Hi Everyone
I have been waiting for a whole year for this re-match at
the National Duathlon Championships. At last year’s Duathlon championship I did
not had a good race due to an injury in my hamstring. I was very disappointed but
this year I knew it was going to be a different story. After winning by a good
margin at the Mellieha AC’s Sprint Duathlon, I was very confident that I will
be in good shape for this year’s championships compared to last year. I had no
injuries. I was ready to fight till the end to win back the Duathlon Crown. I
waited for too long for this race. I really wanted this win
The National Duathlon Championships were held at Haz Zebbug
by pass for the second year running. The Race consisted of 8.5km run- 39km bike
and 4.25km run. I went immediately into the lead setting a very fast pace.
Spiteri tried to react but after 1km only he started to lose ground. Keeping in
mind that Spiteri has a strong bike, I kept on pushing to open a good gap
before starting the bike.
I covered the first running leg in 29.35, 20seconds in front
of Brain Magri and 30seconds from Spiteri. I was expecting a much more
comfortable lead so I knew that I had to give everything I had in the bike if I
wanted the title. In the bike segment Spiteri moved up to second place and
tried to reduce his gap. I was suffering a lot of cramps in my calves after
half of the bike. I was afraid. The demons of last year were coming to my mind
as last year I suffered a lot from cramps that I could nt cycle not even running.
At one point Spiteri was closing a bit the gap but in the last 2 laps I managed
to increase a bit the lead to come into T2 with a 45seconds lead.
I could not run fast as I wished in the second run because
all the cramps I had but I kept pushing and pushing till I could not push no
more. After 2km my legs were back to normal and I could push to my normal race
pace. However, by then it was game over for Spiteri as I went on to win my second
Duathlon Title of my career in a time of 1.45.40 which is a new course record
by 2mins. Fabio Spiteri came in a minute later.
I am really happy with this championship win and claim back
the title to the club where it belongs. The race was a tough one and a close
one, more so as duathlons are not my forte but I wanted to win the title at all
costs. I waited for a whole year for this championship and am delighted to have won
the title with a new course record. I want to dedicate this title win to the
most important person of my life, my wife Elizabeth because she is the only one
who knows what I had to endure after
last year’s result and its thanks to her that I am much stronger than ever
because her faith in me never wained.
I would like to thank my coach Dermot Galea for his constant
support and his advises and faith that I can be someone in the sport, my
swimming coach Catalin Stan for spending hours with me at the pool, my sponsors
Garmin Malta, BBB Bike Parts Malta, Malta Challenge Marathon, Jaycee Malta and
Starbene Shop of Mosta, my parents, my wife’s parents and my Club Birkirkara St
Joseph for their constant support. Thanks to all.
That’s all for know
Yours in Sports
Keith
