Posts by manta515

yep, the capital of kiwiland is Wellington and the capital of Oz is Canberra.

Apparently, as I have been told by numerous Aussies, the reason Canberra is the Capital of Oz is because they couldn't decide whether Sydney or Melbourne should be the capital, so they built Canberra about halfway between the two and made it the capital.  Not sure if that is really true, but I have heard it from quite a few people here.

Just a hint to help you out... there are 8 states and territories in Oz, you got the 4 easy ones!

 Please do a bit of research on this - the vaccinations do not 'cause' autism. But this debate is a whole different issue...

 Irishmum, I don't even think it is worth it to start this debate, I just bite my tongue every time I hear the claim that vaccines cause autism. 

Considering the most up to date research clearly shows that autism is present from birth and is caused by incorrect wiring in the brain (autistic individuals lack the proper wiring that allows them to immitate behaviour they see), AND the claim was that thimerisol in the vaccines (which has been removed for a number of years from all vaccines on the childhood immunization schedule) was the cause of autism, it's unfortunate this idea is still floating around.  Just another example of a faulty scientific study ended up in the mainstream and causing panic.   

wow, its amazing the difference between having a child here in Australia is verses having one in the states.

I am not going to even TOUCH on the debate part of this issue, but I will say that after reading through the posts here, I am even happier that I ended up having my daughter here in Australia.  They don't give eye drops here, and with the VitK and Hep B, I had to actually sign a paper saying whether or not I wanted them at one of my prenatal appointments. I also had the choice to start the course of vaccinations at her 2 month appointment.   As for the bath thing.... I wouldn't have even realized that was an issue.  My daughter actually didn't end up having a bath in the hospital because I left less than 24 hrs after having her (and she came out about as clean as a newborn can amazingly enough... i really expected more blood, etc., could have been because she was 2 weeks late). 

My suggestion, find a birth center or think about a home birth (I had my daughter in a birth center in a hospital here in Oz).  Good luck with your choices.

I just wanted to add a small bit of expert advice on the vitamin K issue for you to consider (I have a PhD in Biomedical Engineering, and extensively studied blood clotting and the coagulation cascade when I was in Graduate School and am now involved in cancer research).  Please note that I am not trying to convince you one way or another and it is ultimately YOUR choice, but I thought I would give you my take on the issue so maybe you could be even more informed. 

Vitamin K is integral to proper activation of the coagulation cascade leading to proper clotting of your blood.  We all need it, but some infants are born with a deficiency, so they are in danger on bleeding... especially intercranial bleeding (i.e. bleeding in the brain) which can lead to death.

Now, the issue started in the early 90's when two research papers from the UK came out suggesting a link between Vit K injections and increased occurence of childhood leukemia.  I went to our research database and read through these two papers, and I can say from a scientific standpoint, they are both a bit flawed in the conclusions.  Later studies from the US, Denmark, Scotland, Sweden, Germany, among others have since shown that there is no link between the shot and Leukemia in children.  However, the actual shot preparation from the different countries was slightly different for all of these studies.  So, while as a scientist, from reading these research articles, I can say that I am 99% sure there is no link... I am afterall a scientist and will never say the injection is 100% safe (nor would I say ANYTHING is 100% safe, we may one day discover some random little chemical in bananas causes cancer or something ridiculous like that, you just NEVER know for sure, like I said, I am a scientist!) 

To go into this issue a bit further, there are a number of published studies on oral vs. injection, as oral administration has never been shown in any studies to increase leukemia, but oral administration is not as effective and although a series of oral adminstrations is more effective than one, it is STILL not as effective as the injection. 

In the end, the choice for your baby is yours (given of course your wishes are followed in the hospital), but I would stress the importance of being scientifically informed (i.e. from the actual research papers) rather than google informed for everyone here. 

It never fails to amaze me how a flawed research paper given to the mainstream media can create such panic and confusion for people who would probably not fully understand the original report.  I think it is totally irresponsible and unfair to the general population to be provided with such skewed results honestly, whether they be positive or negative. 

Having said that, ultimately, it is the responsibility of EVERY person to make their own choices (for themselves and their children), and I am not going to be the person to tell them how to make those decisions, I just wish there was some way to provide better more accurate information from which people could base these decisions.

Good luck with your choices, decisions, etc. I hope you are able to get through it mostly unscathed

I completed the Couch to 5K at the end of January '08 and have continued and become fully addicted to running. 

I just ran my first half marathon a couple of weeks ago and absolutely LOVED every minute of it.  I have also run a 5K and a 14K run since completing the program and am already planning what I will be training for next year. And I am even thinking of training for a triathlon for sometime next year.

