Luke, a 28- year old long-distance runner, who started athletics competing in the 800m race but now competes in the 5000m, 10,000m and the half marathon. Moreover, Luke is the new National Record holder of the 3000m steeplechase. Luke graduated as an architect in 2012.
Luke, I’ve known you for quite some time and I dare say that this last season you literally overwhelmed everyone with outstanding results. I cannot help but mention the Half Marathon of Pisa where you earned second place with a distinctive time of 1:12.42, the Pb s in the 5k and 10k, an astounding 1:11.49 in the International Malta Half Marathon, a new national record in the 3000m steeplechase, the winner of BSJ 5km series road races, an impressive performance and overall remarkable classification in the World Mountain Championships! What else?! You have always been one of the elite athletes but this year you literally transformed yourself and went a step further in your achievements and performances. How do you feel about all this?
The performances you mention Ray, are all beautiful memories that are ingrained in me now! All athletes can describe the true emotion you feel when crossing the finish line - it really is something special, an ecstatic feeling only experienced through sports. It's in my character to contain such emotions, even though I would be deeply satisfied with these achievements. However, the long term attitude and feeling is that I treat this progress as a steady improvement towards tougher and more challenging goals, so I genuinely feel that it's only the start of a very long journey where I have to better myself. The moment I cross the finish line, I immediately start focusing on my next target.
The progress throughout this year has been very encouraging because I could understand that finally everything starts falling into place, and this really happens in everything you decide to dedicate yourself in life. It's a sense of great satisfaction, mostly because I firmly believe that there is always a time where you start reaping what you sow!
You started running and were guided by Mario Pisani, a qualified coach but two years ago you opted for Russian Guru Ivan Roshnov. I noticed some massive changes in you too. Most of the time you used to train by yourself but nowadays thanks to Ivan Roshnov you train with the group which makes training more enjoyable yet demanding. You integrated quite well with your training mates. I noticed this welcoming transformation from an introverted guy to a more sociable and likeable one. You have been into athletics for the past 8 years and correct me if am wrong, your performances kept improving from year to year save for one year where you were side-lined for more than 4 months due to an injury. Every season has its story, sometimes you train hard and results don’t ensue, other times you achieve better results when least expected but do you think that your very best is yet to come?
I had started running 8 years ago with a close group of friends and coach Dario Mangion, we were studying together at University. As you know, Dario is a very talented runner and he was so enthusiastic to embark on this project. It was my introduction to the track and field events and we also used to work a lot as a group - I always thought that even though it is an individual sport, it is also a good opportunity to form good social relations. As you said, each year marked a solid progress, gradually as I was consistently improving. In two years, all of Dario's athletes settled to compete in different events, and Dario guided me to Mario Pisani where I could continue my Middle Distance training while giving a go at Long-Distance events and Steeplechase! I did considerable improvements with Mario, and experienced my first 10K races and Half-Marathon. I developed a versatility for a wide range of track events, and for this I am forever indebted to coaches Dario and Mario, for always pushing me to new limits throughout those years. Training was always intense!
As you pointed out, and unfortunately, I must say, I ended up training on my own for a good number of seasons, and I sought once again something that would reinvigorate me! Ivan Roshnov is truly a knowledgeable maestro who directs everything to perfection. My integration with the group was so smooth, I felt immediately welcomed by everybody. Finally, I could run in training with some very strong Maltese runners, all of them to this day are still putting tremendous effort in their training. Seeing such enthusiasm keeps motivating me on and on. With Ivan I also discovered a new strength in mountain running, where I have already represented my country 4 times in World and European Championships, and look forward to another World Championship in Andorra this month!
I was side-lined for 4 months at the end of season 2016/17, but still had managed a couple of improvements that year in 1500m, 3,000m Steeplechase, 5,000m, 10,000m (road), so it still was a very fruitful year. I always think that a patient build-up is key, sometimes we suffer setbacks and injuries, but there is always a way of turning the tide! I am sure that the best is yet to come!
Luke, the saying goes: when there is a will there is a way but given your ongoing career; the responsibilities which carry and lengthy hours in the office, finding time for training is not an easy task for anyone let alone you. Training for competition is not like training for leisure so hours are longer, with more intense training sessions, highly demanding quality sessions, perhaps double sessions, early sleeping, rigorous diet etc! Training has become more professional. How are you managing in all this? Describe a week in your life and how do you juggle training along with your profession?
