Testerone

Paul Hough

There's an article in the June edition of OUTSIDE magazine called "I Couldn't Be More Positive.'  The author (age 45) went to the doctor and spent a year on "Wiley Protocol" which is an anti-aging program using topically applied testosterone.  He is a age group roadie and had his best racing year ever.  After the year was up, he reported himself to USADA and was given a 2 year suspension.  His conclusion "...I discovered a few things, like how accessible performance drugs really are.  They're so easy to acquire and safely use, that I still wonder how many other graybeards dope."

I've also wondered how many cheaters are out there in the older age group ranks of triathlon.   Some guys are so much better than their peers you can't help but suspect.  There's been an interesting series on drug testing by Dan Empfield on ST this week, but I'm not convinced there's any serious testing of AGrs going on.  Last year I dropped by the expo at the 70.3 Worlds in Clearwater and spotted a guy with a USADA polo shirt.  I asked him if they were going to test AGrs and his comment to me was they were only testing the pro's.  If WTC won't pay to test AGrs at the worlds, how much do you think they are going to test at your regular 70.3 or IM?  Very depressing.

Al Truscott

Here's my take: If there are people in my AG and above in the US who are doing this for IM, it sure doesn't seem to be helping them very much!

Paul Hough

I hope you're right Al. Maybe it has better results for shorter distance races. But the author of the article noted that the key effect of the doping was his ability to recover. You think that would be important at IM training. I attended a USAT general meeting at nationals awhile back and there were people in the audience who raised the doping issue and claimed it was widespread throughout the older age groups. I was totally naive about it until then, but now I kind of wonder.

Al Truscott

Paul, my comment was actually a subtle smackdown, meaning, there probably are people who try enhanced hormonal status, but I'm beating them anyway

Coach Rich

Topical...topic, as there is a testosterone therapy or something clinic RIGHT next to my hotel here in SG. I'll take a picture of the sign tomorrow...

talltim

This is indeed a timely topic with all the increasing scrutiny from WADA. I think it's not yet come to tri, but certainly has gotten into pretty regular testing in the masters cycling ranks with some pretty high profile positives (and penalties) in the M35 and M45 groups at the national level.

I don't have any personal knowledge, but based on the data, I would have to think there is at least some AG performance enhancement going on. Just look at the depth of the AG fields in M40, M45 and M50 in the past 5-7 years. It is not at all unusual at a WTC IM or 70.3 event to see the podiums in those AGs dominated by 'retired' pros who are continuing to race. That compresses things at the top and makes AG KQ slots incredibly hard to come by in many events. Within the last decade, and taking out absurdly hard courses like StG and Lanzarotte, KQ times have fallen considerably in these AGs ; not long ago 10 or 10:15 was almost a lock and even 10:30 in a rollwdown -- but not any more. Now its sub 10 in most events to be comfortably in.

In that environment, it is only natural for people to take every step they can if KQ is important to them and their goals in the sport. There are people that cut corners in all walks of life and professions, and its no surprise to think that simply by logical extension people would be tempted.

Add to that the ease of access (do a Google search for something like low testosterone therapy), possibly lax enforcement and I think it is naive to assume that the AG fileds are 100% clean in IM events. Sad, and cynical I admit, but my view.

It doesn't impact me, since I'm not a KQ person and not particularly competitive in LC events -- but still.

chris malone

It's delusional to think it doesn't exist in triathlon at the pointy end of the age groups. I know of one man and one woman, both KQs who have used PEDs. They leapfrogged people in their AG's.

I'm 50, did a few crits and road races in 09, had a big tri year in 10 and now have gotten a bit more serious about racing my bike as tri is probably in the rear view mirror for good unless the bug returns. In the process, I've gotten to know several guys who are elite and race pro and cat 1- younger guys, 30's and maybe 40 but old now for the racing. I joke about my age, size (6'5", 230) and how I race against guys sometimes literally half my age and unless it's a flat track, I have basically no chance. I joke about about low T. So I press a bit and basically they say at cat 4 and Masters you won't get popped (tested) and you wouldn't be the only guy out there doing it.

There is a doc's office up the street in my town of 260 and next to it there is a pharmacy. Their biggest business it seems is hormone replacement therapy for women. Last year I went to the doc's office to get a scrip for antibiotics and ended up talking to them (mostly them to me) about testosterone therapy. They push it hard and you just walk next door and pick it up. I didn't even consider it (okay, a little) as I'm a chicken shit when it comes to drugs and have a general belief that there is no free lunch. Basically, I don't want my nuts to fall off later.

But now, to be honest, I'd kind of like to experience a "Floyd day". I've always been solidly MOP as an athlete and the thought of dropping these young punks and grabbing a podium is very tempting. Then I think, that's not really me. I still wouldn't feel gratified. It would be the testosterone talking. But it is right there up the street and street legal. I do wonder what the power meter would say if I had the boost. I do wonder how it would feel. But I don't want my nuts to fall off, even if I'm no longer using them much.

Going forward, if you all see me post race reports about podiums and such you'll know I went to the dark side. Btw, there is a good book entitled, From Lance to Landis. I believe it to be very credible and thorough. And sad when you think about how the doping at the pro level effects the great riders who choose not to. Same can be said for the amateur ranks when people dope.

