Perseverance or shortcuts

In life we take paths that define the type of person we are. Do you lie on your resume, exaggerate on your education or experience, and otherwise cheat to get ahead even if nobody notices OR do you play fair & accept yourself for who you are and deal with the hand your dealt with?

I did an out-and-back run to the end of a popular trail in Juneau today that was mostly slightly uphill paralleling Gold Creek on the way up with roots, rocks, and steaming berries; challenges all. There was no way to get to the platform at the end of the trail overlooking the waterfall & valley below and the unless you followed that path. There were no shortcuts - 7+ miles round trip. As defined this was a "steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement."

Velonews has a report today on the acceptance of lifetime ban by another top (Master's & CAT 1) 41 year-old cyclist. Stupid!, you'd say, nice catch USADA, a good riddance to a Kenny Williams wanna-be. But further scrutiny might provide an in depth look at this man's situation and provide a better understanding of what's going on, as well as bringing up more questions.

Last May, Chicago Bike Racing reported on his out-of-competition test. A previous detailed article by the Minneapolis/St Paul Magazine is a pretty amazing story of the harsh life he's endured the past few year's.

However the fact that he's accepted a lifetime ban begs to ask the question was this indeed another person taking shortcuts that got caught or is this a case of excessive enforcement? Also what did the TUE's that came after the test allow (certainly not EPO)? And if, in fact, he needed EPO for his medical condition, what is the minimum time that he should've sat out before he could compete again?

Seems like a guy, who a lot of people admire (sounds familiar), whose hand was caught in the steroid cookie jar previously - made another bad mistake taking shortcuts to improve his physical condition to get results. Other mistakes are #1: not taking the out-of-competition test and then appealing the result by showing his medical history & associated after the fact TUE's (though with the associated sneers & jeers from his peers) & #2: taking the most enhancing of the PED's around without explanation.

I also have to wonder why the USADA (and/or USA Cycling) continued to allow him to participate in almost 2 dozen races throughout the Midwest after his May 11th refusal to submit? Does it really take 4 months to get the word out to race promoters? It is also unclear what the reference to April 2007 is all about; and what's been going on for the 3-year period if there's been a previous indiscretion?

I would like to believe that most persevere to make the most of our accomplishments - whether they be in our career, our athletics, or our family. Some however choose to take shortcuts and the easiest way regardless of the moral, ethical or personal consequences. Which do you choose?

Regardless - I think there may be more on this story than what we know now, & there might be a great deal on a load of bikes available from Cokato, Minnesota on EBAY or Craigslist soon.