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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