82 days left until marathon -

Running
Forgot to blog my Saturday run of 40 minutes.  Today's run was 1 hour.  I have a knack of heading out for my run and ten minutes later the rain begins.  But I'm really enjoying it.  Thankkfully it hasn't been torrential.  I don't know if I'd like that.  

Life
Life has been boring and stressful at the moment.  I've been working far too much and then trying to cram in study.  Next week I'll begin my clinical placement for 3 weeks as well as dealing with uni exams.  AND I have to stay down south for it.  Something has to give.  Its almost time for me to put my foot down about working to many shifts.
I wish I was back to blogging about high teas, movies and fun activities I've been doing with my boys but its not happening at the moment.

At least it was good studying weather!

I am really proud of T1 and T2.  T2's behaviour has been wonderful lately and he started Milo cricket last Friday arvo. He only just held it together as he was so tired after a full week of school.

In other news the twins have been invited to another party! Hurray for friends!

Which reminds me I have to organise the twins birthday party - at least working means we'll be able to pay for it! :)

94 days until marathon & just when I thought my life was calming down....

Running

50 minute slow jog.  I can't find my Garmin, which is probably a good thing as I'm not really fit enough to push the speed right now.  My beginner marathon schedule said 50 minutes and that's what I did.  It was so cool and no humidity for a change.  I really enjoyed it.  Tomorrow said a rest day or cross training.  I got a shock email today (see below) and am still recovering so I think tomorrow will be a rest day.

One of my favourite views from my run

Autism

The twins are doing swimming lessons with school.  Today I volunteered to be a parent helper (translation - I wanted to check out how my kids were going).  I was mainly worried about T2 as T1 is pretty good.   T2 was really well behaved but I doubt whether he would have absorbed any of the instructions if I hadn't repeated them in his ear and prompted from behing to listen to the teacher.  There were 10 (yes TEN!) kids in a class and it was a 45 minute lesson so overall he did really well. But at the same time his swimming was quite abit worse than the others in his group and his listening to instructions was not good.  Ho hum!

Life

I just finished a long afternoon/evening shift at work and logged on to my email to be informed that my nursing placement will start in 3 weeks - PANIC.  Its 40 hours a week for 3 weeks and 1 and half hours drive away.  My vital signs are through the roof right now.  What's worse is that I have a HUGE, HORRIBLE anatomy exam in the middle of my placement so therefore NO study time.  I'll be so ticked off if my GPA drops.  Freaking out right now!

WHAT a day!!!!

Where to start?

Running

I got up bright and early (the alarm on the other side of the room is working a treat!) and did a speed session.  It went like this 1 minute fast running, 1 minutes slow x8.  The splits are below.  I'm still getting back to pre-injury form.  But I will get there.

Its probably best to look at best pace since I was running 1 min hard then 1 minute shuffle.

Life/Autism

So much happened today.  I'll start at the beginning.  Last night I was awake stressing about some therapy and uni bills I need to pay.  I may have said a desperate prayer.  We are not poor and I'm not crying poor but these bills needed paying and I was wondering how.  Then after my run I logged into my account to pay a therapist and a lump sum of child assistance had been deposited.  I'd forgotten that parents on carers allowance get a boost at the end of the financial year.  There were tears.  Of relief.  And joy :-).

Next,  I secretly logged onto my university account.  I hadn't told anyone in my family that it was results day.  And I got two high distinctions!!!  One was for anatomy and physiology, and I've got to tell you that that subject nearly broke me - hip hip hooray!!!!

Then we went off to see How to Train Your Dragon 2 - and we had a great time.  T2 was really good again.  He does tend to talk quietly to himself but I don't think anyone nearby hears him.  My others boys were transfixed. The self-talk is the big behaviour we need to target and also one of the most difficult as it appears to be self-stimulatory.  Now that I'm able to pay my program supervisor and look her in the face, this is the behaviour we're going to target.

Then…. yes there's more!!!  When we got home I realised there was a missed call from the  aged care facility I had my interview.  And guess what? I was offered a casual position.  The pay is rubbish, the work is difficult (sounds great doesn't it?) but its excellent experience.   I've heard the best nurses are the ones who graduate after working in clinical practise while studying.  I hope I don't get too many night shifts though!

Lastly I'm finally getting my results back from TAFE (yes uni wasn't enough agony last semester) and have one mark to receive until I'm a fully fledged Assistant in Nursing, possessing the certificate 3 in aged care.

