Ironman France - A hard day at the office

Ironman France is over now with all its ups and downs. It was another experience at Ironman racing. This was my fifth Ironman finish. The race started off with a 3.8km sea swim in the calm waters of Nice. They didn't remain calm for long as 3000 competitors had to aim for the same bouy. I had a reasonably good start but after a few hunderd metres I started to get smashed from the other swimmers. Eventually I managed to settle into a good rythm. We had one big lap of 2.1km and a small lap of 1.8km. I finished the swim in 59mins 22sec in 100th position and 17th in my age group.

After a relative quick transition, changing from swimming clothing to cycling clothing, I set off on the bike for the hard 180km bike course. The first transition took me 4mins 29sec which wasn't too bad considering I had to put a cycling top & arm covers and run a total of 800m to get to the bike rack. The bike course was much harder then I thought it would be. Fair enough I knew there were mountains but if you are not trained for them you cannot expect to come off the bike to run a marathon fresh. After 30km on the bike course we had the first difficulty of the day, a 1km climb at 10%. This actually helped me to wake up and get into a good rythm for the rest of the bike ride. I started having my nutrition as planned with gels every 30mins but I was getting way too thirsty since it was very hot. In between every aid station (20km) I was drinking two bottles of energy drink. After 50km we had the first mountain, 25km on non stop climbing, and this really killed my legs. I was being careful to keep my heart rate effort between 160 - 165 so that I dont blow up and looking back I am glad I was cautions. After that mountain it was always up and down, up and down. In the end I was glad to see the finish of the bike section. I covered the 180km bike ride in 5hrs 43mins at an average speed of 31.41km/hr.

After another quick transition, 3mins 40sec I set off for the 4 lap marathon course. For the first 2 laps I was doing quite well, and was predicting that I could finish comfortable under 10hrs 30mins. But once I started the 3rd lap my legs just blew up. I had some gastric problems as well and I was reduced to a walk / jog action. The last lap on the run was just a long walk. I was suffering from a heat stroke, and although the temperatures were up in the 30 degrees region I was feeling cold, not a good sign!!

I finally finished the event in 11hrs 05mins 20sec. I came 405th overall and 44th in my age group (25 - 29yrs). The result was certainly not what I was looking for but I also did it for a good cause, which is very important for me and helps me getting over the disappointment of this result, because whatever everyone tells me, it was a disappointing result. I'm not saying this because I am down, it takes much more to break me. What matters with finishing is that I raised funds for the Malta Hospice Movement in doing this race so that gave me the energy to overcome the bad moments during the run to push myself to finish, and I am glad I did.

I would like to talk all those supporting me all the way, my girlfriend Johanna for her constant support throughout the preparation and on race day, my parents, my great friends William and Pam who got me a Malta Flag to run through the finish with it, which was a fantastic experience, and all those who followed the race on internet. I would like also to thank my sponsors KIWAMI, DIADORA, Profile Design, Powercranks & Starbene Health Shop for their help.

A special thank-you goes to all those who supported my fundraising activity for the Malta Hospice Movement. This was my first personal venture to help other people in need and would like to dedicate it to my friend Dr. Michael Aquilina.

Currently the sum is around €1350.

Those wishing to give their last donation can do so through the following channels. By sending an SMS to: With Dermot Galea - Ironman

5061 7384 €2.33
5061 8100 €4.66
5061 9234 €11.65

By Bank Deposit:

HSBC Bank (Malta) Ltd: Account No. 011 089 901 051
Bank Of Valletta Account No. 102 106 450 12
APS Bank Account No. 111 983 100 19
Lombard Bank (Malta) Ltd Account No. 014 401 041 08
Banif Bank (Malta) plc Account No. 000 035 651 81

Thanks to all for your support

Dermot Galea’s Participation in Ironman France in aid of The Malta Hospice Movement

“You matter because you are you: And you matter to the last moment of your life”.
Dame Cecily Saunders

Living with cancer presents many challenges. At such a difficult time, The Malta Hospice Movement works tirelessly to provide care and support free of charge. Hospice aims to help patients maintain their independence and dignity, help them stay in the familiar surroundings of their own home for as long as possible if that is their wish and to enhance their quality of life.

