From the moment the Australian hurdler Lauren Wells landed in Glasgow this week, the emotions associated with the Commonwealth Games hit her immediately.
This time around she's in town for the Diamond League meet, where she finished an impressive third in the 400m event on Friday to continue her solid build up ahead of the Games later this month.
She also one more meet, in Lucerne, Switzerland on Tuesday, where she hopes to finetune elements of her preparation before bunkering down for two weeks of training in Glasgow.
But that meant nothing when she got off the plane this time.
It already felt so real for the two-time Commonwealth Games athlete.
"It was still like 'oh my gosh, the Commonwealth Games is here in a couple of weeks'," Wells said.
"I'm very honoured to represent Australia and it's my third Commonwealth Games.
"To finish 9th in Melbourne (2006) and fourth in Delhi (2010), I just hope my progression upwards will keep going.
"This will by far be my toughest year for Commonwealth in terms of depth of the other girls."
It may well also be the most demanding physically.
Wells found out on Friday that there will be three rounds of hurdles in three days at the Commonwealth Games - a schedule which will become even more clustered if she is picked in the 4x400m relay team, which compete two days after and would add a further two runs to her week.
While admitting it makes life somewhat tougher, Wells said she would be delighted to take her place in the relay team, saying it is a goal of hers to build a stronger culture in the women's team.
"I've been wanting to try to build a bit of team culture for a while now," Wells, part of a squad of six relay runners, said.
"I've always been jealous of how well the guys always get along. We've never had that with the girls.
"There's definitely great camaraderie there.
"Probably the best team camaraderie I've been a part of for eight years.
"I think it's a team of massive potential and it's a good mix of experience and youth. I think we can certainly surprise a few people in the years to come.
"If I can't run in the relay then I'll certainly enjoy doing some sessions with them.
"If they deem me good enough to run in the relay then of course I'll do Australia proud."
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