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

Pierre Borg wins Mosta Sprint Elite Race

Agones Sfc Rider Pierre Borg won the Santa Marija Sprint Elite Race, organised by the Mosta AF Sign Studio as part of the celebration for the St. Mary Feast.  Coached by Malta Triathlon Champion Keith Galea, the Agones Rider launched his final sprint at 400m to go.  Mosta Riders Steve Sciberras and Paul Magri immediately responded to Borg's Sprint but they could not match his incredible sprinting Power and went on to win his first race of the season with Sciberras and Magri coming in second and Third respectively. Borg's win is also the first win for Agones Sfc in a Cycling Elite Race.

Pierre Borg had a very good season. He came 3rd overall in the 3rd race of the National Cycling championships held in Zurrieq, 2nd in the Criterium Race held in Siggiewi and was part of the winning relay team of the 2nd race of the Birkirkara St Joseph Triathlon Series where he performed the 20km bike segment registering the 3rd best bike split of the day.

2nd in my category in the Garmin Cernobbio Triathlon

Hi Everyone

During the past month I was training hard for the Garmon TriO Cernobbio Triathlon. Before the race I took part in several races as part of my training schedule. I came 2^nd in the 2^nd race of the BSJ 5km series setting a new personal best time of 16mins 17sec. I also took part in the 4th and 5^th race of the Birkirkara St Joseph Swimming Series, coming 3^rd in 29.48 and 4^th in a personal best time on 2km in 28.15

On Sunday 4^th August I was on the starting line for the Garmin TriO Cernobbio Triathlon, Province of Como. I managed to produce a very good performance. The race was part of the Italian ranking, so the best Italian triathletes were expected to be on the starting line. The prevailing weather were not ideal as the race started at 1pm in temperature hovering around 40 degrees Temperature

Swimming strongly against the water currents of Lake Como, I managed to cover the 1.5km swim in 23minutes 22 seconds. The 40km bike course was very hilly and we had to cycle from Cernobbio through the village of Mennaggio and back twice. I covered the 40km in 1 hour 2 minutes. At the point when I  started the run, the weather was hot. I started the hilly 10km at a good pace but the heat was taking its toll on my pace. He covered the 10km in 40minutes 20 sec to finish the race in 2 hours 8mins and a respectable 22^nd place from 800 participants including Italian professional Triathletes, and 2^nd in my Category

I am very happy with my performance. I wanted to test myself with the Italian guys. Unfortunately since I was a foreigner, I was in the non- Italian wave and happened to be the strongest. In fact I came 1st in my wave. However I spent too much time alone on the bike while the Italians were drafting and this was a major drawback. The heat in the run was very taxing and I could not run at my usual pace. I would like to thanks my sponsor Garmin Malta for assisting me during this trip

Back in Malta, I took part in the last race of the Birkirkara St Joseph Open water Swimming Championships. Thanks to my good performance in the 4km swim, the Saint finished 3^rd overall in the General Classification. I would like to thank the KMS for the 20/20 Elite Scheme, my sponsors  Garmin Malta, Starbene Shop of Mosta and BBB Bike Parts, my coach Dermot Galea and also my wife Elizabeth Galea for accompanying and supporting my during this trip.

My Next race is the 3^rd and final race of the Birkirkara St Joseph 5km Running Series on the 20^th August and 5 days after will compete in the 3^rd race of the Birkirkara St Joseph Triathlon Series. However All is targeted for the race on the 15^th September were I will be representing Malta in the World Triathlon Championships in London, Hyde Park

Thats all for now

Keep tuned

Keith

Another victory in BSJ Triathlon Series

Hi Everyone

On the 14^th July I participated in the second race of the Birkirkara St. Joseph Triathlon Series. At the moment my training is focused on the race that I will be doing in Italy on the 4^th august so I wasn’t that sharp as I wished to be for this race but still wanted to well and win the race and extend my lead in the series’ overall classification.

I started the swim at a very strong pace. Went into the lead immediately and I managed to open a good gap on my closest rival covering the 750m in 11minutes which was the best swim split of the day As soon as I started the bike, I felt that my legs were still not in shape after the hard training I did during the week. It took me a bit of time to get into a good rhythm. My rivals were closing the gap behind and slipped to second place. However since I had someone in front to aim was beneficial as I got into a good pace

In the middle of the bike segment I ended up between two Arriva bendy buses. I lost a lot of time trying to overtake them and at one point the bus in front braked and was going to get smashed in between. It was a great risk. I kept calm and still kept on pushing. I came into transition area in first place. I wanted to do a fast transition as I was on time of a personal best. However I lost a lot of time trying to find my stuff. The athlete that had my bike near mine put his bag on my running shoes and I lost a lot of time. I covered the 20km in 29.41 which is a good time but I know I can do much better.

