Finding the Edge

 Looking for the Edge

 Athletes are competitors looking for that edge. The advantage could be found in diet, training methods, the latest piece of equipment or some other man-made creation. Just ask Alex Rodriguez, Lance Armstrong, Mark McGuire, or even South African cyclist Daryl Impey about their secrets. Mr.Impey purchased some pills (sodium bicarbonate or baking soda. During intense exercise, the acidity of your blood increases and eventually interferes with muscle contractions and baking soda neutralizes this rising acidity) from a pharmacist to boost his performance on the Tour de France. Later, the authorities announced that he had tested positive for probenecid, which is a substance sometimes used to mask the presence of other drugs. As it turned out, the pharmacist said that he did sell him the capsules and used a pill counter that was contaminated from selling probenecid to a previous customer. Fortunately, Mr. Impey was exonerated.

Other illustrations of looking for the edge Include the following: 1. The ancient Greek athletes ate hallucinogenic mushrooms; 2. The Tarahumara of northern Mexico ingested peyote; 3.  The 1904 Olympic marathon winner, Thomas Hicks, had his doctor dosing him , while running, with a small mixture of brandy and strychnine [a stimulant, but in safe  amounts].

 In the 20s, drugs began to be used more frequently, and was considered to be negative to sport. And in 1928, the anti-doping authorities created list of banned substances. They’re constantly updated to deal with the new wave of drugs such as steroids in the 60s and 70s and hormones such as EPO in the late 80s.

Examples of other aids used to enhance performance Include: 1. Creatine -the muscle builder that increases energy stores available for short-term all-out efforts. 2. Pseudophedrine the decongestant over-the-counter medication like Sudafed (a stimulant). 3. Caffeine, which fights mental fatigue, and also affect muscle contraction and metabolism 4. Tylenol which boosts endurance performance by 2% 5.  Beet juice which has the same nitrates found in hot dogs. Nitrates are converted with the help of bacteria in saliva into nitric oxide, which enables muscles to use less oxygen when contracted and by estimates, increase performance by 2%. 6. Viagra and even hornet larva extract. Check out the research.  7. Move to Kenya or the rarefied air of Colorado because it boosts red blood cell, or sleep in a deep pressurized tent that simulates thin mountain air.

If you’re competing in a sport regulated by the World Anti-Doping Agency, their code includes the following no-no’s. 1. If the substance enhances performance; 2. If it carries a potential health risk and 3. If it violates the spirit of the sport. The spirit of the sports says that we should play by the rules. Remember when McGuire, Canseco, Sosa and other players used, or when Lance Armstrong said the same. Regarding the cyclists, they were punished because they lied about its use. The lying seemed to be a major issue. It may even overshadowed the “spirit of the sport.”

If you can afford it, move to Colorado, or to Kenya. If not, you have caffeine, beet juice, baking soda or even Tylenol available at your nearest supermarket.

Or be like Tony, he had a few months off from running and he developed a head cold. Did these aids assist him, in running over 15 minutes faster than he did in last year’s 50 K at this time?

In any event, keep moving, laughing, smiling, loving, bonding and appreciating. Source found in the New York Times, November 30, 2014.