I have also lost almost 40 lbs in the process!

Hi Madame,

I am an american living in Australia, so I will try to help you with my experiences with sizing differences.  It becomes quite difficult as the US sizes are all over the place and I have found that over the years vanity sizing there has become a bit ridiculous in some cases.  I also have found that while the conversion charts you get online are close, they are not always correct

Anyway, prior to the weight loss, I was ~ an AU size 16.  When I went shopping in the states, I found that I fit into US size 14 and 16. 

When i went to the states this past march, I purchased mostly US size 10, which I found equated to about an AU size 12.

All of my US size 10's are too big on me now and I am wearing a US size 6-8 (pre pregnancy clothes).  When I buy clothes here in Oz, I pretty much buy size 10 exclusively. 

So, basically it is ABOUT 1-2 sizes different.  I would say that as an Aussie size 12, you SHOULD fit into a US size 10, and MAYBE an 8 (see if the site has measurements for their sizes, that would be your best bet).

Now, for bras.  A 12E bra would be a 36E.  I wear a 10B, and that is equivalent to a 34B.  If you want to be sure, measure your chest UNDER your boobs, the measurement in INCHES should be ~ 36 for you.

Ok, shoes.... I have found NO DIFFERENCE between Australian and US shoes sizes.  I wear an 8 US and and 8 AU. 

I hope this helps somewhat!

it is possible to get pregnant after having your tubes tied, as you have discovered.  I have a very good friend who got pregnant about 8 years after having her tubes tied.  Unfortunately, she had her tubes tied because she had lupus and pregnancy and lupus do not mix very well, and because of her beliefs would not have an abortion so she ended up with a metally disabled child due to a bad lupus attack during her pregnancy. 

Oh, and I second the thing about "weight" and "weighed."  And one more thing to add: "weighted" is not a word!  I've seen a lot of things like this: "I weighted in at 120 this morning."  Haha, it doesn't bug me THAT much--but still. :)

 Actually, weighted IS a word... it's just not being used properly by many people here. 

You can have the weighted average of something, which is a statistical term.

Also, it can mean to make something heavy or load with weights.  There are a few other definitions for it as well, but you get the point.

Just my two cents to another thread about people's lack of understanding of the English language!

haha luvmyboy,  you had the same response to the birth control thing that I did!  Maybe next time around you and I can get the best of both worlds... great pregnancy, great post natal period! 

Seriously though, I know EXACTLY what you are talking about with the depression.  My prenatal depression was so bad that I barely even remember my first three months of pregnancy.  All I recall from those first few months was having awful all day sickness (morning sickness my arse!) and severe food aversions, lots of crying, and just a total feeling of despair.  While it did get better as the pregnancy progressed, I didn't fully come out of it until probably my last month of pregnancy.  The hardest part about it was that its just not discussed or nearly as well known about as post natal depression so there was little to no help for me.  Plus, taking depression meds was not really much of an option, although more and more they are discovering that the benefit of them may outweigh the risk during pregnancy.  No one but my close friends and family really knew about it.  Also, in my mind pregnancy is supposed to be this beautiful, happy time, where a women just glows, and mine was anything but.  I just had all these preconceived notions of pregnancy that was anything BUT what mine was like.  Apparently, prenatal depression has a big genetic component, and when I asked, I found out my paternal grandmother had it through all four of her pregnancies.  If and when I decide to have another, I will definitely be more open to other options if I find myself heading down that road again.  As you said luvmyboy, I wouldn't wish it on ANYONE!

have you done the test yet dog lady??

25 miles for the past week

thanks all for the congrats, and thanks skinny_kitty, good luck with your half, you may surprise yourself, I did.  My official time was 2:05:37, I am pretty damn happy with that considering less than a year ago, I couldn't even run a mile without stopping!

well done kscout! You totally inspire me, and when I have the time, I will definitely be training for my first marathon.... either that or it is time to get a jogging stroller and train with that.  I plan on a few more half's first, I just loved my last one so much, then I will see where I am at.

I was quite sore all day yesterday, feeling much better today.  Time to start looking for my next event!  Might try to improve my 5K or 10K time next.

Thanks for thinking of me Jenka!

So, I DID IT!!!  I ran the Sydney half marathon yesterday, and it couldn't have been a more perfect dy to run it... Not too cold, not too hot (well, maybe a little warm for some, but not for me!).  It was an absolutely fantastic experience and I can't wait to do it again next year.  I enjoyed running this MUCH better than the city to surf run I did back in August, probably because I didn't have to contend with walkers so it was just so much easier to set my track and run it, only having to go around some slower runners (although I felt like mostly people were going around me!).  My official time will be around 2:04 (finihsed in 2:09 on the clock, but need to wait for my timining chip time to be posted because I know it took me about 5 or so minutes to cross the start line. 

