NEWHAM and Essex Beagle marathon runner Lee Merrien insists he'll start one step ahead of the field at the European Championships, after sending an advance party to Barcelona.
Merrien, who only switched to the 26-mile event this year, has been rewarded for finishing 12th at April's London Marathon with a place in the GB squad bound for Spain.
The 31-year-old has left no stone unturned ahead of his European debut - even receiving a first-hand account of the course.
And Merrien, who has twice represented Guernsey at the Commonwealth Games, admits he's seized on every scrap of information to plot his route to the podium.
"I've never been to the actual circuit in Barcelona but I have had the information through and I have studied that and it has given me a good picture," said Merrien.
"I've also had a bit of help from a friend of mine (Geoff King) who was out in Barcelona working and offered to run the course for me.
"It is going to be a four-lap course so it is about seven miles per lap which meant he could run it without killing himself for me.
"First and foremost I want a medal and after that I will look at how I compare with people I have raced in the past and I'll be using all the information to get an edge."
Merrien represented Guernsey over 1500m at both the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games - reaching the semi-finals in Manchester eight years ago.
But the personal trainer revealed he was forced to go the extra miles in a bid to secure an Olympic Games spot in little over two years time.
"I decided to make the switch to the marathon because I wanted to run at 2012 and realistically this was my best chance," he added.
"It is all about giving me the best possible chance to compete at the London Olympics and I decided at the end of last year that the marathon was the best route.
"This year might not be my best year, but I felt I couldn't afford to leave it until 12 months before the Games to make the switch.
"The plan is going very well so far, my aim was to run a successful London marathon and then hopefully qualify for the Europeans and I have done both.
"Now I just want to make the most of the opportunity I have earned and work towards securing myself a place at the Olympics."
Lee Merrien has been selected for the Aviva GB & NI Team and is high-altitude training in Font Romeu, France. Aviva's support both at home and abroad is helping the team prepare to compete at their best. Get to know the Aviva GB & NI team at aviva.co.uk/athletics
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