Unable to walk or almost for a year, Marianne Paquette overcame many obstacles to be able to run the half marathon tomorrow in Quebec.
• Read also: A first international triathlon in Quebec in 2024
• Read also: A teacher from Beauce finishes second in the Montreal Marathon
• Read also: Charles Philibert-Thiboutot: a rabbit like no other at the Montreal Marathon
Very sporty by nature, the young woman was struck ten years ago by the chronic version of Guillain-Barré syndrome in her thirties.
The disease led to loss of sensation and reflexes in the extremities, a major problem that would have progressed to disability if left untreated. At this point, the fight was just beginning.
“It was devastating and it was not normal. I lost all my physical fitness and started from scratch. If I hadn’t been treated, I would have been disabled. I was losing feeling in my legs and hands. I was on my back for six months without doing anything,” explains the psychologist in a school.
Determination
Very determined, Marianne Paquette did not stay on the mat for long following this devastating punch. Faced with the fear of not being able to move anymore, she put on her sneakers as soon as possible.
“I started running again, but really painfully. For a long time, it was one minute run, one minute walk. Ten years later, I can do two half-marathon events in a season. I’m elsewhere and it’s physical exercise that I think made the difference in my recovery. I would never have come back like this without running,” she adds.
As it is an autoimmune disease, she must undergo constant treatment to avoid a return of the disease, but also to be able to live a more normal life. During the pandemic, working from home was not an option.
Marianne Paquette was able to run her first half marathon, that of Côte-de-Beaupré, three years after seeing her life turned upside down. In recent years, she has even been able to shave nearly 30 minutes off her time.
Energy dose
“I saw people around doing bigger challenges, but it still took me three years. I had never run this distance, but I did it. The family was waiting for me at the end. It’s energizing and makes you want to keep going. »
A decade later, she never thought she would run so much.
“This summer, I ran 58 kilometers a week. For me, it’s incredible to do this distance at 45 years old. I am proud. »
PHOTO PROVIDED BY MARIANNE PAQUETTE
More than 10,000 participants will start the various events of the Beneva de Québec Marathon presented by Montellier which is being held this weekend, until tomorrow. Registrations for this 24th edition have been closed for seven weeks already.