Greeting Readers of Fasterskier.  Welcome into the world of a 40 something, over motivated, masters skier.

First a little background.

My name is Robert Duncan Douglas.  As an impressionable teenager I tried to take the Alpine World by storm.  When I realized that this was not going to pan out, I decided to turn to running, so I ran three sports seasons ( cross country running, indoor and outdoor track) after my sophomore year in high school.  From there I attended St Lawrence University for almost 2 years, initially as a runner.  After a couple of running injuries, I made the decision to become a cross country skier.  Against advice from the Track and Nordic Coaches (“These kids have been skiing since they could walk, You have no possibility at all of making the team”), I tried out anyway.

Despite having never raced in a Nordic race before then,  I finished 23rd at NCAA’s and 10th in the 30km at USSA Nationals – my first year competing – at age 21.

Flushed with success, I consequently withdrew from school and moved to Lake Placid to pursue an Olympic dream.  There again, a quote from a prominent member of the ski community (“There is a greater chance of it snowing in hell, then Duncan making an Olympic team.”) motivated me.  Using such negative vibes as fuel, I kept persevering, not listening to many, and made two Olympic Biathlon Teams in 1992 & 1994.  After the 1992 Olympics I decided to pursue my  other childhood dream of being a doctor.  So I enrolled in the permed requisites I was missing.  I then finished a correspondence undergraduate  degree, once again against most public opinion, as many who knew me, didn’t think it was possible.  Which led me to Boston University medical school, years of academic training, and the completion of yet another dream, a medical degree as a Doctor.

Now I am trying once again to beat the odds, public opinion, and Father time himself, in an all out attempt to get back into world class ski shape while simultaneously holding down a job, family and a military career.

Buckle your seat belts, this could be a bumpy ride!