Your World According To Dr. Castro: March 2009

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Banana, A Good Fruit To Eat

The banana is an excellent fruit that provides lots of benefits for our bodies. We all should include a banana in our daily diet, especially if we exercise intensely for about 5 to 6 days a week.
If you are an endurance cyclist (like me) or if you are a swimmer, runner, or if you practice aerobics, jog or jump the rope, you would find that eating a banana -in the middle of your exercise- will give you more energy, more strength to push down those bicycle pedals around or to make your swimming stroke longer and harder, your muscles and tendons will be more strong due to an increase in the production of collagen by the vitamin C in the banana. You will also feel more mentally aware and with a better concentration due to the folate in the yellow fruit.
Bananas have a high amount of vitamin B6, which helps to metabolize more than 60 proteins and assists in the production of red blood cells (also known as erythrocytes) that transport oxygen to muscles, the brain, the lungs and the heart.
If you want to enjoy a more energetic and pleasant work out, try a banana, but please, dispose of the peel appropriately. Banana peels could be...very dangerous if not thrown in a trash can.

Bananas are a great source of:

Potassium
Vitamin B6
Vitamin C
Manganese
Fiber
Carbohydrates
Folate (Folic Acid)

Monday, March 30, 2009

Will Voigt Pull A Lance Armstrong 7 Win?

So far, Jens Voigt has won 5 times the "mini mini mini Tour De France", also known as the Criterium International. The only two other cyclists that won this cycling mini tour 5 times were Raymond Poulidor in the 1960's and one in 1072, and Emile Idée in the 1940's.
My question is, would Jens Voigt be able to keep on winning it two more times, at least to match Lance Armstrong Tour de France 7 times wins? I don't know, maybe, and I hope so. He is such an amazing athlete and works very hard to accomplish success after success.

BUT, the big BUT, is that no other cyclist in the world has ever won as many tours as Lance Armstrong did, and what makes it even more amazing is that he [Lance] did it IN A CONSECUTIVE WAY, won the Tour de France for 7 years in a row.

Jens Voigt won the Criterium International in 1999, 2000, 2007, 2008 and 2009

Final Overall Standings

1. Jens Voigt Saxo Bank
2. Frantisek Rabon Columbia-High Road, at 0:02
3. Danny Pate Garmin-Slipstream, at 00:09
4. Maxime Monfort Columbia-High Road, at 00:12
5. Cyril Lemoine Skil-Shimano, at 00:18
6. Jérôme Coppel Francaise Des Jeux, at 00:23
7. José Oroz Juan Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 00:30
8. Jean-eudes Demaret Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne, at 00:34
9. Rinaldo Nocentini Ag2r-La Mondiale, at 00:35
10. Evgeni Petrov Katusha, at 00:37

Friday, March 27, 2009

Beautiful Bike Ride Yesterday

I wore one of my favorite jerseys for my bike ride yesterday, one of my favorite helmets and used my mountain bike because the roads were still wet from the last rain. The sky was so blue, the flowers abundant everywhere and the fresh air smelled like rosemary with lavender.
I biked only 56 kms (40 miles), but I was in my power zone for 1:42:27 hrs. Came home and had some fish tacos with a cold diet coke. Delicious!

Monday, March 23, 2009

My Lance Armstrong Crashes Out In Spain
UPDATED with video

...and fractures his collarbone. This happened Monday, March 23rd, during the first stage of the Spain’s Vuelta Castilla y Leon.
"Clean collarbone fracture without complications. Should be fast recovery,” Astana Cycling Team general manager, Johan Bruyneel, said in a statement released via Twitter.

"Lance Armstrong suffered a fracture of the middle third of the right collarbone as well as some bruises on his right hip and arm,” doctor Pedro Celaya said.

"It has never happened before, I feel very disappointed, I feel miserable right now so I have to relax a few days," Lance said reporters while leaving the hospital.

“In 17 years as a pro I have been lucky to avoid one of the most common cycling injuries. The crash has put my upcoming calendar in jeopardy but the most important thing for me right now is to get back home and rest up and begin my rehab,” said Lance Armstrong.

"I was in the front. It was on really narrow, bumpy roads. It was a pretty bad road, super-rough and narrow. The edges were deteriorating, with cracks and parts missing, It was worse than typical (Spanish roads)," Levi Leipheimer said.

