Banking on mileage – an exclusive interview with veteran athlete Peter Azzopardi – Malta Independent Online
Banking on mileage – an exclusive interview with veteran athlete Peter Azzopardi Malta Independent Online
The spotlight today is on 54 years old, timeless Peter Azzopardi, happily married to Josette for the past 19 years and father of 15-year-old Neil. Works at Cash …
The spotlight today is on 54 years old, timeless Peter Azzopardi, happily married to Josette for the past 19 years and father of 15-year-old Neil. Works at Cash Management within Bank of Valletta plc and having not less than 28 years of competitive running under his belt save for a short stint where he decided to hang up his runners. Luckily enough Peter returned back to running and at present he is still at the fore of the game by topping the finishing list, most particularly, that of his age category. With decades of track and road race experience both locally and abroad Peter declares he lost count of the number of races he took part in except for his Personal Records!
1. Peter, it is an extreme pleasure for me to interview you after so many years into competitive running. You are well known to local athletics and your performances are not just remarkable to many but enviable at best. Your races are mainly 5k, 10k, half marathon and marathon. I think to be fair with you, we need to assess your PB’s when you were still young compared to the ones you achieved very recently. Can you please enlighten us with these statistics?
My personal bests: Latest Timings:
3000 9:06 Marsa Malta 2000
5000 15:39 Marsa Malta 1997 17:22 Road Relay ; 17:30 Track
10000 32:26 Dresden Germany 2000 36.22 MAAA RRL
21.097 1:12:04 Leiden Holland 1996 1:19.40 Pisa, Italy
42.195 2:35:09 Berlin Germany 2000
2. Peter, we met many times and we always discussed local athletics and the training involved at length. You pride yourself that at the peak of your career you used to run over 150miles weekly. If we mention it today, I think few would believe you and argue that only the ultramarathoners would embark on such high mileage. Nonetheless, your training yielded great results and that is the indelible proof of its righteousness. What is your opinion on this? Here we are talking about a great volume and I reckon you even combined intensity training too such as speed sessions, fart leks, uphills and tempo runs. By any chance, do you remember a week or two of the hardest training sessions you ever managed to do? Please specify.
Long distance runner (marathon runner) needs to work on endurance to sustain the pace in races. A marathon is not a normal race distance that you can do every week. You need to plan properly.
I used to train high mileage between 100 – 130 miles weekly with 11/12 training sessions a week with a certain block of training amounting to an average of 135 miles/200km. This doesn’t mean that we trained such high volumes of mileage all year round but did what was necessary in preparation for a particular marathon. However, I still trained the average of 100 miles a week. The maximum mileage that I ever recorded in a week was 150 miles/240 km when I was on high altitude training camp for 3 and half weeks, having 12 sessions a week.
Locally, I used to run the Dingli route (10 miles), doing two laps to cover 20 miles and my best time was 2:05.
High altitude training session in preparation for Dresden 10k & Berlin Marathon 2000:
Week 1
AM. PM
Mon. 13.5 km easy 16 km easy
Tue. 13.5 km easy 18 km steady pace
Wed. 13.5 km easy 25 km with HR (50 min fast pace) in between
Thu. 14 km recovery run
Fri. 15 km easy 24 km steady pace
Sat. 16 km easy 20 km progression HR
Sun. 11 km recovery run
Week 2
Mon. 16 km 29 km easy long run
Tue. 16 km 15 km
Wed 16 km 30 km (110 min with HR progression)
Thu. 11 km recovery run
Fri. 16 km 17 km steady pace
Sat. 16 km 35 km (150 min with HR progression)
Sun. 13 km recovery run
3. Peter, your coach, Ivan Rozhnov has been accompanying you in this journey since 1995, practically from the beginning save for the first year of running where you were coached by Gaetano Cordina. Being loyal to a coach is not easy at all but I think you even competed with Rozhnov too. Did you train with him when he was still an athlete? What is it like when you train and compete with your coach? What difference do you see today when Ivan Rozhnov is a full time coach? Nowadays, you train with his team of athletes which makes sessions more enjoyable and even strive for more. How can you quantify the benefits derived from training with the pack rather than solo training?