So much in one day!!!  I'm happy.  A little terrified about next semester, juggling uni, work, kids, a trip to Alice Springs and placement.  But I know I'm made of tough stuff.  After all I'm an autism mum - I can deal with anything :-).

My first DNF & life's too short to study! Swissotel and Ottos

Running

Maybe I should have titled this section not running.  Saturday morning I headed off to my local Parkrun, ready for a hard run.  Which was probably my problem because I must have moved suddenly and pulled my hamstring on the very first step.  At first I thought it was a spasm or cramp but after 500m I knew it was serious and pulled out.  A couple of tears were shed on the walk of shame back to my car.  But as I was driving home I thought how this could have happened at the start of the half-marathon and how relieved I am that it didn't.  Its still pretty sore.  My husband is going to give it a massage tonight and I've decided no running for 7 days.  Then I'm going to hit the pool - try my hand (or legs) at pool running or swimming if running doesn't feel good.

Just before the Parkrun - If I could turn back time….

Life

Yesterday I had a final essay due.  I'm so relieved I handed that in (with one hour to spare!).  Then tonight I had a science mini quiz - its supposed to be on anatomy and physiology but I think my lecturer is a frustrated physicist  and I think he may be a sadist :-).  The calculations were so difficult.
But I haven't let my injury or studies interfere with having a good time.

Yesterday eldest, MIL and I headed to the Swissotel high tea buffet.  Eldest and I got excited about the chocolate fountain.  The service is always wonderful and they even remembered us from our last visit.  We drank peach cocktails (OJ for eldest), and devoured savouries and sweets until we were bursting.  I must say a simple cucumber sandwich was so delicious.  Other highlights were the cheesecake.  I must say that the scones weren't up to par this visit (I'm not sure what happened) and my tea tasted suspiciously of Earl Grey rather than the ordered English Breakfast.  But not to worry.  We were given a lovely window seat and there were plenty of delicacies to indulge in.

Yes please

My MIL loved this 

My savouries  - cucumber sandwich and egg wrap were the best

The cheesecake was delis and melted chocolate - what could be better?

View of the State theatre from our table

The tree next to St James station - if only trees could talk!

Today I had lunch at Otto's Woollomoolloo.  Yes - the Ottos.  I was chosen to be on the lovely Retromummy's table and had the most wonderful afternoon.  It was part of the Olympus OMD EM-10 launch.  Have I mentioned I have no idea how to use these cameras?  I had to ask how to turn it on, but after a little while I got the hang of it (well kind of).

Lucky me!

I love how this camera looks - so retro!

I was seated near some Olympus employees who were great at telling me about the camera in plain English.  I love how it looks like a 1970s camera.  Its a really good camera and if I was going to buy a camera I know I'd buy this (you do know no-one pays me to say this - I wish they did!)  One of them had done the half-marathon last week so we had lots to talk about.  It was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon and the food. drink and service was excellent.  Lucky me - it was completely free of charge!  Back to Earth and suburbia now - it was fun while it lasted :-)

Can you tell I'm trying to be arty taking this?

Barramundi was beautiful

I've forgotten what this was but sure tasted good

Such a beautiful day

Stiff as a board; New shoes; The Power of Pez and Life

Running

This morning I was up for a very early 10km.  I knew it would be slow but it felt (and was!) ridiculously slow.  My legs are feeling a little better since this morning's run and some stretching so I hope to be back into regular running by Saturday.

I also used this morning's run to break in my beautiful Fuscia Brooks Transcend.  I've been running in Gel Kayanos for many years.  About 7 years ago I thought I'd try Nikes.  I lost the toenail off my big toe and vowed never to be unfaithful again.  But the beauty of the Fuscia Brooks overpowered me.  For the first couple of kms I doubted my decision, but by the time I turned for home I was in love :-)!

Today was my husband's day off, but it also clashed with eldest cross country zone carnival.  So we decided to check out the newest Italian eatery on the block - Mercato and Gucina.  I'd been craving chocolate croissants (I know - they're French) for some time now so I ordered that and a pot of tea (real tea leaves - tick!) while my husband had a lemon tart which I could tell he really enjoyed.

This place is huge - has a restaurant, deli, bakery, pizzeria and plenty of seating

Delicious!

