After winning m 5th National Title and the Sicily
Triathlon Championships in San Vito lo Capo my focus went on the Malta
International Challenge Marathon. This was my first attempt to do this 3 day
challenge so I really planned everything to the detail as much as possible especially
in those 3 days were my main concern was the recovery and the diet. 2 weeks
before the race I did the Zurrieq 10km were I finished in a good 3rd
place in a time of 34.10 just 10seconds away from the winner. This result was
very encouraging as my running speed was on target
In Stage 1 we covered a distance of 11.195km were I placed 3rd
overall in a time of 39.30, a personal best on the route. The course was very
hilly so I was pleased with my time. In the 2nd Stage, the race was
held in B’Bugia. I covered the 6km in a time of 20.28 again finishing in 3rd
place. I was spot on target as I was 3rd overall and I was going for
a time of 2hrs 35mins in all
On Sunday, we had the last stage. 25km from St Paul’s Bay
till Valletta. I had to admit that I was a bit excited before the race. I was 3rd
overall but I only had 45 seconds advantage from the 4th placed
runner and he was a pure marathon runner. I am a triathlete and I was going to
do my longest ever running race with 2 races already in my legs. But I was
determined to finish in third place no matter what
It was a race were I had to handle a lot of stress and
pressure. The French man stayed behind for all the race and attacked me in the
down hills. I always kept my pace and managed respond to his attacks by keeping
my own pace. But at 4km to go we had the Police Depot hill of Floriana and it
was the right time to attack. My legs were tired but I did not want to finish
in a sprint finish. I had to risk so I closed my eyes, and I attacked. I
managed to open a good gap. The French guy did not respond and I continued
pushing till the finishing line. I used all the energy left on my body.
Crossing the finishing line on Valletta in 3rd place among Malta ‘s
top runners and very good intentional runners Is a great result and a great
emotion. I finished 3rd overall covering the 25km in 1hr 34mins 46
seconds for a total time of 2hrs 34mins 35seconds.
When crossing the finishing line my body really collapsed
and had to go to the ambulance. I was totally knackered. All the efforts,
pressure and the stress of the whole season took its toll but I did not care. I
was happy with my result and now I can rest as the challenge was the last race
for 2015. After the challenge I took a week off with very light training and I
resumed my normal training schedule the week after.
In fact my preparations for the 2016 seasons started really
well as I am l ready posting very fast times during my training. Also I took
part in the 10km Fleur de Lys organised by my club Birkirkara St Joseph and I
finished in 2nd place in a good time of 33.57 which is a personal
best on the course and less than 30seconds away from my personal best. I am really
looking forward for next season. My target is that not only I continue were I
LEFT IN 2015 but I want to be faster, stronger and quicker. It is not easy but
not impossible and I am going to train really hard to achieve my targets
I would like to thank my coach Dermot Galea, my swimming
coach Catalin Stan, my parents and my wife’s parents, my nutritionist Johanna
Galea, my masseur Owen Attard, my sponsors Garmin Malta, BBB Cycling Malta,
Jaycee Malta, Malta Challenge Marathon, Mochika Outdoor Liwe, Lucida Laundry,
DGtri.com, and Starbene 24/7, my Club Birkirkara St Joseph, the Malta Triathlon
Federation, the Maltese Olympic Committee and sportmalta for the constant
support .Also a big thanks goes to my No 1 Supperter, my wife Elizabeth for her
support and great great patience
I would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a
prosperous New Year 2016. Thanks a lot for following my blog. Keep you updated
That’s all for know
Yours in Sports
Keith
