The Crush’s BodyBlog

Williams Admits To Doping Positive.

"US Masters Champion Williams admits to taking DHEA, awaits sanction"

It’s a sad day in the world of cycling.

Learn more from the following article from Cyclingnews.com:
Find Out More

Share your thoughts.

I am working on entering the amateur scene myself. This makes me wonder… is the person ahead of me doping too? Obviously if he hadn’t broken his collar bone he probably wouldn’t have taken the DHEA. So, should we cut him some slack. I mean, it’s not like he was taking a pro-hormone or blood doping (aka EPO) and was he taking it before he broke his collar bone? If not then he should have won the other competitions and not feel bad about it.

I guess I have mixed feelings about this and would like to know what others think.

Thanks,
Scott

Well it’s in the books now. I completed the 50 mile route of the 2009 Blue Cruise in Meridian, Idaho. This was the longest ride I’ve ever done and the first event I have ever participated in. It was an eye opening experience – Had some issues with the saddle and at various times during the event we had century riders passing us (the pace they ride at is mind boggling).

It was a huge event involving approximately 650 riders (195 riders for 50 mile route/150 for 100 mile route) split between a variety of different distances. We couldn’t have asked for a better day with the exception of a brisk NW wind and some foul smelling cow farms out around Poen Rd. and Kuna Caves Rd. between Melba and Kuna… it was pretty nasty.

My wife and I completed the ride in 3 hours 26 minutes (including 2 brief stops) and then enjoyed a great lunch that was provided by the organizers for all the riders. Olympic Gold Medalist & fellow UI alum Kristen Armstrong was also in attendance and signed a few things for us.

Well it’s official. I broke down and visited a chiropractor for the first time in over 20 years. Last time I went I was in Junior high (only went once). We had Griffin Chiropractic, of Meridian, Idaho, visit our business about a month ago and had some great deals that I took them up on. How could I say no to a free one-hour massage and a free consult including x-rays.

Well low-and-behold you should have seen the surprise on my face when I discovered my cervical spine (neck) was straight as an arrow and my back (looking straight on) was curved about 12-14 degrees from the shoulder blade down. Wow! He then went on to tell me that it is "more likely than not" that was whiplash and that the cartilage between the discs was in the first phase of degeneration.

I have had 3 adjustments now and will continue for the near future. I have always been somewhat skeptical about this type of practice but feel it is something I need to try - the alternative of doing nothing far outweighs the risk of this.

I will post updates as I progress and will eventually post some results when I get new x-rays taken.

Do you have experiences with chiropractors?

Was it good or bad? Why?

See you all on the flip side!

Scott

As you know I’ve been riding more this year. I’ve enjoyed it a great deal and now that I have some new wheels, get around better than before. For those cycling enthusiasts out there I thought I’d write a quick update on some local charity rides here in the Treasure Valley (Boise, ID). The first one, Ride For Independence, already took place. Next up is the Bob LeBow (June 13th) and after that is the Blue Cruise (June 27th). I am going to ride the 30 mile course for the Blue Cruise and my wife is going to ride the 50 mile course; yes she rides a lot more than I do.

- The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health has teamed with Olympic gold medalist Kristin Armstrong (U of I Alum) to present the 2009 Blue Cuise of Idaho.

- Kristin plans to ride at all Blue Cruise events. Plus she will deliver a motivational message and interact with participants during autograph sessions. -http://www.bluecruiseidaho.com/

More Information can be found here:
www.bluecruiseidaho.com/

This last weekend was probably one of the busiest I have had in a while. On Saturday Miki and I rode part of the Blues Charity Ride course and when we got back to our house had gone about 23.8 miles. While about half of it was in the rain, it was actually a really good ride. Later on that Saturday we went to a barbecue at the Municipal park in Boise where we were treated to hour after hour of rain and lightening - we did have cover but after awhile most left because it was not going to let up.

Sunday… a different story altogether. Michael and I spent about 8 hours on Sunday in Boise taking part in "Paint The Town". We volunteered our time and helped paint a house for a lady and her family that had lived there for 50 years. We had such a great group there that day that we got the entire house painted and almost finished the trim on this old two story house. After this Michael and I did some shopping and after we got home I got to mow the lawn. Oh what a joy. Needless to say we had a good day but were very tired.

I have been working for Bodybuilding.com for almost 6 years. In that time I have learned more about fitness and diet than I ever imagined possible. On a side note: I’ve also learned more about myself and what works and what doesn’t.

Over the course of this time and from personal experience I’ve come to discover that one thing stands out among amost all others, and that is ’stress’. Stress influences peoples’ lives more than than they think.

We always hear about being overweight or not eating right or not exercising enough - and yes with/without these, stress levels can actually rise - but I think stress by itself could potentially be one of the top causes for many of our current health problems.

I know there is a lot of discussion on this topic and would like to add my own two cents and maybe just add a little more exposer to the problem.

Here are some questions I would like to throw out there for discussion:

What are some key areas in your life that have increased your stress levels?

Do You Think It Effects Your Daily Life? How?

What have you done to address the problem and what was the outcome?

Input is of course welcome.

Thanks,
The Crush

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Friday, March 6th & Saturday March, 7th - It will be broadcasted LIVE for FREE!

The 21st Arnold Classic will be webcast live from Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium in Columbus, Ohio. You can watch the Ms. International, Fitness International & Figure International starting with pre-show action at 6:30 p.m and competition at 7:00 p.m. EST on Friday, March 6th.

Tune in the next day, Saturday, March 7th at 12:00 p.m. EST for men’s prejudging and again at 7 p.m. with a 6:30 p.m. pre-show start time for the men’s finals.

[ Watch It Here ] *Bookmark This Page Now!

Thanks,
The Crush

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These came out pretty good this time and had the best taste so far. I used more water, less applesauce, and no almond or peanut butter. I used a smaller pyrex baking dish and changed the temp a bit.

Ingredients:
2 cups Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein (3 1/2 scoops = 1 cup)
2 cups milled oats
1/2 cup applesauce
1/3 cup milled flax
1/2 cup bran
1 cup water

Cooked in 8×8 pyrex baking dish. Mix was too much so I had to bake half at a time. Should have used the 9×13" dish. Was also too much water because I started with only 1 cup oats. Had to add more because it was too thin. I baked this batch at 325 for 20 minutes - probably not the best way but I am still learning. It is hard to do this because it cooks from the edges in and the longer you cook it the more the protein is damaged.

The whole denaturing of whey protein is interesting, but I will leave that for another discussion.

Here is an estimation of how much protein, carbs and fat are in each bar:

Protein: 14 grams
Carbs: 20 grams
Fat: 8 grams

*Numbers are from information that I could find from our nutrient database and assuming my math is at least close (amount is based on amount used to make them and cutting into 20 bars. Most of the fat is from the almond butter/flax and the carbs from the oats and applesauce).

On a side note from my other post - The bars in the middle are actually better and did get a little harder as they cooled. So a baking 101 note - you may not know how well they come out for several hours. The next time I make these I will use less oats and less/very little almond butter. They just need a little more flavor and less fat. Next time will be the money.