Hi Everyone,
After winning my 4th
National title I had to extend my season for a month due to several running
races. Since next year will be focusing a bit on running races, I had to do
these races as they were part of the MAAA Road Running League. It was hard to
race all these races as the National Triathlon Championships took a lot from my
body. Normally after the championships I take a short break as it will be the
last race of the season and my body literally stops as I will be feeling all
the tiredness accumulated over the year
A week after the championship I
took part in the first race of the MAAA Road Running League. It was a 5km road
race at Siggiewi. The weather was very humid and I was feeling still tired. I did
a mistake from the beginning as I started too fast. I went out with the top
runners right from the start as I want to post a fast time. At one point I was
third but at 2km to go my legs could not keep the pace. I was passed by 2 other
runners. I tried to stay with them but I could not push more. In the end I
finish in a good 5th place and 4th Maltese with a time of
16.46
A week later I was on the starting
line of the Qawra 10km organised by Mellieha AC and Garmin Malta. This time I
tried to pace the race better. I was feeling better than last race but still my
legs were not 100%. I was battling for 2nd place for most of the
race until 3km to go my legs were again without energy. I fought with myself to
keep up with the other 2 runners but my legs simply could not push more. In the
end I finish in a good 4th place in 34.48
Shortly after this race I was on
the starting line of the University 5km Ring Road Race organised by the
University Sports Club with the proceeds going to Malta Hospice Movement. I
felt the need to support this race as my brother’s wife was part fo the
organisation team and it’s good to help others who are in need. I was not
looking for a great race as this race was 2 hours after the 10km. I went out
fast to settle the pace. I noticed that the others were suffering to keep up
with me so after 1km, I decided to attack and do my own race. Funnily enough I
felt really good and strong. I was increasing my advantage with every stride.
Although I was feeling the efforts of the 10km, I was still strong to push to
the limit as usual. I won the race in a course record time of 16.45 with my
brother coming 2nd in 17.23. After the race we both participated in
the University 5km Ring Road Race Relay as part of the DGtri A Team composed by
the athletes coached my brother. We won the race to make them 13 wins for me in
this season
A week later I was on the starting
line of the 2nd race of the MAAA Road Running League which was a 5km
at Maqluba. Before the race I was very sick as I had a very bad cough and my
body was in severe pain after the efforts of 3 races in one day. My coach and I
decided to have few days off and do very
light training in order to recover for the race. Luckily I was fully recovered
for the race. I went out leading the race with two other runners. We set up a
very fast pace. I did everything I could to stay with them. I managed to do so
and I was feeling so well that at 2km to go, I made my move and attacked but
did not managed to open a gap. At 1km to go the other 2 made their move. Their
change of speed was awesome. I tried to stay with them but they were too fast.
I finished the race in a great 3rd place in a personal best time of
16.13
I am very pleased with these
performances especially the last 5km runs were I posted very fast times. I was
surprised that I managed to do a personal best in the last race and I am happy
that I always placed in the top positions among the top Maltese runners. It was
a good ending to a great season and a great way to go on a deserved break where
now I can have some quality time with my wife.
I would like to thank first of all my wife Elizabeth for
coming to support me for all these races, my brother/coach Dermot Galea, my
swimming coach Catalin Stan, my parents and my wife’s parents for the support
they give me in every single race, my masseur Owen Attard, my sponsors Garmin
Malta, BBB Bike Parts Malta, Starbene Sports Nutrition, Malta Challenge
Marathon, Jaycee Malta, the Malta Triathlon Federation, my club Birkirkara St
Joseph, my Kunsill Malti ghall- isport and the Maltese Olympic Committee for
their constant support.
That’s all for now
Yours in Sports
Keith
