tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2668199593986982895.post1806480371939956623..comments2023-11-28T01:29:02.955-08:00Comments on Run Away Fast: Jagged little pill--warning controversial topic ahead!!Jaymeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680519617786773673noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2668199593986982895.post-23511377731061420182013-08-11T14:57:33.420-07:002013-08-11T14:57:33.420-07:00Thank you.
I don't think I'm there yet, ...Thank you. <br /><br />I don't think I'm there yet, at least in full-on pre-meno mode, but I expect some shenanigans in the next few years given what my Mom went through. The trouble is that I haven't been able to get the hormone testing done to know what wild cycles I go through now in order to know when things change. With a doc who won't allow for tests when nothing is "wrong" with me, I don't see any resolution in the near future. To do this myself is more expensive than my interest in knowing the numbers.<br /><br />As one of my Facebook friends said, the real bummer about all of the masters runners partaking in the banned substance/hormone replacement free-for-all is that you start to question every fast performance you see a masters runner record, which sucks for those who are turning in legit performances. Jaymeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01680519617786773673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2668199593986982895.post-71870645587784907492013-08-09T20:52:40.771-07:002013-08-09T20:52:40.771-07:00When you approach menopause, 5 or even more years ...When you approach menopause, 5 or even more years before "the change" your hormones fluctuate a lot. Your body will start to fall off the normal "cycle" and you can have periods of high estrogen sometimes followed by low estrogen, non-ovulatory cycles followed by low progesterone among other oddities. Is this a possible reason for your hormone issues? I went through this relatively earlier than most women in the context of early infertility and the changes were startling and frustrating. Some hormone replacement therapies address these issues but they are not for everyone. The doctors are not necessarily wrong about the treatments but they often are not sensitive to the fact that you are a competitive athlete. I think the challenge is to see how much our aging bodies can do rather than trying to push the clock back artificially with drugs. Or at least this is what I believe should be the essence of our sport regardless of what WADA does nor not deem acceptable. Seeing that you still run at such a high level is inspiring to me and others.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2668199593986982895.post-32421565552134734652013-08-07T03:21:30.373-07:002013-08-07T03:21:30.373-07:00Interesting post Jaymee. Totally agree with you ab...Interesting post Jaymee. Totally agree with you about cheats. If you're taking anything on the WADA list you're cheating. I have hypothyroidism (it runs in the family) and have been taking thyroxine for a couple of years. It hasn't done any thing to enhance my performance! My a/g % is similar or worse than when it was as a young runner.<br /><br />If I were you I'd be getting those hormone levels checked. Agree that baseline levels (when healthy) would be a great thing to know. Are there other ways of managing them - lifestyle changes or diet? Maybe not. I think I'll be on thyroxine 'forever' - glad it's subsidised by the PBS!Ewenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01093209634556111656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2668199593986982895.post-46669763512482757282013-08-06T22:12:50.666-07:002013-08-06T22:12:50.666-07:00Hi there,
Thanks for your comment and kind words....Hi there,<br /><br />Thanks for your comment and kind words. I might disagree with you on the ego thing. It is actually quite large:) I have been told my head is so large it has its own weather system;)<br /><br />In all seriousness, it is a shame that we are competing against runners who don't play by the rules. What sucks even more is that It makes legitimately fantastic performances seem suspect. I guess there are cheaters everywhere: baseball, track, marathon running. For those who make a living from their sport, the money and fame are motivators. But masters runners? What is gained by cheating? Jaymeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01680519617786773673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2668199593986982895.post-3245279702916893732013-08-06T21:34:30.845-07:002013-08-06T21:34:30.845-07:00Hi Jaymee,
I have always admired your accomplishm...Hi Jaymee, <br />I have always admired your accomplishments as a runner, especially as one who maintains a life (career, other interests, etc) outside of running... doesn't have an unjustifiably big ego... isn't catty about other females in your age group.. and doesn't break the rules to succeed. <br />Let's just say that not everyone in your competitive set can say the same, which is unfortunate. <br />However, it doesn't diminish the fact that you inspire a lot of people, including many recreational runners who learn a lot vicariously from your experiences. <br />Keep up the good - and clean - work! <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2668199593986982895.post-39218091699855075362013-08-06T17:07:01.482-07:002013-08-06T17:07:01.482-07:00Hi! Thank you for posting and putting that issue i...Hi! Thank you for posting and putting that issue into real-world context. I'm happy to hear that the treatment is working for you and allowing you to train. I also respect the fact that you would not compete if you were taking a banned substance, even if you needed it just to function. Jaymeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01680519617786773673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2668199593986982895.post-30988170474672833792013-08-06T16:52:34.781-07:002013-08-06T16:52:34.781-07:00Hi Jaymee, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism ear...Hi Jaymee, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism earlier this year and am taking the appropriate medication, which while not banned is probably used for performance enhancing reasons as evidenced by your link. I guess it enhances my performance in that it brings my levels back to normal so I can train. Actually, so I can just function. It's a slippery slope for sure, but I believe I'm on the right side of it. If it was a banned substance, I would consider my health first and would take the medication. I just couldn't compete. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2668199593986982895.post-39188007723395270752013-08-06T13:55:15.674-07:002013-08-06T13:55:15.674-07:00Yum Runner,
Thanks for commenting! It is a frustr...Yum Runner,<br /><br />Thanks for commenting! It is a frustrating system to be sure. I take care of myself and as a result actually cost our health care system very little in the grand scheme. So, it is frustrating paying into a system where I am prejudged to not need care and actually have to fight so hard for just a little slice.<br /><br />I am a data loving girl, so not knowing is a special kind of torture. However, you are right. I am healthy and, certainly, being somewhat fatigued for a few months out of the year is something I can deal with! Jaymeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01680519617786773673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2668199593986982895.post-59073791689245444602013-08-06T13:42:21.781-07:002013-08-06T13:42:21.781-07:00This is interesting. Thanks for sharing.
I, too,...This is interesting. Thanks for sharing. <br /><br />I, too, get driven up the wall when my doctors make mistakes, and I often find that if I ask even a simple question (e.g. is this contraindicated with my other medication?) the doc has to look up the info on the internet. Uh, hello!! You already wrote me the script... shouldn't you already know this info?<br /><br />But frustration with my docs is different from the battles with "the system"--I mean the battle to get the healthcare you need in an environment that is all about cost cutting, getting you to buy the meds that your insurer has a deal with, and pushing you out the door. I'm sorry this has an impact on you.<br /><br />Still, I think I would make the same decision as you. To choose to just not know, I mean. I think I would want that ignorance for awhile... until I felt like I couldn't compete anymore or like my health was really in jeopardy. It sounds like you are actually okay, though. <br /><br />Keep it up!Brennanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15674451017163062773noreply@blogger.com