Savoie trail: A profile of Marie Dohin, an athlete from Méribel

How did you become an athlete? 

Marie : I became an athlete gradually, somewhat by chance. I’ve always been very sporty, but running was more of a hobby. As time went by and I took part in various competitions, I realised that I had a good level in this discipline. I like the competitive aspect of this sport, it challenges me: one has to face up to others, but also oneself and one’s limits. Little by little, I gained a certain status and was recruited by the Kiprun team, which is made up of 11 women and 6 men, all of very good level and from different backgrounds. This team creates a great collective dynamic within an individual discipline.

You’ve been racing for about ten years now. What still motivates you?

Marie : The key word is fun. When you do ultra trail, there are some very tough moments in the mountains, but thanks to your preparation, you give your body the ability to absorb and manage the difficulty as best it can. It’s so fascinating to see the body’s resilience and ability to evolve. And trail running is also a fabulous way to travel! My partner and I have walked and run in Peru, Cape Verde, Ecuador and Reunion Island. There are so many wonderful itineraries and landscapes to discover!

What are your next sporting challenges? 

Marie : A lot of races appeal to me. This year I’ll be taking part in the UTMB TDS race, which is a great challenge. I’ve also got my sights set on the Diagonale des Fous in Réunion in the years to come. Beyond competition, I’m hoping to do the 3 valleys tour on a carefully mapped out route

Has motherhood changed your relationship with sport? 

Marie: I was often told that motherhood would mean the end of top-level sport, that I wouldn’t be able to do everything. However, I’ve always been able to integrate many activities into my daily life, including sport, friends, work, love life… Then the children arrived, and they became a priority. With my habit of planning, this new organisation wasn’t so very difficult. As sport is a vital necessity for me, the time when I go to train is very precisely planned.  I have no problem going for an early morning run so as not to take up time with my children, or doing sport during my lunch break. This helps me maintain a healthy life balance.

Some athletes talk about ‘sacrifice’, which is not your case. You refer instead to, good time management. 

Marie :  When my children were very young, I used to wonder whether it was selfish to go off and train in the mountains, because it meant spending less time with them. But what’s the point of being a frustrated parent who doesn’t fulfil his own wishes? Being a parent means sharing fabulous moments with your child on a daily basis, but it also means being a fulfilled adult! Here, I’m lucky because as soon as I leave the house, I find myself at the Lac du Tueda, from where I can access a variety of equally sumptuous itineraries: exploring the Parc National de la Vanoise, a tour of the Tougnète ridges, around the Aiguille du Fruit… It doesn’t require any complex logistics, which allows me to have time for myself and to be a good mum afterwards.