I'm Gonna Work Hard and Let the Cards Fall Where They May
That's all I can do.
I'm competitive,yeah. But, I have average genes, short on time, and a gimpy leg. I pride myself on making the most with the hand I've been dealt, which is why I'm here with EN.
I would love to move up in the AG. Some years, some races, I do. Some years, some races, I don't.
I do look for the little advantages that might give me a slight bump up the chart.....gear like aero stuff and even a power meter, improving fueling strategies, and, well, I toe that 10m line on the bike ever so closely (for full disclosure, I even got a penalty one time (in 12 years)).
But, this AG'er will pass on the doping.
It's accessible. Easier than what most think. Expensive, but not that much more than what we already drop in this sport. I can even understand why athletes do it. I really do get it. Accomplished athlete who's trying to stay at the top as long as possible or someone like me that might move up from MOP to FOP just to get in that 'Elites' circle. Not judging them at all. I don't like the whole issue, but, it's here and it's real. As evidenced by the most recent UCI bust of a 62 yo competitive cyclist for steroids, epo, and amphetamines. In competition testing. 2 year ban. Don't ask me all the details. I should apologize to this guy cuz I'm talking about him and I haven't researched his side in depth. But, I'll call this an opinionated vent. This is happening more and more often. Anyways, I'm talking about me, ultimately. It's not like it's a new issue, other than the fact that more AG'ers are starting to get caught. Odds are certainly in their favor for getting away with it, a logistics thing ya know. But, at least, getting caught is a pretty real concern now.
Like I said, I really do understand the lure of doing this. I admit it. But, I choose not to pursue it. I choose to accept my 15-25% ranking in a AG at a race. Reality is that I can move up....better training, better recovery, better nutrition (tri and real world), picking smart courses, and getting lucky with who does or does not show up. It can, and as far as I'm concerned, it will happen. But, not because of sneaky manipulations. If you have to hide something from someone, then you know when you're crossing a line.
As I think about this, I realize that, as much as I would like to get to the 'top' of what I do, it's much more important that 10,15,20 years from now, when I'm all finished, that I know I didn't resort to this. I'm sure when you're pursuing something vain like success, you rationalize and justify anything and it seems clear as a bell at the time. It's when you look back that you might say 'why?' or 'was it really worth that?'
Sorry for the rant. I'm not even that pissed. That's probably because I'm a big believer that the only thing I can control is me, my actions and reactions. So, if the dopers are at my race, I'll go hard. I may have a great day or an average day. But, I will race in a way that will represent me, my family, and my team in the best possible way.
C
Comments
@ Robert- just the latest news of that 62 yo fella,combined with our local Jan 1 ride and coffee shop conversation.. Kind of a 'What You Know Now That You Didn't Know Then' topic. My honest input was that this was the type of Do Whatever You Gotta Do maneuver that I might have rationalized doing when I was younger. Not now, when it's ez to say that my health/family/job/spiritual side (in no particular order) are about the only real important 'things' there are. I wonder how many 'cheaters' (we're talking AGer's here, not pro's chasing $ and job security) might have outgrown this impulse under different circumstances. Doubt they're bad folks, just bit the apple.
And, a tangent of the conversation was trying to define success in this stuff. The reality, as far as I'm concerned, that the only success I will have on the tri race scene, is the Cal Ripken Effect...consistently showing up and playing hard, day in and day out, while others may come and go. No acknowledgements required. Kind of zen like.
AG'ers are, for the most part, like great team players who know that the only time you'll ever know my name is if I did something wrong!
like David LeDuc. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/62-...-nationals
For me living my life, whether it's in sport, work, family or just in general, is all governed by 2 things - integrity and personal character.
Integrity is probably the only thing you have that can never be taken. It must be given up or forfeit intentionally. Once given it is near impossible to recover.
Character. I read a statement somewhere a long time ago that really stuck with me. It went something like this: "The truest measure of a persons character is what they think or what they do when nobody is looking".
I would never knowingly agree to or take any PEDs for any reason unless caffeine (coffee, tea, etc) was included in that category because I am a life long coffee junkie. If they did ban caffeine then I guess I would have to suffer the headaches and lethargy of withdrawal on race day, just because it was banned.
I would find no satisfaction if I was to improve my standings even a single place if it were due to anything not of my own ability and will. Character and integrity cannot be compromised. Period.
Totally agree with all the previous posts. I look at this way - Rich always says that this sport that we invest so much money and time into is just a game, and that is the truth for all of us age groupers. To then put your character and potentially your life into jeopardy to finish a few spots higher in something you are supposed to be doing for fun is just crazy and shows a very warped sense of perspective IMHO.