THIS week has been all about rest and recovery after our two-week training camp in Kona, Hawaii.

Our team was on the Big Island until earlier this week and having logged some high intensity, high volume training it was definitely time for some R&R this week to let the body absorb all the good work. It was a fun and fruitful camp, but I was definitely ready for some Zzz’s by the time I got home!

I’ve had friends from Los Angeles in San Francisco for the past few days so it’s been great catching up with them and doing a few tourist activities here in the city. I’ve been living here since the end of October, so am still a relative newbie, but I settled in fast and love the feel of this place. It is certainly one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the US and has a real European feel to it. I love that you can walk or ride almost anywhere and public transport is terrific. The same cannot be said for LA or most American cities.

Alcatraz Island remains one of my favourite places to visit here – I strongly recommend a visit if you’re ever in town you take the audio tour of the cells. It is spooky. Golden Gate Park is another highlight – you can take a leisurely stroll, walk down as far as the beach, hire a bike or even take a free swing dancing lesson on a Sunday lunchtime. There are also several great museums – the De Young was on our itinerary yesterday and was terrific.

For me, though, the coffee scene and the restaurant scene are what really set San Francisco apart. Granted, I am a bit of a coffee snob so love the whole ritual of it all, but nothing beats finding a new cosy little café and discovering some fancy new beans.

As you can probably tell, this week has been as much about switching off from being an athlete as it has training, resting and recuperating. Work-life balance is key, even if your “work” doesn’t involve an office!