The 24-year-old had just finished a remarkable physical feat, running the final steps of her 210th kilometre - a tally she has accumulated across just 10 days.
To many, one half-marathon is an achievement within itself.
To effectively complete 10, across consecutive days, would be hell.
But to Paaka, it’s an unorthodox heaven.
A fitness trainer at BFT Shepparton, Paaka has aced many fitness challenges, including marathons and HYROX events.
But her latest challenge was the most extreme yet.
Paaka had participated in Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge before - a 10-day challenge created by ultra-marathoner Nedd Brockmann, who in 2022 became the fastest person to run across Australia, completing the feat in 46 and a half days, running close to 100 kilometres every day.
In 2024, Paaka ran 10 kilometres a day for the 10 day period.
But when the organisation and its sponsor Puma reached out to Paaka to participate again, she wanted to go bigger and better.
“I wanted to do something that scared me,” she said.
So, she went and doubled her efforts from last year, plus a little extra.
Running the near half-marathon daily required a dedicated ritual for Paaka to remain physically healthy for each stint of exercise.
A sauna and ice bath session every second day at Resolute Gym and a fixed diet ensured Paaka’s body recovered and was given the adequate nutrients to keep powering on.
Paaka’s discipline outside of the time spent running each day had her finding the challenge “smoother than expected”, despite the taxing demand of the exercise.
Although, she added it was also from the immense support she received.
What started as a small personal challenge quickly blossomed into a feat for the community to rally behind.
Paaka’s aim to raise $500 for the We Are Mobilise cause ballooned out to $7137 donated to the homelessness charity by the time Paaka hit the finish line on Wednesday evening.
“A lot of it has to do with the Shepparton community,” Paaka said.
“I had a lot of support from them, I had a lot of people come on runs with me or got the bikes out.
“We had a few terrible days with the weather, a few rainy and windy runs so having some people with me running or cycling made the challenge a lot easier.”
At the final day, the Shepparton support came out in droves to Kialla Lakes to witness the end of Paaka’s challenge.
With a crowd rocking behind every step towards the finish line, it was impossible for the final run not to be the easiest one yet.
“Oh 100 per cent (the last run was easier), the support of the Shepparton community was unreal,” Paaka said.
“Having people come out for the run, or receiving messages from people who couldn’t make it on the final day was super special and amazing.”
With cheers of applause as Paaka made her approach to the finish, it was a whirlwind end to the grind of the Uncomfortable Challenge.
“It was definitely a bit of a blur, it was so surreal and emotional knowing it was the last run,” Paaka said.
“It had become such a massive part of my routine for the last 10 days, now I’m not sure what to do with myself!”
But for Paaka, it’s back to business as usual for the fitness pro, returning to work without a day to rest the legs following the 10-day haul.
Although if Brockmann’s challenge has taught Paaka anything, it’s that one should get comfortable being uncomfortable, with the thousands of dollars raised and heightened community spirit demonstrating what can be done if you keep showing up.
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