Liam Tancock: Whether it’s work or play, I can’t stay out of the water

I'll only have about three weeks' holiday in the build-up to the Olympics but that's not a problem. I love what I do!

I'm just a week into my training programme for the coming season and I was itching to get back into the water. I was only out of it for two weeks after the Commonwealth Games but, when you're used to swimming up to 25 hours a week, that's a long time.

Being out of the water refreshes you and I'm already excited about getting ready for this coming year. I have to admit I didn't entirely stay on dry land as my girlfriend, Caitlin, and I went to the Egypt for a week. But snorkeling's a lot different and, thankfully, there wasn't a lane rope in sight.

It was so nice to chill out after Delhi — I was absolutely shattered — so I had some time off with the family and my medals are now with my folks, although I've been asked to bring them out a few times. I was taken to Arsenal by the Pentland Group and Speedo for their last European game at home.

I went along with fellow swimmers Becky Adlington and Keri-Anne Payne and it was amazing. There were 60,000 in the stands and they were all shouting and cheering when we went onto the pitch at half-time. I was given a shirt with my name on the back and was interviewed by Arsenal TV.

A few days later I was invited to Exeter Chiefs versus London Irish by my sponsor, Gregory Distribution. I agreed to take a conversion at half-time and, thankfully, the skills I learned when I last played rugby aged 13 came flooding back. I didn't embarrass myself and the kick went over the posts. It was incredible being in front of a sell-out crowd in my home town.

But my first day back in the pool was a bit strange as I found I'd lost the feel a bit.

That's usually the case but you get that feel again pretty quickly in the first session back.
I'm doing lots of varied cross-training. I had a day, for example, where I did gymnastics and rock climbing in the morning and then weights and swimming in the afternoon.

There were seven of us swimmers doing the gymnastics, although gymnastics is probably a generous term. We basically did a circuit of the equipment at Loughborough University. We're not that good but it's great fun all the same and it's a perfect full-body workout.

Rock climbing is great too and that's what it's all about — doing something different. As I start preparing for next year, it's nice to look back at 2010.

The Commonwealth Games were a brilliant end to a fantastic year for me and it was great to end on a high with two golds, a silver and a bronze.

Follow Liam on Twitter @LiamTancock