There's something quite special about knowing this summer's championships are both so close to home.
Competing at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow over 5000m is a really exciting prospect, and hopefully it means I'll be able to perform at my best.
One of the nicest parts is that my dad will be able to come and watch me race internationally. He doesn't fly, so it's quite rare that he gets to see me compete abroad.
The last time was at the SPAR 2023 European Cross Country Championships in Brussels, when we travelled by train. He's also my mum's main carer as she's not very well, so travelling isn't easy for him.
Having the chance to race in Birmingham and Glasgow means he'll be there, and that makes these championships even more special for me.
British Championships and Oslo reflections
At the British Championships I would have loved to have won, because that's always the aim, but I was still pleased with second behind Hannah Nuttall.
Running 15:18.94 wasn't exactly the result I went there for, but it confirmed that I'm in a good place ahead of the championships, and I'm feeling optimistic about what I can do over the rest of the summer.
We deliberately haven't raced too much this year because I want to arrive at the major championships feeling fresh. My season actually started in Exeter, where I train, with a 1500m.
I was a bit disappointed with the time because it didn't really reflect the fitness I felt I had. Looking back, I think racing somewhere you train every day is actually harder than I expected.
When you're surrounded by your training partners and chatting before the race like it's just another session, it's surprisingly difficult to switch into that proper racing mentality. It definitely taught me something.
A much better indicator of where I was came in Oslo. I'd never competed there before and really enjoyed the whole experience. The atmosphere was relaxed, the crowd felt close to the track and I loved the feel of the Bislett Stadium.
Running 8:33.37 for ninth over 3000m gave me confidence that my training was heading in the right direction.
It's one of those Diamond League meetings I'd love to go back to, and hopefully I'll get another opportunity later this season in Silesia over 5000m. It would be nice to get into a really honest, fast race and see what's possible.
I'm hoping this season has an even bigger finish than it has had so far. The main focus is absolutely the championships, but after that I'd love to race a bit more and build towards next year. If I can come away from the summer knowing I've made another step forward, that'll be a success.
Athletics over football
Away from the track, it's funny because people keep asking me about the football World Cup, but I honestly haven't watched any of it. Football was never really part of my life growing up, and before I started taking running seriously I didn't really follow any sport.
Now it's completely different. If athletics is on, I'm planning my diary around it. I'll happily sit down and watch someone like Mondo Duplantis compete because I just love seeing the best athletes in the world doing what they do. Athletics has become the sport I genuinely can't get enough of.
Fresh fruits of the farm
With university finished for the summer, I'm also looking forward to spending a bit more time back home in Beer rather than staying in student accommodation in Exeter.
My dad has already been sending me photos from the family farm, which has given me serious fear of missing out. The apricots are ready, we've had the first cucumbers and courgettes, and the peas and broad beans won't be far behind.
There really isn't much that beats picking fresh fruit straight from the tree, so I think I'll be making plenty of trips home over the next few weeks.
Hopefully, by the end of the summer, there will be plenty more good memories to add to the list—both on the track and back home on the farm.
Innes FitzGerald is a multiple European U20 champion on track and cross country. The British runner is a regular columnist for European Athletics
