Winner of the Birkirkara St Joseph 5km Series for the 2nd year in a row

Hi Everyone

Recently I won the Birkirkara St Joseph 5km Running Series for the 2nd year in a row. I am pleased that I manged to retain my title i won last year even though i am not on a good form at the moment. This is the first time that the series was won by the same athlete for the 2nd year in a row. An achievement that i am very pleased with especially when one considers that i am not a pure runner.

The series consisted of 3 5km races and were all held in the mtarfa by-pass. Consistency was the main factor that helped me to win the series as my times were very close to each other. In the first race I came 2nd in a time of 16.38. In the 2nd race I came 5th in 16.50 and in the third and final race I came 5th again in 16.46 but managed to open a good gap on my closest rivals and secure the title I won in 2015

I am very pleased that i won the series as I was not expecting it being that i am not in a good shape at the moment due to several factors. Although I am pleased with this win, looking at my times I still have a lot of work to do as I want to be much faster than that. However i am confident that I can improve my times by a big margin in the future with the right training and taking care of every detail.

I would like to tank my coach Ivan Rozhnov, my brother Dermot, my parents and my wife’s family, my masseur Owen Attard,  my sponsors Garmin Malta BBB Cycling Malta, Jaycee Malta, Mochika Outdoor Life, Lucida Laundry, Starbene 24/7, Team Barry Malta International Challenge Marathon, his Club Birkirakara St Joseph, the Malta Triathlon Federation, the Maltese Olympic Committee and Sportmalta for the constant support.

Most of all a big thanks goes to my wife Elizabeth who is the most important person of my life as her support is fundamental for me. Her help and believe in my abilities even during the tough moments helps me to keep going and believe in my talent in order to achieve my targets

That's all for know

Yours in sports

Keith

COURSE RECORD

Hi Everyone

Last month i took part in the 2nd race of the Birkirkara St Joseph Triathlon Series. I was looking for a good time as last race i was slowed down by a crash on the bike but luckily i managed to continue the race. The weather was good so i could go for the course record again.

I had a pretty good swim coming out of the water in 10.07. After a good transition i started the bike at a steady strong pace trying to increase the speed later on during the race. I was feeling good. I was keeping a good average speed so i focused in maintaining the pace and save legs for the run in order to have more strength till the end of the race.

I entered in T2 in first place covering the 20km in 30mins at average speed of 40km/hr which was the best bike split of the day. I am very pleased with my bike. I knew that i could have gone faster but i had another 5km running left.

I started the run at a good pace. At that moment it was very hot but tried to focus on the pace as I was on target for a very good time. I covered the 5km in 18.17 to win the race in a course record time of 1.00.31, so close to go under the hour.

I am pleased with my performance as I did a very good time and since I am not still in my top shape I know i can go under the hour next time. Now I will revise my performance and see where I can lower my time. There is still some time left for the next race so with good training my form will improve and can go for a faster time

I would like to say a big well done to my athletes Joseph Debono Bernard Sant and Charlene Bonello for positing new personal best times. Also well done to my atheltes Luke Camilleri Cuschieri and Pierre Borg who were part on the winning Relay team together with Mellieha AC runner Shaun Pullicino. Well done also to all participants and to my club Birkirkara St Joseph for the great organisation.

I would like to thank my coaches  Dermot Galea, Catalin Stan and Ivan Rozhnov, my parents and my wife’s family, my masseur Owen Attard, my sponsors Garmin Malta BBB Cycling Malta, Jaycee Malta, Mochika Outdoor Life, Lucida Laundry, dgtri.com, Starbene 24/7, Team Barry Malta International Challenge Marathon, my Club Birkirakara St Joseph, the Malta Triathlon Federation, the Maltese Olympic Committee and Sportmalta for the constant support.Special Thanks also goes to my wife Elizabeth for her great support and patience with me

That's all for now

Yours in Sports

Keith

(Photo courtesy: Ryan Bonello)