Being an architect is demanding, long hours of work is a normal trend. Deadlines are always looming and unanticipated problems arise everyday. This also means that sometimes I have to head out of office there and then to solve problems on-site. It is truly difficult to determine exactly when you will finish the job at hand, so I prefer to plan day by day. As I set out in the morning I would have a general timeline in my mind, which apart from training includes also when I intend to eat and rest.
Every day of the week starts by setting out early for work, returning by 17:00 in the afternoon and take a small nap, sometimes even as little as 30 minutes when I have track sessions every Tuesday and Friday. Recovery days are still hectic, especially when I cross-train as I would include some bike and swim sessions together with my runs. When I have double sessions I would generally sleep as early as 21:30 so that I can wake up at 04:00, and still go to work early as my normal days. Sunday is also an intense day, but generally I try to get a good sleep in the afternoon! I like feeling regenerated before another intense week! I always discuss such topics with Ivan and we try to optimise these details the best we can and work around any problem that might hinder the progress.
To be able to manage this, it does not simply boil down to time management, but also to sheer dedication and understanding from the people around me. My family is always very supportive especially when it comes to food preparation, and my workplace always grants me the required leave when representing or when training with the national team. This is essential to maintain the right balance and for this I am always grateful.
Luke, it is not a secret that you are a discreet and reserved person, nonetheless an amicable person by all means. Humble down to earth person both on professionally and in your countless achievements in sports. You are highly regarded and respected by everyone, you earned yourself a top echelon among the long distance running community. Unlike many, your facebook profile was left immaculate for years even though results were always positive. Now things changed for good. Local Athletics needs continuous promotion in every possible way. Self-promotion is not your strength, trust me. Anyway, I knew that you only started training athletics since 2011 being the last year at the University whilst preparing for your thesis and dissertation. I think that preparing such a task is almost one of the most difficult issues you need to sort out prior to graduation and yet you managed to combine the two things with perfection! How did you manage to cope at that time to date?
The final year when I had the thesis and dissertation was a tough year, and I had to sacrifice some of my training sessions. These were still my initial track training days, and as yet had not invested a lot of my energy in athletics, so it was much easier to cope. However, I still felt the need to go to the track twice a week for a good mental break, and kept competing so that I could maintain my level.
I always tried to integrate in my life interests of different nature: architecture, studying, sports, and even music amongst other things! I believe that this makes one grow holistically as a person, and each discipline actually supplements and reinforces the other. Success or even setbacks in one discipline or the other all serve as a growing experience. This nurtures diverse abilities, and when you think of the benefits, it's much easier to cope and combine different tasks.
Luke, we all know that Athletics is an individual sport and timing is paramount. Athletes are more often than not judged by their timing rather than overall classification. Infact elite Athletes like you, are chasing MQS s for GSSE and CSSE all year round. The long distance running has improved in terms of numbers of athletes yet the National Records of the 5k and 10k have been unmatched for decades now. You are still a young athlete, do you really believe that one day you can aspire to break one or both of these records?
It is one of the driving forces. Seeing a record standing there immaculate for more than 20 years is extraordinary. It also says a lot about the standard of athletics in the 1990s when the level was so good. My coach Ivan knows a thing or two about those 5K and 10K National Records as it was one of his athletes, Ricky Baldacchino, who achieved those remarkable results. Ivan has already steered me to an impressive National Record this summer in the 3K Steeplechase, and I know it's very difficult to be close to those results, but I will most definitely give it a try.
I ran loads of road races and athletes vent views about the improvements of others and I do recall that at the beginning of this season, one guy who happened to be in Pisa told me that Luke has really impressed many and could have become a serious threat to Charlton Debono’s leadership and the rest. As things stood this season, the gap has been narrowed considerably especially on the track. Are we going to enjoy another formidable close tussle between you and Charlton next year? There is a good saying about athletics that to run all you need to have is a strong pair of legs but a stronger mind. I must say that your mental strength is second to none and these close duels are proof of it. What goes into your mind throughout the entire race following or leading by just a metre for 12.5 laps or 25laps for the 10,000m? Is it really a war of nerves as it appears from the outside? In International races, we are used to see a leading group of 5 or more runners, so mentally wise, athletes are less demanding but obviously the race becomes more physically. I reckon if races become in contention between 4 or 5 athletes would have faster times and saving energy on the physical rather than the mental. Do you agree or differ?
