It's been a funny old year, from around January my balance improved enough that I've only used my walking stick in the house maybe 3 or 4 times for the year to date. That's pretty awesome. But as my brain continues to rewire itself in different interesting ways, it's also meant that I get snowed under by little things really easily.

Classic example of this is from post-Swancon. Basically got back and didn't really go near Lj except once or twice a week for maybe half an hour at a time. I couldn't read LJ and still have the mental wherewithall to get anything else done. Often mental tiredness equates to physical tiredness and vice versa, so on a given day too much dishwashing will leave me unable to read, too much reading will leave me too tired to sort, etc. I'm really having to pick what I put time into, and then if there's anything left afterwards, do a bit more or something else. It's also become a little more common this year to ask Sharon to read something and give me the short version, because the words become a meaningless jumble when I'm tired.

I still can't believe I was so lucky to have a good period at a con. One con out of five since all this began. Not expecting it to happen again any time soon, so will probably start to think I shouldn't go to cons again as it feels a waste of money. But then again, C5 is a must, and so is Swancon, so... *shrugs*

I am gradually getting more stamina, but the amount of spoons I have on any given day is often around the same - basically I'm seeming to be ble to do a bit more with the same amount. It'll vary a little depending on what I've been doing for the days before, etc. One example is that I'm only just getting back to normal for the first time since a few weeks prior to the rent inspection. Part of the problem there may be that swimming knocks the stuffing out of me, so that'd been preventing me from catching up on rest. I've certainly done better rest-wise the last two weeks where I skipped my Friday swim. Did any of that make sense? I can't always tell.

Of course, it's been annoying to use my available brainspace rebuilding the PC, but it needed to be done *sighs*

Talking to some people on the phone can still kill me for a few hours or the day, while others have no effect. There's no rhyme or reason to who will exhaust me and who won't, though generally I have the same reactions to the same people. Talking to Sharon on the phone drains me really quickly, and I've found in general the best thing I can do when talking to anyone is lie in a dark room. Less effort on multiple levels.

Of course once the baby comes along, things will get really interesting. My current plan is that unless I'm doing really well, I'll rest a chunk of the time the baby does. The non-resty times will be either houseworky stuff, or if I'm too physically run-down, then I'll do computery stuff. Initially it'll be a lot easier because it'll be Sharon and I sharing the workload once she's recovered from the delivery. I'm hoping to work on various coping strategies while she's home and have a basic idea of what is doable for my energy/concentration levels so I can figure out how to balance the baby's needs with other stuff that I need to do.


Interestingly, while riding the bike can be physically hard sometimes, like on hills, it's something I seem to be able to keep doing. That said, the 4km trip to the shops and back killed me both ways on Sat, whereas today I rode to swimming, practiced for 50min, then rode back. 10km with a swim in the middle and while I'm stuffed, I don't feel as bad as I did Sat. I could easily have gone for another ride on both days though.

And so to pics of the trike for the curious.

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Here's the basic bike.

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Here it is with the trailer in shot. You don't even notice the trailer's weight. It also makes a fairly ok shopping trolley :)

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And here's mum on the trike :)
No she doesn't ride it, but I had to get her to have a go on it.

From: [identity profile] ariaflame.livejournal.com


What does the woofer think of it? Doesn't look too fazed there.

I really am glad that some things are improving. Once you've got enough of the hang of swimming to feel reasonably confident then you won't need as much time spent on that.

From: [identity profile] dalekboy.livejournal.com


He's wary of it when it's moving near him, but otherwise is fine.

Ideally I'd like to swim three times a week anyway, I can't afford that but once I'm done, I want to try for twice a week. My class is planning on reenlisting as a group and doing another round of lessons with the same teacher. So no rest any time soon :)

From: [identity profile] kaths.livejournal.com


Hmm, that's a bike perhaps even I could ride!

Will anyone else get the spoon reference?

From: [identity profile] dalekboy.livejournal.com


I have thought you'd do okay on it. My only concern would be for your back when you hit bad bumps and paving. I had a link to Fuse Recumbent's website a few posts back - their satisfied customers include people who've broken their back and who have muscle-wasting illnesses.

