Having remained undefeated against all local competition on the road, track and in cross country for over a year, Jennifer Fisher might be considered by some as a hot favourite heading into this year's May 24 Marathon Derby.

But the slim mother of two won't hear such talk.

In fact Fisher, although registered to race, wasn't even sure this week whether she would answer the gun next Wednesday, indicating that a final decision wouldn't be made until perhaps a day prior to the event.

"I don't know exactly what I'm doing. I haven't been training much and it's hard to be positive,'' said Fisher, who kept her winning streak alive with another victory in last Sunday's Maple Leaf 10K.

"My last long run was in February and I haven't done any races longer than eight miles.

"I've never run the distance before and can't put any time or anything on it.

It's not like a 10K where I could place a time. It's double the distance and very hard for me to judge.'' But despite her own pessimism, many of Fisher's rivals will consider her as the runner to beat.

Groomed on the track as mainly an 800 and 1500 metres athlete, Fisher has shown great versatility in alternating between the tartan surface and the road.

Her desire to continually improve and break new barriers was no more evident than during the Pan American Games in Argentina in March, when at the age of 35 she set two Bermuda records in clocking two minutes, 5.62 seconds in the 800 metres final and 4:29.77 in the 1,500.

And since her return Julia Hawley and Maria Conroy Haydon -- both seen as rivals next week -- have been victims of the Fisher juggernaut.

Conroy Haydon was forced to settle for second in the Pure Water 10K nearly three weeks ago, while Hawley was runner-up in the Maple Leaf 10K.

Yet Fisher remains cautious about next week's challenge, adding that all previous accomplishments mean little over the longer distance (13.3 miles).

"Everyone's expecting me to do well and it's true that I have won every race I've entered, but those are all my distance,'' explained Fisher, taking a break from the rigours of operating the family business.

"I do track, cross country and road running, but I don't have any high expectations simply because I've never run the distance.

"I can't do everything. Yes, I can be an all round athlete, but that doesn't mean I'm going to be an all round winner.'' So what would be her aim if she does answer the starter's gun come Wednesday morning? "I want to be comfortable at the end and not have to struggle to hold on because that's dangerous to anybody.'' Her main concern is whether she will have the endurance to cover the 13.3 miles at a good pace.

"I know I have the ability to run it -- anybody could just jog the distance -- but whether I finish in the top three or whatever I can't say.'' Jennifer Fisher