"It was a shame to lose Lance, who has won here twice. We could see that he wanted to use this race as part of his preparations. It was a good chance for us to work together." ~Alberto Contador told reporters.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Strong Well Balanced Cyclist

I have 6 bikes that I use for road cycling training, MTB, commuting and 2 of them for grocery shopping like toilet paper, veggies and what not. They have racks with huge packs on them and bags that hang on the sides of the bike so I can carry lots of stuff. Sometimes I pack them so much that is not easy to go up hill, but I manage to get home somehow. But I don't think I would be able to ride this bike with this cargo, ever! Must be quite difficult and require special skills...mmmm...I think that's actually a tricycle but still...

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Mark Cavendish Wins Milan San Remo Cycle Race

Mark Cavendish wins today the 100th Milan-San Remo 2009 Cycle Race with a fantastic sprint. You can enjoy this exciting moment in the video that I embedded below.

"It's the most beautiful day of my life. I didn't expect to win. I couldn't dream of anything better, Hincapie helped me enormously, but the whole team stayed with me on the climbs. When Haussler broke away at top speed I was scared, but it makes the victory even sweeter." ~said Mark Cavendish

Results - 298km

1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia - Highroad               6.42.45 (44,420 km/h)
2 Heinrich Haussler (Ger) Cervélo TestTeam                                      
3 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervélo TestTeam                                           
4 Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step                                                  
5 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini                           
6 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Liquigas                                                
7 Aitor Galdos (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi                         0.08
8 Enrico Rossi (Ita) Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce           0.39
9 Luca Paolini (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo              0.49
10 Peter Velits (Svk) Team Milram                                               
11 Lloyd Mondory (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale                                         
12 Martin Elmiger (Swi) AG2R La Mondiale                                        
13 Greg van Avermaet (Bel) Silence-Lotto                                        
14 Karsten Kroon (Ned) Team Saxo Bank                                           
15 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step                                   1.37

Milan San Remo 2009 Cycle Race

The Milan-San Remo Cycle Race is going on right now! Follow your live updates on Cycling News

Velo News also has great live coverage.

Fabian Cancellara is not competing this year due to several physical and family problems he has being dealing with this year. He got sick at the Tour of California, just had a training cycling crash, a sinus problem and a death in his family.

“I know my situation. I can’t change anything. I am still a human being. It’s planned that I will race the Giro. OK, that’s the plan, maybe plans will change. We will stick to it now, but when you have such bad luck, you hope to get back the luck and win again.” said Fabian Cancellara.

We wish you the best, Fabian. I am sure you will come out of this stronger than ever.

