His preparation hasn?t been perfect, but defending Marathon Derby champion Terrance Armstrong will not relinquish his title without a fight next Tuesday.

Despite juggling family and work commitments with his training as well as suffering setbacks in his build-up, the USA-based Bermudian believes he will be close to last year?s shape when he lines up for the much-celebrated Somerset-to-Stadium trek.

?I would say I?m (in) about 90 percent of the shape I was in last year. I?ve put in the base training but the weather has been a big deterrent this year,? said the New Jersey resident.

?Until about two months ago I wasn?t able to do any workouts on the outdoor track. Trying to do things on the treadmill, you really can?t compare that to running outside so keeping my fitness up was a real challenge.

?It?s all coming together now. I?ve done a few races and my fitness is pretty good.?

However, the defending champion does not expect to make any further gains before arriving here on May 21.

?You can?t really fit anything else in during your final week. All the work should be done by now. You just have to hope that you?ve concentrated on the right aspects of your race and that things work out for you on the day.?

While ?pretty excited? about the event, Armstrong admitted he will be relieved ?to get it out of the way? so he can focus on some more pressing matters.

?It?s been a crazy year and there?s a lot of things going on in my life. We?re doing some renovations to our house and expecting a second child in November so I?m pretty busy,? revealed the veteran athlete.

Additionally, last year?s first-time winner lost his motivation earlier this season but has managed to pull himself together ? and pleasingly so.

Two weekends ago, he got a sound indication of how ready he is to stave off the likes of Kavin Smith ? the perennial victor whom he dethroned ? as well as his good friend Jay Donawa, still seeking his first May 24 glory amid a succession of runner-up finishes.

?I was sixth in a ten-miler in Philadelphia ? the Broad Street Run. My goal is always to run close to 50 minutes or break that time in a ten-mile run.

?Two years ago I ran 50.35 and this year I ran 50.45 which gives me an indication that my fitness is still in the range that it was two years ago.?

Though quietly confident, the 33-year-old fully expects to be locked in battle with Smith and Donawa in a scene that would be reminiscent of last year?s thriller which remained deadlocked well into the dying stages.

?Yes, most definitely, I think you will have the three of us up there, out front. There are also some up and coming young runners who will have the heart of a lion and who will be looking to challenge us,? Armstrong noted.

Calm and unruffled by nature, he is not fazed at being ?the one to beat? on this occasion.

?I try not to get too far ahead myself in the sense that I never really brag or boast or put myself above of anyone else and I take things as they come,? he said candidly.

?I am just as excited as I was last year and, God willing, if I win this year again I will be just as pleased. I try not to take anything for granted. If it happens, it happens.

?I know what I?ve put in but I can?t predict what someone else might be capable of doing.

?I?m going into this race with the same mentality as always and I?m going to run my own race. I?m here to enjoy it and do the best I can. Everyone else can do what they want to do.?

While nobody else will influence his race plans one thing he will be forced to factor in, he conceded, is the weather.

?You can?t really compare year to year because of the different conditions. It could be cooler one year or more humid. Two years ago we all saw what happenedand I think I was in great shape then,? he said, alluding to his disappointment at ?burning out? after his front-running tactics failed.

?If it?s hot and humid, it gives the race a different perspective so I have to judge the humidity and heat before I can even consider my tactics.

?You should always have an indication of how the race is going to go before you decide how you?re going to run.?

This year?s Marathon Derby will be jointly sponsored by Appleby Spurling Hunter, John Barritt & Son and BGA Wholesale Distributor. Part of Appleby?s sponsorship includes prize money, totalling just under $30,000, for various categories.