51-Year-Old Recreational Masters Runner Tests Positive For Doctor Prescribed DHEA, Gets 1-Year Drug Ban

If they started testing at Foot Locker, lots of kids would fail for Adderol, etc. There are a handful on ADD/ADHD medication.

I think many would argue caffeine is more of a PED than DHEA. So if you drink one too many cups of coffee before a race then ethically or morally you should DNS?

I would answer yes as a personal choice, but I think it's really hard to run afoul of a doping test with caffeine by drinking coffee.

As an example, I am asthmatic and I would suffer in some am races, especially during xc. I never did use my inhaler because I felt that it provided a stimulant effect that went beyond relieving my symptoms. The workouts that I had when I used the inhaler were significantly better than without, and I felt like it wasn't possible to adjust the dose to only provide the therapeutic effect. That's my personal choice and I understand some people wouldn't agree.

No one is holding this woman to that kind of standard. She failed a test for a banned substance and she didn't have a TUE. It doesn't matter whether she intended to dope or not. It doesn't matter whether she expected to receive an ergogenic benefit or not. DHEA is not banned solely for that reason because it can also be used as a masking agent.

If you want to eliminate drug testing for master's athletes, I wouldn't really care. It's not that important, except to a small group of people and their circles. But if we're going to have drug testing, then it should count. Excuses like "she's just a mom" or "he's really nice" don't mean squat. If you're going to compete in events that are responsive somehow to WADA, then know the rules. If you don't take testing seriously, then you are going to see this sport become the kind of macabre burlesque that you see in bodybuilding.

You old people have your adult diapers in a wad over old people running slow. When I'm over the hill in my 50s I'm taking every pill that makes me feel younger. Screw drug tests.

DHEA-Strong wrote:

No problem. A bunch of ass clowns will just make something up called "DHEA testosterone" and tout the benefits of that.

The fools that come on to LR never cease to amaze, nothing was made up called "DHEA testosterone", as mentioned before " we're "talking dhea testosterone here" not dhea is testosterone".

So why are we "talking dhea testosterone here"?, because she was pinged for DHEA and we're talking testosterone because Kristi said "A hormonal panel showed low DHEA, practically nonexistent testosterone and low estrogen." And she was prescribed DHEA because "DHEA is easily converted into other hormones, especially estrogen and testosterone.".

Pretty simple really.

no one cares wrote:

You old people have your adult diapers in a wad over old people running slow. When I'm over the hill in my 50s I'm taking every pill that makes me feel younger. Screw drug tests.

As a 56 year old, let me say this is pretty tempting. Aging sucks.

no one cares wrote:

You old people have your adult diapers in a wad over old people running slow. When I'm over the hill in my 50s I'm taking every pill that makes me feel younger. Screw drug tests.

Good thing that "you" are competing while you are young as the sport will be a total joke when you (and those with your attitude) get to the age of those who made this sport what, until recently, it was.

I have no problem if they change the rules to allow ignorant wannabees to die trying to be great. It happened in cycling - lots of deaths... Survival of the smartest! Even a few well known runners have had early life ending events.

It is fine if "everyone" can take whatever they want. It just isn't OK if there are rules that are broken by cheats who always claim they didn't know any better: Yet, some short cutters stand on the podium and take home the picture for their website and place the trophy where all who visit them can see it, with no apology.

If I recall, Lets Run used to label everyone who had tested positive as a "Drug Cheat." Suddenly, when they don't know her, or she has tons of groupies posting from Colorado, it is OK. She is blond, slim and "the way many of you hope your woman looks and runs" at 51 or more.

Never have so many male (and some female) Lets Run posters better shown that their standards for women runners is double. It is not based upon performance but on personality, looks and low body weight. Why then, in your opinion, does a 51 year old woman enter a timed event that costs huge entry fees? Just to look good? It must be heartening to find so many knights coming to her defense.

BTW, comparing times on a Marathon that climbs Pikes Peak (high altitude for certain posting dummies who don't know) with a lowland flat marathon is also a badge of ignorance. Quads fail on young runners too, on the descent.