Milan – San Remo
Past Winners

1907: Lucien Petit-Breton (F), Bianchi
1908: Cyrille Van Hauwaert (B), Alcyon-Dunlop
1909: Luigi Ganna (I), Atala
1910: Eugene Christophe (F), Alcyon-Dunlop
1911: Gustave Garrigou (F), Alcyon-Dunlop
1912: Henri Pellissier (F), Alcyon-Dunlop
1913: Odiel Defraeye (B), Alcyon
1914: Ugo Agostoni (I), Bianchi
1915: Ezio Corlaita (I), Dei
1917: Gaetano Belloni (I), Bianchi
1918: Costante Girardengo (I), Bianchi
1919: Angelo Cremo (I), Stucchi
1920: Gaetano Belloni (I), Bianchi
1921: Costante Girardengo (I), Stucchi-Pirelli
1922: Giovanni Brunero (I), Legnano
1923: Costante Girardengo (I), Maino
1924: Pietro Linari (I), Legnano
1925: Costante Girardengo (I), Wolsit
1926: Costante Girardengo (I), Wolsit
1927: Pietro Chesi (I), Artar
1928: Costante Girardengo (I), Maino
1929: Alfredo Binda (I), Legnano
1930: Michele Mara (I), Bianchi
1931: Alfredo Binda (I), Legnano
1932: Alfredo Bovet (I), Bianchi
1933: Learco Guerra (I), Maino-Clèment
1934: Joseph Demuysère (B), Ganna
1935: Giuseppe Olmo (I), Bianchi
1936: Angelo Varetto (I), Gloria
1937: Cesare Del Cancia (I), Ganna
1938: Giuseppe Olmo (I), Bianchi
1939: Gino Bartali (I), Legnano
1940: Gino Bartali (I), Legnano
1941: Pierino Favalli (I), Legnano
1942: Adolfo Leoni (I), Bianchi
1943: Cino Cinelli (I), Bianchi
1946: Fausto Coppi (I), Bianchi
1947: Gino Bartali (I), Legnano
1948: Fausto Coppi (I), Bianchi
1949: Fausto Coppi (I), Bianchi-Ursus
1950: Gino Bartali (I), Bartali-Gardiol
1951: Louison Bobet (F), Bottecchia-Ursus
1952: Loretto Petrucci (I), Bianchi
1953: Loretto Petrucci (I), Bianchi-Pirelli
1954: Rik Van Steenbergen (B), Girardengo
1955: Germain Derijcke (B), Alcyon-Dunlop
1956: Fred DeBruyne (B), Mercier-BP
1957: Miguel Poblet (Sp), Ignis-Doniselli
1958: Rik Van Looy (B), Faema-Guerra
1959: Miguel Poblet (Sp), Ignis-Frejus
1960: René Privat (F), Mercier-BP
1961: Raymond Poulidor (F), Mercier-BP
1962: Emil Daems (B), Philco
1963: Joseph Groussard (F), Pelforth-Sauvage
1964: Tom Simpson (GB), Peugeot-BP
1965: Arie den Hartog (Ned), Ford-Gitane
1966: Eddy Merckx (B), Peugeot-BP-Michelin
1967: Eddy Merckx (B), Peugeot-BP-Michelin
1968: Rudi Altig (G), Salvarani
1969: Eddy Merckx (B), Faema
1970: Michele Dancelli (I), Molteni
1971: Eddy Merckx (B), Molteni
1972: Eddy Merckx (B), Molteni
1973: Roger De Vlaeminck (B), Brooklyn
1974: Felice Gimondi (I), Bianchi-Campagnolo
1975: Eddy Merckx (B), Molteni
1976: Eddy Merckx (B), Molteni
1977: Jan Raas (Ned), Frisol-Gazelle
1978: Roger De Vlaeminck (B), Sanson
1979: Roger De Vlaeminck (B), Gis Gelati
1980: Pierino Gavazzi (I), Magniflex Olmo
1981: Alfons DeWolf (B), Vermeer-Thijs-Gios
1982: Marc Gomez (F), Wolber
1983: Giuseppe Saronni (I), Del Tongo
1984: Francesco Moser (I), Gis Gelati-LucTuc
1985: Hennie Kuiper (Ned), Verandalux-Dries
1986: Sean Kelly (Irl), Kas-Mavic
1987: Erich Mächler (Swi), Carrera
1988: Laurent Fignon (F), Systèm U
1989: Laurent Fignon (F), Systmè U
1990: Gianni Bugno (I), Château d'Ax
1991: Claudio Chiappucci (I), Carrera
1992: Sean Kelly (Irl), Festina
1993: Maurizio Fondriest (I), Lampre
1994: Giorgio Furlan (I), Gewiss Ballan
1995: Laurent Jalabert (F), ONCE
1996: Gabriele Colombo (I), Gewiss Playbus
1997: Erik Zabel (G), Telekom
1998: Erik Zabel (G), Telekom
1999: Andrei Tchmil (B), Lotto
2000: Erik Zabel (G), Telekom
2001: Erik Zabel (G), Telekom
2002: Mario Cipollini (I), Acqua & Sapone
2003: Paolo Bettini (I), Quick Step-Davitamon
2004: Oscar Freire (Sp), Rabobank
2005: Alessandro Petacchi (I), Fassa Bortolo
2006: Filippo Pozzato (I), Quick Step-Innergetic
2007: Oscar Freire (Sp), Rabobank
2008: Fabian Cancellara (Swi), Team CSC

Friday, March 20, 2009

Mish Sci Fi Musings Exercise In Space

Image of mishscifimusings

Mish is a passionate Science Fiction fan, and she blogs about it, but the best thing of all, for me anyways, is that she is also a cyclist and health advocate.

