Week 26 - Porky

Monday

As usual for a Monday, I woke up feeling a bit rough and rather unmotivated. I jumped on the bike after breakfast and cycled into work. The lesson was good, the kids were excellent, but I did have a headache until lunchtime. 

My afternoon lessons were rubbish - the students know they have finished all of their exams so it was a constant battle to get them to put their phones away and to contribute to the lessons. Two of them feigned illness and one simply refused to take part. I got to 4pm feeling drained and grumpy. 

I cycled home. Some tosser in a 4x4 blasted his horn at me even though he was the one who turned without indicating.

In a suitably furious mood, I found myself doing a great weight lifting session for an hour. One that left me with aching limbs as I made dinner for the family. Bed before 10.

Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol.

Tuesday

I jumped in the car today. College was much better than yesterday with all students engaged and two volunteering to do extra work after their lesson ended. I went home in a much better mood than yesterday.

I dropped Mouse off at the train station (she was off to see a concert by some guy who was in One Direction) before picking up the weights for an hour. It was another good session that made me ache all over. After a healthy dinner of salmon and rice, I did the washing up and then watched The Walking Dead for a bit.

Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Wednesday

For the first time this year, I cycled in to work on the racing bike (Specialized). When I'd woken up this morning, I had decided to focus on cardio rather than strength, which is just as well because the wife described me as "porky" at work today! Unfortunately, when taking the bike out of the garage I noticed that the headset had stiffened up. It proved to be a little difficult to turn on the way in, but not too bad.

On the ride after work, the headset had become worse and the bike was significantly harder to handle. To make matters worse (and more expensive) my faithful One23 Extreme Bright 1000 headlight started to flick on and off at random. Anyway, I carefully and slowly completed the 15 miles after work before getting home to take my light apart and to look up how to change a headset. 

I got the screwdrivers out and discovered that I couldn't repair the light without a soldering iron, which I don't have and have never used. Oh well, I ordered a new light for half the price that the One23 cost me about ten years ago. Let's hope it's a decent one.

I looked up the headset job - I couldn't do that without a length of copper pipe and a specialist headset tool. So that's a job for the LBS... 

I put some tunes on the stereo and made dinner for the family. Then I watched the Giro and then the first episode of season 6 of The Walking Dead.

Cycling, no junkfood, no alcohol

Thursday

I cycled in on the racing bike with its dodgy headset. At lunchtime, I cycled to Scott's Cycles to book it in for a replacement headset. Unfortunately, the shop was shut. 

As soon as I got back, the college was evacuated because of a burst water main in the area which left us without running water. I cycled up to Halford's to see if they could book my bike in for a replacement headset, but they couldn't find a slot for me until Wednesday! I cycled carefully home to make a beef chilli for dinner.

I marked student work until 4:30 and then got ready to continue my "porky" training - a 10K run. I had some great tunes in the earphones this evening, including Faith No More, Bruce Springsteen and Rammstein, but the highlight was by Million Dead. I managed to stagger around in a time of 62 minutes and 53 seconds. I was bright red by the time I lurched through the front door!

I had a quick shower and then served up beef chilli to the family. We watched some Master Chef together and then I carried on marking work until 10pm.

10K run, no junkfood, no alcohol

Friday

Back on the mountain bike even though the roads are dry and sunny - I don't want the headset on the racing bike to get any worse before my weekend ride. On the ride in, I found myself questioning why I drink beer: nothing feels better than feeling fit and healthy. I've exercised everyday this week so far, not eaten any junkfood and not consumed any alcohol. As a result, I'm feeling pretty good! Let's see if I still feel the same after work today!

My morning lessons were good although the students were very quiet. It was all a bit glum despite the work being excellent. In the afternoon, we had to endure some of the most boring, irrelevant "training" I've been subjected to in my 20 years as an educator. I tried to get some marking done while I pretended to listen, but was told to stop. I was very glad to get back on the bike in the sunshine!

