I'm sorry, but cheating is cheating. It doesn't matter if it's MLB or beer league softball. Most of us have grown up playing sports and recognizing there are rules to be followed and a sense of fair play to aspire to. These are objective rules to follow, no matter your age or level.
As a masters runner myself, I fully realize the low stakes when compared to other levels of running. If the stakes are that low, why would some runners feel the need to use PEDs? It's because the stakes aren't that low at the individual level.
The more I thought about this story the other day, the more annoyed I became. Most of the masters runners I know started young in this sport and have continued for many years because they love the sport. Once a person starts to take PEDs, though, they prove they love themselves more than they love the sport.
If I found out my opponent in beer league softball was on TRT, I can tell you I wouldn’t care. Few people would.
Do you want to drug test the over-60 men’s church softball league? Probably not. Why? Because it just isn’t worth the time and money. You don’t care that much. Neither does anyone else.
You get my point - there is a level of competition that we don’t drug test, or even rigidly enforce the rules. Because it doesn’t matter, and normal people don’t care.
Look, someday I’ll almost certainly get on TRT. It’s available, so why not? I won’t do it to go up a few places at whatever old folks competition, to win the zero prizes they offer. I’ll do it to feel better, look better, and continue to be active as I age. I don’t want to have to give up all organized competition for life, including beer league softball. It just seems a little legalistic to me.
If I were getting into organized mixed martial arts, I would embrace drug testing at any age and at every level of competition, then TRT use could put people in actual danger,. But 70 year olds jogging a 5k is not that important.
Well, I forgot all a about this thread, but I'm glad it came back up.
You're so focused on the trees, that you're not seeing the forest. You are totally correct that I don't care about TRT in beer league softball if there are no rules against it, but beer league softball does have some rules, and I would expect them to be followed, even if it was just beer league softball. Just as I would expect MLB players to follow the rules of their league, and just as I would expect runners of all ages and abilities to follow the rules.
Again, I don't care if you take TRT for yourself, and I don't care about beer league softball players taking it if there are no rules against it. The point isn't the TRT or steroids, it's the cheating.
Old guys "jogging" a 5k might not be important to you, but it is important to other people--especially those that have chosen to play by the rules.
That AR would probably be demolished if Sara Hall or Des Linden ran a track 10k in the next year or two. She ran 34 mid. I think either Hall or Linden could run 32 high or 33 low. A near 35 minute 10k at 42 isn't an completely unbelievable time.
It's good, but not crazy. I was never quick (15:22 5k) and ran 19:45 on road at 65+ while carrying a slight injury. I believe I could do the same time now at 67. Breaking 20:00 at 70 would be a goal.
I can't see why an ex sub-elite guy, who was say 14:20-14:30 so a 50-60 seconds quicker than me couldn't run well under 20 min at 70.
All of these masters at the top have maintained weight and body fat similar to their younger self. Other than obvious talent, and hard work, I find this to be central reason for their success. As for me, I find my wife’s cooking too tempting.
That would apply here. I'm actually lighter (probably some muscle loss too) than when I was running 800m 40 years ago.
All of these masters at the top have maintained weight and body fat similar to their younger self. Other than obvious talent, and hard work, I find this to be central reason for their success. As for me, I find my wife’s cooking too tempting.
I would assume a key advantage of PEDs is the ability to train more and lower percentage of body fat while maintaining lean muscle mass. The top clean masters do this thru superior mechanics, ability, and dedication.
That's exactly what most older men are doing with TRT. They increase their testosterone levels to peak youth levels where they experience a significant increase in lean muscle mass while lowering BF%. They also report recovering more quickly from hard workouts & get less injured.
In addition, TRT can raise hematocrit levels on a dose-dependent basis - a higher magnitude seen with older individuals vs younger men:
Also don't forget about Dehydroepiandrostone (DHEA) - a hormone sold as a dietary supplement at health food stores, grocery stores, online, etc for pennies on the dollar (sometimes refer to as the "poor man's TRT").
A meta-analysis reviewing 42 individual studies concluded that DHEA supplementation is effective in increasing testosterone levels though the magnitude is seen higher with females:
DHEA supplementation is effective for increasing testosterone levels, although the magnitude varies among different subgroups. More study needed on pregnant women and miscarriage.
With advancing age, plasma testosterone levels decline, with free testosterone levels declining more significantly than total testosterone. This fall is thought to underlie the development of physical and mental weakness that...
The bulging veins in his arms… that doesn’t happen naturally when you’re 70 years old.
Just my opinion, just by themselves the bulging veins do not necessarily indicate PED use. I have 'rope' veins and am close to 70. It is more the muscle bulk that doesn't look right.
I am sure there a genetic outliers, but there is a another 60+ age grouper from the West Coast that has an eerily similar body structure to Qualls that has been making the podium the both the indoor track and Masters outdoor events leading up to this year's National Outdoor Masters Championships this July 18-21).
Currently, he is entered in two mid distance events. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he 'suddenly' has an injury and decides not to compete. (yep, looking at you Mr. 2:27 and 5:10 seed time). If he does compete and podiums like indoors, he may be a great candidate to test as well.
Note, I am not using my registered name because frankly, he is smart enough to figure out who I am and could kick my slightly slower behind half way around the track.
Looks like this gentleman competed in Sacramento. Are you still suspicious?
All of these masters at the top have maintained weight and body fat similar to their younger self. Other than obvious talent, and hard work, I find this to be central reason for their success. As for me, I find my wife’s cooking too tempting.
That would apply here. I'm actually lighter (probably some muscle loss too) than when I was running 800m 40 years ago.
I age graded 85 in my mid 50s, and I was still 10 lbs over my young man racing weight. However, I was more of a Clydesdale than a Thoroughbred.
If I found out my opponent in beer league softball was on TRT, I can tell you I wouldn’t care. Few people would.
Do you want to drug test the over-60 men’s church softball league? Probably not. Why? Because it just isn’t worth the time and money. You don’t care that much. Neither does anyone else.
You get my point - there is a level of competition that we don’t drug test, or even rigidly enforce the rules. Because it doesn’t matter, and normal people don’t care.
Look, someday I’ll almost certainly get on TRT. It’s available, so why not? I won’t do it to go up a few places at whatever old folks competition, to win the zero prizes they offer. I’ll do it to feel better, look better, and continue to be active as I age. I don’t want to have to give up all organized competition for life, including beer league softball. It just seems a little legalistic to me.
If I were getting into organized mixed martial arts, I would embrace drug testing at any age and at every level of competition, then TRT use could put people in actual danger,. But 70 year olds jogging a 5k is not that important.
Well, I forgot all a about this thread, but I'm glad it came back up.
You're so focused on the trees, that you're not seeing the forest. You are totally correct that I don't care about TRT in beer league softball if there are no rules against it, but beer league softball does have some rules, and I would expect them to be followed, even if it was just beer league softball. Just as I would expect MLB players to follow the rules of their league, and just as I would expect runners of all ages and abilities to follow the rules.
Again, I don't care if you take TRT for yourself, and I don't care about beer league softball players taking it if there are no rules against it. The point isn't the TRT or steroids, it's the cheating.
Old guys "jogging" a 5k might not be important to you, but it is important to other people--especially those that have chosen to play by the rules.
How would you feel about a masters runner on TRT that still wants to compete, but is fully transparent about his regimen to all the event organizers and competitors?