Coach Rich

Chris,

I don't ride with a wide enough variety of people, namely roadies, on a regular basis to have the results staring me in the face as I struggle to hang onto a wheel at 350w. But if you're seeing it Mayberry, population 260, pretty sure it's here in LA as well

jwpicciotto

Not sure if Penny still has the info, but they are finding more AG Triathletes and other amateur athletes using banned substances. The interesting thing is that a bunch of these people are not your AG qualifiers because those people will get snagged by the testing protocols. One of the really sad things is that there was just a High School or College football player that tested positive after using an OTC supplement that had a banned substance in it. The kid was really mature about it, and said it was his own fault for taking something that he didn't understand what was in it. But it is really hard when the NCAA puts out a list of banned substances and the supplement industry can call what they put in their product whatever they want. If Testosterone is banned, just call it "your proprietary strength blend" and you are free to sell it to the unsuspecting public. Bottom line, if you don't know what it is, don't put it in your body.

Paul Hough

@ John - I don't believe there is hardly any testing of age groupers going on. WTC has to pay for it, so their motivation to test anywhere besides Kona is virtually non-existent. USAT might test at nationals, and probably only a little. If they are testing, they should be shouting about it, saying how many were tested, and list the names of those who passed. It would be a great deterrent if people knew that the AG podium finishers at AG nationals/worlds had a high likelihood of being tested. I would be very interested to read about who has been "finding more AG triathletes" using PEDs because I haven't read of a single instance anywhere in the US.

@ Chris - Not only do I think that doping is out there, it's starting to get in your face. At my local club social last month, they introduced several new sponsors. One was a Dr who specializes in "anti-aging, youth rejuvenation, and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy." Sounds like T to me. The local Ironman store (I believe the only one in the US) was advertising a presentation by this guy. So on the one hand, WTC is saying it is going to test AG athletes and on the other hand, their flagship store is virtually promoting it.

chris malone

My US Cycling license upgrade arrived this week. On the very same day, I received my AARP card. Gotta laugh. Now I get to have my ass kicked by a better class of rider.
I'm gleaning more and more info re T use and it is really used, at least in Masters. I'm still not seriously considering it, even though my guess is a doc would pretty easily say yes, I'm a candidate. But if these other guys are using it.......
That's the slippery slope rationalization.

Al Truscott

@ Chris - remember, if only a doctor can prescribe it, it's inherently dangerous. Think of what we hear weekly about approved drugs which are found not to be safe - like the chiolesterol lowering agent so many are taking, last month we found out was kiling people. Or what we learn about older women taking female hormones, with increased cancer, stroke, and other problems.

Stay safe.

Matt Samojeden

The game is tempting, but I have to look in the mirror each AM. 2x on Al's comment, Stay Safe!

Paul Hough

The illegal "T" is everywhere these days. I sent a note to my Tri-Club president last week chiding the club for accepting sponsorship (and ads) from a Dr who specializes in "Anti-Aging" and BioSynthetic Hormone Replacement. Floyd Landis lost the tour due to testing positive for synthetic T. And now they are advertising directly to triathletes without using the "C" word - cheating.

However, while injecting testosterone, HGH, or their biosynthetic equivalents is against WADA/USADA rules, I've been trying natural T booster supplements like L-Arginine, Horny Goat Weed, and Tribulus Terrestus. Lots of sex is also supposed to boost T levels. Not sure if this stuff works, but trying to get your body to make more T on its own seems like the ethical, healthy, and in the case of sex - fun - way to get some of the benefits. The link below lists 13 ways to naturally boost T levels.

http://www.timinvermont.com/fitness/boosttes.htm

Brian Quarton [OLD]

Paul, Does the author of the article say what happened to him after he stopped testosterone? Stopping them can be pretty tough.

Paul Hough

Brian - other than getting a short ban from competitive racing he did not say. But he commented that he didn't feel there were any negative side effects at the level he was taking, and that if it were not against the rules, he would probably continue to use it. I would think that long term use would shrink your nads since your body no longer has to produce what you are putting into it. He was not taking injections, but was using a topical cream on his inner thigh. Maybe that's why the effects were less marked.

I agree with Al - long term use of this stuff is dangerous. Look at all the pro-wrestlers that have died young in the past few years. Just last month, Randy Savage died from a heart condition while driving...he was 52. His death is in line with the following from http://prowrestling.about.com/od/whatsrealwhatsfake/a/wrestlersdeaths.htm (which lists dozens upon dozens who have died in their 30s, 40s and 50s.)

Large Bodies
In the '90s, the WWE faced a major steroid scandal. While they claim to test for steroids, it is obvious to the casual viewer that many of the wrestlers are taking something to get their physiques to look like they do. In today's environment, a wrestler must carry either an enormous amount of muscle or a tremendous amount of fat to give him the larger than life size needed to be successful in the business. That extra weight, whether muscle or fat, makes the heart work harder than it must.

Brian Quarton [OLD]

PED use is pretty rampant amongst ultimate fighters. No holds barred goes inside and outside the octagon. They use altitude tents? Just talked to a company rep with a losers ring from super bowl. He said there was no open use in the late 90's, but he knows it happened.