Thursday, September 17, 2009

Back on the Juice

For the last couple of decades cycling has been plagued with evidence and allegations of riders using performance enhancing drugs to help them conquer their foes. These allegations are mainly in the pro cycling arenas but it has also filtered down to the amateur levels as well.

“Come on, do it, everyone is doing it!” “If you don’t everyone else will be faster than you!” I’m sure this is the justification for most people’s actions. In the past, we’ve also seen riders get caught and then confess. We’ve also seen riders get caught and not confess (can you say Floyd Landis) but not to worry there are also former TdF winners who will confess for them (can you say Greg LeMond).

Well, before I get caught and Greg has to go public with my confession I thought I’d spill the beans first. I have used performance enhancing drugs for years and it pains me to quit them. OK, really at my age they are performance enabling drugs.

Here’s the scoop, back in 2003 I started taking Glucosamine Chondroitin after a dislocated knee incident. Actually, a doctor advised me to start taking it because I could get it over the counter and it’s great for knee joints. I’ve taken Glucosamine Chondroitin for the last 6 years and for me it works like a champ. I can basically cycle as much as I want and my knees don’t bother me at all. It’s like the fountain of youth for geezers with bad knees.

So, since you can get my performance enabling drug of choice at any drug or grocery store in the country I guess the UCI or Greg LeMond aren’t really going to come after me but here’s the thing. About a month ago I ran out of my supply and I just haven’t gotten around to buying any more. Well, last week I started wondering why my knees and back were killing me so much. Duh!!!! Honestly, it took me a couple of days to put two and two together to figure out that it was my lack of Glucosamine Chondroitin that was affecting my knees and back.

Studies have shown that Glucosamine Chondroitin doesn’t work for everyone but if Steve Martin can get high off of a really cool new drug called “Pla-cee-bo” I’m staying with my performance enabling drug of choice.

As of this afternoon I’m back on the “Juice”.

6 comments:

Big Oak said...

Congratulations you found some more juice. As we get older we should take advantage of what modern medicine has to offer. Hope your knees and back feel better soon!

Jenny-Jenny said...

Good post. You had me worried there for a minute... wondering what you could possibly be taking. Whew.

Groover said...

Good stuff. Sometimes I'm wondering if there is really any drug use at amateur level? Do you really think so?

jeff said...

My vet recommends glucosamine for my aging Golden Retriever, so I've always got some around, but I've never needed it (so far). Claritin for my allergies and ibuprofen for my aches and I'm all set.

Anonymous said...

Is this controlled by UCI? I wonder if that stuff would help Anthony. After an MRI of his knee, the doctor decided that it was degenerative and there was nothing he could do other than become a couch potato.

Judith said...

There is definatley drug use at amateur level. I know of a guy who raced and everyone talked about him as he rode phenominal times. I spoke to him once before a time trial and I must admit he was bouncing off the walls....and I know nerves can do it, but he was more than nerves.....it was quite strange.....Maybe it was Glucosamine