DCU student Brian Gregan qualified for the European Indoor Championships in style last week by setting an indoor personal best for the 400m. Gregan’s time was the fastest by a European this season and the second fastest worldwide.
Despite running a blistering time, Gregan told The College View he had little idea as to the pace he was setting: “My first hope is to run a fast time but I had no idea that I had run that fast. It’s hard to tell how fast you are going during a race. I didn’t look at the clock when I was running so I didn’t have any idea what my time was when I finished and I was delighted when I saw it.”
Gregan’s spectacular run has earned him a coveted berth at the European indoor championships and Gregan knows that if he can reproduce that kind of form, he might have a successful tournament.
“I know I can run fast times but I need more consistency in my performances. That time is a great sign for the European Championships, given that it would have been enough to medal at the last five tournaments.”
Gregan, however, isn’t letting his good form get ahead of him. The European Indoor 400m finals consist of two races in one day, something that will require great training and discipline. But Gregan is just focusing on the first race at the Indoors and doesn’t want to get too carried away with his qualification.
“The structure of the final this year means there is two heats on one day so that will be a challenge. It is nice to know that if necessary, I can break out a very good race but I am just taking it one step at a time for the moment. I’m not thinking about the 400m final.”
Gregan qualified for the European Indoors at the new indoor athletic track in Athlone IT. The track is the first of its kind in Ireland and Gregan feels it will be extremely beneficial to Irish athletics.
“It’s a phenomenal facility and I never thought I would see one in Ireland during my career. I’d say only 10% of Irish athletes have trained on an indoor track like that. Usually we are training out in the cold so I think it will improve Irish athletes and if there is a knock on effect from that which will get more people involved in athletics, that would be great.”
Will Slattery
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