She just wrote a very interesting article about excercise in space and how the austronauts deal with daily problems about fitness and mechanics, like fixing the gym machines, the stationary bike, the benefits they get from exercising and the physical problems they could face if they don't [exercise] at all.

The space shuttle Discovery is off on another mission but the exercise bike is broken! I would go crazy if I could not ride my bike everyday! I love cycling and think it is great they have this piece of equipment on the shuttle.Mish, Mish Sci Fi Musings

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Good vs Bad

What does really make the world go around? Good or bad? Or maybe

neither. Maybe something in the middle is the answer, like pure and

simple...indifference?

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Lance Says Contador Is Strong But Nervous

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Many people are upset -again- at Lance Armstrong because he said over the weekend in an interview with the French newspaper, L'Equipe,

"Contador has a lot to learn. He is the best in the world. The only negative thing, and I say this with great respect, is that he is too nervous. He is too strong to be so nervous. He has a good team manager and a strong team. Why get nervous?"

Just a question: Why do some people get so so angry at Lance Armstrong when he is trying to teach Contador how to be a better cyclist? Come on, people, Lance Armstrong is one of the best cyclists that has ever existed, and he has the experience and knowledge required to teach Alberto Contador how to become a Tour De France super hero.
And yes, definitely yes, Contador is a baby in cycling, compared to Armstrong of course, and he does get nervous, we just saw it in the last stages of the Paris-Nice 2009 when he lost a great deal time and couldn't get on the podium.
Alberto Contador should listen to Armstrong and learn from him. He needs some good advices and a change of behavior and racing tactics would only benefit him...a lot. He should be thankful to Lance, LOL.

Second part:

See, Lance Armstrong is a professional cyclist as Alberto Contador is, right? Almost everything they say in an interview about their teammates is carefully planned and talked before they make it public.
Do you guys really think that Alberto Contador didn't know in advance that Lance was going to make an statement like that about him? Of course he knew! And the director of the Astana team too.
They are professional cyclists and they are IN the business of making money, they need to call public attention upon them for marketing and publicity. So, to those who criticize Armstrong, please, take a chill pill and get in the bus where smart people ride.
Thank you very much.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Luis Leon Sanchez Wins Paris-Nice Cycling Race

I am so happy at the way Paris-Nice cycling race ended today. Alberto Contador lost this one and couldn't even make it to 3rd place! Don't take me wrong, I know that Contador is a great cyclist but I'm so so happy that Luis Leon Sanchez ( Caisse d'Epargne Equipe Cycliste ) won this race, I am very happy, more than happy, excited!

You know my friends? Lots of people believe that Lance Armstrong thinks too much of himself and that he has a pedantic attitude. Let me tell you something: Lance is one of the most down to earth pro-cyclists I have ever known. Of course, of course, Lance Armstrong knows that he has been one of the best cyclists in the world and likes to show it off by performing like a cycling God on the bike when climbing the Alps, and who wouldn't? We all athletes like to show off how good we are at what we do. But when Lance is not pedaling his bike he is humble, kind, cute, courteous, frank, honest, he is simply..... ADORABLE! Lance also likes to thank his teammates when he wins and recognizes that it takes the effort of a lot of people behind him to put him on the podium. Luis Leon Sanchez, our Paris-Nice 2009 winner is a very nice guy too and his attitude reminds me of that of my hero's -Lance Armstrong- and to prove it to you here it is what he said after he won:

"I owe this victory to my teammates, who helped me a lot," Sanchez said. "I always remained calm and collected. I had a great morale throughout and this win is also theirs."

"Everybody's main objective in cycling, whether you're a rider or a sponsor, is the Tour. In the team, we have riders who can win it. Today, I'm the Paris-Nice winner, but in July, I'll become a teammate again, trying to help Oscar [Pereiro] or Alejandro [Valverde] win the Tour." ~Luis Leon Sanchez

He [Sanchez] said about Contador: "He is a great rider, but his goal is also the Tour more than Paris-Nice. I'm glad this was my turn and today's my day."

