My Third National Title

Hi Everyone

On the 6^th October, I won my third national title in my career. It was a very difficult title to win. Although I was the favourite, for me it did not mean anything. A championship race is far different than any other local triathlon race. I was more excited than usual for this race as I was feeling that it was not going to be very easy to win. I was feeling the pressure that everyone was expecting me to win and others who did not want. I was afraid that what happened in the duathlon championships will happen again. However I think I handled the pressure well

Weather was not that good. As soon as the race started, it started to rain. I had a good swim covering the 1.5km in 22 minutes. During the swim I noticed that it was raining heavily and was a bit concerned about how am I going to push on the bike due to very slippery roads. I remembered when I raced in Sicily last year in far more difficult conditions than these on roads that I never raced on so I stayed calm

Out of water I was leading the race by 2 minutes on my nearest rivals. I started the bike steady and increased the pace in every lap. I was very careful in the turnarounds and in certain parts of the road, the rest I digged in. I was keeping an average speed of 39km/hr which is very good in those difficult conditions thus increasing my advantage to 2.30. However half way through the race I had a puncture. I cycled slowly for a whole lap till transition area. Here it was a crucial moment where I could win and lose the race.

I changed the wheel thanks to Jack Schiavone of ‘The Cyclist’ who gave me a wheel and continued the race. My advantage was reduced to 1.15. It took me time to push again comfortable on the bike as I lost the rhythm I had before. At the end of the bike I managed to increase a bit my advantage to 1.45 and started the run fast in order to win with a good margin. I was feeling comfortable and strong and so I pushed and pushed till I could not push no more and went on to win my third National Title in 2hrs 3 minutes. I covered the 10km in 36.43 which was the best run of the day and that to it I won the title by more than 3 minutes

As soon as I finished I shouted a lot. A shout that means VICTORY. I know some people don’t like it but they don’t know how many emotions I go through before this race and how much pain I had to go through to win it. It is very difficult to win a national title once but to win it again and again is much more difficult because you have more pressure to handle. My season was not over yet

A week after I took part in the Garmin 10km organised by Mellieha AC. I was not fully recovered for this race but since it was a race sponsored by my main sponsor I wanted to participate and do well. I started the race very fast trying to keep up with Malta’s leading long distance runner, Andrew Grech. I only kept with him for 2km as my legs could sustain his fast pace so I had to slow down and settle in a good pace. I was running well until at 3km to go I slowed down. I was feeling tired and they guys behind were fast approaching. Still I found some energy to push the last 1km to finish the race in a good 2^nd place in 34.51

I would like to thank the Malta Triathlon Federation, 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 throughout this season

A big thank you goes to my No 1 supporter, my wife Elizabeth. Elizabeth was fundamental for me during this season. It was a very difficult season. I had a lot of difficulties to face and things were not going the way I wanted. Everything seemed much more difficult however thanks to my wife I am still on top

Thanks my love xxxxx

That’s all for now

Yours in Sports

Keith

See you next year!!!!