NATHAN Douglas says the frustration of missing out on a major championships medal this year is driving his hunger to succeed in 2019.

The triple jumper, who turned 36 this week, is already working hard to ensure he enters the 14th campaign of his senior athletics career in tip-top condition.

Douglas feels qualifying for the Commonwealth Games and European Championships – two of this year’s three major events – made the season a memorable one.

But he came away from both disappointed, finishing fifth and sixth respectively.

The Oxford City AC athlete is now eyeing his first international podium since 2007 at March’s European Indoor Championships in Glasgow.

Although yet to qualify, Douglas is determined to make amends after being just 7cm off bronze at the outdoor event in Berlin in August.

He said: “It was a decent season, but I really wanted to go and win the Commonwealth Games.

“That was winnable and to come away from that (without a medal) was quite disappointing.

“The European Championships were frustrating, but I left with confidence that I’m on that scene and there’s no-one there I can’t beat.

“Elements of this year could have gone better, but it’s probably the best season I’ve had for a while.”

Douglas added: “The European indoors is very high on my list.

“It’s in Glasgow, pretty much home turf, I’m really looking forward to hopefully qualifying and seeing what I can do.

“I will be competing against the same people and that really makes me want to go there even more and compete.”

The World Championships in Doha during September and October are also on Douglas’s radar.

While he admits the competition will be “significantly harder”, he is adamant one thing will not hold him back – his age.

“We’re all getting older, but everything feels fine,” he said.

“I know it’s a cliché, but age is just a number and I only ever think about it in a positive way.

“In training it’s no different.

“My training partner is Feron Sayers, a long jumper, and he’s 24. I guarantee if I was to ask him about my training he wouldn’t know any different.

“It means absolutely nothing, I feel fine.”