Back at home, my new light was waiting for me. My first impression of the Ravemen CR1000 is that it is very, very bright and feels quite solid and heavy. Two good signs. It is charged on a USB which will be convenient for home and work. My only concern is about how waterproof it is. There is a rubber cap to protect the charging socket. Will this be enough in a downpour?

Tonight's karate session was a good one. Sensei Ronnie concentrated on kicks for the entire hour. We kicked up and down the hall as expected, but we also got to do some partner work too. I worked with Sensei Jason and he seemed mildly impressed with my back kick, a kick I have always struggled with. I'm glad Martha came along tonight - it seems ages since we've trained together. Afterwards, she complained that she was aching and tired, but I just think that's the way of most young people today!

I intended to drink beer in the garden with my wife but she wasn't in the mood, so I stuck to water instead. She made an awesome chicken curry!

Karate, no junkfood, no alcohol

Saturday

I've taken delivery of about 60 records to sell for a friend. I spent a lot of today organising, washing, listening to and photographing these records ready to put them up for sale. It was a lovely hot sunny day and I wished I'd spent more time outdoors. I got some ironing done and went to the dojo. 

Karate was excellent today - another kicking lesson, this time from Sensei Gary! I was once again partnered with Sensei Jason and we got some good work done. A nice atmosphere in there today.

Back at home, I took bits off the bike until I could get to the headset. I applied lots of lubricant and then put it back together, just not as tightly. Hopefully it will be okay for tomorrow's ride. 

Don't really know what I'm doing...

At 6:30, my willpower cracked and I found myself drinking a beer in the sunshine and reading Grant Morrison Batman comics! A little later, Luke and Martha joined me for a chat (and some more beer!)

Karate, no junkfood, 4 beers

Sunday

Up at 7 to go cycling with James. It was a lovely warm sunny day, but with a slightly chilly wind from the north. We set off at 9, and after 5 minutes I had forgotten all about the headset - the bike was handling like it did when I bought it nearly 10 years ago! Whatever I did to it yesterday had worked.

It was a lovely ride. We went down our Widowmaker route but missed out the Two Towers (we're not in training after all). It was on the climb up to Norton Lindsey where I realised that I wasn't going as well as I should have been. I put it down to a 10K on Thursday and then two kicking lessons over the next two days. My legs were a little empty by now. Still, it was a fairly easy rolling ride and we didn't stop talking at any point! We got to Wilmcote in good spitrits and ready for the awesome cake on offer. I had banana and carrot cake with a coffee. Happily, Yvonne came to join us too. It was hard to get back on the bike after such a nice visit.

On the way home, we agreed that it was quite a cool headwind, and I was glad I had left my base layer on. I got slower as we went but we still managed to get back home after 38 miles with an average speed of 14.2mph. 

After lunch, and watching Geraint lose the Giro on the final day, I hung some washing out in the sunshine and then set about cleaning the car ready for its MOT on Tuesday. I picked up Lily at 5pm and then we all had dinner together (Lily, me, Mouse, Martha and Lucy. Tilly had to pack, apparently). After dinner, we watched a horror film (The Thing from 1982) with ice cream, beer and chocolate! We eventually went to our beds at 11pm!

Cycling, junkfood, booze

Week 25 - Monty

Monday

Cycled to work and back, did an hour of weight lifting.

Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Tuesday

Cycled to work and back, did an hour of weight lifting.

Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Wednesday

Cycled to work and back, did an hour of weight lifting.

Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Thursday

One of the saddest days of my life. After work, the family gathered to take our beloved Monty dog to the vets. He was 13 years old and very ill. Just a tired, thin shadow of his former self. Thankfully, the vet took the decision out of our hands and told us what had to be done.

Afterwards, we brought him home and I set about digging a hole in the back garden. As the sun went down and the garden lights began flickering on, we laid Monty to rest. Then we sat in the garden with him, talking about him and toasting his memory.

