Siobhan-Marie O'Connor builds up for Olympic trials with training in Australia

Last month in her first blog from Australia, it was all about rock pools, topping up the tan and brutal training sessions in the pool.

Siobhan-Marie O'Connor is now back in the UK building up for a crucial few months and now reveals what she got up to in the last few crazy weeks Down Under.

The Sky Academy Sports Scholar and one of GB's top swimming stars is getting ready for the Olympic Trials in Glasgow in April.

Read Siobhan's first Australian blog

It seems the 20-year-old from Bath was inspired by some very strange places and some very furry and scaly friends. Here are Siobhan's latest words.... 

I have just landed back in the UK following a fantastic seven-week training camp. Since the last time I blogged, training has continued going really well and I'm really looking forward to the upcoming trials in Glasgow (April 11-16).

We are currently in an anaerobic phase of training, focusing on race pace and high intensity work. However, we had an important 'regeneration week' at the start of the second half of the camp.

This is important because it allows our bodies to adapt to the training and recover, ready for another anaerobic hit before flying home. Now we are back we will continue really focusing on race pace and fast swimming before we start our taper in a few weeks time.

Outside of training, the group and I continued to make the most of the great weather and beautiful Australian beaches.

A visit to Moreton Island, just off the coast of Brisbane, was definitely my highlight. We snorkelled around the shipwreck that was put there to attract marine life and got to see turtles, stingrays and loads of exotic fish.

It was absolutely beautiful and so much fun! Keep an eye out for my video diary coming soon for some underwater video clips of the wreck.

We also visited Australia Zoo, where I got to have a cuddle with a Koala bear. I really wish I could have kept one!

We also fed the kangaroos which were really friendly and and saw plenty of crocodiles and other Australian animals. We also got to see the tiger show which was amazing. The tigers were just incredible.

The girls and I visited the Palazzo Versace Hotel which was just down the road for afternoon tea one day which was lovely. It's always nice to get out of swimming gear and get dressed up every once in a while and the food was amazing.

On 13 March, I had the first test of where I'm at in the pool as I competed in the Edinburgh International Meet.

I was really pleased to come away with three wins in the 200IM, 100 butterfly and 200m breaststroke. I also got a PB in the 200m breaststroke - always a bonus!

It's now full steam ahead for the Trials where I will return to the Tolcross Pool in Glasgow, the venue of the 2014 Commonwealth Games which holds many lovely memories! 

WHAT'S COMING UP FOR OUR SCHOLARS...

MARCH 28 - APRIL 3: Jessica Judd, pre-season training in USA

April 4-10: Quillan Isidore, SX World Cup, Manchester

APRIL 9/10: Sam Oldham, British Championships, Liverpool

APRIL 11-16: Siobhan-Marie O'Connor, Olympic trials