Inspiration

Myrna Saliba’s talks about the sports people who have inspired her to achieve so much:

"I admire many athletes in different sports, but in running the two athletes who have marked me the most are Emilie Mondor and Steve Prefontaine; perhaps because both were very promising runners who left us tragically at a very young age. Emily in particular will remain with me as we used to frequent the MAA club in Montreal. Her passing left a profound sadness in my world, and I will never forget her.

My 1st running coach; my friend Jacqueline Gareau (Boston marathon Champion); and  Diane Legaré (World Master 5km Record Holder) tips and guidance has been invaluable in my evolution as a runner. Barbara Freedman (an ultra-marathon runner) inspires me greatly, as we have a similar story in that we discovered running at an older age. We both share a tremendous dedication and desire to achieve in running, we were both part of the MAA running club in Montreal. She too is a living proof that running can be taken up at any age. I look up to her in many ways, especially as an ultra-marathoner.

I must also mention the inspirational Ed Whitlock; a Canadian who at the age 76 ran a marathon in 3:04:54. Ed taught me the true meaning of perseverance and courage. He has such a fantastic outlook on life, and I live by his phrase:

“Our performances do leak away as we get older, but we don't have to slow down as much as people think. If we keep active, we can accomplish a lot."