Ultramarathon Daily News, Thurs, June 4

In case you missed the huge news, the BBC aired a show accusing Nike coach Alberto Salazar of doping his athletes. The show was/is unavailable for US viewers, but here’s the link.~~…anyone have a link to a copy we can view?~~ Here are the two articles the piece was based off, and they are damning. I’ll say it again: Keep the USATF out of MUT running.

If you’re interested in learning more about governing bodies in international MUT running, Dan posted an excellent analysis right over here.

And on an entirely different level of disappointment, I understand there was only one solo runner at this craft beer/trailrunning event in Colorado? Where was everyone?

This sounds like an excellent living situation. Bunch of cool people, gardens, cheap rent, beer taps with a running tab that’s added on your rent…Put it in Boulder or Flagstaff and it’d work well.

Stay tuned for a cool new poster coming out that’s sponsored by Rogue Valley Runners, Simple Hydration, Michigan Bluff Photography, and URP. Here’s a peek.

Some good basic running tips from Iron Mike Wardian.

And some good basic tips about conquering hills.

How long does it take you to forget about the pain of your last workout?

Here’s David Laney’s report from the IAU Trail World Championships last week.

Running with complete abandon and disregard for my pulverized quads

…and be sure to check out Alex Nichols insightful report from the same race.

Need to escape to the trails for just a few fun minutes? Watch this quick video and it’ll take you to the forest, or watch this short video and it’ll take you to beautiful southern Utah.

Listener Kenny just reported back from his first SwimRun race in Sweden: “I just completed it on Sunday– 44 degree water, super technical running (you swim in your shoes and run in your wet suit)–in total about 25 miles combined of running and swimming. In talking to the other teams (it’s a partner race), many of them were ultra guys/fell runners from all over Europe… This, in addition to being the most difficult race I’ve ever done, is part of the ultra community of Europe. Although difficult for this Florida boy accustomed to flat running and 80 degree water, the scenery was stunning and just getting to the tiny island was an adventure in and of itself.” Thanks Kenny! Sounds awesome.

Short news day. Two interviews, one gear review, a Montrail Ultra Cup update, and some pretty intense beer reviews all need to be done. Today.

20 Responses to "Ultramarathon Daily News, Thurs, June 4"

Todd says:

June 4, 2015 at 6:41 am

Why do you assume ultrarunning is clean?

Reply
1. eric schranz says:
  
  June 4, 2015 at 6:47 am
  
  I don’t at all, and have been fairly outspoken about the issue. There are absolutely dirty runners in int’l races (ahem, Comrades), and unfortunately I’m hearing more about dopers in domestic events as well. To believe otherwise is silly.
  
  Reply
  1. Dan - Ultra168 says:
    
    June 4, 2015 at 7:03 am
    
    Agreed. We’re so naive if we think it’s not taking place. Our sport is one of the easiest to dope in, barely any controls… You can also tell in some results too. I’ve seen some performances that have made me raise some eyebrows.
    
    Reply
  2. TAG says:
    
    June 4, 2015 at 7:12 am
    
    At least USATF has some form of doping surveillance. What other options do we have? It is obvious that you can manipulate the system. My question is why even test at all?
    
    Reply
Mic Med says:

June 4, 2015 at 6:54 am

The documentary and the articles accompanying it are being tosses around as “damning”, “tell-all” “the straw that breaks the back” etc. I don’t see anything in there that will stick. It’s still just the same stuff we’ve all thought and expected he was doing, but the “definitive evidence” is still easily brushed aside by Salazar and the NOP. I’m not understanding the shock, there’s nothing there that will stick.Reference

Reply
1. Mic Med says:
  
  June 4, 2015 at 7:04 am
  
  Also, I’d argue having USATF involved IN MUT running might help to keep it cleaner. They drug test at the USATF Mountain Running Championships for example, while major ultras have no drug testing whatsoever. (I get your point, just putting it out there that by competing in a USATF Championship you are subject to testing, while running in most of the high profile ultras do not include this)
  
  Reply
  1. Dan - Ultra168 says:
    
    June 4, 2015 at 7:09 am
    
    WSER100 tests blood of all finishers. Most established Skyrunning events have dope tests. But it is limited I know due to the high costs. Skyrunning in ANZ, down under is looking at what it can do as well for dope testing.
    
    Reply
    1. Mic Med says:
      
      June 4, 2015 at 7:20 am
      
      Where does it say that WSER tests blood of all finishers for drugs? I can’t find that anywhere.
      
