Doug Marshall
Age Group
55-59
Sports Bio
I ran track and cross-country throughout high school and college. In my first job out of college, I had the luxury of having a manager who liked to run also so several of us would go out for a run every day at lunchtime. This routine stuck with me and I have been working out at noon ever since. During my 30’s I found that running exclusively was creating injuries a bit too often so I decided to cross-train at the local San Ramon Olympic Pool. This worked great and my running times did not slow down even though the total mileage was less. WhooHooo! Then a friend of mine and I thought, “Gee, if we get a couple of bikes, we could try out this Triathlon thing”. And I’ve been racing Triathlon ever since.
Race Career Highlights
2001, 2002 Keauhou Kona Half Ironman – Qualified for Kona
2001, 2002 IM World Championships
9 Ironman Finishes (in Kona, Coeur d’Alene, Canada, Germany, and Vineman)
22 Wildflower Triathlon finishes
125+ Triathlon finishes (Sprint through IM)
Highlights of past season(s)
There’s a freshness that comes with competing in a race you’ve never done before. There were several from USA Productions that fit that bill as well as the FastNFurious. I did however have to do Wildflower again just to keep my streak alive. Fun as usual was had at all of them. Other really cool events from last year were the Trans Tahoe Swim, Levi’s Gran Fondo and last but not least, the Half Dome Run.
Favorite Race Experience
My favorite race experience was when I qualified for my first IM World Championships. You may know by now that the “perfect” race does not happen every day or even every year, but when it does come your way, it can be one of the most exhilarating times of your life. This race was “perfect” in every way. When you are lucky enough to have one, you will remember it for the rest of your life.
Worst Race Experience
Not sure I’d call this the worst but it was definitely unique … I arrived for Ironman Germany only 2 days before the race thus the 9-hour jet lag was still in effect at the starting line. While riding through the Black Forest at 20 mph, my head was bobbing so much I stopped to take a “short” nap under a tree. And although I did finish the race, it was a LONG day!
One unique or interesting fact about you or your life
I was once chased by a Buffalo on Catalina Island. Yes, that run was a PR!!
Best training advice ever received
The first is a quote made by Dave Scott many years ago and that is, “Ironman is a race of attrition”. And as in any sport, the race ain’t over till it’s over!
And the second comes from my very own Karin LaBerge. “Swimming strengthens the lungs and creates greater oxygen consumption which is part of the reason why the best triathletes in the world usually come from a strong swimming background.” So….. don’t pass on the swim workouts just because it’s the shortest part of a Tri.
