2nd in my category in the Garmin Cernobbio Triathlon

Hi Everyone

During the past month I was training hard for the Garmon TriO Cernobbio Triathlon. Before the race I took part in several races as part of my training schedule. I came 2^nd in the 2^nd race of the BSJ 5km series setting a new personal best time of 16mins 17sec. I also took part in the 4th and 5^th race of the Birkirkara St Joseph Swimming Series, coming 3^rd in 29.48 and 4^th in a personal best time on 2km in 28.15

On Sunday 4^th August I was on the starting line for the Garmin TriO Cernobbio Triathlon, Province of Como. I managed to produce a very good performance. The race was part of the Italian ranking, so the best Italian triathletes were expected to be on the starting line. The prevailing weather were not ideal as the race started at 1pm in temperature hovering around 40 degrees Temperature

Swimming strongly against the water currents of Lake Como, I managed to cover the 1.5km swim in 23minutes 22 seconds. The 40km bike course was very hilly and we had to cycle from Cernobbio through the village of Mennaggio and back twice. I covered the 40km in 1 hour 2 minutes. At the point when I  started the run, the weather was hot. I started the hilly 10km at a good pace but the heat was taking its toll on my pace. He covered the 10km in 40minutes 20 sec to finish the race in 2 hours 8mins and a respectable 22^nd place from 800 participants including Italian professional Triathletes, and 2^nd in my Category

I am very happy with my performance. I wanted to test myself with the Italian guys. Unfortunately since I was a foreigner, I was in the non- Italian wave and happened to be the strongest. In fact I came 1st in my wave. However I spent too much time alone on the bike while the Italians were drafting and this was a major drawback. The heat in the run was very taxing and I could not run at my usual pace. I would like to thanks my sponsor Garmin Malta for assisting me during this trip

Back in Malta, I took part in the last race of the Birkirkara St Joseph Open water Swimming Championships. Thanks to my good performance in the 4km swim, the Saint finished 3^rd overall in the General Classification. I would like to thank the KMS for the 20/20 Elite Scheme, my sponsors  Garmin Malta, Starbene Shop of Mosta and BBB Bike Parts, my coach Dermot Galea and also my wife Elizabeth Galea for accompanying and supporting my during this trip.

My Next race is the 3^rd and final race of the Birkirkara St Joseph 5km Running Series on the 20^th August and 5 days after will compete in the 3^rd race of the Birkirkara St Joseph Triathlon Series. However All is targeted for the race on the 15^th September were I will be representing Malta in the World Triathlon Championships in London, Hyde Park

Thats all for now

Keep tuned

Keith