The training that I have done embodies what I am today. After 25 years, I’m still running and gained personal potential from my long-term training development and together with my coach Ivan have planned the running skills and techniques. Training development is the fundamental key in the process of athletics. No need to rush as time is unlimited however being patient and determined leads to a successful running career. Without any doubt, Ivan’s professional experience and guidance have been the main platform for my progress and achievements.
I have great respect and admiration for my coach Ivan who has impressive athletic experience and is a professional coach.
I had trained few sessions with him mainly during high altitude training camps. Ivan was also racing when I started training. It’s a great experience to participate in a race together with your coach.
I have great memories of when my coach Ivan paced me in my 2nd half marathon in Leiden and a week later during my first Full Marathon in Twente, Holland in 1996 and also in Vedelago Marathon in 1998. Running together with your coach especially providing support by pacing is an incredible feat.
I have known Ivan for 25 years. He is a great coach who guides, inspires and empowers an athlete to achieve his/her full potential. From the start of his coaching in Malta, he created a positive approach towards training and athletics. We have learnt a lot from his coaching skills and guidance. Ivan is one of the pillars of athletics in Malta.
Running with a group is healthier and more beneficial than running alone. When you run on your own you can get easily bored whereas with a group you can be motivated, exchange experiences, improve your training and support each other.
4. Peter, what is impressive in you is that you didn’t start athletics at a young age but when you were already 26 years old. Were you active at school when you were a kid or during the teen years? Do you think that if you started earlier you might have obtained better results, or you think you might have had a shorter career? Some may argue that when you start early, you might get early burnout, or get fed up of sports. What are your views on this?
At school, I was always active and loved sports. It’s normal to be influenced by PE sessions held at school and at that time basketball and football were the main sport games. Athletics was rarely practised. In fact, I started playing football but did not continue in this sport discipline.
Indeed starting running career earlier could be beneficial. In my case, it seems that I decided to participate in running at the right time. I have always had moral support from my entire family as well as friends. It is a pity to note that most running athletes who began running at an early age are no longer in the scene. There could be various reasons why an athlete quits running. The most important is athlete’s progress especially following long-term athlete development (LTAD).
5. Peter, there is an abysmal difference between running for leisure and competing. Yours is not just competing but excelling which demands much more. You went to training camps abroad specifically in high altitude places and still go to this very day! How do you find such motivation to improve and get the best out of each and every season? From where does such inspiration to keep improving come from and how is a high level of performance maintained? How is it training at high altitude and what are its benefits?
The first training camp was exactly after my participation in the World Cross Country Championships in March 1997. I was very excited since it was my first time accompanied by my coach Ivan. That year, I went again in August at the same place, Meltina, north of Italy. It was absolutely fantastic. From that year on, I kept going on a yearly basis. For high altitude training, you need time to adapt to the environment. You manage to gain strength and also have cardiovascular improvements/benefits. During training camps, you try to use all your entire capacity to train hard which also boosts you apart from others physiologically, hence training like a professional athlete. I am a long distance runner and train most of the long runs on my own. I have learnt how to handle these sole moments. The best training camp is to be spread over three weeks in order to be beneficial and effective.
6. Peter, as we said you started running in 1991 so you are an eye witness of loads of things changing in local sports especially Athletics. Nowadays you can vouch that flights are getting cheaper and more accessible, wider knowledge on sports and training exists, easily accessed by a touch of a button, supplements, different training regimes, individual sponsors, public schemes encouraging sports, flexi training for elite athletes and the list goes on and on. At your time, things were difficult, knowledge was scarce, amenities were lacking, limited running apparel etc! They were tougher times and I recall that during those years or a bit earlier people running on the roads were deemed as time wasters or mentally ill. At present, how do you relate yourself to such an extra ordinary better understanding of sports here in Malta? What were your challenges back then? What was the most difficult thing to obtain at that time which today has become much easier to get? Given all these present advantages, do you feel upset that if you had the same opportunities before, things would have been far easier for you by far and even results could have been better?
During the past 25 years, it is quite evident that there is drastic difference as regards to sports mentality and opportunity. Nowadays, you have a wide range of choices and options which meet every athlete’s financial means. At the time that I started running, an air ticket could easily reach over Eur400 just to go to Milan especially during peak season.
