My Striders teammate Greg Pizza, 62, reveals in National Masters News that he’s facing a four-year drug ban after testing positive for testosterone at Jacksonville nationals in July. (He was tapped after taking third in the 100.) In a Times of San Diego article posted Wednesday night, I added the NMN piece as well as his responses to other questions. I’m still awaiting a reply from USADA to Greg’s call for giving masters athletes a break. I also wrote USATF Masters Chairman Gary Snyder for comment. I salute NMN publisher Amanda Scotti for featuring this controversial topic. Greg is her boyfriend, but she exposes him to potentially harsh judgment. So sad that the year masters outdoor nationals is skedded for Michigan, a native of that state won’t compete in Grand Rapids.

When time allows, I’ll post my email Q&A with Greg PIE-za. But here’s a highlight:

Masterstrack.com: Despite your arguments, with doctor’s support, you will still be accused of doping with intent to gain an advantage. How do you respond to such suspicions?

Greg Pizza: I have learned a lot since July — the big thing is that this topic of HRT, hormone replacement therapy, is a very misunderstood topic. A lot of people are very misinformed.

Ever since I began the threrapy, over two years ago, I have been continually and closely monitored by Dr. [Jonathan] Kalman so that we know what my levels are and ensure they they do not rise above or fall too far below the range he suggests they be.

I understand that many, many people do not understand the reasons and benefits of testosterone therapy beyond the generic “it builds bigger muscles” mentality.

If a person is still young enough to have sufficient levels in their system, they would have no reason to find out more about it. I think the simplest way to put this is that testosterone simply wears out — just like joints, in older athletes.

Testosterone levels are easily testable by a blood test; there is a range of normalcy established by the medical community. How is it any different than replacing a worn-out knee? It is only labeled cheating because drugs which can be performance enhancing to elite level athletes or athletes, who don’t need them, are banned across the board for all age groups.

This https://tramadolbest.com/tramadol-100mg/ drug was prescribed to my grandmother during the autumn- spring exacerbation of her leg disease.

Masters are different, and the rules relating to these substances should be as well.

This is a health issue that many of us are or will be dealing with, not performance enhancing.