A European bronze and now a world silver medal, certainly a lot to take in for a joyous Kate O'Connor, as she made it on the podium in the pentathlon at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China.
Twelve days after taking third spot in the Europeans, the 24-year-old posted three personal bests across the five events to claim Ireland's first indoor medal since Derval O'Rourke's gold in Moscow back in 2006.
O'Connor came into the final event, the 800m, just three points behind the USA's Taliyah Brooks and overhauled her by finishing third in the race.
Finland's Saga Vanninen made it a European and World gold double as she took first with 4,821 points, 79 points clear of O'Connor, who in turn had 73 in the end to spare over Brooks.
For O'Connor it was a case of being focussed on the task at hand ahead of that 800m, as she explained to RTÉ Sport's Greg Allen.
"There was a lot of pressure going into that 800m, I had a job to do," she said.
"I wanted to go out and do something I was proud of but this time it was a little bit different; I knew I had to beat the American girl to get the silver, so I went out with a job to do, to do something I'd be proud of no matter what medal I got."
What also drove the Dundalk competitor on was the opportunity to improve on her third place during that concluding event. Her intent was clear.
"I knew I was going to get a medal and it was about what colour it was going to be, so it was nice to have something to fight for," she added.
"The plan was to track the American girl and then go out and beat her. I was half watching the board to see where she was; she dropped back a little bit and so I had to dig in. I was running that last lap and was asking myself: how much do you want this medal? I wanted it a lot. I really dug in and deep as I could and managed to pinch it.
"The feeling I have right now is relief, madness... I'm just so happy."
Perhaps it's no surprise that O'Connor has stepped on to podium in recent weeks, this after posting 12 PBs out of 15 competitive disciplines since an event in Tallinn over six weeks ago.
Very much a case of getting the basics right in that time.
"It's really just a mindset and keeping injuries at bay. This year we have trained really smart, I have a really good team around me that listens to me and whenever I say I'm not feeling 100%, people listen to me and that's really important.
"From that I can acquire a self-belief and know what I'm capable of, being able to compete with those top girls.
"It's really exciting. The plan for indoors was always to let's see where we are. So to come out of this, where my weaker events are now strong... I would always consider myself a heptathlete rather than a pentathlete, but to now consider myself a pentathlete with medals, I can keep building for outdoors and see what I can do."
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Maybe it's unfair to contrast the emotions in the aftermath of a bronze and then a silver, but O'Connor, even at this remove, is able to paint a picture of sorts of what they mean to her.
"European bronze was my first senior international medal and I think that will always hold a special place in my heart," remarked the 24-year-old.
"It was a competition that really took a lot of fight and I'll never forget it. This one was a completely different experience, a bit more enjoyable. The high jump was a little more chilled; I opened up with a good long jump. Overall I was able to enjoy this a little bit more, soak up the atmosphere."
Not surprisingly, O'Connor also paid tribute to her coach and dad Michael.
"He's buzzing. It's different for him, he's not just a coach but he's also my dad. A few times today he told me how proud he is of me, how proud my family are which is really nice to hear.
"We put in a lot of hard work, he puts in a lot of hard work behind the scenes, work that is not noticed and appreciated enough by me. This medal is not just mine, it's his and the rest of the team who work so closely with me."
Indeed, the man himself told RTÉ’s Liveline that he is "so proud" of his daughter’s achievement, saying that she is on cloud nine after winning a silver medal.
"She has done something incredible," he said adding that it was amazing to be there and watch her.
"She’s an incredible athlete. Her shot put was something else and a personal best."
He referenced coming out of the stadium and witnessing a group of Chinese children stopping her for photographs, while stating that medals in the World Indoor Championships were "hard won" but that his daughter was a very dedicated individual, and when she puts her mind to something she likes to achieve it.
"She is something special," he went on to say.
"It's a pleasure to come to big events like these. She is walking on cloud nine at the moment and it was a massive journey to get here."