One of the ways in which Hospice does this is through the loan of special ‘aids to living’ equipment, such as wheel chairs, special beds, hoists and lifters, commodes, easy chairs with back support, and many others. These items enhance the comfort of patients and facilitate the task of their carers. No charge is made for this and all other services. However, the equipment is very costly and the demand for it is high, with over 700 patients making use of Hospice services each year.

Through Dermot Galea’s participation in Ironman France on Sunday 27th June 2010, he is supporting the invaluable services of The Malta Hospice Movement. His aim is to raise enough funds for Hospice to buy more special beds, each costing €1,400. In his fourth Ironman, the nine time National Triathlon Champion will be swimming 3.8km, cycling 180km and running 42.2km in order to support Hospice patients and their families, while attempting to qualify for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.

You too can support The Malta Hospice Movement and help Dermot raise enough funds for these special beds:

By sending a cheque payable to The Malta Hospice Movement to 39, Good Shepherd Avenue, Balzan BZN 1623.

By sending an SMS to: With Dermot Galea - Ironman

5061 7384 €2.33
5061 8100 €4.66
5061 9234 €11.65

By Bank Deposit:

HSBC Bank (Malta) Ltd: Account No. 011 089 901 051
Bank Of Valletta Account No. 102 106 450 12
APS Bank Account No. 111 983 100 19
Lombard Bank (Malta) Ltd Account No. 014 401 041 08
Banif Bank (Malta) plc Account No. 000 035 651 81

IBAN: MT66 MMEB 4411 8000 0000 1108 9901 051

Please include the word Ironman when making your donation.

Thank you for your support!

Slowing Down....

With 6 weeks to go to Ironman France I had to put down the brakes with regards to training. My lung, the same lung that was effected by pneomonia started giving me trouble. Unfortunately due to this I had to miss the middle distance triathlon here in Malta. After a few days of rest I am feeling better and am trying to resume my training routine with caution. Hopefully all will be well and will manage to put in the last long sessions needed before taper.

Dermot

National Duathlon Championships - a day of mixed feelings

This morning we had the National Duathlon Championship of the Coast Road racing course. We had a very good turn out of 46 participants, a record in itself. For me it was a day of mixed feelings, on one side I had the race and on the other I was thinking about a friend we have lost last Friday - Micheal Aquilina. He was a teacher, lecturer, and friend to me. A person who will be very hard to replace. A person unique in his own way of doing things, and his dedication to sport is something rare is this country. I thought to myself that if I managed to win this race I would dedicate it to him

We started the 5km opening run at a very hard pace, too hard for me I thought after about 1km. The main contenders for the race were Keith (my brother), Mark Zammit, Brian Magri, George Vella and Fabio Spiteri, the latter unfortunately was injured on the day and had to miss the running section opting for the relay bike leg. I kept my own pace as I knew that in a duathlon its easy to cook yourself on the first run although on the other hand I couldn't afford to lose a lot of time.

At transition I was around a minute off the pace. I was confident that I could do a strong bike leg and that's what I went out for. I pushed the pace and caught Keith, Mark and Brian after a lap and a half. It wasn't easy at all but the legs were turning well. Keith was the only one to keep close but I managed to open a small gap on him before T2.

After the change over I was out running the last 3km but something was not quite right. Both my calves cramped just after going out of transition area. I had to stop briefly to stretch, but after that all was OK. I felt much better in the second run and also could push the pace.

Approaching the finish line I dedicated my win to Michael. Michael, was my PE teacher in Form 3 and after Br. Jimmy and Manuel was a big influence in my sports career, and later on was my lecturer and friend at university. Farewell Mike, will miss you and I hope to make good use of what I learned from you.

Tour of Malta

Last weekend I completed my 4th Tour of Malta. As usual it was a great experience. When you are training for triathlon its always interesting to compete in an individual sport to test yourself on that particular discipline with the athletes of that sport. This year the competition was quite tough. We had cyclists coming from Sicily, Italy, Spain, Uk and Holland. All very strong teams. I was the only cyclist representing my club B'kara St. Joseph, so as regards team work I was left on my own, although along the way I did find some help and put in my share of work as well.