Yes, you could say that he was only a dog, but to us, it feels like part of our family is now missing. My fondest memories of him are the quiet times: When I'd be watching cricket on TV on my own, I'd suddenly become aware of him curled next to me, and I'd genuinely have no idea how long he'd been there. Or when I'm working on something in the garden or cleaning the bike, he'd be there with me for the entire job. Then when it was time to enjoy the last of the sun with a beer, he'd be stretched out at my feet. Not a noisy, fussy dog, he just wanted to be with people and join in with what ever they were doing. I'll miss him.

Beer in the garden

Helping me clean the bicycle

Keeping me company in the Man Cave

Cricket fans

No exercise, no junkfood, plenty of booze

Friday

I woke up feeling terrible. I forced myself to cycle in to work. By 10am I was okay and managed to deliver a half-decent lesson. Our lovely friends Jonnie and Sally got in touch and by 6:30 Lucy and I were at their house drinking beer and wine. We went out for a curry, had a few more drinks, and then strolled back to their place so Jonnie and I could watch the Giro highlights (and drink some more beer!)

Lucy helped me home so I could watch an episode of The Walking Dead (and yes, drink yet another beer!)

No exercise, junkfood, booze

Saturday

I woke up feeling awful. After two breakfasts (bacon and eggs followed by muesli), Lucy put me to work shovelling soil into 4 different pots around the garden. After this, I pulled on some lycra and forced myself out into the lanes on my bicycle. I rode 15.99 miles and ended at Jonnie's place to pick up the car. It was a lovely day, and Jonnie was out in his shorts, mowing his lawn.

I got home for a sit down and a whole pizza to myself!

After this, I was back out in the sunshine building a planter to be placed on top of where we buried the dog. After a couple of hours of this, I moved to the front of the house to clean my bike top to bottom. By the time it looked like a new bicycle, the sun was low in the sky. Luke joined me for a beer in the last of the sunshine. It was a very strange feeling not having Monty out there with us, but I know it's something I can't keep dwelling on, and just have to get used to.

A little later, the family sat down to enjoy Lucy's marvellous chicken and pasta oven dish. Top notch!

Cycling, no junkfood, beers

Sunday

The weekly bike ride. I met James at Jonnie's house. We presented James with his birthday present before heading off into the lanes. As the birthday boy, James got to choose the route. He sent us down Bushwood lane and then onto our usual High Cross route. It was a lovely bright warm day with just a slightly chilly northerly wind to keep me in two layers instead of one.

We discussed the sad news about Monty, and we also discussed the sad news about there being no Tommy Godwin Sportive this year - a ride that we always looked forward to, not least because of the wonderful cakes and savouries at the halfway stop!

Speaking of cakes, the chocolate cake at Wilmcote was lovely today! After refreshment, I entertained myself by swatting flies with a miniature tennis racket. Unfortunately, one of the insects landed in Eric's tea - which meant I had to go to brew another one!

Back on the bikes, we decided that the day was far too nice to go straight home. Instead, we made up an impromptu route to get us up to Purity Brewery and then joined up with our course back to Jonnie's.

Today's ride was 37 miles in the glorious sunshine at 14.0mph. 

With no time for a beer, I cycled back home for leftover pasta, and then Lucy and I went out to buy bags of compost from the garden centre. After that, I set about painting the planter. I gave it two coats of outdoor paint before digging it in place and then filling in with the compost we had fetched earlier.

By the time I was digging it in, Eric, Jane and Tilly turned up for dinner. 

Once the planter was in place, I joined them for a fantastic homemade quiche, roasted potatoes, pickled onions and beer!

In the evening, we did our best to cheer on RCB in the IPL, but they were soundly defeated by the Titans despite a century by the amazing King of Cricket Virat Kohli. After that, we snoozed in front of golf before it was time for bed.

Cycling, junkfood, 3 beers

Week 24 - Buble!

Coronation Holiday Monday

I woke up feeling rather rubbish after last week's indulgences.

I spent the day tending to my eBay account, and then did some ironing. In the evening, we went to visit Jake to wish him happy birthday, give him some presents, and drink a beer with him.

