FORRES athlete Mark Mitchell has vowed to stick to a strict winter training regime in a bid to realise his Commonwealth Games dream next year.

The 21-year-old – who is mentored by Dame Kelly Holmes as part of the ‘On Camp with Kelly’ initiative – has been suffering from iliotibial band syndrome, which affects the thigh, all season.

Mitchell has been absent from action as a result but after starting the long road to recovery, he insists Delhi in October is very much in his sights.

“The focus is very much the Commonwealths this year,” said Mitchell, who set his 800m personal best of 1.48.42 minutes back in June 2007.

“Before that I just want to get through this winter in because the past few have been rather disrupted.

“The qualifying time for the 800m is only a little bit away from what I have run two years ago now so I am confident I can do it.”