Running alongside Maltese greats like Charlton, Andrew just to name a few, is such an honour. I would never have thought of such progress when I started running 8 years ago. I hope we can have those great track races next year too, as I believe both me and Charlton stand to benefit from healthy competition. When running on track I only have one objective in mind, that of keeping my pre-determined pace, which could mean leading or following, it doesn't matter! I try to concentrate on my technique and rhythm while keeping a constant pace as much as possible. It really turns in a war of nerves once you stop focusing on your performance and start focusing on other athletes, and these distractions do happen frequently. Approaching the last lap in a tight race is mentally tough, but it also ensures that I will leave no reserve and produce my very best.
I also agree with you that if the race is contended by 4 or 5 athletes, we would see faster times. I am positive that next year on track it won't be just me or Charlton, but other athletes will rise to the occasion. Things will be much more interesting, and I can't wait for such contests!
I always harp upon the dual career path which nowadays, I can tell through many athletes is proving me right. It is doable and it’s a great joy to me and to all. Being an elite athlete cannot for sure, sustain both the expenses and the energy needed if you don’t have a fulfilling career. I am hereby kindly asking your kind self to convey a message or advice to those athletes who might have doubt if they can manage the O and A Levels exams and tertiary studies whilst still practising their favourite sports.
My advice to youths is a simple one. Keep doing what you love, if you dream of becoming a first-class athlete, you will become so. Plan your work and training, so student duties and exam preparation can be fulfilled just the same.
Young foreign athletes, like Jakob Ingebrigtsen, are an example of this. At the age of 17, the young Norwegian is the reigning 1,500m and 5,000m European Champion! What a success story, truly supreme! And, at the age of 15 he is juggling between school, studying and training. To put things in perspective, it is best to quote him directly: "It isn't like I enjoy waking up early but that is what it takes to be the best, so I do it". This speaks volumes of what a right mentality and maturity means. If students can manage this abroad, I cannot see why not locally. Parents play an important role in this as they have to be very supportive.
For me, very recent investments in sports schools locally is solid proof that sports and a sustaining career can truly go hand in hand. It shows that the government believes in this approach too. It is an educational model that has worked and brought to light very talented and intelligent individuals.
One last short question. What do you think should be done in local athletics to improve the performance of our athletes? As things stand we all know that starting from the 100m to the marathon distance, we are ages behind. Do you think of any feasible idea which could ameliorate the situation or at least curb to bare minimum the difference between us and the rest of the world?
I believe that first and foremost, it is up to the individual to take the effort along the right route. Extra commitment towards training and attention to details like resting, proper nutrition and avoiding late nights out are so essential. These sacrifices really give an athlete the cutting edge, and instil a great amount of focus. I also believe that an athlete has to be a role model in the way he behaves and acts to leave only positive influences. In this aspect I feel we are behind the rest of the world, and as a result we fail to improve as much as we should. A change in mentality is therefore the most crucial thing in my opinion.
Having said this, I notice that a greater pool of athletes is trying to take athletics to a new level with a good string of performances. These efforts deserve the best opportunities. The latest 10K road race was also a National Team selection for a Cross Country Challenge in Cardiff, set up by the Malta Athletics Association (MAAA). These are the sort of initiatives that help athletes set important targets and allow an experience growth in international competitions, and we need more of them!
Athletes aspiring to achieve a qualifying time for international races can do so more realistically when running with a good quality field. While a good option is to find races abroad, it is sometimes very complicated to make the required arrangements. The association may help by organising short stays for foreign athletes in Malta, who can compete in local events. In my case, for the most part of the season, I end up racing the 3K Steeplechase on my own, with each race being a tough time trial. Such arrangements can be made for all middle and long distance races, and all local athletes stand to benefit. This latches on to another important aspect which is to have state of the art sports facilities, which is extremely essential to attract foreign athletes. Being an architect, I cannot help but notice the deficiencies present in our training grounds. In my opinion, we need to enhance our existing sports infrastructure to include all the required ancillary facilities and to have a complete track facility at University. Various projects have been tabled, but the situation has remained the same for years now.
Luke, there are no words to describe my gratitude towards you and all my past and future interviewers who found the time and dedication to make all this possible. Other profiles will follow! These interviews are meant to unveil the sacrifices endured throughout the life of an athlete for those short moments called Victory!