I mentioned spoons in a recent post, and had a link to it, and figured if anyone asked I'd just point them back to the post :)
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From: [identity profile] purrdence.livejournal.com


The Spoon Theory is making the rounds via friends of friends of friends. You're one of the several people I've heard taking in spoons.

From: [identity profile] arcadiagt5.livejournal.com


I just had a look at your profile and it looks like the back problems are quite serious so I'd definitely get test rides before committing.

I would also seriously look at tadpoles with rear suspension (such as the Trice Q/T or HP Velotechnic Scorpion) or a long wheelbase delta like the Greenspeed Anura.

I found the Anura to be a very smooth ride, even over bumps that I flinch from on the GT5, but not as stable for high speed cornering.

Getting tests on those tadpoles could be tricky but Greenspeed are in Melbourne...

From: [identity profile] kaths.livejournal.com


INteresting info. I think I'd need some serious suspension!

I'd be a bit paranoid about bicycling around so close to the ground, so would have to stick to footpaths. Might stick to walking with the pram for the moment :)

From: [identity profile] arcadiagt5.livejournal.com


If the height is an issue, definitely look at the Anura. The seat on that is about the same height (17") as most dining table chairs.

Unlike most dining table chairs it has an adjustable angle...

From: [identity profile] arcadiagt5.livejournal.com


Footpaths can be bumpier than roads. Especially if the road is sealed with hotmix. Chip seal, not so much.

Some of the cycle paths in Canberra are just vile when it comes to bumps (they are too close to trees and the roots are coming through).

From: [identity profile] magnapops.livejournal.com


Cool trike, I am so jealous......

I hope everything works out stamina wise, children can be so demanding and energy sapping at the best of times, and as a parent, who can say no to them? So look forward to some more challenging times ahead.

Guess

Riding the trike uses lower body muscles, chest and upper body not impacted by the exercise. Swimming on the other hand, mostly upper body. So a) either there is a lack of strength or stamina in the upper body or b) your condition increases the impact of upper body exercise....

Solution: More riding, less (but don't stop) swimming.

:-)

From a fully and totally unqualified friend.

From: [identity profile] dalekboy.livejournal.com


The only issue is that, with the trailer, I have three different tire sizes. But when I eventually ride from say... Port Augusta to Perth in a few years time, I'll be carrying spares :)

And see to me, a lack of strength/stamina in the upper body just means I should be doing more swimming. I enjoy both quite a bit. My biggest issue with swimming is that I'm so short-sighted, I don't get to enjoy the good-looking people in their swimsuits ;)

From: [identity profile] arcadiagt5.livejournal.com


I haven't needed the trailer (yet) on unsupported tours.

OTOH I haven't been on a solo tour longer than three days yet but even then I really noticed the weight in terms of fatigue and reduced average speeds.

Oh, and I'm still looking for a jolly roger for you. :)

From: [identity profile] dalekboy.livejournal.com


Nullabor trip would be a few weeks and I'd be camping, so more stuff to carry there. I've wanted to walk it for some time now, but using the bike is a more realistic option.

Thank you RE: Jolly Roger :)

From: [identity profile] dalekboy.livejournal.com


It's one of those things, like driving long distances, where I'm rather picky. Four days in the bush without a shower means you want to be good mates :)

From: [identity profile] arcadiagt5.livejournal.com


Good point. :)

I have to admit that I'm something of a credit card tourer. Hotels are wonderful things at the end of a 100K ride...
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From: [identity profile] sootysmudge.livejournal.com


Re: swimming. I find swimming tiring, even when l'm doing the swimming training 3 times a week. I could never go swimming before work as l know l'd fall asleep by lunchtime.

From: [identity profile] rachelholkner.livejournal.com


...how to balance the baby's needs with other stuff that I need to do.
I laff and laff and laff. And then I cry.
:)

From: [identity profile] dalekboy.livejournal.com


Evil woman... remind me to tell you lots of con-running horror stories ;)
.

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