Double-deca survivor reveals his secret

The double decathlon isn’t as tough as a day in Iraq, but for athletes of any stripe — especially masters — it’s the most demanding test of skill, will and endurance in athletics — even worse than the Ironman, I’d wager. On Oct. 8-9 in Lynchburg, Virginia, 49-year-old Rob Duncanson of Southern California scored 11,325 points for an American M45 record in the 20-event marathon. Shortly afterward, he recounted his experience in the double deca, where only one other masters athlete (M50 Brant Tolsma ) competed. He also told of his inspiration to survive the ordeal.


The events:
100, LJ, 200H, SP, 5000, 800, HJ, 400, HT and 3000ST on Day 1
110H, DT, 200, PV, 3000, 400H, JT, 1500, TJ and 10K on Day 2
Rob wrote:
Yes, I survived. It was great having the veteran Brant Tolsma there. He is a wonderful guy and a super athlete, and his expertise and skill was an inspiration for this rookie to the DD. I cannot say enough nice things about Brant and his staff as they staged this grueling event. Brant’s performance was all the more remarkable because he had been nursing an injury prior to the DD, and he also assisted his staff throughout the two days. I expect him to set a new Age Group WR next year as he turns 55 in December 2004.
I am recovered now for the most part, and I made it in one piece despite a few stumbles along the way. I fell in the 110HH and lost about 4 seconds of time, but I finished. I also smashed my knee on a steeplechase barrier about 3/4 of the way through the race, and I was bleeding pretty badly but finished anyway. I am glad I have the old rugby mentality (I played rugby at UCLA and for the USA National Team back in the 70s.)
My philosophy has always been to tough it out, and as long as I could walk I would finish! And to top it off I spiked two fingers of my throwing hand halfway through Day One so I was bleeding again doing several other events during the
competition. Next year, I will bring a first-aid kit!
It truly was a great experience, and I did all right for a rookie. And I look forward to giving it another try next year when I am a ripe-old 50. I know I can improve in several events (and at 50, with the lower hurdles and lighter throwing implements I hope to take full advantage of the senior citizen discount).
As it turns out, by default I am now the U.S. and North American record holder in the 45-49 age group.
Also, they keep records for the top marks in each of the 20 events as they are contested during the DD. I broke three existing Worlds Records. In the 800, 1500 and 3000. (Also see the results PDF.)
I never thought (although I did dream) I would break any world records, but the DD gave me an opportunity, and I was very fortunate to have competed in Virginia with such a good group of dedicated athletes.
Next year in Oct ‘2005, Brant and his fine staff are hosting the World DD Championships. This could be a real showcase for the DD in the States, as the DD is very popular outside the United States. Hopefully we can attract more U.S. Masters to the DD.
I would like to encourage you and others to give this event a try!
Later, Rob wrote:
I forgot to mention the most important aspect of my successful completion of the 20 events. The physical side was certainly a test, bloodied and all, and I was not going to let some scrapes and bruises get in the way.
But on the mental side, I needed some help. When you are running around that track at race pace more than 60 times over the two days, I needed my wife and my three daughters with me. They did not make the trip to Virginia, but they were with me, if you know what I mean.
My wife is a hero to me. She is a heart patient and she is my training partner. A lifelong runner, three years ago, she almost died from a sudden cardiac lectrical malfunction. After several stints in the hospital, a defibrillator implanted in her chest and daily medications, she has survived.
We made her running comeback together starting from walking a few houses down the block to eventually running sub-7-minute miles. Without her, I would never have been close to finishing the DD. I thought of her and my daughters often during the two days, but during that 10,000 meters, I started to hit the wall.
Believe me, I was truly praying for the strength to finish, but I also thought of those many training runs with Karen and I knew she was at my side. With the help I needed from above and at my side, for some reason those legs kept moving, and I finished.
I dedicate the DD to my wife. My hero and my inspiration.
Here are Rob’s marks (with wind readings):
Day 1
100: 12,73 +1,3
Long jump: 4.63m (15-2 1/4) +0,9
200H: 29,75 +1,8
Shot: 8,73
5K: 18:47.88
800: 2:16,34
High jump: 1.40 (4-7)
400: 57.75
Hammer throw: 18.86 (61-10 1/2)
3000ST: 12:22.61
Day 2:
110H: 23,65 +1.2
Discus: 23.05 (75-7 1/2)
200: 25.54 +1,2
Pole vault: 3.10 (10-2)
3,000: 10:51.36
400H: 70.02
Javelin: 40.61 (133-2)
1500: 4:55.79
Triple jump: 9.26 (30-4 3/4) +1,9
10K: 45:12.51

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October 28, 2004