‘The feeling is overwhelming’

Success: The accomplishment of an aim or purpose; the attainment of popularity or profit; completing the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon.

Year after year the start line at the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon is flooded with people — people who have been training, people who have been dreaming and people with a story to tell. Showing up at the start line is only one part of a success story, and sometimes we forget to acknowledge what brought these people to the start line in the first place.

We would like to introduce you to Marina Simon, a dedicated Blue Noser who is about to complete her THIRD Scotiabank Full Marathon and has an incredible story to tell.

In 2008, Marina was involved in a traumatic car crash which resulted in a broken hip and femur. Having always been heavily involved in sports, this was a bump in the road for Marina. A bump that, for a while, she wasn’t sure she would overcome.

After a successful surgery and a couple of months on crutches, with hard work and determination, Marina was able to walk again. This was a mylestone that was certainly worth celebrating, but it was just the beginning of a long road to recovery.

After a few months of recreational walking, Marina began to slowly ease her way into running — starting with short distances. In 2013, Marina challenged herself and registered for the GoodLife Fitness 10-kilometre run. Beating all odds, Marina completed that 10-km and then went on to run the Scotiabank Full Marathon (42.2 km) in 2014, 2015 and soon to be 2016!

Marina has worked as a vice principal for Elsipogtog School for 19 years now. She tells us she has always been involved in sports and has enjoyed playing volleyball, softball, co-ed and women’s fast pitch, broomball, bowling, hockey and, of course, running! She also enjoys coaching t-ball and volunteering for any community activities she can.

Always keeping a busy schedule, Marina has managed to keep a healthy, active lifestyle and, most importantly, she always manages to hang out with Myles and participate in the Blue Nose Marathon each year.

With such an inspiring story, we asked Marina to share some advice for someone who is training for their first event. Marina advises that new runners stick to their training schedules, stay hydrated and eat plenty of carbs before the day of the race. Might we suggest purchasing a ticket to Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon’s Pasta Village to carb up before the big day?

“It’s OK to be a little anxious and nervous at the start of the race, but just relax, enjoy, have fun! Running alongside thousands of other runners is an awesome feeling,” she said. “Once you cross the finish line, the feeling is overwhelming!”

Marina also said that when she crosses that finish line she feels like a true champion, and we couldn’t agree more! She is one of the many champions that we welcome to the start and finish line every year.

If you wish to run alongside Marina in her fourth consecutive Blue Nose Marathon run, sign up today at bluenosemarathon.com/registration. If you’d like to share your Blue Nose story, please email us. We can’t promise not to brag about your accomplishments!