McGettigan looks for multiple NCAA titles this year for Providence

1. You have had impressive times so far this season by hitting the automatic qualifying marks in both the 800 meters and mile run. How focused are you this season to chase after an NCAA individual title?

I'm very focused right now on trying to get myself as fit as I possibly can. If I do that, then I put myself in a good position to give myself as good of a chance as anyone at NCAA's. I have to be very focused to do that because I'm well aware of the talent that is out there and I know what I'm going to be up against.

2. Looking ahead to the outdoor season, are you looking forward to the 3000 meter steeplechase and do you plan on focusing in other events as well to compete in at the national level?

Yes, I have been looking forward to the steeplechase. I have been thinking about it this winter and I am trying to make sure that I give myself a good mileage base so that I will have the strenght to be competitive in that event and others (including the 1500m and 800m) this summer.

3. Growing up in Wicklow, Ireland, was there a big culture shock that you had to endure when you came to Providence?

My four years here in Providence have gone by rediculously fast so thinking about freshman year is weird. I can remember exactly how I felt when I first arrived -- heartbroken. I don't know if I'd call my experience a 'culture shock', but I do know that the first few weeks were very difficult and I missed home a lot. Thankfully I had (and still do) a good amount of other Irish athletes to relate to when I was homesick. We often talk about differences between home and here, more so in the first few years, but to the annoyance of some of my American friends, we still tend to compare differences. I guess it's normal because you are so far from home and there are some major differences between the two places.

4. What would you say is the basic training philosophy among your coaches at Providence?

Coach Ray Treacy is well respected at Providence College and throughout the country as far as I can see. He has been very successful as a coach and continues his success today. We have a many NCAA champions including Keith Kelly, Amy Rudolph, Mark Carroll and Geraldine Hendriken to name but a few. Ray has been coaching for years now, and has an insight and experience that are rare. His philosophy is pretty old school and includes hard work and getting the best out of yourself on the day. Ray's assistant Nick Jackson brings new ideas and energy to the programme that adds to Ray's ethics and the program as a whole.

5. What is it like to have other outstanding training partners around you, such as Deirdre Byrne and Fiona Crombie, to bring out the best in each other on the track?

The list of outstanding training partners is longer than that! We have a great women's squad around at the moment. In addition a group of post-collegiate female athletes are basing themselves in the area, so it is an ideal atmosphere for training and competing well. So far it has been a good year, but the year is only beginning. It's exciting to think about how far we can all push each other along this season.

6. How often to you get to see your friends and family from back home?

I see them at Christmas and during the summer, and thats about it, unless somebody comes to visit me over here which is always fun. I talk to them all of the time and once the semester starts you don't get time to be homesick. If only I could shrink the Atlantic I'd be a lot happier!

7. What are some of your post-collegiate goals as far as running and competing?

Well thats something I cannot really be too certain about. All I do know is that I love running and as unpredictable as life is, I would like to see myself running competitively in the future. If I was granted the opportunity to continue running I would jump at the chance, it's the dream of course. Ideally I would like to represent Ireland in the future and reach my potential as an athlete.

8. Running takes it's toll on the feet as we all know. What kind of training shoes and spikes are you most comfortable with and what you would recommend to other runners in your events?

Our team is sponsored by Reebok. They have been good to us by giving us training shoes and spikes. Recently Reebok have been coming out with new models of shoes that are very good, their best in years.

9. What has been the most rewarding experience so far for you during your collegiate career?

Thats a tough question. It has been a very rewarding experience for me in America as a whole. We have traveled a lot, and competed against some top athletes. I guess it the fact that I'm realizing a dream being here, the dream to train and compete with a team of cool and fun girls and guys from all over the world. I get a lot out of meeting people and it has been a fantastic experience.

10. If any of your friends or family is reading this right now from back home, what would you like to say to them?

I miss you and love you and want you to come over and visit me before I graduate -- up the village! Rock on Alistair, you are the best band (good luck bro)!