Hi Everyone
After the great experience I had in the Commonwealth Games
where I achieved my dream to represent my country among the best triathletes in
the world, heavy training was awaiting me. 2 races from the triathlon calendar
where moved to a later date and my coach, 10 times Malta Triathlon Champion
Dermot Galea took the opportunity to focus more on training and try to improve
my level of performance for the last important races of the season. The main
focus is to win for the fourth time the National Triathlon Championships
On the 17th September, I was on the starting line
of the first ever National Aquathlon Championships. The weather was hot and
humid, however I wanted to see if I have really improved as the times I was
doing recently during training were very encouraging. I started at a very fast
pace trying to put a good gap on my nearest rivals. Only club teammate David
Agius Lia managed to stay with me. We opened a good gap pushing ourselves to
cover the 2.5km in 8.09.
When I started the swim I immediately settled myself at a
fast pace to take the lead and starting building a good gap. I was swimming
really good and was feeling strong. The Sea was a bit rough so I had to focus
more on my underwater push in order to stay strong. In the first lap of the swim I could not see
the buoys due to the Sun and unfortunately I was going to the wrong direction
and covered more distance than I should have done. Thus I still managed to set
the fastest swim of the day in 16.15
When I Started the last 2.5km run, I had a comfortable
advantage. My coach told me to ease back a bit as 4 days after I had the third
race of the Birkirkara St Joseph Triathlon Series in order to save some energy.
I covered the 2nd 2.5km in 9.13 which was the fastest run of the day
as well to finish the race in 34.40, thus becoming the first ever National
Aquathlon Champion.
I am very happy with my performance as it seems that the hard
training is paying off, however I have three more races and I want to see
better performances than this as I know I am capable of doing better. I am very
happy and honoured to be crowned National Aquathlon Champion. I would like to
thanks my brother/coach Dermot Galea, my swimming coach Catalin Stan, my
sponsors, Garmin Malta, BBB Bike Parts Malta, Starbene Shop of Mosta, Jaycee
Malta and Malta Challenge Marathon for their support, my masseur Owen Attard,
my parents, my wife’s parents, the Maltese Olympic Committee, my club
Birkirkara St Joseph and the Malta Triathlon Federation
Most of all I would like to thanks my great and super wife
Elizabeth for not only supporting me during the races but also for her support
during my heavy training as well. With my wife by my side everything comes
easier. I would like to say a big well done to all participants and to all the
kids doing the mini-aquathlon, you all rocked. Also I would like to thank the
Malta Triathlon Federation for organising the first ever National Aquathlon
Championships. Well done and keep it up for such a professional organisation
That’s all for now
Keep you posted
Yours in Sports
Keith
