Week 5 - Best Cake Ever!

Monday

After work, I got on with some weight lifting. After an hour of lifting, I got on with making dinner and drinking beer.

Weight training, no junkfood, booze

Tuesday

I cycled in to work and back. Then did an hour of weight training. Then I shocked my liver by drinking tea instead of beer!

Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Wednesday

I cycled into work again. It was rather cold and I had to defrost the car for Lucy before I left. I was wrapped up for arctic conditions but by the time I got to work on the 10-ton mountain bike I was a bit sweaty. Even my hands weren't too bad, but then I was using hand warmers and wearing two pairs of gloves!

After lessons, Michael and I headed to the college gym for a 45 minute workout. We listened to some romantic soft rock tunes followed by some terrible 90s RnB. I blame Michael entirely. I followed the same workout plan as last week apart from one set of bench presses which was 5kg heavier. Always push, always look to improve, no matter how small or slow the progress.

Speaking of slow, I then pedalled home against a headwind. My muscles were aching mightily, but in a good way.

At home, I made beef chill con carne full of fresh ingredients, and then stuffed my face (and belly) full of it! Once again, I surprised my liver by not sipping glasses of craft ale with my dinner.

College workout, no junkfood, no alcohol

Thursday

I woke up with a sore arm. I was aware of a little twinge at some point last night, but today, the ache is obvious. It's my left shoulder really, where I landed on it 9 years ago when I crashed my mountain bike on the ice. The plan was to use the college gym again tonight, but the ache in my shoulder let me know I should rest it. It was one of those rare occasions when I listen to my body. 

In the car today. A very cold morning and I had to defrost the car. Work was okay: some students are getting the idea, some aren't. After lessons, Lucy and I picked up Lily and brought her back for a lovely evening of video games and chicken dinner. Winner! After dropping Lily off, I made a cup of tea and went to bed. 

No exercise, no junkfood, no booze.

Friday

In the car again. Two good meetings in the morning and then loads of paperwork in the afternoon. A very productive day! 

In the evening, I was the instructor for Friday night dojo. Before the lesson, I spent 10 minutes bashing the heavy bag with punches, elbows and roundhouse kicks.

There were a lot of karateka in the dojo including two white belts, a least six black belts, and all the colours inbetween. To make matters even more challenging, the class next door was blasting out very very loud dance music. I had to yell at the top of my voice to give instructions. I kept it simple! Kihon for most of the lesson followed by kata at the end.

My voice was rather hoarse by the time I got back home for dinner.

I watched a bit of TV with my feet up. When I stood up to do the washing up, I found that I had an ache in my right knee, my good knee, to the point where I had to sit down again for a few minutes! It must have been the heavy bag work earlier that strained my knee although I certainly didn't notice it at the time.

I went to bed at 10pm without having any Friday night beers.

Karate, no junkfood, no booze

Saturday

I was up early to eat breakfast and get stuff done. When Lucy got up I had another breakfast! After this, we went shopping for compost, brake pads and other stuff. Lucy needed the car this afternoon so I cycled in to the dojo.

Today was the assessment for kihon (basics). I'm pleased to report that I was able to give a pass to most of my students. Only three didn't pass. I'll make sure that I give extra time to these three students every Saturday. I'm sure they'll be up to standard very soon.

I cycled home feeling good. 

I cracked a couple of beers before heading out for a curry with Lucy and our lovely next door neighbours. I ended up having a bit too much of a good time...

Karate, no junkfood, alcohol

Sunday

I woke up at 3:30 with a large hangover and a bit of balti belly...

I tossed and turned until I eventually crawled out of bed at 6.

By 9am I was with Jonnie and James and about to set off into the lanes. I was admittedly a little relieved to learn that Jonnie was also feeling the effects of a good night out with mates. We set off into a warm wind, glad that the roads were dry and that we could feel our fingers and toes. I struggled for the first fifteen miles or so. My legs felt like lead and my hangover wouldn't let me put the effort in like I needed to. However, by the time we made out way through Aston Cantlow (thanks James!) I was feeling more like my old self and was glad to get on the front to help out.

With the wind behind us in Luddington, we decided to take it easy, have a chat, and save some energy instead of going hard to make up time. The average speed was still okay.

Then, at long last, we arrived in Wilmcote and it was time for cake.

As usual, Jane the master cake maker provided a fantastic choice of homemade cakes. This week, we had to choose between lemon drizzle and coffee cake. It was an agonising choice, but I decided to enjoy the coffee cake.

It was amazing.

By far, the best cake I have ever tasted. No-one else could possibly have made a cake this good.

I will think of it often. I'll tell the grandkids about it.

The best cake ever.

After finishing my cake, my cheeks still wet with tears of joy, I forced myself to get back on the bike. This week, we all set off together. After a few hundred yards, we spotted Lucy and Dodgy Debbie driving along to visit Jane. We said hello and then sped off along Featherbed Lane towards Snitterfield. By now, I was feeling stronger and was beginning to go well. James, however, was in a different league. He launched himself up the climbs and Jonnie and I did our best to struggle up after him.

At High Cross, Jonnie hurled himself down the descent, quickly followed by James. Suddenly, just as I began to follow them down, I developed a nose bleed. I kept going until I got to the bottom and then pulled over to try to stem the flow with my handkerchief. It had made a sticky mess of my bike and my high-vis jacket. After the nosebleed had slowed, I carried on after the chaps. They had stopped and had actually started back to find me. Jonnie asked me if I was having a stroke!

Well, we continued on, sometimes the wind helped us, other times it turned into a nasty headwind. We eventually got back to Jonnie's after 52 miles, 2500ft of climbing and with an average speed a little above our target.

Back at home, I cleaned the bike from top to bottom and then lubed it up. I did some ironing, picked Mouse and Cassie up form the airport, and finally got to sit down with my dinner and a couple of beers!

Cycling, junkfood, beers