What an Experiance

Hi Everyone

On Sunday 15^th September, I participated in the most important race of the World Triathlon Calendar, The Pruhealh World Triathlon Grand Final held in London, Hyde Park. I have been training hard for this race for the past months because the level was very high especially in my age group. I had to compete against the top triathletes of Great Britain, Australia, and USA.

We were very lucky that we had very good weather for the race on Sunday morning. All the other races had been done in very bad weather conditions. The lake was 15 degrees and the race organisation opted to shorten the swim from 1500 to 750m. I was very excited before the race. It was a new experience for me racing against athletes from other continents. Thanks to my wife I managed to calm down and focus on the task ahead.

I had a very good swim. I tried to stay with the main group. At one point I could not see the buoy as the sun was directly in front of us. I just followed the others in front and hoping that they were going in the right direction. I completed the swim in 10.39 (My Garmin showed that the correct swim distance was 950m – that was a Personal best). We had to run for T1 for 600m. My legs were frozen and I could not run comfortable and it took me a while to put in my cycling shoes on as well. T1 took me around 3mins. It was one of the longest transitions ever

The bike course was wonderful. We had 2 loops and we cycled through Buckingham Palace, parliament, Trafalgar square and also the Maltese embassy. The course was fast but we had to tackle a lot of turns and that affected the average speed. The course was more of a tourist sightseeing. I covered the 40km in 1.01 in an average speed of 39km/hr. On Friday I went to cycle around London to test the bike course. It was hell as I had to stop for every traffic lights and the amount of traffic. However it was worth it as I knew how to tackle the course on race day

T2 was as long as T1. Another 3 minutes added on the overall time. Legs were still frozen and it was not easy to put on my running shoes. Then I went to tackle the run. It was a 3 lap course around the serpentine. I was really running well and felt really strong. The course was fast so really pushed for a good time. I covered the 10km in 35.10 to finish the race in 1hr 54mins. I am really pleased with my performance. I did my best. I finished 37^th in my age group and 130 overall from over 5000 participants. The trip finished on a very high note as on Monday before leaving, I met the greatest triathlete on all time. The 3 times World Champion Javier Gomez. I feel very lucky that I met him. We talked a bit and gave me his signature and we had a picture together as well

I would like to thank first the Malta Triathlon Federation for the great support they gave to the team during the trip, my sponsors GARMIN MALTA, STARBENE SHOP of Mosta, BBB Bike parts Malta and Jaycee Malta, My club Birkirkara St Joseph, my parents, my wife’s parents, my coach Dermot Galea and my swimming coach Catalin Stan. Thanks again for helping in achieving such a good result.

A big thank you goes to my No 1 supporter, my wife Elizabeth. Elizabeth was fundamental especially before the race. I was getting over excited and she managed to calm me. Thanks my love xxxxx

That’s all for now

Yours in Sports

Keith

COURSE RECORD

Hi Everyone

Finally I broke the course record in the 3rd race of the Birkirkara St Joseph Triathlon Series held on the 25^th August. The previous record was of my brother coach Dermot Galea set in 2006 of 59minutes 9 seconds. The weather was perfect and I noticed that with my current form it was possible to beat the record and make history. I started the race fast and tried to keep with the swimmers which forms part of the relay teams. I covered the 750m swim in 11minutes 4 seconds in first place. I was focused to do a good transition as every seconds count. I attacked immediately the bike. I set into a very fast pace and I was going for a really good time. In the middle of the bike I was feeling legs a bit tired as I think I pushed a lot in the first couple of kilometres.

I had to encounter a problem with an arriva bendy bus as it really slowed me down yet again. I kept calm and I still kept on pushing and eased the pace a bit in the last few kilometres to save some energy for the run. I covered the 20km in 29minutes 17seconds setting an average speed of 40.5km/hr. I started the run at a fast pace. I kept on pushing and pushing till I could not push no more. The last few metres were a very tough as I wanted to push more but I was really at my limit. I gave everything I had in my body to win the race in a COURSE RECORD TIME of 59minutes 1 second.

I covered the 5km in 17minutes 41seconds and also managed to consolidate my lead in the general classification as I won the race by 2minutes 30seconds margin. I really trained hard to get this record. I am a bit disappointed because I could have been the first triathlete to go under the 59minutes barrier but still am happy to have broken the record of my brother Dermot, who in my opinion is the best ever Maltese triathlete.

Before this race I took part in the last race of the Birkirkara St Joseph 5km running series. It was the final duel against my club teammate Steve Chetcuti. I started the race with a disadvantage of 4 seconds in the general classification. I attacked from the first kilometre but Steve produced a wonderful performance to cover all my attacks and beat me in a sprint finish. I covered the 5km in 16.22. 4 seconds behind Steve. Steve did a great comeback after last year he was badly injured. Am glad he is back in top form. Well done mate you deserve this win!!

I am very happy that finally I broke the record and now my target is to go under 59minutes. I did my best to win the 5km series but these races were part of my training schedule and I was not in the best shape on the start and to finish second is a bonus. I would like to thank my brother coach Dermot Galea, my swimming coach Catalin Stan, my parents and my wife’s parents for their support. My club Birkirkara St Joseph and my sponsors GARMIN MALTA, STARBENE SHOP of Mosta which provides me with supplement and the NOENE SOLES and BBB Bike parts.

I would like to say a big big thank you to my wife Elizabeth. Here support is so much important to me. She gives me most of the strength I have in order to prudence such a good performance. Thanks my love. Now my next racing commitments are the WORLD TRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS in London on the 15^th September.

That’s all for now

Yours in sports, Keith