Luke Puskedra comes to the defense of Alberto Salazar and Galen Rupp

Luke just laid an egg with a 2:15. Of course he is coming to their defense. The life span for 2:15 marathoners with big aspirations is maybe 3 more marathons and then he is done.

So Luke why did Alberto have to hide pills in a magazine and book if he wasn't doing anything against the rules? This is proven via Salazars own email.

Why was he testing testosterone on his son to see how much it took to test positive?

The story hasn't ever been everyone was given stuff. It has been Salazar and Rupp, then a wall with just questionable use of TUE's.

When he explains a reasonably why he is sending unmarked pills hidden in a book than I'll consider this is just a minor gray area issue at the NOP and not full blown testosterone and extra type stuff. The unmarked and genetically marked vials from a doctor also don't make professional sense either.

I believe him

I believe Puskedra. Time for other former NOP members to speak up, as well. You may have not left the NOP on your terms, but you shouldn't allow for the hanging of an innocent person.

Yawn..... When somebody relevant who isn't a lame Duck comes to his defense then that will be news. Until then please stop mentioning how Al Sal's Johnny suckers are coming to his defense... Of course they are!

If I was. Nike athlete that is currently living in Eugene and my contract was running out at the end of the year, I might be willing to go for some loyalty points. Smart financial move Luke.

Why do you idiots believe the pills in the book story??! Don't you have a sense of humor!? Salazar was f!ng being tongue in cheek. You guys are clueless. Centro stepped forward, as did Rowbury and Cain. Who else do you want?

Supporting Salazar List

Cento

Rupp

Puskedra

Rowbury

Cain

Ulrey

Uhl

Hasay

Infield

Flanagan

Decker

Leirbag wrote:

Why do you idiots believe the pills in the book story??! Don't you have a sense of humor!? Salazar was f!ng being tongue in cheek.

Good one!

Decker?? She did in person interviews while being coached by Salazar stating he was her coach. Now that almost 20 years has past her defense is she wasn't being coached by him? Anything after that point is worthless because she is a liar.

Your comments evince the mentality of a vast array of LetsRun readers and posters. Those who are accusing Salazar are, of course, completely honest and forthcoming. Those who defend him, however (Levins, Rowbury, Puskedra) have vested interests that lead them to be dishonest. So for everyone looking for Salazar's defense, what could he possibly say that would convince you to the contrary. Nothing. So the clock on the front page is childish at best. What's amazing to me is not that many think Salazar is guilty of bypassing the rules--maybe he is. What's amazing is how many people hope that he is and can't wait to take great glee in his downfall. I can admire those who believe he's guilty yet are saddened by it. But those who glory in the possibility . . . pitiful.

Let's be real, we know AlSal let only the top members of NOP use the good dope. Everyone else = training fodder. Puskedra obviously fell into the latter group. I like the guy, but could he even break 2:12 on prednisone and androgel? Probably not. So he was deemed unworthy of the best dope. Hopefully he realizes this and doesn't think his NOP experience, which may have very well been drug-free, is representative of Rupp's or Farah's.

Cool, good for him.

You missed the irony so let me explain it to you.

Nike fan boy defense for the several accusations have been that the accusers have had an agenda so I simply did the same thing with his defenders.

Thank you for making my point that it is a stupid defense.

This will aid his future employment options but he is probably speaking the truth--he was not an inner circle type. He was just workout fodder for the long tempos and long runs, as he had run a terrific half marathon while still in college. hence, he never saw what they were really doing.

My apologies for missing the irony.

Paid employee wrote:

You missed the irony so let me explain it to you.

Nike fan boy defense for the several accusations have been that the accusers have had an agenda so I simply did the same thing with his defenders.

Thank you for making my point that it is a stupid defense.

It's his first marathon. Give him a couple more tries at it to improve. What a butthead loser to make such a statement.

Polly P wrote:

Luke just laid an egg with a 2:15. Of course he is coming to their defense. The life span for 2:15 marathoners with big aspirations is maybe 3 more marathons and then he is done.

Okay--Puskedra is a dope for not realizing how he was being used, but you, of course, have great insight into various matters despite the fact that you've never met any of the principals, never watched NOP train, never spoken to any of their athletes. So how in the world do you know what you claim to know? What basis do you have? Good heavens--how can the world be filled with so many people who base their judgments on something so far removed from careful reflection?

jjjjjj wrote:

This will aid his future employment options but he is probably speaking the truth--he was not an inner circle type. He was just workout fodder for the long tempos and long runs, as he had run a terrific half marathon while still in college. hence, he never saw what they were really doing.

Leirbag wrote:

Why do you idiots believe the pills in the book story??! Don't you have a sense of humor!? Salazar was f!ng being tongue in cheek. You guys are clueless. Centro stepped forward, as did Rowbury and Cain. Who else do you want?

Supporting Salazar List

Cento

Rupp

Puskedra

Rowbury

Cain

Ulrey

Uhl

Hasay

Infield

Flanagan

Decker

I'd put Fleshman as a supporter as well. Everything she said supported he's done nothing wrong.

What did Flanagan say?

that's all i have to say. luke, you're the man.