It was an absolutely beautiful run too, started over the harbour bridge, then past darling harbour ( a really pretty harbour in downtown Sydney), and then out towards the western suburbs and back through the rocks (a Historical area with lots of pubs in downtown Sydney), and finally to Circular Quay ending at the Opera house.  Let me tell you, the sight of the Opera house as I finished was a spectaular was to finish a race.  I felt quite strong through most of the race, started out slow and then started picking up the pace after abuot 6k in.  I almost pushed myself too much at the end though because I thought I could run the last 5 K faster than I really had left in me, so with about 2K's left I was struggling a bit because I tried to push too early.  But, I think I did them on pure adrenaline because I knew I was SO CLOSE! 

Anyway, a friend on mine from Melbourne called me last night to see how it went and wants to try to do the half marathon down the great ocean road next year in Melbourne, so I am thinking I might actually fly down there to do it with her.  Funny, now I am actually thinking of FLYING to places to race.... what has happened to me? 

I also know now that in a few more years when my daughter is a little older I will definitely do a marathon, just can't get the training runs in right now with working full time and being a full time mom.

Cheers all, and happy running!

I go on vacation and come back to find out I missed the end... go figure!

I got a chuckle out of the new challenge since I run around the land of Oz every day!  Ok, well, just Sydney, will be amusing when we make it here though

The diving holiday was great, gave my legs and knees some much needed rest.  Did 8 miles the day after I came back and it was TOUGH after only a week off.  I run my half marathon on Sunday starting out over the Harbour Bridge and ending at the Opera House.... been putting in some shorter runs this week trying to just get my stride back, but everything just feels a bit off... is that normal after only a week off? Oh well, I know I will finish the half, but may not get the time I am aiming for.

Anyway, I have some miles from before I left for vacation and some from this past week.  So here are my miles run in the land down under to contribute to running around this beautiful country! 

Week ending Sept 9 -  24 miles

Week ending Sept 16 - 12.5 miles

*Big Pat on the back* 

I actually managed to get in 10 miles this morning! Plus, I am mostly ready to go, so just have a few things to do and the head out of here this afternoon for the airport.

wow, I had a crappy run this morning.  I think it started because I didn't want to get out of bed, plus today was speed training day, which is always my least favorite run (although I do like the fact that it is over quicker than other days!).  Finally, I was having intestinal problems from the moment I woke up (probably tmi, sorry!),  Oh, and my legs have felt weak this entire week from doing the 13 miles on Sunday (Is that normal?).  They haven't felt like this after doing 10 or even 12 miles, but that 13 mile run seems to have taken a lot out of me or something.  Its mostly my lower quads that are feeling weak, and it almost feels like its making my knees unstable, have any of you had this?  Not sure if I am describing it right, but it feels like if I twist or turn in the wrong way, my whole leg might just give out, there is no pain at all, it just feels weak. 

Anyway, I decided on hill repeats this morning, but stopped at 4 repeats (have been doing 5 or 6 lately).  I was feeling weak and a bit nauseous so I called it a morning.  Its probably a good thing I am off on vacation on Sunday, I just hope I am not coming down with something because that would suck to be heading off on vacation while being sick!

Khooder, yep, I feel your pain, plus add a baby pooch onto the fact that I hold onto weight in my hips, thighs and butt, and you have a distaterous bottom half!   Seems that my tummy has permanently stretched from having a baby (maybe because I didn't lose the weight right away?  Who knows.  But I have this little rounded pooch that is just SO ANNOYING.  I never had this before, I guess its all part of the joys of having children! Although I DO get annoyed that some women don't seem to have any tummy issues after having kids, just seems unfair, and lets not get started with the stretch mark map I have on my tummy now too.  Running has really helped with slimming my bottom half though, more than anything else I have ever done, and as I said, the weight just seems to be falling off.  Just when I think I have a piece of clothing that fits great, it starts getting big on me.  I now own two pair of size 10 jeans that I bought while I was in the states in March that I can pull down without even unbuttoning.... it can be quite annoying... in a good way though.  I have no idea what size I would be in the states anymore... probably a 6 or 8, but they size things differently here in Australia, so I wear a bigger size number here than I would in the states (talk about psychologically annoying!). 

Will do an easy run tomorrow morning and then debating whether or not to try and get a longer run in on Sunday morning before we head out on holidays.  Will just have to see how I feel and how ready I am for the trip I guess.