      Reply
      1. TAG says:
        
        June 4, 2015 at 7:38 am
        
        WSER does not drug test. They do medical testing looking at effects of UR on the human body, but do not test for PEDs. Pikes Peak Marathon tests the first 10 finishers (both male and female). In the US, I can not think of one 100 mile race the tests for PEDs.
      2. Dan - Ultra168 says:
        
        June 4, 2015 at 3:44 pm
        
        My apologies I thought they did.
Dan - Ultra168 says:

June 4, 2015 at 7:00 am

Can you guys access this on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbuAo6YQSHk

Isn’t Rupp’s blood passport pretty damning?Reference

Reply
Ryan says:

June 4, 2015 at 7:55 am

I think more needs to be done about TUE’s, but wouldn’t even know where to start. I don’t even know the process for reviewing TUE’s. Maybe there needs to be a thorough medical examination done by independent doctors not associated with USATF to prove an actual medical need for TUE’s.

Reply
Mitch Walma says:

June 4, 2015 at 9:06 am

UD Dirty 30Reference

Reply
la_capra says:

June 4, 2015 at 9:22 am

Much of the sports system at a professional level is mafia-style with lots of financial interest. Therefore, the culprits are often a step ahead and the truth doesn’t emerge very often by testing, but by accomplice witnesses. See the FIFA scandal, see cycling, see other scandals in athletics. This is sad, but for me it isn’t shocking any longer.

But I am less and less interested in athletes winning races and setting new records – but more in midle- and back of the pack athletes who tell about their struggle.Reference

Reply
Ted says:

June 4, 2015 at 10:01 am

Y = yackReference

Reply
Paul B says:

June 4, 2015 at 1:54 pm

Doping. It’s always been there and always will be there. Want doping out of sports? Take away the competition. There is always someone out there that will want to win more than others and some of those will do anything in their power to do just that. Throw in money for the winner or bigger contracts/sponsorship and more people will be willing to take the next step to win at all cost. The dopers have always been a step ahead and will continue to be. I’m not a pro athlete not have aspirations to be one. I like watching good competition and whether there are dopers or not it’s usually fun to watch. Maybe if I was trying to break into the pro ranks or get sponsorship then if be more upset over it all. I’ll continue to enjoy running and cycling and watching all the sports even with the dopers involved. We are probably really close to the peak performance of the human body alone, so I say let’s give all the folks who are willing the ability to see what the human body can do with doping. Publish it all and be open about it.

Reply
Amy says:

June 4, 2015 at 4:39 pm

I don’t understand your comment about keeping USATF out of MUT running. Doping doesn’t come from USATF involvement. Doping comes from $$ which comes from big sponsors. Some people might say that USATF = Nike, since Nike supports USATF at a very high level. So are you saying keep Nike out of MUT running? Otherwise, the comment doesn’t make sense.

Testing is imperfect and there are so many gray areas when it comes to TUEs, etc. It’s impossible to draw lines, but I guess what pisses me off most about Salazar are the attempts to stay legal while pushing the gray areas as far as is possible. Just because some things are legal, doesn’t make them ethical. Get faster by training and lifestyle, not by using TUEs as creatively as possible to use those drugs out there that will probably help, but that cross an ethical boundary.

Reply
1. eric schranz says:
  
  June 5, 2015 at 4:04 am
  
  My issue is with the relationship between USATF and Nike. USATF’s charge is to provide oversight for the sport, but when it’s largest sponsor employs one of the more controversial coaches, lines are blurred and issues are swept under the rug. Does anyone really believe USATF would hand down convictions of Nike’s VIPs? No way. I’m certainly not saying keep Nike out of MUT running, but I do fear that Nike would like to manage our sport like they do T&F and that’s something I don’t want to happen.
  
  And I completely agree with you and TUEs and the ethics of AlSal. How do you allow for an athlete with a legitimate health concern to compete while others are exploiting the loophole?
  
  Reply
  1. Amy says:
    
    June 5, 2015 at 6:19 am
    
    I’m still not sure I understand the comment, as our current system has no oversight and testing, whereas at least under USATF, as flawed as it might be, there is testing, at least as it pertains to USADA and testing as a result of IAU-sanctioned events. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than what we have, which is absolutely nothing.
    
    Reply
    1. eric schranz says:
      
      June 5, 2015 at 7:32 am
      
      Fair points. I suppose my issue is my total dislike and mistrust of USATF. From the logo cropping BS to the Grunewald decision to the current disaster that is the Board, I don’t want USATF in ultrarunning and fear that they’ll try to use Nike to gain foothold.
      So yeah, my arguments are all over the place but all lead back to not liking USATF in the end.
      
      Reply

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