About me: -- Well, just popped in for a coffee and hey guess what - I wrote a review! Its been a while, but I...
Member since:06.07.2000
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Review rated by 46 Ciao members on average: very helpful
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I've known Paula and her family since she was 14. She was one of many talented young girls that Bedford & County Athletic club have produced over the years. Her long time coaches Alec and Rosemary Stanton have helped guide her to success, while keeping her feet firmly on the ground. But the thing that has made Paula into a world leader is her intelligence, determination and an excellent 'team' around her.
Back in her junior days, she would lead her races and get outkicked - often by Charlotte Mayock (John Mayock's younger sister). Her own Bedford squad at the same age group contained Liz Talbot - now Liz Yelling, herself a top British middle distance runner and National Cross Country champion earlier this year and another girl Claire Wilson, both of whom were - at 14/15 - as talented as Paula. Why she got to the top and others have not is a big question. But Paula has gone on from School to University, got her degree and that in itself shows a determination and an abilty to learn.
She has learnt that despite her ungainly style – head up, looking to all the world that she is in pain – she can run faster than most of her opposition
She has won countless medals over the past 10 years, but the ‘big ones’ just keep on eluding her. Her success in ‘failure’ continues to capture the nation’s hearts. First there was a valiant 4th place in the Sydney Olympics last year. Then again, in Edmonton this month, she has once again been run out of the medals in the World Championships. But more than anything it is Paula’s stand against Drugs in Sport and athletics in general that has gained her most fans.
He upbringing – both in her sport and family – plays a key part in understanding what makes her tick. Parents Peter and Pat are always around for her. Mum, Pat, was team Manager for a while at the Bedford club and even younger brother Martin was a talented runner for a while – although nowhere near in the mould of Paula. To have reached the level of winning the World Cross Country Championship this winter and shortly afterwards the World Half Marathon title, betrays her roots. She has always loved distance running. She was never going to have speed to run 1500m – but that has not stopped her in her quest to because one of the best in the world
Now married to Gary Lough – former top GB 1500m runner. He acts as her training partner when they are at home in Switzeland – training runs around the Font Romeu area. The training routines are done at altitude and the occasional trip to Albequerque, New Mexico for some more altitude work, but in a warmer climate, indicates the level of work needed just to try to match the all-conquering African runners. They are so dominant at all of the distances races, Paula has to go to fantastic lengths to try to ‘get amongst them’. It would of course be very easy to try to use ‘artificial’ aids – drugs – to cheat your way to the top, like certain of the East European athletes still attempt. But Paula is actively against drug cheats. She advocates – as all right thinking sports fans do – that Drugs cheats should get life bans. At Edmonton she was memorably pictured holding up a banner with fellow GB runner Hayley Yelling proclaiming ‘No to EPO’ – the banned kidney drug that has brought success to several ‘iffy’ athletes.
But ultimately Paula is frustrating. She ran a poor tactical race in the 10,000 metres final and was outsprinted again (I’ve seen that happen so many times….!!) by three Africans, to finish 4th. But a definite inspiration to other female athletes in this country and beyond that you can succeed by hard work and stay clean.
Her recent sponsorship package from Nike – rumoured to be in the region of £400,000 – a huge amount for an athlete is a message to others that financial rewards can be had in Athletics without cheating. Hopefully Paula’s victory in this year’s World Half Marathon championships will bode well for her much rumoured step up to the Marathon distance sometime in the next 12 months. Then, at last, she may get that ever so elusive Olympic or World Gold medal at the next games.
If ever someone really deserves it – it is PAULA RADCLIFFE.
Very enjoyable opinion with the personal touch. She does look on her last legs when she runs, and unfortunately every time I have seen her she is in the lead and then overtaken at the last. I applaud her stance agaist drugs. Say hello from Ciao when you next see her!
this is an excellent op. and is mostly about the side of paula we all love, and wish the best of luck to. As you know i disagree about some of the comments on drugs but lets not go there. I found stuff out about paula which i didn't know, which is rare for soem of the sports op.'s. Thanx. Camuk
04.10.2004 22:01
Very nice review..
05.09.2001 23:20
Very enjoyable opinion with the personal touch. She does look on her last legs when she runs, and unfortunately every time I have seen her she is in the lead and then overtaken at the last. I applaud her stance agaist drugs. Say hello from Ciao when you next see her!
04.09.2001 02:41
this is an excellent op. and is mostly about the side of paula we all love, and wish the best of luck to. As you know i disagree about some of the comments on drugs but lets not go there. I found stuff out about paula which i didn't know, which is rare for soem of the sports op.'s. Thanx. Camuk