Leaping Into the Long Run

By the time Klara Lukan crossed the finish line of her first half-marathon in Valencia, she had spent an hour and nine minutes pushing through fatigue, focus, and fleeting doubts.

“When I saw the time on my watch – one hour five – I thought, oh my God, I need to catch this national record!” she says, smiling. “And then I just went for it.”

Klara is in transition – between distances, between stages of her career, between who she was and who she’s becoming.

A Natural Shift

The shift toward the longer distances came naturally. “I think already ten years ago, my coach told me I’d end up as a long-distance runner,” she says. “He probably saw it before I did.”

Over the years, her training gradually expanded from the 5K, to the 10K – from the track to the road – now to the half marathon. “It’s been an organic transition,” she explains. “Step by step, year by year, my coach and I have built it up. I think this is the smart way, the right way.”

Each step required new maturity – not just physically, but mentally. “You have to learn to endure,” Klara says. “For long distances, you need to be okay with pain lasting longer. A few years ago, I wasn’t ready for that.”

Learning to Embrace the Pain

Klara admits that running never really gets easier.

“I used to think that the better I get, the easier it will feel,” she says. “But it doesn’t, you just become more resilient. You learn to accept that it’s going to be hard, and you learn to go through it anyways.”

That mindset has been key to her development. “When I hit a tough moment, I try to make it lighter,” she says. “Sometimes I tell myself something funny, I start singing in my head or focus on the celebrating crowd at the sidelines. The atmosphere is also why I love road running so much.”

In Valencia, that mental toughness paid off. “Before the start, I told my coach, it’s already decided – I feel that it’ll go well. So, I just went all in,” she recalls. The result – a national record on her first attempt – was validation, not just as her record-breaking debut, but as proof that she could belong among the best.

The Discipline of Becoming

Behind the results lies a quiet, consistent discipline. “Most of my days are not as fun as people think,” she admits. “It’s routine. You go out, even if it’s raining or freezing, and you do what’s on the plan. That’s how you grow.”

Her success isn’t only about mileage. “Training is just one part. Physiotherapy, recovery, nutrition, and the mental side – everything has to be aligned,” she says. “I go to bed early, wake up early, and I like to start the day productively. When I have a plan, I’m happy and I can focus completely.” That discipline also brings her calm. “In May, I finished my master’s thesis,” she says. “I feel good when things are organized, it helps me stay balanced, both in running and in life.”

Running Toward the Future

Now, as Klara looks ahead, she’s not rushing the process. Her approach to distance – and life – is deliberate. “Increasing the distance slowly is the healthiest thing to do,” she explains. “The body needs time to adapt. If you push too fast, you risk injuries, and that’s something every athlete fears.”

For an athlete chasing seconds, the balance between fatigue and form makes all the difference. When your gear works with you, it lets you focus on what truly counts – the running itself.

“I really love PUMA’s Deviate NITRO Elite 3,” she says. “The foam gives such a good bounce, light but protective. After long runs, I can really feel how much quicker my legs recover.”

With a smart, organic plan, a coach she trusts, and the tools that help her train at her best, she feels ready for more. “For sure, next year I’ll do more half marathons,” she says. “And when the time comes, we’ll talk about the marathon. But there’s still space for improvement. I want to grow into it.”

Grounded in Gratitude

What grounds Klara through the grind is gratitude. “When I was a kid, I never dreamed of becoming a professional runner,” she admits. “I never imagined going to the Olympics. But life took me here, and I’m so grateful. I want to live this lifestyle as long as possible.”

Her partnership with PUMA has added another layer of motivation. “It feels personal,” she says. “When I talk to Julia from PUMA, it’s eye-to-eye. I feel seen and appreciated not just for my results, but as an athlete and for the person I am.”

What makes it all worth it

Despite the focus, the endurance and the pain Klara puts in every day, she finds joy in small moments. A cheering crowd, a good coffee after a long run, a relaxed day with family. Often, satisfaction comes quietly. “Not only after crossing the finish line,” she says.

“Also, after a tough workout, or when I push through something hard. Then I tell myself, not everyone can do this. This gives me a real feeling of happiness.”