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Paul Grech profiles the late development of local runner
Jonathan Balzan
Few take up athletics with the sole objective of becoming
the best in their sport. For many, running is a way through
which they can stay physically active, a means of relieving
the stress of modern life. And if they start to clock good
times, ambitions change accordingly.
Jonathan Balzan never considered athletics as anything more
than an occasional pastime. Doing a school fun run gave him
his first taste of running, and he eventually progressed to
the various distance-running events held in Malta. On his
own he learnt how to pace himself and on his own he improved
his finishing times.
Last year, his name started getting mentioned with increasing
regularity among those finishing in the front. Good results
that have been bettered this season. At thirty years, he has
won the Attard 10K, the Dingli 10, the Pembroke 10K and most
recently the Qormi 10K. On a national scale, he came in as
runner-up in the Malta International Half Marathon and also
ended the Malta Amateur Athletics Associations' Road Running
League in second place.
The defining moment of his career came two years ago. Fellow
athletes had been urging Jonathan to find a coach who guide
him better and, at long last, he decided to listen to their
advice. And the results were immediate.
"Without any training I used to go out running. I used
to take part in races simply for the fun of it. On occasions
I injured myself because I didn't prepare properly for the
events, I even used to run with any slipper I found. Many
athletes told me that I would much better if I was coached
properly, but I didn't really pay them too much attention
because I was improving on my own. But then, after the 2000
half marathon, I agreed that it was something that I needed."
A sensible decision and one that Jonathan never regretted.
If anything, he's "sorry that I didn't
get a coach earlier. If I had done, maybe I would have achieved
certain results and times much earlier." Now that he's
realised how important it is to have someone to guide you,
his faith in coach Roger Zammit is absolute. "Once he
gets to know you, a coach can adapt training to your needs.
But you have to tell him everything on how you feel. He will
give you the help you need to fulfil your potential because
he knows what he's doing. Sometimes I make the mistake of
expecting to do too much in training, but he has to be the
one to guide you."
Using his knowledge of the athlete, a coach will also establish
the targets that have to be achieved. "He'll set the
time in which you should finish a race. There is an element
of surprise, because sometime I do better than the coach expected.
On those occasions, I have to admit that I'm more than pleased."
As well as encouraged to push harder. "In the beginning
I used to be happy simply to finish a race. Then I started
to edge closer to the leading pack, occasionally winning a
trophy. These tiny steps forward encourage you to train harder
in order to do even better."
The second place in the Malta International Half Marathon
was probably his most satisfying result so far. Hardly surprising
that this event is one of Jonathan's favourites. "There
are so many people in the final kilometre of the half marathon,
so much enthusiasm that you push yourself that little bit
harder."
Unfortunately, this excitement is the exception rather than
the rule. Athletics in Malta still struggles against lack
of interest and support. "I don't think that the efforts
and results of the athletes are appreciated enough. Newspapers
take long to publish results and these aren't even mentioned
in the sports bulletins."
Despite everything, Jonathan keeps on running. Dreaming,
among other things, of competing in a half marathon outside
Malta. "That would undoubtedly help me develop, but it
would also be the source of personal satisfaction." The
problem in realising that wish is one common to most athletes:
lack of money. There aren't many willing to invest in sport,
much less those eager to sponsor an individual taking part
in an event that doesn't get too much coverage.
Yet not even this is enough to discourage Jonathan. If anything,
his career is just starting. "I admire those who keep
on running and competing even when they get older. I hope
to do the same when I get to their age." At thirty, Jonathan
Balzan still has some way to go before he can compete with
the veterans. But it is impossible not to understand him.
It has taken him long to taste success in athletics. He won't
be stopping now he's finally there.
Jonathan Balzan is a member of the St. Patricks Athletics
Club (www.st.patricks-ac.org).
Any opinions about this article can be sent to pawlu_grech@yahoo.co.uk
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