FINAL CLASSIFICATION PARIS-NICE 2009

1 Luis-Leon Sanchez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne         30.53.51
2 Fränk Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank                   1.00
3 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step                    1.09
4 Alberto Contador (Spa) Astana                        1.24
5 Antonio Colom (Spa) Team Katusha                     1.47
6 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team Saxo Bank                      1.59
7 Kevin Seeldrayers (Bel) Quick Step                   2.29
8 Jonathan Hivert (Fra) Skil-Shimano                   2.57
9 Yury Trofimov (Rus) BBox Bouygues Telecom            3.37
10 Mevel Christophe Le (Fra) Française Des Jeux        4.00

Friday, March 13, 2009

Tyler Farrar Takes Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 3

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Slipstream) is without a doubt one great pro-cyclist that has conducted his career with professionalism.
He was born in United States on June 2 1984 and has been racing since the age of 13. However, it wasn't until 2003 when he became a professional road racing cyclist and since then, he has performed very very well. He is still a young cyclist, he's still learning and acquiring experience, but he is good at what he does and I know that he just might become one of the best sprinters in our near future. Just take a look at the today's results [below the video] of the Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 3. He beat Cavendish, Tom Boonen, Robbie McEwn, Thor Hushovd and Stuart O'Grady!

“I’m super happy with the victory. It’s the first win of the year. I knew I was strong at (the Amgen Tour of) California. I was fourth, fifth in the sprints, so I knew I was getting stronger. The team did a great job putting me in position and then I was looking for the wheel. I started the sprint and I was faster today.” ~Farrar said.

One thing is for sure, I have my eyes on him and hope that he has a fabulous future in this beautiful sport of cycling. I also hope that he never crashes out any more.

WARNING: Contains Offensive Language. NOT SUITABLE FOR MINORS and should be viewed at work cautiously.

Chute Paris Nice 2008 FARRAR Tyler
by Maxio

Today's Results

1 Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin-Slipstream                        3.53.48  (42.6 km/h)
2 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Columbia-Highroad                                          
3 Enrico Rossi (Ita) Ceramica Flaminia-Bossini Docce                              
4 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step                                           
5 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Katusha                                                     
6 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Saxo Bank                                                  
7 Robert Hunter (RSA) Barloworld                                                  
8 Luca Paolini (Ita) Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo                                 
9 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervélo TestTeam                                             
10 Borut Bozic (Slo) Vacansoleil

General Classification Stage 3

1 Julien El Farès (Fra) Cofidis                                     12.00.20
2 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) LPR Brakes-Farnese Vini                     0.15
3 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Liquigas                                            
4 Enrico Rossi (Ita) Ceramica Flaminia-Bossini Docce                    0.20
5 Leonardo Duque (Col) Cofidis                                          0.25
6 Assan Bazayev (Kaz) Astana                                                      
7 Matti Breschel (Den) Saxo Bank                                                  
8 Enrico Gasparotto (Ita) Lampre-NGC                                              
9 George Hincapie (USA) Columbia-Highroad                                         
10 Lorenzo Bernucci (Ita) LPR Brakes-Farnese Vini                                 
11 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Katusha

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Drug Abuse Is Not A Disease

There have been several medical studies conducted by some medical doctors that have shown the existence of some changes in the brain after the patient has been taken drugs or alcohol chronically for certain time, and they use this knowledge to try to convince insurance companies to treat drug addiction and alcoholism as chronic diseases.
First of all, it is true that after the continuous administration of toxic substances there will be some neurological changes in the brain, but to go as far to say that we can actually identify those colorful images in the MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) as being the representation of a drug-addiction disease is simply non-sense and it's using science to try to make insurance companies financially responsible for the recovery of the drug and alcohol abusers.
These images in the MRI are the result from the substance abuse not the representation of the cause of it. Again, that is absolutely non-sense.

