Run Paula, run! Local athlete is slaying the athletics game & topping leader boards
Malta is really upping her game in the athletics department, with a number of athletes competing against the big dogs in various disciplines in multiple competitions locally and abroad. And this local athlete is doing that and more in her race to the top!
Meet Paula Grech, an architect by day and runner by night (and every other time of day in between!) She recently competed in the Small Nations Games and a slew of other competitions, bringing home medals and personal best score times.
Slaying the game
“The Small Nations Games were a highlight for me,” Paula tells me. “I competed in both the 800m and 1500m races. I won the bronze medal for the 800m and recorded a new personal best time of 2:09:85.” You go girl!
Two weeks ago, Paula ran the 1500m at the Marsa Sports Complex, recording another personal best of four minutes 30 seconds overall. And just last weekend, she headed to Berlin, where she got another shot to compete in the 800m race and won gold. #YASQUEEN!
“While I didn’t record a new personal best time, the competition was good, and I finished the race with a satisfactory 2:10:07.” She says this competition was crucial for her, and will analyse what can be improved to keep pushing through.
Upcoming competitions
Paula has got quite the line-up of competitions planned. This weekend, she will be competing at the Nationals in Malta - in the 1500m race on Saturday and the 800m race on Sunday. “They’re very challenging distances, but every race is different so we try hard for both of them.” The races will be held at Marsa in the afternoons and are open to the public, so you too can go cheer Paula and the other athletes on!
Paula is constantly looking for different races to compete in abroad. The next big one is the Team Championships Second League in Croatia this August. “The Maltese team managed to qualify for the first time in a very long time to the Second League, as usually we compete in the Third. The competition is high but we’re ready!” she says. Paula also said she’ll probably fit in another race before Croatia, this time possibly in London. There’s no stopping this girl!
So, what do all these competitions entail?
God bless early risers like Paula, who tells me she’s up at the crack of dawn to start her training. “It’s intense. I start my morning run, go to work, head to training and then head home. On a good day, I manage to fit in errands in the 30-minute gap I have between work and training.”
“I’m thankful for the support from my family, friends, my boyfriend and colleagues. Without them, I don’t know how I’d manage!” So, what’s this superwoman’s secret? “I focus on being in the moment. Whatever I’m tackling, be it something at work or training, I always give my full attention to do my best.”
She’s slaying it!