I think I'll aim to try each one this year

Chocolate croissant

Lemon Meringue

Extra points for the marshmallow and heart

….and tea leaves

Then it was off to watch eldest run his cross country, where he performed valiantly and ran really well.  Unfortunately, although when eldest was born he was 7 days overdue he just missed out on being a New Year baby.  I was wondering why my sports mad husband and brother-in-law starting showing an interest in the due date as each day passed.  Apparently being born at the end of the year means you are competing with kids much older.  If he'd held off a few more days he would be down an age category - so think about that when you're thinking about conceiving your future sports stars! :-)

Autism

the power of Pez

T2 isn't that into soccer, but things are changing.  People have said to me maybe he'd be more into this or that.  Well frankly,  unless he's taught, he isn't into anything (except lying on the lounge, eating and watching Thomas on TV).  But he loves Pez at the moment so I discreetly put 2 packets into my pocket and followed a continuous positive reinforcement schedule. Every kick of the ball in training= a Pez, immediately delivered.  It worked like a dream.  He was amazing!  I'm going to keep it up and gradually fade and hopefully he will get more into it.  I'll keep you posted.

Life
Placement is over (for now) and they've offered me casual work (yeah!).  After my exams I'll be working.

I just handed my draft essay in.  Getting 100% in the first assignment was awesome but I'm feeling like the only way is down (hopefully not too far down).  I hope she doesn't return it with lots of changes to make.  This essay has felt interminably long in the making and is making life miserable.

I think I need a holiday - away - so tired!

speed session; day 1 of work placement;

Running

I was up with birds (or the annoying rooster that someone in the street thinks its appropriate to keep).  It was fantastic running just before sunrise, except for thinking I may roll my ankle at any moment.  1km at race pace with 200 metres walking recovery X3.

Clinicals - Day 1 - 8/100 hours complete
I am so tired I hardly feel like blogging my day.  It was day one of my placement and after not working for 6 and 1/2 years, it took its toll.  I'm ready for bed.  I didn't have to do to much today.  This morning I started by learning the fire drill, watching dvds on infection control, elder abuse and manual handling, having a hand washing assessment and then shadowing another worker for the afternoon.   Tomorrow I have to start at 6.30 in the bloody morning!  When am I going to run?????   Waaah!  I got home with enough time to drop my bags and head to the boys school for an hour long meeting.

On a happy note I got 9/10 for an anatomy quiz on blood vessels.  It was a uni test and I got the highest score that anyone revealed on the course Facebook site.  Many posters revealed a failure mark and I was very stressed before hand.  Phew!  A confidence boost that I needed.

So tired right now - bath- bed (and maybe a little/lot of chocolate please!)

Oh my poor aching legs & a confidence boost!

Running

After less than 6 hours sleep (and I need my sleep!) - hurray for Liverpool-  I dragged myself out of bed to do my long run.  I ran a very stiff and slow 18km.  After punishing my body for three days in a row my legs were REALLY sore afterwards.  I had some cleaning to do (zzz) and I was noticeably walking funny.  I was walking like an old lady.  Later we walked the kids to the park.. T2 took off ahead on his scooter and I literally couldn't run after him.  I don't remember ever being this sore.  Tomorrow will be a day off running for me.  I'm having a mother and eldest son day and I'm going to need every ounce of energy I have...I'm excited!

Life

Remember how upset I was that I got 6/10 for a quiz I took last weekend?  Today made up for that.  In another subject I had to write an essay that was worth 40% of the total unit.  I got....drumroll....100%!!!!  I've never got that kind of mark at tertiary level.  Like my favourite saying goes 'never,never,never give up'.  The lecturer emailed to ask me if she could use it as a model answer to help other students.  I'm still terrified about anatomy and physiology but I needed a confidence boost and it couldn't have come at a better time.  By the way, yes I can write much better than I write in this blog - I just don't have the time!

Now I'm going to get some sleep!

Some motivation for you!

Running

I'm sure my anatomy lecturer won't mind me sharing this slide with you.  It shows the loss of muscle mass with ageing- but wait!  Its not all bad news.  The photos on the right show the difference when you exercise regularly - motivating stuff right?  Well, it certainly is for me!  I think of this when I don't want to do my strength work.  At the moment I'm really enjoying running but not so much the strength exercises.  7km for me this morning.

Life
Today was a study day for me and I got quite a bit done - but there's so MUCH to do.

I needed a change of scenery and some sugar/probiotics

plain frozen yoghurt with mini mms and gummy bears - yum

It was SO quiet- great for studying!

Autism

Soccer training for the twins this arvo.  T2 was up and down - moments of great play and moments of loud noises and he even hit me once :-(...its not all roses here that's for sure, but overall he is doing amazingly well.  And I'm sure he is very tired it being the end of term, training after school

Does fear motivate you? It certainly motivates me!

Parkrun PB & twins' soccer debut!