I firmly believe that the 'disease' term has proven to be way more damaging to the drug-addict/alcoholic than anyone could have foreseen. Therapists claim that the disease concept helps the patient to understand the seriousness of the patient problems, but in reality, this idea has backfired.
The disease idea makes the substance abuser not to take responsibility for his or her actions. See, since a disease cannot be simply cured and resolved by strong will and desire, adding the disease label makes others -casualty, genetics, science, parents- responsible and the abuser becomes the victim. This is not a healthy nor an intelligent way to help reduce the increased morbidity and mortality seen in substance abuse.
Thankfully, there are many smart and responsible medical doctors that are doing the right thing:

"As a psychiatrist who treats heroin addicts and a psychologist long interested in the philosophical meaning of disease, we have chafed at the "brain disease" rhetoric since it was first promulgated by NIDA in 1995. Granted, the rationale behind it is well-intentioned. Nevertheless, we believe that the brain disease concept is bad for the public's mental health literacy." ~Dr. Sally Satel, MD

Monday, March 9, 2009

Alberto Contador Wins Paris-Nice Stage1

I'm not a particular fan of Alberto Contador's personality. I have no idea why I have never really been drawn to him. Maybe it's related to the way he behaves off the bike, and sometimes on the bike doing his hand-gun sign after pounding his chest and firing off a round of an imaginary gun -"bang"- reason why he's also known as "The pistolero del Pinto", which it refers to some sort of a "Gunman", and I really don't like this. I think that this kind of attitude is not related to cycling and it is kind of...low class. But I admit that he is a fabulous cyclist, in fact, he is the best cyclist in the world right now because he won the hardest cycling competition (Tour De France) 2 years ago and since then he has been performing and winning practically every mayor International cycling competition he enters.
Some people say that Carlos Sastre won last year's Tour De France just because Alberto Contador did not participate in it, due to some problems that his Astana Cycling Team had with Alexandre Vinokourov's doping case, and they all had to stay away from the TDF 2008.

Contador wants to win this years's Tour De France as well and he is proving that he has the legs, the physical condition and the strong will to probably do it again. As of now, he won yesterday the opener stage of the Paris-Nice, a very flat 9.3 km time trial around Amily on Sunday.

“It’s a surprise for me to win, above all against the specialists on such a flat course,” Contador said after his third win of 2009. “I haven’t changed my position on the bike, but I’ve been training a lot of hours on the bike to be able to maintain the time trial position. The explanation today is that I just had good sensations.”
“I didn’t think I won when I crossed the line. I thought Wiggins beat me by a few seconds. I felt very good, even though the first reference wasn’t very good. Nevertheless, in the final, where it appeared some people were getting stuck a little, I went very well, even though I didn’t expect to win.” ~Alberto Contador said.
VeloNews

2009 Paris-Nice
Stage 1, Amily time trial 9.3 km (5.78 miles)
Winner: Alberto Contador (Astana) in 11:05
Leader: Contador
Winner's average speed: 50.35 kph (31.28 mph)
Best Young Rider: Tony Martin (Columbia-Highroad), fourth overall at 11 seconds.
Best Team: Astana
Points Leader: Contador
Peloton: 159 riders started and completed the stage
Up next: Stage 2 is 195.5 km (121.5 miles) from Saint-Brisson-sur-Loire to La Chapelle-Saint-Ursin. The route includes two category 3 climbs and finishes with a 39.5 km circuit.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Schumacher Banned For Doping CERA

CERA (Continuous Erythropoiesis Receptor Activator) is a drug that enhances athletic performance by increasing the production of erythrocytes and therefore the amount of oxygen being supplied to the brain, lungs, heart and all the tissues of the body elevates as well.
But CERA is not only used to dope. Since CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) patients are at great risk of developing anemia, CERA has been found to be very beneficial for them because it maintains normal levels of hemoglobin when used continuously once a month so their hematocrit manages to be within normal healthy levels.
When CERA is used in patients that do not have need for it, by injecting it intravenously (IV) or subcutaneously (SC) a super production of erythrocytes is expected and therefore a hyper-oxygenation is caused given the athlete the power to go further and harder.

I love cycling, I do. And I am one strong defender of Lance Armstrong and I'm 100% against all his accusers. But I do know that there is a lot of doping going on NOT only in cycling. There is much more doping going on in other sports that are no quite difficult as my favorite sport. Don't tell me that all the NFL players don't dope, of course they do, but why they are not accused and exposed as cheaters all the time like the pro-cyclists are? Easy to answer: NFL games are a multimillionaire source of income for many people and companies. Of course, they don't want to bring "shame" to their billionaire business and put it in jeopardy, do they? Cycling unfortunately is not as popular as basketball, baseball or American football are because cycling does not encourage people to over eat and to over drink alcohol while watching the sport. Simple as that.