No exercise, no junkfood, alcohol

Tuesday

I cycled in to work and back. I still didn't feel like doing any exercise but at least I didn't drink!

No exercise, no junkfood, no alcohol

Wednesday

I cycled in to work and back.

I finally convinced myself to start training again, so I picked up weights for an hour. I felt terrible at first but was enjoying it by the end.

Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Thursday

I cycled in to work and back. I got stuck into the weights straight away and did a good lift for an hour. After that, it was party time! Lucy and I went to see Michael Buble in concert. The man was funny, entertaining and professional. And the voice was amazing as usual. A great night out, but a late one for us teachers!

Weight training, no junkfood, booze

Friday

The head was a bit cloudy in the morning, but cycling in to work helped. By the afternoon, I was feeling good. I cycled home and then headed off to the dojo. Although not feeling very well (he has a virus), Sensei Gary put together a fantastic session focused on kicks - as Sensei Ronnie explains, everyone can punch, but if you can kick you can win fights.

Back at home, I couldn't find my wife. I eventually found her in my next door neighbours' living room. Before I knew it, I had joined them and a beer had appeared in my hand...

Karate, no junkfood, booze

Saturday

I cycled in to Solihull to pick up a watch I had put in for repair. By the time I got home, I had got a bit sweaty. The day was warming up. After lunch, I headed off to Saturday dojo. Sensei Gary was still poorly but he still ran a superb lesson based on self-defence. We ended the session with some work on the heavy bag.

After that, I walked Freddie (Monty is not very well at the moment) before getting home to do some ironing.

Karate, no junkfood, no alcohol

Sunday

A good bicycle ride with the chaps: 40 miles at 14.0mph. We stopped for a wee on Firs Lane and were surprised to spot a large, impressive building standing menacingly in the mist in the next field over. This turned out to be Haseley Manor which has been a hospital school for girls, a children's home, an orphanage, and has now been split up into apartments.

The cake was excellent, the sun was out and the chat was good. 

Jonnie trying not to laugh at my helmet straps

Cycling, junkfood, no alcohol

This week has been a disaster as far as my training has been concerned, and I didn't even go for a run. The hard work must begin on Monday!

Week 23

This week, I found out that one of my students had died.

Training didn't seem to matter.

I lost my way a little bit and didn't look after myself as well as I should have.

I didn't go to the dojo.

I didn't go for a run.

I did cycle with my friends and they reminded me what it was like to smile and laugh.

I'll get back to training next week.

Week 22 - One in the Eye

Monday

I cycled in to work, I cycled home, I did some weight training. I made dinner for the family.

Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Tuesday

I cycled in to work. On the cycle home I almost got killed by a driver in a sporty hatchback with blacked out windows. At home, I discovered that Martha was too ill to attend dojo, so I decided to do some weight training instead. I worked until 10pm preparing lessons for the mock inspection next week.

Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Wednesday

I cycled in to work. Stress in the staff room! The date for the mock inspection has shifted! We don't know if had been suddenly changed or if we had simply been given the wrong date. Back to the drawing board as far as lesson prep is concerned...There was a short emergency meeting called after lessons and then I cycled home via the Post Office.

I did an hour's weight training during which I set a personal best for the military press (overhead press). I'm still surprised that I can set new records for myself at the age of 48 after weight training for most of my life.

I made a chicken and mushroom stir fry for the family.

Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Thursday

I used the car for work because I had larger items to take to the Post Office after work. The mood at work was tense, with a lot of people genuinely stressed and worried about the mock inspection. My own personal view is that an inspector is always welcome to walk into any of my lessons, but I understand that people want to be seen to be doing the best they can. I ended the day by organising a mini-football tournament for my students. I tried to referee. Afterwards, the captain of one of the losing sides informed me that I was a jolly poor referee and I don't know what I'm doing (or words to that effect.) I couldn't agree more.

