Sacramento Running News

Could this be a threat to your running career?

Many years ago, a co-worker of mine was seriously mauled during a run by two dogs. He survived, but suffered serious injuries and endured a couple weeks in the hospital and a long recovery.

After that experience, he recommended that his running friends always carry pepper spray, and insurance information. And for a long time, I did.

I never needed the insurance information, but I did use pepper spray a couple of times and I was glad to have it. I’ve been more slack lately, but after reading this story about a dog attack in Southern California, I might get more serious about being prepared again.

They were running on a dirt road that ran parallel to Lake Wohlford Road just south of the middle school when the dogs —- five of them, possibly pit bulls —- appeared. They dragged Richard to the ground and he started screaming, she said.

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It looks like the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) is taking a closer look at masters athletes, having suspended nine already in 2011.

The Associated Press has a story on the USADA’s new focus on masters athletes. As a masters athlete myself, I am personally pleased to see this new scrutiny of my fellow competitors.

Obviously, there are other opinions. Some athletes feel that it doesn’t matter what masters athletes do because there isn’t any money in masters athletics.

All the same, if I’m out there busting my butt in the hunt for an age group placing, I’d like to assume the other guys I’m racing against are all playing from the same rule book.

Since I’m not above naming names, I took a peek at the USADA’s press releases for 2011 and extracted the following list of master track and field athletes who were sanctioned for some doping violation. (more…)