As regards sports clothing, the main focus was the running shoes. No fuss over vests and shorts existed. Today, the vast selection of sports apparel and equipment is always on the rise and seems to have become a basic essential for performance improvement.
I recall an incident when I ordered a pair of running shoes online. The parcel was received after 2/3 weeks and noted that both trainers fitted the same foot. I returned the item and waited another 2/3 weeks after which it was replaced by a bigger size. You can imagine the frustration!
Despite the lack of comfort and limited services at the inception of my running career, I still managed to achieve results. I am not saying that having more accessibility and opportunities are not important but strongly believe that one’s determination, commitment and having the appropriate moral support and guidance are the best assets to perform and succeed.
During my running career, I have been through different experiences and learnt to remain strong and not let any negative obstacle hinder my training and performance. I definitely agree that should I have benefited from the current schemes/sponsors it would have helped in the yearly planning, training and competitions especially during that time when I used to train twice a day.
Maybe many people do not realise how much hard work and sacrifice is needed to achieve the expected goals and positive results. I am still going through the hectic schedule and male a lot of effort. The achieved results are a proof of my dedication to running.
7. Peter, which race distance is most at heart and why? You have a 2hrs 35min in Berlin Marathon which can be easily considered among the fastest ever top 10 marathons run by local athletes. What can you say about Marathons and the training leading to it which to me appears to be a totally different event from the other races?
The full marathon is my favourite distance and I wish that one day I will do it again. Training for a marathon is totally different from other distances. You must be more disciplined about nutrition, training and rest. Training involves 32km long runs, temp runs and speed endurance which are vital for the marathon.
8. Peter, the local running fora is soaring in numbers, the quality is getting there too but the old standards and performances achieved decades ago are still considered a mirage. In your opinion, without going into names do you think they can be improved, or do you not see anyone who can come close to the present National Records of the 5k, 10k and the Marathon? The half marathon NR was improved twice by Charlton Debono but it has to be said that there were lower times than the present NR in the Malta half Marathon which is not a Iaaf certified route. In fact, in 1990 the late Gerald Degaetano ran the half marathon in 1hr 7min 19sec. Times were fast and encouraging no matter what……..
Today, athletes have more benefits, greater opportunities and better sports facilities. Surely better than in our old times. At the moment, there is a group of very good and talented athletes who will surely manage to accomplish their expectations if they follow adequate training, proper planning and believe in themselves. If they work together, share the same vision, they can reach their goals and make their dreams come true.
9. Peter, we all live a hectic life, now more than ever and people keep blaming it to keep away for sports. You did this for decades, pre-marriage, post marriage and as a father. This does not mean you don’t have anything to do or that you earn your living through sports. Far from it. I reckon it is the passion and crave which distinguished you and which enlightened you to find time to pursue your dream. What about your time management and how do you cope with work, training, errands, driving your son, etc…?
As I have already said, performing this sport is not easy but requires 100% determination, commitment and dedication. Moreover, the persons around you need to understand your ambitions. I would like to say a big thank you to my wife Josette, son Neil, my Mum and all my family for their constant support throughout the whole journey.
My life is based on effective time management and lots of sacrifices. My daily routine is hectic starting at 4:30 am. My son Neil is 15 years old and is a swimmer and has early morning sessions and also afternoon sessions. Running is tough, but swimming is tougherJ Basically, I end up training in the evening.
Sunday is the only day that have some time to rest properly.
I try to cope with everything but it is important to point out that life without sports is boring.
Heartfelt thanks to my coach Ivan Rozhnov for his professional guidance. He is instrumental for my progress and achievements which without him would have been impossible.
Thanks goes to the whole group that train with and my coach Ivan for their massive support. We are one big family and greatly appreciate their friendship and feedback.
May I also take the opportunity to thank the Malta Amateur Athletics Association for all their sterling work.
Last but not the least, thanks to you for this interview and i greatly appreciate your hard work and dedication towards athletics.
Conclusion. Peter, your running career will soon reach the 30-year mark. An incredible feat and you are sheer proof of longevity in sports. As I always say, an athlete may have two or three good years with remarkable results however how long a career persists becomes even more important! Evergreen Peter wish you more health and success in this running journey.