Isle

So, here I am on the beautiful Isle of Wight, at Freedom Families: a holiday for children with Autism and their families. This is the only kind of holiday we can do with our severely autistic son, Zac, as “normal” forms of travel and new environments are very difficult for him to cope with. Here at East Dene (a converted stately home overlooking a dramatic seascape, in the tiny village of Bonchurch), he is in a completely secure environment and can roam unsupervised in the enclosed field and woods - something he just can’t do anywhere else, and which he absolutely loves - and can swim to his heart’s content in the pool or the sea.

He is calm and happy. All the autistic children seem to love it here, and the same families return year after year because, well, frankly there is nowhere else we can go that caters so well for our special kids.

We have been here for a week already and, with the help of an au pair, we have actually been able to relax a bit and read books and just chill! I’m not quite sure what to do with this newfound state of relaxation - it’s been so long…

Well, one thing I have been able to do, to an extent, is run! I have managed four runs in the first week, but am struggling to find suitable routes or a big enough block of time to devote to a really long run. This part of the island is super-hilly too, and my regular readers will know my dread of hills! But anyway, this is what I have achieved so far: (Next week, must try harder!)

Sunday 8th August 2010

A very hot afternoon. Baby Lily-Rose is asleep, "Katie 2" (our lovely au pair) is watching Zac, and Luca is doing archery with his daddy… I have time for a very quick run. The nearest and most obvious route is along the seafront from Bonchurch to the other end of Ventnor which, according to Google Maps, is exactly 2.5 miles there and back.

Most of the route to Ventnor is deserted and beautiful - huge open sky and sea to my left and steep chalky cliffs to my right. It gets busy towards the end… a large public paddling pool in the shape of the Isle of Wight, and several beach front shops, cafes and arcades, so I am forced to dodge around the tourists.

(The above photo shows Zac in the Isle of Wight shaped paddling pool - he has his fingers in his ears to block out the sounds (he has Sensory Processing Disorder, and all kinds of noises hurt his ears), and his high viz vest on, with “I have Autism” and my mobile phone number on the back, in case he runs off, which he is prone to do… he is very fast and has no sense of danger and would be unable to ask for help. But he is having a great time in the pool!)

Anyway, I complete my short 2.5 mile run, pushing myself to go as fast as possible, hoping that speed will compensate for lack of distance, but it is still quite a struggle in the heat.

Tuesday 10th August 2010

What a contrast to Sunday… freezing cold and pouring rain all day! I am determined to run nonetheless and head along the coast to Ventnor again - aiming to run there and back twice - exactly 5 miles. This is definitely a challenge, battling against the strong icy wind all the way to Ventnor… but it's much nicer on the return route to Bonchurch when the wind is behind me - probably helping my speed a little bit! Definitely not my favourite run, but am glad to have clocked up a few more miles.

Wednesday 11th August 2010

Children in bed, and it’s the perfect evening for a run: cool and clear, with the skies promising a beautiful red sunset. I still haven’t worked out a better route, so just went for the 5 mile double trip to Ventnor and back. What a mistake! I hadn’t realised it was the annual Ventnor Carnival this evening, and as the sun went down, the glow-sticks came out, and I spent the whole time weaving in and out of (very slow-moving) tourists clutching glasses of beer and Spongebob Squarepants balloons!

Saturday 14th August 2010

Again, a beautiful evening, and this time I’m determined to have a proper run, with no tourists, no rain and no balloons! I have fab speedy songs on my iPod and the red sunset is incredible. A great run and a new 5 mile personal best time of 44 minutes and 29 seconds!

Distance run (in miles): Sunday 2.5, Tuesday 5, Wednesday 5 and Saturday 5
Total mileage this week: 17.5
Total mileage for August: 32.9
Total since starting blog: 165