HANNAH MILEY admits she was shocked to have claimed her first-ever 200m butterfly gold in the British Swimming Championships - but she hopes she hasn't peaked too early.
With the World Championships in Kazan, Russia, on the horizon in July, Miley proved her credentials at the London Aquatics Centre on Tuesday to podium in the 200m butterfly for the first time in six years - a silver medal in 2009 her previous best.
The 25-year-old clocked home in a time of 2:08.63 minutes to beat Jemma Lowe and Aimee Willmott into second and third respectively.
But with her favoured individual medley events still to come in the 2012 Olympic pool, Miley says her excitement must be tempered.
"I'm nervous because I don't want to peak now and then now be able to maintain it in the summer, I don't want this to be it," said Miley, who will line up in the 200medley on Thursday and the 400medley on Saturday.
"I shocked myself, I was hoping to be on the podium in the 200fly as I haven't been in the top three since 2009, so it's nice to see that I can progress.
"That time is quicker than I did in the Commonwealths (2:12.34), so to see that progression at this time of year is great. I need to make sure I can repeat that this summer."
Meanwhile, Craig McNally celebrated a bronze medal as he touched home in 54.80 seconds in the men's 100m backstroke final, Chris Walker-Hebborn taking gold and Liam Tancock the silver.
And he wasn't the only one celebrating as Ross Murdoch also finished third to climb the podium in the men's 200m breaststroke.
Favourite Adam Peaty lived up to his billing as he took gold in 2:08.34 minutes, with Andrew Willis second and Murdoch taking home bronze in 2:08.90.
He pipped fellow Scot Craig Benson to the podium as he could only finish fourth, while the man Murdoch pipped to gold at the Commonwealth Games Michael Jamieson could only manage sixth.
And with such intense competition, Murdoch was simply delighted to claim a piece of silverware - especially considering his less-than ideal preparation.
"I've been ill this season but I'm not going to make excuses because I have had a good eight week block leading into this so for me that is really good and I'm really pleased," Murdoch said.
"Just to get on the podium is a massive achievement for me just now so I'm really pleased with that.
"In Britain if you want to be competitive in any breast stroke event then you need to be in the world top five.
"If you make any mistakes then someone is going to pick up on that and destroy you so you really can't make any mistakes and you have to be meticulous in training.
"I've had a bit of a chest infection and was out between November and Decemeber, I missed a lot of meets and that's the fifth time I've raced the breaststroke this season so it's not an event I have done a lot.
"That is the fastest time I've ever swam at this time in the season so for me I'm over the moon with it.
"I hope to get myself on the team for the 100m and hopefully I can be in Russia but I just need a pool this summer to get me focused on Rio."
To keep up to date with all the action of the swimmers in the lead up to Rio follow British Swimming on Twitter Facebook and Instagram
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