Let's Run Co-founder: Your double standard with regard to female and older runners is waiting for an apology. Old runners were once the young studs, yet before you run in their "old" shoes, you throw them under the bus.

dude, really? wrote:

I think many would argue caffeine is more of a PED than DHEA. So if you drink one too many cups of coffee before a race then ethically or morally you should DNS?

So you think "many would argue caffeine is more of a PED than DHEA.", yet DHEA use can incur an anti-doping rule violation, why?

How does a substance get considered for the WADA Prohibited List?

Typically, a substance or method will be considered for the WADA Prohibited List if the substance or method meets any two of the following three criteria:

1 It has the potential to enhance or enhances sport performance

2 It represents an actual or potential health risk to the athlete

3 It violates the spirit of sport

S1. Anabolic Agents

Anabolic Agents are prohibited. This includes the use of prescription testosterone creams (such as Androgel) or injections, or the use of any other anabolic substance (such as DHEA in a dietary supplement). The list of anabolic agents is extensive and even if an anabolic agent is not specifically listed, it is still prohibited if it has “a similar chemical structure or similar biological effect(s).”

S1. ANABOLIC AGENTS

Anabolic agents are prohibited.

1. Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS)

b. Endogenous** AAS when administered exogenously:

...; 7α-hydroxy-DHEA; 7β-hydroxy-DHEA; 7-keto-DHEA;

** “endogenous” refers to a substance which is ordinarily produced by the body naturally.

Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for Non-National

1) If the substance is prohibited only during competition, and not out-of-competition as well, then a TUE is not needed prior to competition.

2) If the substance is prohibited both in-competition and out-of-competition, then a TUE is needed prior to competition, except for the following substances.

Diuretics and masking agents

Beta-2 agonists

Insulin (If diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes.)

TrackCoach wrote:

nail her to a cross wrote:

Yes it is debatable. DHEA would have been okay if she had gotten a TUE. What is NOT DEBATABLE is she did not have a TUE.

I am not ready to "nail her to a cross", she is not attempting to make a national team, collect money and its debatable if DHEA has performance enhancing qualities. However, Kristi did dope...that is a fact and I think she did so knowingly. My wife is a master's 'recreational' runner, although she feels what Kristi did is not a big deal, but she also contends that 50 yo women know the bodies. My wife contends there is no way an educated 50 yo woman is going to take a drug without knowing the potential effects.

FMD, not only am I agreeing with TrackCoach but also his wife. Although you did leave out a bit re the "educated 50 yo woman", should have added 'who holds degrees in Bachelors Degree in Biology at University of Colorado and Masters Degree in Physical Therapy and also works in the health industry, so no excuses'.

I do believe some people peak later in life regardless of how fast they potentially were earlier in their life/career.

I believe this lady was legitimate. Nicole Leveque:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicole_L%C3%A9v%C3%AAque

Started running after age 40 and ran a 32:12.07 to set the W40 10,000 record in the 1994 European championships. Age 47 2:36:52 Marathon!

Age 43 5000- 15:51.81 Age 45 15:55.71 Age 50 17:09.96 Marked decline in the age 45 to 50 5K time.

W50 5000 progression:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masters_W50_5000_metres_world_record_progression

This lady has some fantastic times as well, Gitte Karlshøj: 1:10:50 at her peak age 37 and 1:11.09 six years later.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gitte_Karlsh%C3%B8j

she broke the w50 record in the 5000 with a 16:51.

Now this seems suspicious to me: 16:19 W50 Monica Joyce

ML wrote:

It just isn't OK if there are rules that are broken by cheats who always claim they didn't know any better: Yet, some short cutters stand on the podium and take home the picture for their website and place the trophy where all who visit them can see it, with no apology.

If I recall, Lets Run used to label everyone who had tested positive as a "Drug Cheat." Suddenly, when they don't know her, or she has tons of groupies posting from Colorado, it is OK. She is blond, slim and "the way many of you hope your woman looks and runs" at 51 or more.

I hear ya sis.