I am going to believe Stefan Schumacher until he is proven guilty. But unfortunately he has shown complete disrespect for himself and the sport of cycling in the past when he was caught last year Driving Under the Influence. So far he maintains his innocence:

"One thing is clear: I have not doped and I have nothing to hide," said Schumacher.

Unlike Schumacher, Riccardo Ricco and Bernhard Kohl admitted to doping. They will be suspended and charged accordingly.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Eating Some Unhealthy Beef Tomorrow

Don't you get tired sometimes of eating healthy all the time? I know I do. Sometimes I just feel like going to the meet store and get myself a huge and juicy steak from Canada. There is this store in my hometown that carries this specialty kind of beef and the price is actually very reasonable, so there is no excuse for me not to go and buy it.
This is what I think. It is very good that we take care of ourselves, that we exercise, eat healthy, live healthy and what not. But once in a while a juicy and meety T-Bone steak sounds scrumptious!

I haven't had one in the last 3 months and just thinking about it my mouth waters. See, I'm planning to go out tomorrow in the morning for my Saturday bike ride. I will be riding 40 miles/64 kms in about 2 hours 30 minutes, more or less. I will be burning between 1350 and 1500 calories. The steak I'm planning to eat has around 1000 calories, because I am eating a BIG ONE! That is all though. I don't care about potatoes, mash potatoes, beans, nothing, just gi'me my beef, not well done, juicy, vegetables and sauteed onions on the side and that is all I will need to be happy.

Night night for now.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Vuelta Ciclista A Murcia 2009

This is a great video about the Cycling Tour To Murcia 2009 that started yesterday and will end on the 8th. The cyclist that you see in this video came in first place yesterday, Graeme Brown, Australian pro-cyclist racing for Rabobank cycling team, unfortunately he was not as strong as Greg Henderson -Columbia Team racer- today and he finished in third position.
The video is pretty good and like we say in Spanish "fresco, recien salido de la panaderia". That means that the video is really new and hot like the bread when it just comes out of the bakery. Enjoy.

General classification after stage 1

1 Greg Henderson (NZl) Team Columbia - High Road    7.14.04
2 Rubén Pérez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi                  
3 Graeme Brown (Aus) Rabobank                            
4 Tom Leezer (Ned) Rabobank                              
5 Mathew Goss (Aus) Team Saxo Bank                       
6 David Calatayud (Spa) Spanish National Team            
7 Mathieu Drujon (Fra) Caisse d'Epargne                  
8 Bert Grabsch (Ger) Team Columbia - High Road           
9 Giuseppe Palumbo (Ita) Acqua e Sapone                  
10 Aitor Pérez Arrieta (Spa) Contentpolis - Murcia

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Danger On The Treadmill

Fitness doesn't have to be dangerous. If you want to work out on a treadmill and have fun, please, I beg you, wear proper clothing and....mmm...it wouldn't hurt if you learn how to handle the treadmill computer BEFORE you get on the machine..?

Monday, March 2, 2009

Vuelta Ciclista Mexico Telmex Stage 1

A nice stage but full with falls, crashes, mechanical problems and constant chases, a typical Latin American cycling race.

"OUCH - Maxxis team director Mike Tamayo described the day as: "typical Latin American racing fashion: lots of crashes, plenty of mechanicals and a bunch of attacks."

"The race's opening stage enjoyed large crowd numbers, with seven time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong around to watch the racing. While Armstrong has returned to racing this year, he is in Mexico in a different capacity - overseeing his Livestrong-Trek development squad." ~Cycling News reported

General Classification after Stage 1

1 Juan Pablo Magallanes (Mex) Mexican National Team 2.23.35
2 Francesco Rivera (Ita) Amica Chips Knauf
3 Denis Bertolini (Ita) Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli 0.58
4 Karl Menzies (Aus) OUCH - Maxxis
5 Jackson Rodriguez (Ven) Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli
6 Edgardo Lugo (Mex) Region 3 Estado
7 Joaquin Sobrino (Spa) Burgos Monumental
8 Cesar Vaquera (Mex) Orven
9 Daniel Holloway (USA) USA National Team
10 David Vitoria (Swi) Rock Racing