+1
Very well articulated.
A quick note on El G: I think it's highly probable he was doping most or all of his career. 4 out of the top 7 fastest Moroccan 1500 men have been convicted of doping; 3 for EPO and one for an ABP hematological violation (Ramzi, Laâlou, Kaouch, Mikhou). And of course, Aouita, is highly suspicious based on his performance jumps back in the 80s and some of his comments he made about doping post-career while coaching. Morocco was a doping culture during their heyday which has continued up through the present time. There's even a good article about Moroccan doping within their T&F program that can found on a simple Google search.
A good article on blood doping & EPO:
http://exclusive.multibriefs.com/content/everything-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-blood-doping-and-epo/sports-fitness"Exercising produces lactic acid in the body. Lactate is an important fuel for the muscles and is a normal substance in the body. It is only a problem when you exceed your anaerobic or lactate threshold, and it starts to accumulate rapidly."
"This occurs when you are running so fast that you can't get enough oxygen to produce all your energy. You borrow energy by "going anaerobic" and producing lactate. Carbon dioxide also forms carbonic acid as it is produced and dissolved in the blood."
"Hemoglobin helps buffer or lessen the change in the body's acid-base balance that this carbonic and lactic acid produces. Two different people can produce the same amount of lactic acid during exercise, but the one with more red blood cells and more hemoglobin handles it better — doesn't "rig" or tie up as easily or as soon."
"In an aerobic event like the marathon, with the good marathoners running at their anaerobic thresholds, a higher hematocrit would allow them to throw in tougher surges because they would tolerate more lactic acid buildup. In a more anaerobic event like the 400, the buffering could keep you from tying up in the last straightway."