Running

This morning I headed down to my local Parkrun for a tough 5km.  I could feel my legs were stiff from the strength exercises I did yesterday so I thought I'd do a slower time.  I pushed pretty hard though and came out with a PB!  Very happy with that.  It looks like most of the boys' soccer games are late enough that I can keep doing my Parkruns on a Saturday.  I'm pretty happy about that.  There's nothing like racing for a good, hard session.

Soccer

Today was the day!  All 3 of my boys were playing their first club soccer game.  First off was the twins.  Well- miracles really do happen.  Because T2 actually RAN (not walked) after the ball and even managed to kick it a few times.  This boy couldn't talk a couple of years ago, or understand the simplest of instructions and engaged in some pretty serious behaviours - like banging his own head.  In fact, today no-one really noticed he was 'different' at all.  And he looked like he was having fun and getting some much needed exercise.  Go T2!!! And T1 scored THREE - yes THREE goals and their team won 10-3 (not that they record the scores at this level).

Life
Just as remarkable was the fact the whole family were able to sit on the sidelines and watch my eldest play a full one hour soccer game.  The twins played on the sideline, ate snacks and amused themselves. I wasn't stressing they would run onto the field or away from us-which is exactly what they would have done a couple of years ago.

One T2's therapists was away so this afternoon I did a session with T2 and he was fantastic - really switched on and we covered so much.  I think the more he is busy doing something 'functional' like soccer this morning, the better he is.  We had a great time together - they are the sessions I love!

After that I locked myself in a room and crammed for an anatomy and physiology test for awhile and then....

...we finished off our Saturday with watching Star Trek- Into The Darkness.  I invented a new dessert, chopped up home-made rocky road and sprinkles on vanilla ice-cream.  It was delicious!

Why didn't I think of this combo before??

We're half way through - so far so good!

What is your favourite at-home movie snack?

Another PB!!! & an easy 10km & confrontation

Today I found out my time for yesterday's 5km and I did it in 24min 17 secs!!  A big PB for me. But just to put it in context, I was beaten by a 12 year-old girl!  This morning I headed out for an easy 10km.  The sky was streaked pink and blue and there was an enormous full moon.  It was beautiful!  I don't take my phone with me now that I have my Garmin but I think I'm going to have to take my phone out to try and get a photo tomorrow morning, in the hope of a repeat.

Not much else exciting this Monday - a clean-a-thon, study time and Downton Abbey - which I'm loving.  It such a visual feast, one of the reasons I love nearly all British period dramas.  If only there was more time to watch.

Boys seemed to have had a good day at school.  I wish there was better communication.  I need more info.  Hopefully no news is good news.  I'm thinking about bringing the subject up but I HATE confrontation - really hate it.  I love running so much.   It helps me deal with all the stress of parenting these precious boys with ASD.

How do you deal with confrontation?

A Parkrun PB and be careful when your studying anatomy at home!

Running


This morning was the first Saturday morning that I've had free for a while.  So it was down to my local Parkrun.  When I arrived I noticed bbqs set up and it dawned on me it was the Parkrun's 1st birthday.  Cool!  We lined up and there were presentations etc. and we waited for mayor to arrive.  While we were waiting a full on dog fight broke out.  I am so glad there's a fence around that area!  We gave up waiting for the mayor and the race started.

It was hot!  It's always hot when I go do a Parkrun.   I can't wait to run a Parkrun in cool conditions.  I got a PB which I was really happy about.  I can't believe how much harder today's 5km was compared to yesterdays.  But the pain was worth it.  I got a PB!

The crowd from afar

After the run there was a sausage sizzle and an amazing cake that the race director's wife had made.  It was amazing.  I was having a bit of a chat when my phone rang.  It was my husband 'come quick, eldest is batting now!'.  I looked longingly at the food, then at my phone, then at the food again, managed to quickly grab a fantale and sprinted off to my car.

This cake is so awesome..I wish I had eaten some!

And Parkrun cupcakes!

There was a couple of speeches that summarised everything I love about the Parkrun concept.  It ties in with what I've been studying- holistic health.  Its free, therefore accessible, it promotes physical health, community and social interaction.

Life

This afternoon I was pretty exhausted so kicked back to listen to an anatomy lecture.  Late this afternoon my eldest came to me with a look horror on his face.  He had powered up the computer to do his mathletics and was faced with a slide of the female reproductive system! Ha!ha!  I assured him it was ok, just part of my studies.   I'm glad I didn't leave the photographs of human cross sections I was viewing earlier!

Rugby league is well and truly back.  I'd forgotten the screams of agony and ecstasy in the house.  I hope Manly win tonight.  I like a happy family!

