Uhhhh.......April Fools Day?

I don't know, I'm trying to get back into shape at 50, and it's pretty tough. Tougher when you're lazy like me. With my history of doing the wrong thing, I hestitate to think what I would do if I had any clue where to get steroids or HGH. I'd just like to do 15 miles days, or ski at a high level, and not have my knees hurt.

If it is legal, it is legal, and can be used any way anyone feels fit. GNC has plenty of safe products to enhance one's performance.

If it is illegal then... And, it should not be used because of safty reasons. Just ask Jose Canseco.

Enjoy your hike.

bpl deleted my post...nice..

I don't know. I personally don't take any kind of supplements for workouts or illicit drugs of any kind. I'm pushing 50 and had a fairly wreckless youth which I regret in many ways. The thought of doing anything like that sends shivers up my spine. Having said that, I think that people do what they feel they need to do. If it's legal then it's really nobody's business. By the same token, if somebody's doing something illegal then it's none of my business as long as it doesn't affect me. I'm disappointed with any kind of high level or professional athlete who feels it necessary use performance enhancing substances; because I think that, whether they like it or not, they ARE role models for the kids. IMHO that's part of the job description. I'm not one to dictate ethics and morallity to people, and I'm not in law enforcement.

Edited by socalpacker on 04/01/2009 10:18:01 MDT.

Any time the Big Bucks show up in a sport, it's just human nature to use any advantage one can, legal or not. Oh, wait...you say there are no Big Bucks in backpacking? Not even mentioned in Sports Illustrated? Well dang, I have been wasting my time! I'm switching over to endurance flag-pole sitting, and I will use any drug I can get my hands on to reach the top.

With the right.........technique, endurance flag pole sitting doesn't need any enhancing drugs!

I personally think that if you are asking exceptionally much of your body, like showing your bike the french country side for two weeks, doing 200 km every day, or trying to ice speed skate faster than it is legal to drive your car through town, or regularly visit cities across the globe to try to be the first to cross some fictional line 42 km after crossing another fictional line, or keep squatting until you can lift a Volkswagen beetle, your body will need exceptionally much. Is it cheating? Is it unfair? Maybe, but I don't believe there is not a professional bicyclist that does not take performance enhancing substances. Do I care? Nope! Do I care if ultra long distance hikers use performance enhancing substances? Nope!

Eins

Sadly it has come to this. With the multi-million dollar contracts for star backpackers and trail managers offering huge incentives for records on their trails it's no surprise that fast hikers have resorted to supplements.

We need a congressional investigation and a truth/reconciliation commission to stomp out this smouldering campfire. I'm going to start with a confession--I used Molasses Chews when I set the record on the JMT in 2004. I also used a special garlic infused humus on my Pita sandwiches. I can accept an asterick after my name in the record books but it feels so good to come clean.

I'm also going to out Skurka here and now. When we were in Yellowstone he reconstituted a powdered substance in boiling fluid, wrapped it in a flour tortilla and ate it. Afterwards he hiked much faster until we arrived at camp in the dark. He said it was potatoes but it was in an unmarked ziplock bag and I have no way to confirm his claims.

I think we need to have drug testers at the end of every hike and major trail. It's the only way to preserve lightweight backpacking's integrity and image.

Edited by ksawchuk on 04/01/2009 11:10:18 MDT.

So taking steroids for long distance hiking is bad??? but carrying 50 lbs of muscle should help me carry a lighter pack i thought......

Edited by czechxpress on 04/01/2009 11:14:50 MDT.

Anybody know of any good UL sharps disposal/storage containers?

I'll be honest, up until now I've been throwing my used needles in bushes and streams.

BPL should look into making one.

This product has been in the design process for quite some time now.

I seriously wouldnt be surprised if ultra-hikers doped. I mean why wouldn't they? As someone said already, top athletes use performance enhancing drugs, every sports fan knows this and they don't care. I would like to just see the sports fans/athletes just stop playing the game and just do it already!. Why not have steroid companies advertise that sport star x uses their product. Sport stars are entertainment nothing more.
So if someone is willing to do "anything" and push the limits of human endurance it only makes sense that that person would would be willing to risk their long term health for the goal- even if it doesn't mean widespread money and fame these people are obsessed so why limit themselves to arbitrary social values when it stands in the way of the goal?
Im old fashioned myself and would one day just like to see what old fashioned hard work and dedication could accomplish- but Im not holding my breath.

Reminds me of another article about UL hikers who used banned loofas to reduce their "skin-out weight."

Reminds me of the Saturday Night Live "All Drug Olympics"

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/saturday-night-live-weekend-update-all-drug-olympics/244326496

I can still see a day coming when the average guy starts doping a week or two before his once a year vacation with a backpack (or skiis, or whatever), just to aid recovery, reduce soreness, and prevent injury. Not saying it's right, just saying it's gonna happen. And it will have nothing to do with pushing the limits, or breaking records; just serve as insurance for a good vacation.

Edited by skinewmexico on 04/01/2009 13:31:27 MDT.

Bryan said:
"So if someone is willing to do "anything" and push the limits of human endurance it only makes sense that that person would would be willing to risk their long term health for the goal- even if it doesn't mean widespread money and fame these people are obsessed so why limit themselves to arbitrary social values when it stands in the way of the goal?"

Although this is obviously an April Fool's Day forum I would have to disagree with Bryan if he's serious. To accept drugs in sports as fans is to either force athletes to cheat to get ahead or if they are fully legal to require any serious athlete to take health risks to be able to compete in their sport. I think of the choices my son (who's only 8 but a pretty good runner) might have to make to get a college scholarship or (and this is a WAY out there possibility) to go to the Olympics and I just don't want him to compromise his health or cheat.

I dont want it to be that way either. I just think that we are already there, Its the way it is.

I don't know what the recent LW doping rage is all about... the prototype BPL Hammer pants I've been rockin' for a month now increased my mileage and stamina instantaneously... the air flow is simply spectacular (and how did BPL know that pink was my color). Anyway, its a shame that people feel the need to resort to extremes when perfectly safe, sane and fashionable alternatives exist.

- A super hip homeboy from the boze town.

I can't believe I came into this thread and got slightly rick-rolled. I never imagined the day where anyone on BPL would rick-roll.