3rd MLT and a New PB in Malta Half Marathon

Hi Everyone

Yesterday I took part in the Malta Half Marathon. My target was to finish among the top 3 Maltese and set a time around 1hr 15mins. I was so looking forward for this years half Marathon as i wanted to do a great performance. In fact I peaked and trained specifically for this race.

After very encouraging results in the mdina spinola and in local 10km road races battling with the Maltese top runners setting new personal bests I was very confident. Unfortunately i did not had a good week leading up to the race as i was a bit sick and was not sleeping well. I knew something was wrong. I was sweating a lot during the night even the night before the race. That means that I had temperature. 

Although sick i wanted to do a good performance at least. On Race Day I noticed that there was the possibility to come first Maltese. I went with the leading pack however they were a bit faster so i settled in my own pace. Felt running well and relaxed. An athlete from ragusa caught me and kept on with him. I was first maltese at the moment and was surprised actually. I was hoping to hang on because i knew my body was not responding as usual although i was running well.

I was feeling well but when we reached bieb il bombi my legs all of a sudden felt heavy. I started to have cramps and legs got heavier and heavier. I was struggling.I looked back and noticed that the two maltese behind me were gaining ground. I did everything i could do to hang on but at 1.5km to go the two Maltese caught me and finished 3rd Maltese in 1.15.16, a new personal best by 4mins

Target achieved but pity i was sick because i think i could have come 1st Maltese. After the race i went home in bed with 101 temperature. Now i know that to finish 1st maltese can be achieved and i know i can go faster than 1.15. Now will have a period of recovery and focus on other important stuff as in three weeks time i am getting married. The last month was a bit stressful as i had to train for the race, prepare the wedding and arrange the new house so maybe got sick due to the accumulation of stress. After the honeymoon will be back training harder than ever to achieve my targets set for the rest of the year

I would like to thank my Coach, 10 times Malta Triathlon Champion Dermot Galea for his training, nutritionist Johanna Calleja, my parents, my club Birkirkara St Joseph, my sponsors Garmin Malta, Starbene Shop of Mosta and BBB for their constant support. I would like to say a big thank you to my wife to be so so so soon Elizabeth Galea for here believe in my abilties and here help especially in the last month which was very stressful for both of us. Without you i would not have achieved my target even if i was not in the best possible shape. Thanks qalbi xxx

Yours in Sport

Keith

Close to Top Form

Hi Everyone Training is now at the final stages before the half marathon. January was a bit tough regarding training. I kept on training three times a day with a specific focus on running but still keeping my fitness in swimming and cycling. On the 27th January I took part in the 4th race of the MAAA Road running League. It was a 10km at Taqali. I was really looking forward for this race as it was close to my home town, and it was my debut in an official race as a Garmin sponsored athlete. The representative of Garmin Malta was at the race venue so I was aiming for a strong performance.

                                                       

 As usual I went in the leading pack trying to stay among the top runners as much as I could do. After 2km I was part of a group of four fighting for third place. The pace was really fast for the first stages of the race. In fact I did the first 5km in 16.17 which is my personal best on a 5km by 8seconds. We started too fast and was worried that the second half of the race was going to be difficult for me. In fact I lost contact from the group as they increased the pace. I settled in my own pace and trying to keep a good technique and keeping the runners in front of me in sight The last 2km were very difficult as they were all false flat and it was headwind till the end. I knew I was close for a personal best so I kept digging in till the end. I really gave everything I’ve got and it was worth it as I managed a new personal best time of 33.48, an improvement by a mere 1 second. I was really happy also with my position, 6th overall and 4th Maltese. I am getting closer and closer to the best Maltese runners.

                       

After this race I had two hard weeks of training with the classic Attard 10km Road Race at the end. I was not expecting much from it as I was a bit tired with training but I really like this race so I want to perform well as much as I could. As the race started I went immediately in the leading pack. The pace was rather slow at the beginning, everyone was looking at each other waiting who is going in front and set the pace. I went in front but I just kept a steady pace. Did not want to kill myself and since we started slow I did not bother for another personal best and I preferred to play my cards well in case there was the possibility to win the race. The leading pack was composed of 5 runners. After 4km we ended up only 3 fighting for the race. After 5km the Polish professional triathlete went in front and started running like mad. The pace increased drastically and I really pushed to stay with the group until at 2km to go I lost contact. The Polish guy kept on running well. The guy in second place lost also contact. I kept on pushing trying to catch up the lost ground and grabbing second place. Covering the last kilometre in 2.59 was not enough to finish the race in 3rd place and 2nd Maltese just 12 seconds away from the win and in an unexpected personal best time of 33.42.

                                             

I am very pleased with my performances in both race, 2 personal best in 2 weeks. This was a good showing as a new Garmin sponsored athlete. Now all is set for the half marathon in 2 weeks’ time. These last two weeks will be just taper training and hopefully will get the result I’ve been working for

That’s all for know Yours in Sports. Keith