Well, its all done now! What will be will be! It was such a week its hard to explain in words. I went out to Berlin in the best shape of my life and my confidence was high after the times I had been running throughout the season. But this is different, this is the World Championships where you have 3 rounds in 4 days, its tough!

I was nervous before the 1st round, I wasnt looking forward to the early start, my race was on at 11.05am, I was in heat 1. I was happy with the draw, and knew I was well able to qualify. It was top 3 in each heat and the 2 fastest loosers to go through to the semi's. All I needed to do was get in the top 2 in order to get a decent lane in the next round. I came 2nd to Robert Tobin (UK), times dont really matter at this stage, its all about qualifying. I was happy to get the race out of the way and get the championships started, one job done, two more to do!

After the heat it was straight back to the warm up area, get the food into me to help recovery, warm down jog, massage and then get back to the hotel for lunch. I was happy with Tuesday morning, i had got through in the top 2 and got a good lane for the semi final, it was a tough draw, but i felt confident about it. Time to go for a nap, forget about it. Got back to my room, put the coffee table under my mattress so my legs were at a height, a bit mad, but i wanted to keep my legs raised to help get rid of the lactic acid! It was funny, Hession thought I was mad, but then i got the little chair and did it for him, he was loving it!!

I woke up on Wednesday morning nervous. My pulse was racing. I was thinking "big day today Gillo". Had my breakfast, then went for a jog and stretched out. Got a massage from Paul. By this stage I was chilled out, I just kept thinking, im in shape here, I can do this. I spent a good while in with the physio's. I woke up with a sore back, think i slept funny or something, must have been the auld coffee table!! but it was good to spend time with them, we just chatted about my little business I have going with my mate Mark Donlon, we sell bikes basically, its aimed at people to take advantage of the governments bike to work scheme, check it out www.onyerbike.com. Anyway I was giving it the hard sell all morning, think it went down well!

Had a small lunch and then headed down to the stadium. A 30 minute coach drive, put on the ipod, the Oakley's and chill out, there is nothing more I can do, the work is done! It was hot on Wednesday, roasting! Started warming up soon after 4pm, my race was on at 6.15pm, semi-final 1, first 2 in each semi final and the 2 fastest loosers go to the world final. It was tough, and my draw was tough. I felt there was about 5 guys who could qualify to the final, it was going to be tight. But I felt good, I was in lane 7, had fast guys all around me, I had a feeling I was going to be ok, but I still had to run! And I did, got out fast and then relaxed at speed down the back straight, came off the bend, felt tall and fast, went asleep into the home straight and let them get a meter on me, but was thinking "stay relaxed, ill come through" thankfully I did. I didnt have a clue about times or even what position I came. I waited....glued to the big screen! 4th, ok i thought, im in a fastest looser spot. At that point I thought my time was 44.93, think i need stronger contacts!! It was only until I was being interviewed trackside did I find out my actual time was 44.88. I then thought that should be enough to get through, unless someone has the race of their lives!

The wait was long, jaysis it was very long! I watched the 2nd semi, fast race, but 3rd was 44.96, he was out! I was still in there. I watched that race trackside and then made my way under the stand into the mixed zone (area with all the media). There were TV screens so I watched the 3rd semi. Ah..a false start, come on just run, get it over with. The whole mixed zone was quite, everyone watching me and the TV, they knew the craic, anything slower than 44.88 and I was in the final! Il let this link explain how happy I was.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf0BYSpUWVw

So there I was, delighted with myself, a quick time when it mattered most, my 3rd fastest ever and I made history, 1st Irishman in a World sprint final. Go on the Gillo!!!

Back to the warm up area, same routine as before, warm down, stretch, food and massage. It was hard to stop smiling! And then it got better Derval into a final, unreal evening for Irish Athletics!

I had a day's rest on Thursday, and I was just going to chill out and sleep, try to recover as best I could. It was tough but it was the same for every athlete in the final. Found it hard to sleep on Wednesday night, popped a sleeping tablet and was knocked out within 20 minutes. I woke early though, about half 6, stayed in bed till around 9 and got up for breakfast. It was great to have a rest day, so I wanted to get out of the hotel. I had been stuck in there since Saturday. So off I went to both the Adidas and Oakley hospitality centers for a few hours. It was great, got some new clothes and some serious shades!! The rest of the day was spent with the physio and in the leaba just chilling!

So Friday, final day! Slept really well Thursday night and got up feeling good. Had my usual light race day breakfast, the usual porridge. After that I went on a light run and did a bit of stretching and hit the physio bed, my usual routine. Yes it was a big race, but its the same distance ive been doing all season, no need to start changing things!

I headed down to the stadium around 6, I was well used to the drill by this stage...bus, shades, ipod, chill! Everything was done, I have worked so hard to get to where I was and I was going to enjoy it and run at my fears!

I was happy with the lane draw, I thought i might get lane 1, but got the rub of the green and got lane 2. It didnt really matter, any lane in the final would do fine!!

When I got to the warm up area, it was absolutely lashing rain, and didnt look as if it was going to stop! After a while we were all moved into the warm area in the stadium. It was grand, a big area with a 60m track and plenty of space to warm up. Then there was a 40 minute delay, didnt really affect me, I had started warming up yet so all was good! But then, my stomach started to hurt, I started getting cramps. I take bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) about 3 hours before I race, it helps fight the build up of lactic acid. It is hard on the stomach so you have to be careful with what you eat prior to taking it. After I race I eat and all is good, but with the delay, i was getting hungry and the cramps started to set in. All through my warm I had these uncomfortable cramps. But I just said to myself  f*%K it, there not going stop me running, so I just got on with it!!

So out on to the track, stadium full! Great atmosphere, you dream of these days. I felt good and confident. Just run!!

It was a good run, but not my best. The times were slow, but they always are at a major final, fast times are needed to get there!! You will always have the top 1 or 2 that will run fast, they can just coast through the rounds.

Everything happened so fast, before I knew it, I was coming up the home straight. I'd love to run it again. Bitter sweet really, delighted to be in the world final, but wasnt a million miles away from a medal. Thats my confidence now, knowing im not too far away, and also how far I have come!! 6th in the world, top european! Ok i didn't get a world medal, but I think I can hold my head up high!!

One thing I havent mentioned is the Irish in crowd, I actually couldn't believe the reception I got when my name was announced. I had people saying it was like Italia 90!!

I had a lot of family and friends out in Berlin, a lot of the same crew that came out to Beijing last year, and Im just glad they got to see me run three times and not just the once!!!

Thanks for all the support and especially from my girlfriend Charlotte!!!