Back at home, I forced myself to go running in the rain. I staggered around for 10 kilometres. It took me over 64 minutes and I hated every second of it. However, I had some great music in my earphones including Weezer, Hell is for Heroes, The Strokes and Motorhead.

After a shower, I had a few beers with my dinner. And relax...

10K run, no junkfood, booze

Friday

I cycled in to work. I got lots of paperwork ready for the inspectors (it's all about evidence!) and pretended to pay attention to the afternoon training sessions. Then I set off for home. I was just over a mile from home when an insect flew directly into my left eye. It stung a lot and forced me to stop the bike and rub at my eye (probably the wrong thing to do.) When I could open my eye again, I carried on home. 40 minutes later, I managed to get the thing out of my eye - this involved much prodding about with bits of wet tissue. My eye was a bit sore, bit seemed okay.

Martha and I headed off to the dojo. During the warm up, Guv and I were laughing at how stiff my legs were. I could barely kick groin height!

Martha and I didn't get to train tonight, we both had to teach. I like teaching, but I was in the mood to do some Karate. I hope Sensei Gary and Sensei Ronnie come back to Friday night training soon!

Back at home, I felt a few beers were necessary with my dinner!

Karate, no junkfood, 3 beers

Saturday

I woke up at 3am having difficulty opening my left eye! Whatever the insect had done had given me conjunctivitis symptoms. It was the same when I woke up again at 7. A good wash of the face sorted that out. I made sure to wear my cycling glasses for today's bike ride with the chaps.

For some reason, we trusted the BBC and changed our weekly ride from Saturday to Sunday. According to the BBC forecast, there was 0% chance of rain this morning, so of course, we cycled off into the rain at 9am...

Happily, it didn't rain for long and the morning got warmer as we headed south. Jonnie was on fire straight away and James and I spent the first half an hour or so trying to catch him. He is a rare talent going downhill. We went along our Two Towers route and then headed down The Widowmaker, eventually cruising through Snitterfield at chatting pace. I dragged the lads along the Armouries and then James did an awesome pull along Featherbed Lane - I'm surprised that we didn't set any personal bests on his wheel.

As usual, the cake at Wilmcote was splendid. By now, the sun was doing it's best to break through the clouds and it was nice and warm. I decided to leave my jacket with Jane before heading off into the lanes again. We had a pleasant ride back to Jonnie's place before heading off on our separate ways. 36 miles of riding at 14.2mph.

Unfortunately, when I got home I realised that I had left my house keys in my jacket. Which was at Wilmcote. I had to cycle to Martha's place of work to borrow her key!

I had a busy afternoon of lunch, dog walking, mopping the kitchen and ironing before Lucy came back from her London trip wth Dodgy Debbie. She made a lovely dinner. By now, my left eye was becoming very watery and there was some yellow stuff in there too. It was rather uncomfortable. 

I was Martha's driver tonight - she went to a work leaving drink at a Solihull pub. I eventually picked her up at 11pm, and then staggered off to bed with my leaking eye driving me crazy...

Cycling, junkfood, no alcohol

Sunday

I woke up with my left eye still sealed shut with gunk. However, as soon as I had wiped it away, my eye felt a lot better.

Today was a busy one: marking IT unit folders, putting Pokemon cards up for sale on eBay, putting some barbed wire along some fence panels in the garden, attaching some ceramic planters to the front of the house, putting up bunting for the coronation next week, and walking the dogs. Oh, and having lunch while watching some cricket!

In the evening, I headed off to the Sunday Karate session. Sensei Gary and Sensei Ronnie were in charge of a grading, so I had to teach for the entire lesson! This was unexpected so I had no lesson plan. I was faced with people who had just achieved their orange belts right up to people my own grade. Plus we didn't have much room. I did my usual warm up and then blasted them through basics followed by kata. We only had room to do three steps forward and then three steps back.  It must have been quite boring for them, I hope they get a proper instructor next week!

Back at home, I watched cricket with a beer or two, had a lovely dinner, and then watched The Walking Dead until midnight!

Karate, no junkfood, beers