Näak Ambassador Elissa Legault

Professional Road Runner

Montréal, QC

« Don’t let fear decide your future. »

I started running when I was 9 years old. It was a medal in my first race that got me interested. I did triathlons for 5 years, but it was a fall on my bike that slowed my momentum. After taking a break from sports for a few years, it was a university friend who convinced me to run the Montreal Half Marathon with her. After 2 years of running half marathons, I started running the full distance and after my first marathon, I contacted my coach.

I am an eternal positive with a great zest for life who is passionate about endurance running. I love the outdoors and every opportunity I get to put on my running shoes makes me happy. I'm all about pushing myself and setting new goals. I am a perfectionist and persevering person. I believe that with hard work and passion for what we do, we can accomplish our wildest dreams. I find that running is a great way to discover new places. What I like to do the most on my long runs is to do a one way run with the goal of getting home or to a specific point, that's my mission for the day :)

Last fall, I stopped the clock in my 4th marathon with a time of 2h39m07, which places me 9th in the history of Quebec among women. I also lowered my personal record in the 10,000m this summer with a performance of 34m38.

My goals for this year 2021 are: the Canadian 10 000m championship in British Columbia in June and to make a PB. Then marathons in the fall and improve my position in the top times in Quebec towards the record.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

2020Top 9 best women's marathon QC

2020Fast is Fun Marathon - 2h39m

2020 Rouge et Or - 10 000m in 34m38

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU EVERY DAY TO TRAIN?

Becoming better and stronger. I love seeing the progress of my daily efforts. Also, with my office job, the chance I have to go running with my day is enough to motivate me!

DO YOU HAVE A PERSON WHO INSPIRES YOU?

I have a few, but I would go with Andrea Seccafien. I love that she advocates that trying without necessarily succeeding is good! She has great determination and that is what motivates me to do the same.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NUTRITION TIP TO SHARE?

Eat a variety of foods to make sure you get all the nutrients your body needs to recover well and quickly and be in great shape!

WHAT IS YOUR BEST RACING MEMORY?

Definitely the end of my marathon this fall. I had been working hard for several months and had visualized breaking the 2:40 mark. In the last few kilometers of the race, I realized that all my efforts were going to pay off and that I was going to achieve my goal. It filled me with joy and even allowed me to forget the pain of finishing a marathon!