For years, I've pushed the USADA to focus on populations that are taking advantage of their condition/position to use DHEA as a masking agent. Some even have Biology degrees for God's sake and therefore must know that DHEA is prohibited! How do I know that they are knowingly cheating? Because I am posting that I know on an anonymous message board, that's how!

USADA needs to target these groups:

Menopausal women

Members of the US Military (significant DHEA users)

Persons with adrenal insufficiency.

Bodybuilders

Woman with fertility issues

Let's clean up our sport! Lifetime bans for these drug cheats!

By the way, the USADA provide a easy-to-use wallet card of banned chemicals:

http://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/wallet_card.pdf

Keep in mind, the list is incomplete, so if you fail a test because you relied on this convenient card, you're a drug cheat!

What you need to do is:

1. Get your prescription or over-the-counter recommendation from your healthcare practitioner.

2. Go home and use

http://globaldro.com/

to focus on what's important -- not being a drug cheat. Remember to choose "Mountain Running" or "Trail Running" or "Road Running" or just "Running" under the Sport category.

3. If the recommendation is "prohibited," do not fill the prescription so you don't fail a drug test! Make another appointment to see your healthcare practitioner to see if there's another option.

4. Another simple option is to get a Therapeutic Use Exception (TUE):

a. Read through the 24 questions (FAQs) on the USADA web page:

http://www.usada.org/substances/tue/tue-faqs/

If you're a blind runner, get someone to read it to you. If you're visiting the U.S. and only speak a little English, hire someone to translate it for you.

Pay close attention to the clearance time for the medication you will be taking. It is your responsibility to gather this information and make an accurate estimate or else you're a drug cheat! (FAQ #23)

b. Print out and read the 25-page WADA International Standard for TUEs:

http://www.usada.org/substances/tue/tue-faqs/

c. Follow the steps to determine your medication status and competition level:

http://www.usada.org/substances/tue/determine/

d. Print out and learn about the WADA changes for 2015 including the prohibited association rule whereby you cannot obtain training, nutrition or medical advice from anyone who is sanctioned. It is your responsibility to know everyone who is sanctioned ... or you're a drug cheat!

e. Download the Specific Medical Information:

http://www.usada.org/substances/tue/apply/

For example, look under "Menopausal" for specific information related to menopause.

f. Print out the application:

http://www.usada.org/substances/tue/apply/

and make an appointment for your healthcare practitioner to fill out the appropriate sections and provide: Comprehensive medical history, Copies of all relevant examinations and clinical notes, Copies of laboratory results, A statement of why the Prohibited Substance is needed and, if possible, an independent supporting medical opinion.

g. Send the application to the USADA and wait 3 business days for receipt confirmation.

h. Finally, sit and wait for the USADA TUE Committee to meet and decide your case. Once (if) your TUE is approved and if you're still alive, you can confidently take your drug/supplement. (Repeat all steps if your healthcare practitioner recommendation changes due to a changing condition or recommendation that didn't help.)

It's THAT simple!

5150 wrote:

I do believe some people peak later in life regardless of how fast they potentially were earlier in their life/career.

I believe this lady was legitimate. Nicole Leveque:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicole_L%C3%A9v%C3%AAque

Started running after age 40 and ran a 32:12.07 to set the W40 10,000 record in the 1994 European championships. Age 47 2:36:52 Marathon!

Age 43 5000- 15:51.81 Age 45 15:55.71 Age 50 17:09.96 Marked decline in the age 45 to 50 5K time.

W50 5000 progression:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masters_W50_5000_metres_world_record_progression

This lady has some fantastic times as well, Gitte Karlshøj: 1:10:50 at her peak age 37 and 1:11.09 six years later.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gitte_Karlsh%C3%B8j

she broke the w50 record in the 5000 with a 16:51.

Now this seems suspicious to me: 16:19 W50 Monica Joyce

Guess what? All these "proofs" are before menopause. Your idea of an older woman isn't even in touch with reality. Do you just throw away anyone competing after menopause because they don't deserve to participate? Why did the race in question offer trophies and free entry for 2015 to this over 50 woman rather than to the legions of younger runners behind her?? Some women don't reach menopause until mid 50s but these are rarely skinny and osteoporotic runners who need testosterone to regain bone density (as their husbands demand is medically necessary due to their excessively emaciated state that is "medical."

