Perth’s Stephen Milne admits he will have no problem getting up for the challenge when he takes to his favourite pool for next month’s British Swimming Championships.
Milne will head to the English capital for the event, which takes place at the London Aquatics Centre between April 14-18.
It is the first time since the Olympic trials that the venue has hosted the national championships, and Milne is relishing the chance to return.
Back in 2012 Milne made the most of the opportunity, competing in no fewer than five events with his best result seeing him finish ninth in the 1500m freestyle.
He has certainly pushed on since then, taking 1500m bronze the next year while last summer he was part of the Scottish team which claimed silver in the 4x200m at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
And with the carrot of World Championship qualification on offer in London, the 20-year-old admits it will be a special occasion all round.
“The London Aquatics Centre is my favourite pool. I swam in at the London trials and I just loved it,” he said.
“It’s a really nice pool and venue and it’s great to be going back there.
“The bigger the competition the more I enjoy it, especially the atmosphere and the crowds.
“I’ll see how I get on at the British Championships and then that will determine my goals for the rest of the summer.
“I’d love to make the World Championships but there is also the World Junior Championships so we’ll see what happens.”
Last year certainly proved a breakthrough year for Milne who took his first international medal as well as placing fifth and eighth in the 1500m freestyle and 400m freestyle respectively.
But determined not to ease off, he headed out to Australia in January to get a head start ahead of the new season.
And with the British Championships just weeks away, Milne admits fast times are the order of the day.
“After the winter I went to a camp in Australia and did some hard training there and managed to get a bit of sun as well,” he added.
“It was a really good experience, and was a good insight into travelling which hopefully I will do with my swimming in the years to come.
“I’m happy with the progress I’ve made but I want to keep pushing this year. I want to get my times lower, get a few pbs.
“I always like to go faster. It’s hard to say how fast I will go but I will try my best.
“The competition will be tough at the British Championships but that is a good thing.”
* Come and support the country’s best swimmers from April 14 to 18 at London Aquatics Centre. Buy your tickets now
http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/feature/british-swimming