The Tour started with a 33km Time trail. I was looking for a solid time. I finished the first day with 7th overall and a very good 3rd Maltese with only a 7sec gap from first place. My average was 41.6km/hr which for the windy conditions it was such a great performance and boost for me. If I recall well, this is the best average I have kept on this course, even when compared to the 2 year spell I did as a cyclist. Certainly with regards to cycling I am at a good stage in my preparation.

The second day of the tour was an 86km road race, 10 laps round the San Martin course. I was hoping to hold on to my 3rd Maltese placing but the opening laps were too hard for me. I am lacking a lot when it comes to change of pace and attacks. This of course is due to the fact that I don't include any of this sort of specific training in my programme, so I suffered a lot. I managed though to hold on the a group of around 8 cyclists, 5 of whom were Maltese. We shared the load together and finished around 9 mins off the pace from the leaders. At the end of the day I was lying in 4th position in the Maltese ranking.

The third and last day was a 65km road race in Gozo. I decided to travel on Friday night so that I have a good night sleep before the stage. My plan was to do a good warm up and do a good race to move up the ranking. Unfortunately once again the opening laps proved to be fatal. I couldn't get the hang of it. Once I was left on my own, I started pushing like mad and gaining positions. Seriously I never felt so strong on the bike and it was rather frustrating that once I was left at the back I was cycling much faster then the group in front of me, but the gap was so big that I could never close it. In the end I closed the stage in around 20th position and 7th Maltese.

In the general classification I finished 4th Maltese and 21st overall. I am very happy with my performance and am looking forward to a good performance this weekend at the Malta Duathlon Championships.

A special thank-you goes to my parents who helped me a lot in the first two days on the tour, my girl friend Johanna for her help in the third and last day, and her constant support and to our club secretary Euchar who did 3 days in the sun taking everyone's splits + shouting along everything i passed by!!

Dermot

Solid Start to 2010 racing season

This morning we had the Team Time Trial cycling race organised by Greens Cycling Club. Distance was 40km. Our team made up of Keith Galea (my brother), Daniel Gauci, Mark Vella and myself place a strong 4th place only 35sec away from the podium. I felt very good all the way and at least my form is coming back together after a couple of weeks being sick. Today I used my VALDORA PHX TIME TRIAL Bike with my new TT position.

My next race shall be the Malta Half Marathon next Sunday. This year I am racing in aid of the Malta Hospice Movemeny. Anyone who would like to sponsor my run for a good cause can do so through the following mediums:

PLEASE HELP THOSE IN NEED AND MAKE MY 21.1km WORTH MORE.

1. By sending a cheque payable to The Malta Hospice Movement to 39, Good Shepherd Avenue ,

Balzan BZN 1623 and attaching a note saying that it’s sponsorship for the marathon for

Dermot Galea.

2. By sending an SMS with Marathon – Dermot Galea to:

5061 7384 ........... €2.33
5061 8100 ............€4.66
5061 9234 .............€11.65

3. By Bank Deposit:

HSBC Bank ( Malta ) Ltd: ...........Account No. 011 089 901 051
Bank Of Valletta .......................... Account No. 102 106 450 12
APS Bank ..................................... Account No. 111 983 100 19
Lombard Bank ( Malta ) Ltd ......Account No. 014 401 041 08
Banif Bank ( Malta ) plc ............. Account No. 000 035 651 81


IBAN:
MT66 MMEB 4411 8000 0000 1108 9901 051

...and its a bronze award

Last Sunday at the MOC Awards Night I was awarded the Bronze Award for my performance during the 2009 season. It has been a long season with a some good races. I am very happy with this award after my silver award last year. Triathlon Malta did very well with 2 other bronze awards to Keith and Michelle Wood, and a gold award to Danica Spiteri. Certainly for Maltese triathlon it was a great year, not only for the results achieve but also to the increasing number of athletes turning up for the local races.

Since this award is awarded for performances achieved abroad I have say a special thank you to my friends Bill & Pam, and Venom Tri Club for their support to race in the UK.

Next Event: B'kara St. Joseph 5km road race. (Sunday 13th December)
B'kara St. Joseph Triathlon Section Meeting (Wednesday 16th December)

Dermot