I finally reached 13 miles on todays run for the first time ever... and let me tell you, the last two miles were a killer, the last mile, for the first time in a very very long time I was tempted to stop, but since I knew I only had a mile left, I pushed and did it! And I kept a decent training pace of a little under 6 mph! 

goddess... yep, my two feet are slighlty different when I run too.  One totally supinates and then supinated some more especially when my foot is getting tired... its like I am totally just running on the outside of my right foot, the left foot is a bit more neutral with only a slight underpronation.  Keep trying with the shoes, you will find one that works.  Oh and btw... FANTASTIC job on the weight loss so far, you have totally said goodbye to the 200's!  I recall you were struggling a bit to get under the 200 mark and look at you now, almost to the 180's!  You'll be catching up to me before you know it!

Khooder... I have actually lost 38 lbs total... but who is counting (hehe).  Like I said, it really has just kind of fallen off, the first 20 or so I worked at, but the rest just seems to have melted away.  My hubby made a comment on my loose skin today, and I freaked and said wear?  He pointed out the skin on my upper arms (bat wings) are SLIGHTLY loose, I have never had bat wings... even more incentive to get back into consistent strength training!  It really sucks being a pear, my bones stick out up top now, but the fat in my tummy, butt and thights just won't budge!  I am still only really toying with the tri idea right now.  Unfortunately, we just got some bad news that the owner of the place we live in is planning on selling which means we are going to have to move.  This wouldn't be too bad, but the housing market here is a bit of a mess atm, which has driven rents up ridiculously, so we may not be able to stay living in the beaches :(  We are thinking of heading closer to where I work, which is a bit inland, but we would be able to get a much bigger place with a yard, which would be nice for my 2.5 year old.  I am just so bummed about the prospect of no more morning runs by the water!  So, if we DO move out of the beaches I wouldn't have the option of early morning training swims, which would ptu a bit of a damper on the tri training.  Oh well, we will cross that bridge when it comes I guess.  We have at least a couple of months to find somewhere. 

mkculs...  I WISH I was running more, I struggle to get the mileage in that I do, and like I said, I am going to have to cut it back after the half.  A full time job, a 2.5 year old, and a hubby who works late means there isn't much time to actually get runs in, which is why I started the early morning running thing.  Fortunately, I LIKE early morning runs for the most part.  I would actually LOVE to train for a marathon next year, but there is no way I have the time to put in the long runs needed for the training, I barely can get in the 2 hr half marathon training runs!

Oh, and one more positive, it was actually quite nice today when I did my long run, I wore only a sleeveless shirt and capri length tights.  Spring is almost here!!!

you will get there goddess.  Not sure how I made it to this point considering less than a year ago I couldn't run for more than a minute at a time and felt like I was going to die after doing it.  Just keep plodding on and putting the mileage in and the distance and speed just seem to creep up on you I guess.  Glad the shoes seem to be working for you.  You could try to get a store bought insert that might help for the mid sole cushioning at least, they shouldn't be too expensive and they will outlast your shoes... just a thought. Also, as you lose more weight, the mid sole cushioning may not be as much of an issue.

Khooder, its not me who works late, its my hubby.  I do research (have my PhD in Biomedical Engineering and am working on developing new ways to deliver cancer drugs to eliminate many of the bad side effects they have atm... I know, sounds interesting when you say it, I think research is like that, while I do like doing it and it CAN be exciting, I always think it sounds a lot cooler to people than it can actually be sometimes).  Anyway, my job is quite flexible so most days I am home by like 5/5:30, but my hubby doesn't usually get home until close to 7 (he is a dive bum.... I mean a dive instructor/dive shop manager, tough job eh?), and by the time he and I eat, and I get my daughter to bed, its getting quite late and totally dark outside and I am exhausted from the day so the last thing I want to do is an hour or so run starting at 8:30 at night.  My only other option would be to get a jogging stroller, which I have often thought about doing, but as much as I LOVE my daughter, I really do like having my runs to myself... its about the only me time I get.  Plus the idea of actually pushing a stroller while trying to run seems like too much of a hassle.    Fortunately, if I miss a morning run, I can usually get a run in on my lunch break, or even around 4:30 ish at the end of my work day, but I have to pick my daughter up from daycare by 6pm when they close and I really don't like leaving her there so later (prefer to pick her up around 4:30)

Did 3.5 mile fartlek this morning and it kind of sucked... don't think my heart was in it and my time was a bit slower than it should have been... on a positive note, the mornings are STARTING to get slightly warmer!  I even had to unzip my fleece vest this morning towards the end of my run.

Your body will adjust khooder, just be careful you don't push too hard and injure yourself or just overtrain!  That would suck.

mkculs - how is the injury?  I hope you heal quickly!