5.7km & Who is this new me?

I've been burning the candle at both ends and I'm not the kind of girl who can get by on a few hours sleep and spring out of bed for my morning run.  But I did manage to squeeze in 5.7km before school pick-up.

Last night I went out to dinner at a Thai restaurant with a friend.  It was great company but the food was really disappointing.  We ordered pork belly as a main and it was chewy and I thought it was just me but noticed my friend wasn't eating any of it.  When I commented she completely agreed.  I'll never go back there because life's too short to give a restaurant a second chance, and there are lots of amazing Thai restaurants where I live.  I won't name and shame the restaurant.  I thought about it, but...no.  So my friend came back to my house and we talked (and ate chocolate) until late so no run this morning.

Today my car was scheduled for a service and I had an assignment I wanted to knock over before the weekend.  My mechanic is the same one I've been going to since I learnt to drive.  I told him today he is NEVER allowed to retire.  So I drove 45minutes to get there and walked down to the local McDonald's to finish my assignment and take advantage of their free Wi-Fi.  I was there for 3 hours and didn't eat a burger or fries or sundae or cone. Who is this person?  This is what I DID order - first hour - a skim hot choc (extra hot!) and then at lunchtime I ordered a grilled chicken salad and small diet coke.  I was apprehensive..but it was fine.  After 3 hours I picked up my car and headed home.

McDonald's Salad - it did the job.

Usually i would make excuses why I can't run - it will be too late, too hot etc.  But I REALLY wanted to run so as soon as I got home I threw on my running gear and some sunscreen and bolted out the door.

I'm loving my Garmin but I do have one gripe - it seems to take ages (almost 10 minutes) to pick up my location.  And I am NOT a patient person.  I'm going to Google this tonight and hopefully find a solution.

Yesterday I met up with my husband for lunch at Rhodes shops.  One of the bloggers I read recommended Lily's so I thought we'd give it a go.  We halved a quiche and some wagon wheel chocolate thingy. Delicious!

Lilly's at Rhodes

My half of the quiche

At the time I was supposed to be watching my eldest son play cricket all day but sneaked off after he batted.  I love watching him play, but selfishly I'm not too keen on watching everyone else's kids play...it takes forever.


I went to Ikea to check out desks for my eldest but I have a problem with Ikea.  I get claustrophobic in there.  Nowhere else...just Ikea.  My goal was to walk through the shop.  In the kitchen area I thought I was going around in circles and I had to take the shortcut once but overall I think I went ok.  But once I overcome the claustrophobia I'm going to have to face the assembly nightmare.

My nemesis

A corner desk...

or a flat desk...a white one, or a black one...?

cool chairs

Maybe one of these to hold eldest's 'stuff'?

How long does it take for your Garmin to pick up your the location?

Do you love or hate Ikea?

5.7km; School Supervision & one of the worst things about twins ;-)

It was SO humid this morning!  Every day the air is so thick and wet.  Now that I have a Garmin I have realised what I thought was 6km is actually 5.7km :-(.

Today was a day for me to knuckle down and get some of my nursing studies done.  In a couple of weeks uni will start up and I'll be juggling a part-time uni course and a full-time TAFE course.  But I've promised myself that no matter how stressful and full-on things get, I'm going to prioritise my running.  In fact, I'd rather fail a subject than go backwards with my running.  Its kind of like the safety talk on an aeroplane...you've got to put that mask on yourself before you help your kids, otherwise you'll all be toast.  I think its particularly apt for parents of kids with special needs.

This is what I do all day when the kids are at school (well-what I'm supposed to do!)

Today T2's BCBA (Behavioural supervisor) went to observe T2 at school for the very first time.  She dropped in afterwards and went through her observations.  There are so many positives, but still quite a few things he needs to work on.  Unfortunately some of the behaviours are tricky ones to eliminate,like non-functional language, conversation skills and attending.  But overall he is doing SO well.  And T1 is practically indistinguishable from his peers which is amazing!  It will be interesting to see what interventions get put in place for his IEP (Individualised Education Plan).

Tonight was Kindy info evening, which went well.  Lots of info to take in but unfortunately books to cover in clear contact.  That stuff is sheer hell to work with.  It sticks together, you get bubbles and bits of contact stuck to you.  And yes, if you're lucky enough to have twins you get double the books to cover!  Woo hoo!  I got home and did it straight away because just looking at them was going to make me nauseous.  Anyway I'm pretty happy with my handiwork - not many bubbles!

I'm SURE your evening was more exciting than mine!