Hi Everyone,
On the 28th February I was on the start line of the 25th edition of the Malta Half Marathon. This was my second half marathon of my career. I was not expecting too much from the race as I did not focus specifically for it. In fact 5 days before a race I did 21km for my weekly long run session. However being on a start line of a race, I always try to do my best. Although I was not expecting much, I wanted to do a good performance too see if the new training is working, so I just said to myself “GO FOR IT”
I planned not to go fast in the first kilometres as I didn’t do any speed sessions for the race but I went out too fast. I did the first 10km in 36mins. It was too fast from what I have planned. I think that I was carried away by the great atmosphere of such a classic race. However I kept calm and kept the rhythm because I noticed that I can beat my personal best. At one point I was feeling a bit tired but at half way point of the race I was overtaken by 3 runners and kept the pace with them.
It was very hot and I was drinking a lot of water during the race. At 5km to go I was feeling tired and felt that the pace was slowing a bit. I slowed down in the downhill leading to Sa Maison because last year going down that downhill fast, killed my legs, so this time I slowed down and when I reached Sa Maison, I started to push and push till the finish line
I knew that a Personal Best can be achieved so I really pushed till the end. The last 1km was the hardest and longest Kilometre I ever did. It seemed that this race did not have a finishing line. Finally I saw the finish line and I did a sprint finish to come home in 1hr 19min 10sec in 13th place and 12th Maltese. A new Personal and came first under 23 for the second consecutive time.
I am very pleased with my result. The organistion was up to standard and the athmosphere was great.I managed to beat and stay with the best Maltese long distance runners and the result is good considering that I am a triathlete. I did a great race without training specifically for it and it was the result I needed to confirm that the new training is working. I know that I am on the right track and I am looking forward for the next races
Keep you updated
Yours in Sport
Keith
