It's scary out there in the dark.  Talk about creatures roaming around!!!!!!  I was on the lookout for skunks.  I will lose it if I see one.  Oh, AND....apparently we have a new mouse friend in our kitchen.  I had better not see that thing either!  I can't take it.  

I'm going to try the playroom at the gym for the 2 younger boys while I get in a short recovery swim and TRX workout.  Fingers crossed they don't pull me out of the pool.  Then I'm taking them swimming for a while.   

Not to get political but I disagree with the author: Our processes trump our personalities.

If you're part of the cult of personality you'll get away with stuff the ordinary person cannot. Money and celebrity talk. OJ Simpson, William Kennedy Smith, Ben Rothleisberger........the list goes on and on of people who have gotten away with it simply based on money and fame.

I think the chances are farily high that Lance doped. Guys he was beating got caught. I think the entire sport is dirty and those with the best chemists get away with it. That said I do agree with the author that you need concrete proof and not subjective hearsay to condemn a person. The court of public opinion there are no rules but hopefully the process works and he gets a fair shake but that's not always the case.

Congrats that awesome. My oldest ran a 6:45 mile last month at only 9 years old. She was the third fastest in the school and only in 3rd grade. Two 5th grade boys posted times that were 17 and 22 seconds faster. The school record is 5:57 and she's determined to break in the next two years.

The funny thing was each class runs together and the parents are all invited to attend. It was all moms minus myself and one other dad. Being in IT has it's perks because I just work from home on days like this. So the course is actually on grass and goes around the school so you loose sight of them for portions of the race and it's three loops. So they come back into sight coming up to complete the first loop and she has a 50 yard lead already and some of the mothers start cheering yelling you go, girl power and stuff like that. My wife and I are cracking up and our youngest who's with us joins in with GO CAYDEN at the top of her 20 month old lungs. By lap three she's done and nobody else has even come around the final turn into view. She comes bounding back over not even out of breath and declares for all to hear "I am an athletic machine and crushed all of them."

It was definitely one of those stuck between proud and did you have to go there moments but the mothers all loved it. It's great watching their success.

I truly hope that these are just well publicized anomalies because I'm a process guy.  I think most of y'all know I'm convinced Lance doped.  My personal experience is that where there is as much smoke as there is with Lance there is fire. Add to that the history of the sport.  And add to that my personal experience with steroids, Clenbuterol, etc. in a similar sport where it's not legal but not pursued.  I say he doped, and I don't blame him. 

I remember clear as day sitting with a buddy I played HS baseball with who was railing on the use of steroids in MLB.  I looked him in the face and said if it got you to the show wouldn't you?  I know I would have.  Banned substances make borderline amateurs into pros, pros into elite level pros (all stars), and all stars into superstars.

All that said the timing here is odd IMO.

Well, you all know how I feel about Lance and what he does for the cancer community.  This is old news and has already been closed. It is a waste of taxpayer money to keep going after this.  This was years ago, and quite frankly I am guessing there aren't that many that really care at this point.  And even if he did and they sued him for all the money that was spent on him and his team ... like they are going to get it all back ... HELLO.

And a lifetime ban on cycling?  He doesn't cycle anymore ... who cares?

Leave it alone, move on ... honestly what is there really to accomplish or gain by constantly bringing this up.

I honestly don't get how, as others have said he is accused first and has to prove innocence later - what happened to innocent until proven guilty?  What about the legal double jeopardy?  And why does any of this (from years ago) affect his triathlon status right now?

This is interesting.  Its a lifetime ban on sports the USADA governs, which includes triathlon. 

But the interesting part is about EPO and blood doping and why lifetime bans are appropriate.  Putting aside whether or not Lance doped, the benefit of EPO and blood doping is that it allows you to recover faster, so you can more stress on your body and adapt quicker.  For simplicity's sake a normal elite athlete (whatever that is) may be able to train "X" amount (X being the total volume and intensity of the athlete's training).  An athlete using EPO or blood doping can train (and recover) at, let's say, X plus 100.  The athlete can continue to train at X plus 100 as long as he or she continues use of EPO or blood doping.  Now when the athlete stops doping, he goes back to only being able to do X amount of training, but the athlete keeps the benefits of all the additional training he was able to do at X plus 100.  Thus the athlete benefits from years of X plus 100 training even after he stopped doping. 
Thus the argument is that the only "fair" way to deal with doping is a lifetime ban because the benefits extend well past when the time when the athlete stops doping.

