preparing for a journey he hopes will take him closer to his dream of competing at the Olympic Games.

Washington, DC, has been set as the first stop along the way for the talented runner where he will join fellow Bermudian Terrence Armstrong for extensive training with the Reebok Enclave track club.

The group includes several collegiate athletes originally from Georgetown University as well as others from other parts of the United States seeking to continue their careers beyond college athletics.

Perhaps the most well known of those linked with Reebok Enclave is Steve Holman, one of the United States' top milers.

Donawa leaves on April 9 and, if successful during the trial period -- one that will see him travelling to various meets -- he could earn a place on the team and have to cancel his May 12 return date.

"What I'm going to do is go up for that period of time and train with the group and from there try and negotiate for the future in terms of getting a permanent spot in the team,'' said Donawa, a graduate of Auburn University with a bachelors degree in education. "It's going to be like a trial period.

I'll travel to some of the meets with them and train so that they can get an idea of who I am and what I can do.

"The coach (Frank Gagliano) knows me because he recruited me when I was in New Jersey and running in University, so I'll go up there and show my stuff and see if I'm worthy of being a part of the team on a permanent basis.

"I'm looking to get in an environment where I'm running with a group of guys and on certain days get whupped in training. That'll make me better because right now, while the training I'm doing is good, there's a lack of manpower or competition to push me. I'm getting to a point where I'm levelling off and making this trip will help me jump up to that next level.'' Donawa explained how Armstrong had approached him last year. But whether it was flawed confidence, the need to deal with family matters or lack of desire, Donawa declined the offer. Now he says he's ready for action.

"Terrence joined the group last summer and when he came home he had mentioned the possibility to me off joining the group then but at the time my career was on the bubble and I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do in terms of my running. I was training but I wasn't as serious about it.

"Now I have that passion again for running and I'm in good shape so I figure this is the prime opportunity to do it, whereas last August I don't know how it would have worked out.'' Reebok sponsor the outfit, providing travel expenses, gear and all the running necessities, although only a select few are actually paid.

Donawa is digging into his own pockets to foot the bill with the hope that the initiative shown combined with positive results will earn him assistance from Bermuda Track and Field Association or the Elite Athletes Fund.

And having resigned from his job as a personal trainer at Total Fitness Centre, Donawa will now require additional funding down the line.

He plans to focus on the five kilometre distance as he prepares for June's CAC Games in Puerto Rico where he feels a medal remains a possibility.

"I'm hoping that by going out there and getting in five or six track meets it will get me in the best shape I can be for when CAC Games come around, so that I can represent Bermuda well.''