Would you take a Pill for a PB?

[MichaelMc]

I've got some pills in my cupboard that'd do the trick, but no, I've never taken any for a race.

I faced this demon when I had some hope to make an Olympic team, but repeatedly tore my MCL. There were a few things I was offered that would have made my rehab and training SO much more efficient . And hey there were LOTS of competitors who definitely seemed to have special help , but nope.

For running at this point, seriously, why?

[runningman]

Nope. In the whole scheme of things, none of us are getting paid to run.
We are all slow compared to those that compete professionally. Why risk the unknown to get a PB that everyone forgets except ourselves the day after?
I have read where they asked potential gold medalists if they would take steroids even if they knew they'd be dead by 30, but would not get caught and would win the medal.The vast majority said they would.

[Jo-Jo]

I'm having a hard time getting my head around the "unknown if it is illegal/banned". If something is definitely legal and has no side effects (an equally important concern with most realistic pills), I'm not opposed to trying it. Cost would play a role too, as I haven't gotten around to sleeping in a low-oxygen tent yet either.

Like ian I'm having a hard time with that "clause"
If it's legal, has no side effects and affordable...oh heck...why not
In multisport people use legal performance enhancing stuff all the time...carbon bikes, expensive wetsuits that fit likes "skins" and are only good for a few races, etc. etc.

[drghfx]

Nope. In the whole scheme of things, none of us are getting paid to run.
We are all slow compared to those that compete professionally. Why risk the unknown to get a PB that everyone forgets except ourselves the day after?
I have read where they asked potential gold medalists if they would take steroids even if they knew they'd be dead by 30, but would not get caught and would win the medal.The vast majority said they would.

Yeah, I would suspect they would be doing it for themselves and not for their country.

[Nicholas]

Is it pink or blue?

[Jwolf]

Does the rabbit die?

It's not a reasonable question, because there is NOTHING with no side effects, especially things that are not known to be illegal or banned.

In general I'd say no because I know you can't get something without some cost, and I'm not gaining anything but ego by running faster.

[seuss]

i am pretty sure one of the meds i take on a regular basis is a banned substance for competing

then of course there is caffiene....

is there something else i should be considering?

[cgraham]

No - because there's not enough information, and that "not available at the drug store" thing makes it sound pretty seedy.

Gatorade is to some extent performance enhancing, as is caffeine, so I can't claim to be some angelic purist when it comes to running.

But at the same time, I'm not downing some pill that I don't know what it is, or even whether it's legal.

[scottp]

Is it pink or blue?

[drghfx]

Apparently there is a side effect to this pill - overanalysis!

[turd ferguson]

Apparently there is a side effect to this pill - overanalysis!

No kidding. Remind me never to play Scruples with this gang.

Q: The only available spot in the parking lot is reserved for the handicapped. You are in a hurry and won't be very long. Do you park there?

A: I need more information. What is the weather like? Is the parking lot busy? Is it a grocery store or a paint store?

Q: Never mind.

[garth]

Not a chance. It wouldn't be a PB if I had to use a performance enhancing pill to get it - it wasn't 'me' that would get the PB.

Ditto

[FishPants]

I just took it! Are you sure there are side no effects?

If your race lasts longer than four hours, see your doctor.

ah...crap.

[Ken B]

I vote no as it might interfere with the tortoise's well-known SLOW but steady progress!

[QuickChick]

I don't care about the illegal/banned thing, as it would never ever be an issue for me. I'd love to think I could be a runner that the race directors would want to test, but chances are... it's not going to happen!!

What matters to me is the health aspect... a pb is definitely not as important as being healthy. Marion Jones, for example, sure didn't do her body any favours by taking whatever it was she took to get her Olympic medals.

If I was an elite and I could take something and win big bucks, it'd be a harder decision, but I know I'd probably still say no because my conscience would eat at me. Cheating is wrong, no matter what! It'd feel like dirty money.

[Doonst]

Cheating is wrong, no matter what! It'd feel like dirty money.

dirty sexy money

[Robbie-T]

Interesting responses.

For me if I was Elite then I wouldn't think of it, but being a non-elite, I'd go for it why not, see what I can do, no one to harm or cheat but myself, I can live with that.

[turd ferguson]

I know I'd probably still say no because my conscience would eat at me.

I remember when I used to have a conscience

[Doonst]

For me if I was Elite then I wouldn't think of it, but being a non-elite, I'd go for it why not, see what I can do, no one to harm or cheat but myself, I can live with that.

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[VeloCarrie]

I said no. I take enough pills to make me gag twice a day, and those supposedly keep me alive. I'm not really caring about the legal part either, since I also take epo (for a medical condition). Anyways, my PB is "finishing."

Good question though.

[Darth Tater]

The February issue of Runner's World has this exact point noted - p73 (just arrived in my mail today).

63% would never take a pill to PR. (Based on respondents to runnersworld.com polls.)

[Dr. S]

No.

[ultraslacker]

It would be rather pointless, no? It would take all the fun, challenge, and satisfaction out of the training, struggling, hoping, almost missing, then achieving.

[Jwolf]

The February issue of Runner's World has this exact point noted - p73 (just arrived in my mail today).

isn't that where rob got it?

[JamesP123]

I wouldnt even think about it.

the best part about getting a PB is knowing that all the hard work and all the pain you put up with has paid off.