Strathpeffer athlete Hamish Hickey aims to keep his training on track
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SCOTTISH international Hamish Hickey is determined not to let the luxury of being able to train as normal, which other sports have had to sacrifice due to the pandemic, go to waste.
The Strathpeffer runner says he is fortunate he can still carry out his training as he usually would compared to athletes in other sports.
He managed to return home before lockdown from studying at Stirling University and continue his training program while adhering to social distancing.
Hickey (19), who started his running career at Ross County Athletics Club, but now trains with Central Athletic Club, is determined to stay in the best condition possible, for when athletics is allowed to return to action.
“I am quite lucky, I don’t need special equipment, I just need to go out and run,” he said.
“For team sports it is awful because you might need equipment.
“But I just need a pair of shoes so that I can get out and go running.
“The only change for me is it’s a different location and I am doing everything by myself.”
After returning from an IT band injury, Hickey was having an impressive season in cross country and was preparing for track competition.
In December, he won gold at the East Cross Country Championships in Dundee and came fourth in the Scottish Inter District Championships at under-23 level in January.
Hickey remains hopeful he can compete on the track at some point this summer and go on to compete for Great Britain at cross country.
“The biggest aim of this year now is to get a GB Cross Country vest later this year.
“If I can get on to the track in the summer and if I can get under 14:20 for the 5k that would be the big aims.”
He added: “Other than that would be to get personal bests and challenge at the Scottish senior track championships.”
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