Israel Olatunde says he's just trying to create "more special moments" as his focus turns to 2023 after a game-changing summer.
The Dundalk 20-year-old has been basking in the glow of his European Athletics Championships achievements for a while now.
Olatunde made history in Munich on a balmy August evening by becoming the first Irish athlete to qualify for a 100m final at the Europeans before breaking Paul Hession's 15-year record in a time of 10.17 seconds.
Heady times, but Olatunde is as grounded as they come. He moved to UCD campus in September, where he's taking a computer science degree, and while living with the moniker 'Ireland's fastest man' has been a strange, exhilarating experience, he has embraced it.
"It has been a little bit different, the attention from the media and just in general, but it's something that... it's a blessing to be in this position," Olatunde said at the announcement of insurance company 123.ie as the official partner to Athletics Ireland.
"Ireland's fastest man, it really is an honour. I'm just taking it in my stride. Things haven't really changed too much apart form that. I'm still looking to take the 100ths and the tenths off my PB.
"It's been pretty good. I can't complain. Academically and sports-wise, everything is going as planned.
"It's a really great environment in UCD. I have great room-mates. It's just great to actually be on campus and have the things I need around me. It's given me way more time for studying and also for recovery and training."
This year has been a learning curve for Olatunde in more ways than one. At the World Indoors in spring, he failed to make it out of his heat. Lessons were learned.
"At the Worlds, I came fourth in my heat and I got knocked out. I just didn't really execute my race as I should have. I got kind of caught in the moment a little bit. I had the fastest African in history right in the lane beside me [Kenyan Ferdinand Omanyala], so that was a little bit intimidating.
"You kind of learn that you just have to focus on yourself," said Olatunde, adding that life on campus hasn't necessarily meant he's had to learn how to get around the kitchen: "I'm not a bad cook! I just don't really have to cook too much because my sister and my mam send me food every week. They kind of do my meal prep for me I guess."
Olatunde looked so at ease at the Europeans; confident, relaxed and loose, but it's all part of a process he works hard to refine.
"This time last year, I was just as confident as I am now to be honest. The confidence, it doesn't really come from the results. It comes from knowing the journey that I'm on and where I'm going to go.
"This time last year I was searching for improvements. This year I'm searching for improvements again. Nothing too much has changed in that aspect. I've just got a little bit faster.
"I'm more fit than I was last year. I won't give away too many of my secrets. But it is going well. There's still a lot of work to do before the indoor season kicks off. There are different areas where I can get stronger."
And at the heart of his achievements is his community, Dundalk - the town he loves so well. He recently visited his old school St Mary's and was given a hero's welcome.
"It really is a great honour from different backgrounds look up to me and be inspired," he said.
"I get so much local support from everyone in Dundalk. That really means a lot. Dundalk is where I spent all of my childhood. It really holds special place in my heart. I'm back there every couple of weeks, that's where my family lives.
"It's just how I am. I appreciate each moment. You're not in this sport forever, and these moments don't come too often, so in each moment you have to soak it in and enjoy it as much as you can. They go pretty quick. Basically I'm trying to create more of those special moments in the future."