Very true.  As long as the upkeep to the fitness level is there it won't go away.  The common perception is that once an athlete comes off banned substances they revert back, but this is simply not true. 

Maximum penalty is a life time ban (some riders have lifetime bans).  There has been no penalty imposed on LA by USADA (its just cited in many articles that the maximum penalty is a lifetime ban), USADA has just made allegations and continue to investigate.  LA can't race Ironman because its WTC's policy to not allow athletes under investigation to race. 

Up early for a trainer ride this morning, and then I have a recovery run to do later this afternoon.  

My cold has turned into something more than just a cold.  I have a hairball the size of a softball in my chest/lungs, I lost my voice yesterday, and my chest hurts when I cough.  I also have these pretty red bags under my eyes.  Sheesh.  My kids have this too, so I obviously got it from them.  It's something special.  Sucks because I can't give 100% during my training sessions.  

Off to register Conrad and Madge in their new school system.  We moved our closing date to July 26.  I'm getting excited!  Open water swimming right outside my door (and a/c for the month of August ).  

Did we ever have the book club discussion on Chrissie's book?  I finally finished it, and I have to say the first half I liked.  I never knew she volunteered, trekked all over...so that was pretty interesting to me.  But the 2nd half was a struggle for me to get through.

(Regarding Lance - I'm in the minority and do not think he doped.  Call me naive, but I like to think he's really super human all on his own.  Regardless of if he did or didn't, I'm tired of it cropping up over and over again.)

Jen - you better cough up that hairball!  Hope you feel better.

I ran this morning and it was not what I would call effortless.  All my runs the last two weeks have been really really good, but this one just sucked!  And it's thick as butter out there.  Cool with a breeze, but humid!!!  (I'm blaming it on the 3 X 20 min. Z2 efforts on the trainer last night.)

Having taken Sunday and yesterday off and not working out today I have way too much energy for my own good. Throw in an iced venti Americano from Starbucks and I'm simply bouncing off of the the walls. I've been up since 4:45 not wanting to sleep in since I'll want to be tired and get to bed tonight.

So I've taken the dog for a 45 minute walk. Cleaned my bike head to toe especially the chain and gears. Swapped off my trainer wheel for my road wheel. Checked both of my wetsuits and goggles and put them in bags. Put all of my run stuff in another bag. Laced up the sneakers I'm wearing with quick ties. Put all of my bike stuff in another bag.

I'm going to the health food store to pick up gels and drinks. Then the bike store to get a tri top and bottom. Then later off to pick up my race packet.

Weather is perfect for a race. It's still only in the low 60's and no humidity. A little breezy.

A guy on the Tri team I'm part of made a great post last night on that board. There's 43 people from the group doing the race and better than half including myself it's their first half. This guy is a genetic freak and at 46 finished in the 30's over all at IMLP last year and has other great results. He simply said it's just another long training day to go out and enjoy. I find that thought relaxing.

It is my off day today! I almost switched for Saturday and moved it today but my legs told me this morning they need the rest. Of course my mind is telling me otherwise Now I have to convince the wife to let me bring the bike with us to NC this weekend for my 2hr ride tomorrow.

We have busy day today though. My daughters last day of elementary school is today and they have pulled pork BBQ for them and the parents. We have security companies coming to look at upgrading our system because there has been a run of break-ins in our neighborhood. Police believe it is teenagers because they are just stealing all the change out of unlocked vehicles and we were one of those :/

An ending on a positive not my masters swim yesterday was awesome! I still hate the first 300-500 but once I settle in a I am good to go. Well to end my workout coach wanted me to swim 700 nonstop which I did! Wow that gave me a great confidence booster.

Humidity actually makes you faster (on the bike).  The weight of the mosit air pushing down on you causing an increase in speed. 

WIN!!!!!  Oh and I'm moving my long ride to tomorrow so that I have Father's day all to the girls.