Despite his road-running success in the Marathon Derby, Terrance Armstrong still harbours the highest of track ambitions - to compete in the Olympics.

Fresh from his blazing success in the May 24th showpiece, the USA-based athlete informed Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) president Judy Simmons yesterday that he “most definitely” wanted to compete internationally again for his homeland.

“I have not been in contact with them (BTFA) too often. Since I was here I figured I would touch base and let them know my thoughts and plans towards running and let them know I'm still very interested in running certain things and to keep me in the loop,” he told The Royal Gazette the day after his first Marathon Derby conquest.

While he could wear national colours as early as the next CAC Cross Country Championships (postponed from earlier this year), the 32-year-old - who has raced at the Commonwealth and Pan-Am Games already - is eager to ascend to the Olympics.

However, it's a goal that won't likely see fruition until four years from now nor would it be in the events for which he has previously been known.

“I see myself moving more towards road-racing but I'm not going to get away from the track,” he said.

“I really enjoy track but I don't have the kind of speed or the people to train with to get sub-four (minute) miles that I was able to run in the past. I think my strength can carry me through at least a 5K (5,000 metres) on the track.”

While it would be tough to attempt qualifying for Athens at this late stage, Armstrong said making the Island's team in 2008 is “definitely a goal that can be accomplished”.

“I'm going to shoot towards that and see where my goals as far as running are by then. They may have shifted a bit but, if all goes well I can maybe shoot for the 10,000 (metres) or 5,000 (metres).

“I just have to take each year for what it's worth and see where I am in my running career.”

The Bermudian already has good signs regarding his Olympic aspirations, given his performance in the 5,000m at last month's Penn Relays.

“I ran 14 minutes, 39.44 seconds in a tune-up for the Marathon Derby and I was just outside of the Bermuda record by a second so it shows I can still run those distances off my training for a half-marathon,” noted the competitor who placed 12th out of 44 runners at the Penn Relays.

“That time was also about a minute off the Olympic qualifying mark.”

Armstrong, who won a titillating battle against Kavin Smith and Jay Donawa in the final half mile of Monday's race, does not rule out moving up to the marathon for the Olympics, depending on his focus at that point. In fact, apart from coming home for the May 24th spectacle, his other major mission for this year is to tackle his first competitive marathon this fall.

He returns to his New Jersey home today to chart his course towards that, building up an intense 24-week training programme. He will compete in a few 5Ks and 10Ks throughout summer to judge his progress.

“For something as serious as my first marathon I just want to take my time and finish it. I have no particular goal for it.

“I've run two hours, 37 minutes at marathon distance in practice for one of my long interval trainings before so I'm definitely capable of running it,” he said, adding that his aim is to complete the 26.2 miles in two-and-a-half hours.

As for juggling track and road-racing commitments, it's no sweat for Bermuda's new champion. In some ways, the mixture helps.

“It's not too difficult. Actually, for the road, I do a lot of my training on the track. A lot of people think I'm crazy.

“I do a lot of my mile and two-mile repeats on the track. It gives me a better sense of pace judgement and I'm at home when I train on the track,” he explained.

Reflecting on his Marathon Derby success, Armstrong said it spoke volumes about the rewards one can reap with the right training and dedication.

As for how things worked out, he acknowledged the race allowed for a near-perfect execution of his plan.

“My strategy was to focus on running comfortably for the first couple miles and then slowly roll into a faster pace once the hills got out of the way.”

He was able to do that, albeit making some adjustment for the fact that he was accompanied by Smith and Donawa well into the final stretch.

“I felt great but I just didn't want to take any chances and put myself in a cat-and-mouse situation where I was the one being chased. So I waited it out until close to the finish and pressed on.

“I really didn't have to press as hard as I anticipated,” said Armstrong who felt and looked comfortable and strong as he crossed the finish line.