High life for Nick

May 10 2007 By Bill Mcguirk, The Evening Chronicle

Nick McCormick is hoping that a three-week training stint in the Pyrenees will end on a high as he chases a place in this summer's World Champion-ships in Osaka.

McCormick left the UK for his altitude base excited after two superb performances on the roads, which saw him produce the fastest time in the National 12-Stage Relays at Sutton Coldfield - only four athletes have run faster in the 37 years of the event, including Gateshead duo Barry Smith and Brendan Foster.

He also finish fifth behind Australia's World bronze medallist, Craig Mottram, in a 9,000-metre race in Lucerne, Switzerland.

"It's a perfect boost before going off to France," said the 25-year-old Morpeth Harrier.

"The relay leg at Sutton Park was particularly pleasing because I felt much more relaxed than in the Northern Relay.

"It was good to run so fast and get into the all-time lists, along with the likes of Brendan, Barry Smith and Rob Denmark, and it showed that I'm in pretty good shape before starting my track campaign.

"I managed to consolidate that form with a good run over a longer distance in Switzerland so, with a spell at altitude behind me, I should come back in better nick than ever."

McCormick (left) had an indifferent winter when he failed to retain his Edinburgh Cross-Country title and also missed out on a place in the European Cross-Country Championships and European Indoor Championships..

However, he bounced back in great style with his performance in Sutton Park, which should give him huge confidence as he embarks on his track campaign.

While 2005 was the year he sensationally broke on to the World stage, he realises he has to show consistency if he wants to realise his dream of making it in a major championship.

"As a top international athlete I've still got an awful lot to learn," confessed McCormick. "That's why Lindsay (Dunn, his coach) has mapped out something different this year.

"Last year was extremely tough, what with the Commonwealth Games being in March in Melbourne, and then the European Championships in Gothenburg in August.

"Thankfully, there is only one championship to prepare for this year.

"After returning from altitude I'll ease back before seeking some top-class BMC races over 800 metres.

"These will lead into the Bislett Mile in Oslo, which was were I ran 3min 52sec two years ago.

"I don't plan to run any 5,000 metres on the track in the foreseeable future, but I would like to target a place in the European Cup this year either over 1,500m or 3,000m.

"The hope is to get into as many high-standard races as possible and run them consistently well and get as much experience as possible prior to the Trials for the World Championships.

"I've been given the ideal opportunity so now it's up to me to make the next step up in standard.

"I'm no different to any athlete. My aim is to do better and it's crucial that I do.

"I realise you can't run brilliantly every time, but if you believe in yourself then that shouldn't interfere in focussing on your dreams - and that's what I'm doing, starting in France this week!"