Rhasidat Adeleke reflected on a momentous night in Munich and a national record to her name, but admitted that but for one fleeting moment, it could have been an even better performance in the women's 400m final at the European Championships.
The Tallaght teenager raced out of the traps in her first ever senior final in the event and coming off the bend and into the home stretch she was fourth and challenging for a medal.
Adeleke was unable to maintain the searing pace, pipped by Great Britain’s Victoria Ohuroguo at the line in a race won in some style by Femke Bol of the Netherlands.
Speaking on the Ray D'Arcy show on RTÉ Radio 1, Adeleke said she was pleased with a national record especially given it was the 50th race of a gruelling season and just her sixth ever at 400m.
She did, however, concede her finish for home wasn't helped by a glance at the big screen to check out her whereabouts in the standings.
"I didn't really know what kind of shape I was in, whether I would have the strength," she said. "But I did what I could and I have a couple more years!
"Coming onto the home straight I saw the screen and thought 'Oh my god, I'm in medal contention'.
"I kept looking at the screen the whole time on the home straight and I feel like that threw me off. I should just focus on the race more. It wasn't the smartest thing to do but that's another thing I learned from the race."
The 19-year-old University of Texas at Austin student is better known for her 200m exploits and admits it will take time for her to learn the intricacies of competing at double the distance.
"It's all a learning experience and I definitely learned from that race," she said.
"I'm still learning the event so I don't really know when I'm going too fast or too slow.
"The 200 you just sprint the whole way. The 400 is all about tactics. You have to get out in the first 100, then hold, kick again, hold that... there's so much to think about during the race.
"I just need to know how to run the race better and hopefully with more experience I'll be able to perfect it."
Adeleke has confirmed she will also take part in the women's 4x400m relay later on Saturday
Watch live coverage of the of the European Championships on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