So tired of men with trophy wives (who don't hold 40 hour per week jobs) and delusional excuses for them.

ML, you write as if you know Kristi Anderson, do you?

How effective wrote:

So how effective is DHEA? People showed a study saying it has no value to enhancing performance but others say it is a PED. Which is it?

So DHEA itself isn't a performance enhancing drug but, according to the research I've admittedly browsed over, it is a precursor to testosterone and testosterone is a performance enhancer?

If it isn't a precursor to testosterone what is its use?

"In chemistry, a precursor is a compound that participates in the chemical reaction that produces another compound. In biochemistry, the term "precursor" is used more specifically to refer to a chemical compound preceding another in a metabolic pathway."

ML wrote:

Your double standard with regard to female and older runners is waiting for an apology. Old runners were once the young studs, yet before you run in their \"old\" shoes, you throw them under the bus.

I agree with most of what this poster wrote above.

1) it is frustrating to have a double standard. Competing under the rules is very important if you\'re a young elite, but cheating doesn\'t matter once you\'re a master/age grouper because who the heck cares about you and your slower times? That\'s part of what\'s really bothering me here.

2) The argument about whether or not DHEA is performance enhancing isn\'t relevant, to my mind. There\'s performance enhancing substances that aren\'t banned (water, gels) and things that are unquestionably NOT performance enhancing that ARE banned (pot, cocaine). What\'s relevant is whether it was banned. And it was.

If you get ticketed for failing to stop at a red light, arguing that the red light shouldn\'t have been there and there was no need for it won\'t get you anywhere. And it shouldn\'t.

3) Ignorance was no excuse here. Again, these drug rules aren\'t hard to find. And she was competing at a race that specifically said that there would be testing. The \"I\'m just a mom\" argument is also really insulting to others. Especially moms.

4) If WADA wants to come up with a different set of standards for those over 40, allowing stuff like DHEA and testosterone, then great. But they haven\'t yet. You compete by the rules as stated, not the rules as you think they should be.

5) I do think that it would make sense to allow all runners to identify themselves as either \"recreational\" or \"competitive\" in a race. If you\'re recreational, then knock yourself out - take your prescribed testosterone or corticosteroids or DHEA, wear your headphones, enjoy the race. Just agree to not being eligible for any awards. If you\'re competitive, then you agree to comply with all the rules in exchange for award eligibility.

Watched this on netflix last night:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1151309/

In addition to revealing how common the use of steroids and other performance enhancers are, even among modest achievers in obscure sports, at the end it talks about how easy it is to get HRT from a physician. In any case, it's probably worth 90 minutes of your time while you're waiting to go out driniking tonight.

[quote]ML wrote:

She is blond, slim and "the way many of you hope your woman looks and runs" at 51 or more.

Never have so many male (and some female) Lets Run posters better shown that their standards for women runners is double. It is not based upon performance but on personality, looks and low body weight. quote]

Rubbish, I'm in love with this drug cheat:

http://www.salon.com/2002/07/31/jager/

Fred. wrote:

[quote]ML wrote:

She is blond, slim and "the way many of you hope your woman looks and runs" at 51 or more.

Never have so many male (and some female) Lets Run posters better shown that their standards for women runners is double. It is not based upon performance but on personality, looks and low body weight. quote]

Rubbish, I'm in love with this drug cheat:

http://www.salon.com/2002/07/31/jager/

Well, the picture does capture the essence of the 68 year old runner on steroids. Perhaps K.A. at Pikes Peak Marathon is the 51 year old "before" picture and "68 year old granny" is the after picture.

Hey, I am all for health enhancing practices. If you want to compete in International Events as the Pike's Peak Marathon was marketed as, then don't complain if you "win" an award outside of the rules. Give back your trophy and your free entry for next year to the next clean finisher.

Kristi is not married. So no, ML doesn't know her. ML is just making an assumption that Kristi is a lazy trophy wife supported by a dumb rich husband.