Hannah Miley: I got more than just deserts in Dubai, but Olympic push starts now

IT HAS been almost three weeks since I won the silver medal at the World Championships in Shanghai and, to be honest, it still hasn't really sunk in. Since then, I've celebrated my 22nd birthday, had a great holiday in Dubai and tried to relax a little.

But I got home on Thursday, was back into training yesterday so I'm having to step off the cloud and get back to hard work. The next major date is the Olympic trials in March and there are just 196 days to go.

Dubai was fantastic. It was a prize for winning the Emirates Lonsdale Trophy (Scotland's Sportsperson of the Year Award) last year and I went with my brother, Alastair. It was tough to pick someone - my other brother Joseph will be top of the list next time.

We stayed at the The Palm, which was fantastic, went camel riding, had an amazing ride in a 4x4 vehicle over the sand dunes and watched some wonderful sunsets. I only swam once - when we went down a water slide at a fun park.

Winning silver in the 400m Individual Medley was another huge milestone. It feels so good to get the reward for so much hard work, but I also know there is a lot to do before the Olympics in London.

The medley is a tough event and it's hard trying to balance all four strokes. In the World final I was behind after the butterfly but it's just the way I swim and pace the race. My dad and I have a strategic plan, and it includes having a strong finish. Hopefully, I will be able to go a tad faster on the butterfly come London, but it's an eight-length race and I have to feel comfortable.

I thought the GB team did really well in Shanghai. We won six medals. But, a year from the Olympics, it wasn't just about medals but also about experience and going through the learning process.

One thing that opened a lot of eyes was the need to swim fast in the morning heats. There is such strength in depth these days - in swimming we call it stacked - and so many people are able to swim around the same times, so you have to go all out to make sure you reach the final.

Medals can be decided on fine margins. Some of the team didn't make finals - but their PBs would have won medals. It was a lesson learned.

The next few months is all about working on my conditioning and getting faster in the water. I will probably take in a few competitions - maybe the European Short-Course Championships - but the Olympic trials in March are the next big thing.

They are going to be held in the new Olympic Pool, which will be such a buzz. It was opened when we were in Shanghai, but I'm going for a visit in October and I can't wait to have a dip.

Hannah Miley is the European and Commonwealth Games 400m individual medley Champion and she won the silver medal at the World Championships in Shanghai last month. She is one of Scotland's leading prospects for the 2012 Olympic Games and is a member of Team Kellogg's.