Hello again, and welcome to the second installment in my blog in the build-up to this summer's Olympics.

I’ve just returned from a month-long trip to Australia and Japan for World cup races, and it’s been an up and down time.

I was in really good shape when I stepped onto the plane to go to Australia. I had the best three weeks of training under my belt that I have ever had, and topped it off with a great race at the Lord Mayors 10k where I went a touch over 30 minutes on a hilly and windy course.

I was on the Gold Coast near Brisbane with Olly Freeman and Alistair Brownlee and my girlfriend Clare joined me a few days later - it was great to have her out supporting me.

I was a bit worried about the first race in Mooloolaba to be honest - it took me nine days to feel right again after the long journey Down Under.

After two weeks though I had enough time to get myself right and went into the race feeling just right. The warm sea swim was under control, I felt fantastic on the bike riding at the front and was just waiting to pounce on the run.

Sadly, it didn’t happen. After 2k I was still in the lead but after this my legs just gave way. I got bad blisters and tired, useless legs.

What happened? Well, the way I felt in the evening and the next day, I have to put it down to illness as well as a bit of travel and first race syndrome.

Not that there was much time to dwell on it – the next day I started the two-day trip to Ishigaki.

We had enough time before the race to get in some intense training in the humidity of the tropical island.

I was quite surprised to find that we had a good time - the island was very quiet and relaxed. The people were lovely and welcoming, we had some great meals out while we were there and didn’t even eat much rice!

I was feeling great again for the race so my confidence was back up and I was ready to start my season again – but once again I didn’t get the result I wanted.

My race got better throughout but there was a breakaway in the swim of 15+ guys, and they had a 30 seconds lead on us out of the water.

I chased hard on the bike but our group was too disorganised and we lost time, despite a lot of effort from myself.

On the run, I ran controlled and set about catching the front guys, but ended up finishing 11th.

With the fifth fastest run overall that was still a solid effort. Races don’t happen like this very often - it mostly comes down to a run.

Having said that, I was pretty down and disappointed – I’d got nothing results-wise from the past month.

I’m now back in Loughborough, It’s taken me a few days to get going again after the disappointment but now I’m back mixing it up in the cold weather with my training buddy Stu Hayes.

I have had a word with myself after another big triathlon low (so many highs and lows!) and now I’m feeling good before a big block for defending my position in Madrid, the last qualification race for the British team at the Olympics.

I’ll keep you posted…

Will