I started the run at a very fast pace. I wanted to do a personal best and wanted to gain back the time lost. There were a few runners of the relay teams in front of me so had a good target trying to catch them. Half way through, I fell and hit my knee badly. I still continued running as fast as I can but praying not to have any other mishap till the finishing line. I finished the race in first place in a time of 59.34, still a personal best time by 6 seconds. I managed to set the best running split of the day covering the 5km in 17.39

I am pleased with my performance but a bit disappointed as with such a good weather I could have gone much faster if I had strong legs and if I didnt had all those mishaps during the race. There are still two sprint races to go so I still have another chance to go faster. I would like to thank my coach Dermot Galea and my sponsors GARMIN MALTA, Starbene shop of Mosta and BBB for their constant support. I would like to say a big thank you to my wife Elizabeth for always coming to support me in every single race

That's all for now

Yours in Sport

Keith

First in opening race of Birkirkara St Joseph 5km Running Series

Hi Everyone

On the 25^th June I took part in the first 5km Race of the Birkirkara St Joseph Road Running Series. The race was part of my training programme. The race was my third session of the day so did not have the fresh legs I wished to have. The week before I managed to complete 27 hours of training and I was a bit tired. I wasn’t expecting much of the race however since I was on the start line of a race I will do my best as usual

As soon as the race started I stayed in the leading pack till the 2^nd Kilometre. After 2km I went in the lead and increased the pace to try and make selection. Legs were still good so I kept on pushing. Only Club team mate Steve Chetcuti managed to keep my pace until the last 200m where I opened a good sprint finish which gave the win in a Personal Best time of 16.17sec.

I also took part in the 2^nd and 3^rd Race of the Birkirkara st Joseph Swimming Series. Both races were of 2km held at Salina Bay. In the first race I had to start in the second wave as I missed the first race of the series due to international commitments in Turkey. It was going to be a 2km Time Trail as I was the fastest swimmer in the wave. I really had to push in order to do a fast time and to finish among the top swimmers. I managed in this attempt as I completed the 2km in 28.48, a new personal best time and finished third in the process.

In the third race, I was in the first wave. I tried to stay behind top Malta Swimmer Neil Agius but he was a class on his own. I ended up in a group of five swimmers. I stayed in front of the group setting up a fast pace. I tried to keep a high momentum to put a gap in between but did not manage. A sprint finish had to decide who will grab 2^nd Place. At 200m to go my opponents opened their sprint. I immediately responded and managed to grab 2^nd place in a new personal best time of 28.47. At the moment I am 3^rd overall in the general classification

I am very pleased with all my performances especially with the 5km as it’s the second win of the season. I am very pleased with my form and am looking forward for the forthcoming races. My next race is the 2^nd race of the birkirkara st Joseph triathlon series.

That’s all for now

Yours in Sport

Keith

Bronze Medal in the ETU European Triathlon Championships

Hi Everyone,

Recently I flew to turkey to participate in the European Triathlon Championships which took place in Alanya on the 14^th June. The level was very high but was still confident that I could achieve a great result. From the results obtained from recent races and tests, I knew that I am in a good shape and wanted to show that in this race as I peaked specifically for this event.

In the 1500m swim I stayed in leading pack. I covered the distance in 22minutes 40 seconds. I expected much better since my times in training are much faster. However I was only 1mins away from the leader so still was a positive result since usually I will be more that 2mins from the first swimmer. It strange that no one swam under 20mins which means that there is the possibility that the course was a bit long.

As soon as I started the bike I felt my legs strong and fresh. It was a positive sign. The only concern was the parts with cobblestones. 15km of the 40km was with cobblestones and that reduces a bit the pace. At first I was not feeling comfortable and couldn’t maintain the pace I wanted on this type of surface. I adapted my position a bit on the bike in order to be more stable than aerodynamic on the bike. The pace I was keeping was very fast and I knew I was going to do a good time. I covered the 40km in a personal best time of 57minutes 45 seconds. An impressive time.

With such a bike spilt, I knew I could break the 2 hour barrier If I ran well. The 10km was completely flat so the chances to run fast were high. I started the run fast but steady and increasing the pace each lap. My wife was there shouting and her support proved to be crucial as in the last lap I said to myself “It’s now or never”. I increased the pace and kept on pushing till the finish line. My Wife and MTF President were shouting as soon as I approached the finishing line.

I sprinted home in a new personal best time 1hr 57mins and winning the bronze Medal in the process.   I covered the 10km in 36minutes which is a fast running split. It was a great honour and very emotional moment when I received my medal on the podium with the Maltese flag around me.  Such a result gives me more motivation to keep on training harder and harder.

I would like to thank my sponsors GARMIN MALTA, STARBENE SHOP of Mosta and BBB for their constant support, my parents, the Malta triathlon Federation, my club Birkirkara St Joseph,  my brother coach Dermot for their support as well. A big thanks goes to my wife Elizabeth for here great support she gives me every single day.

That’s all for now

Yours in Sport - Keith