Fit Mom's Blog

This morning, I started a running club at my school. It was very spur of the moment and not planned at all (thought someone else was in charge), however, I had four volunteers immediately say, “Yes” I want to run. We walked out the door, and one little girl, took off like a jackrabbit! She was sprinting away to nowhere and all I could say was SLOW DOWN!! We need a plan, we need to stay together, we need to stretch, can you slow down just for a minute? Thinking back, I love the she wanted to run and run fast. Why should I be the one who says slow down? I, as her teacher, should encourage it and show her how to be smart about it. Being smart and loving what you do are the TWO most important things I could possibly demonstrate, don’t you think?

Changing the subject, but still on the subject of running, I felt incredibly sad for Marion Jones today. She was just released from federal prison after serving a six month jail sentence for lying about steroid use in the Olympics and beyond. What a journey she’s had. I remember watching her win all those gold medals in 2000 as well as in Sydney. She won a total of 5 medals in the Olympics and now has none. Going from being on top of the world to practically homeless. Wonder what she would say now about using steroids? Obviously, I would wonder how she would approach young girls now and what wisdom she would offer them.

At the end of her career she was being paid $70,000- $80,000 dollars a track meet just to show up. Plus the endorsement deals and any winnings she would earn if she won. That is a seriously lucrative career. In the middle of 2006 while on a European tour, she was tested positive for EPO. She immediately left the tour and went home forfeiting hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees and endorsements. She was later cleared of this test because the second one came out negative, however, she had been dodging allegations for years at this point.

I have lots of questions about this- mainly, what would possess her to continue to cheat when there were already clouds hanging over her head? The other thing that bugged me is that she LIED for years before admitting the truth. How many other professional athletes are out there living the dream but hiding a lie?

Cycling is another sport where EPO and other drugs seem to be fairly prevalent. Being a cyclist, and being married to one has lead me to know and understand a good number of cyclists. There are even cyclists here at the local level who have at one time or another done drugs to cheat. What is in person that drives them to cheat? Why is it so important to dominate the local races? Is it an ego thing? Do they just need that time on Sundays where they are the KING of bicycle racing? Knowing fully that they will never be going to the Olympics?

In an attempt to wrap up this rambling post; sure, she can apologize and cry, but she LIED for years. I can recall her being married to the track and field shot putter and he got stripped (I believe) for cheating way back in 2000- which lead to the first questions of her cheating. All I have are questions…but, I can only close this with the hope that she can turn her life around and be someone her children can be proud of.

Thoughts? Comments?