Laurie Barber during a marathon in Qatar. Photos courtesy of Islam Sallam.
Doha: "We often talk about how coaches inspire athletes, but we rarely talk about how athletes inspire coaches," said Islam Sallam, a triathlete, running instructor, and General Manager of Qatar Ultra Runners, as he honoured one of his trainees on the occasion of International Women's Day.
On Instagram, Sallam focused the spotlight on Laurie Barber, a 65-year-old runner, for sparking inspiration in many athletes from various fields of sport.
Sallam, who works as a running coach and a personal trainer, recalled the first time that Barber approached him to serve as a coach for her first-ever ultramarathon.
Laurie Barber in action during a marathon in Qatar.
"I was very pleased and excited when she asked me to coach her for ultramarathons because knowing her, I knew that she would take it seriously and will achieve the goals we set together," he told The Peninsula.
In June 2022 at Cotswold, Barber tackled the 55 kilometre race and was beyond ready to achieve more. When the runner asked if she could succeed in the 2022 Qatar East to West 90km Ultramarathon, Sallam simply said "let's find out".
Together in the journey once again, the coach and athlete trained six months prior to the race. Not missing a single training, Barber prepared for the run by building up her strength and endurance while focusing on nutrition and recovery.
Sallam revealed that she tackled solo full marathons and did 50 kilometre runs as part of her training.
"I think the thing what strikes you the most about Laurie when you get to know her is how serious she is about something once she commits to it. A trait that has taken her a long way," he said.
"She is probably one of the hardest working people I know and I definitely learned a lot from her," he added.
A few months later on January 6, 2023, the country's longest running race, Qatar East to West, became another challenge accomplished by Barber who finished the 90km ultramarathon in 12 hours and 23 minutes, a time to which Sallam said is "a lot faster than many men and women half her age in the conditions you can see in the videos" referring to the windy and rainy weather during the race. She finished seventh among the women marathoners.
Although it is not unusual to see runners of Barber's age group participate in such endurance races, Sallam said that she is the oldest race finisher so far at the age of 65.
When asked if she ever considered quitting, Barber simply said: “I don’t understand quitting. Why would I quit?”
A photo of Laurie Barber with Islam Sallam after the Qatar East to West Ultramarathon.
"Such a simple answer that carries a lot of meaning," Sallam captioned on Instagram.
He added: "Laurie beautifully breaks so many gender and age stereotypes and she’s doing it with her actions that speak so much louder than many empty voices."
Sallam dedicated the extensive Instagram post to all the young girls and women on the occasion of International Women's Day which was celebrated around the globe on Wednesday, March 8, 2023.
He concluded his post stating, "Happy International Women’s Day to all the young girls and the women out there. You can."
