Karate Training!

Monday

I woke up feeling rather tender - my back was aching, two of my fingers were swollen (from a poor block I did last night) but the main problem was my left arm. The arm was hurting like I'd been hit with a hammer! I don't remember any big knocks to that area during the sparring yesterday. Maybe the adrenaline covered it up? 

The weather has finally cleared! There was a bit of frozen snow outside of the house, but nothing to stop me riding my bicycle to work. I arrived rather sweaty - it's a lot warmer than it has been recently.

I enjoyed my GCSE English lesson - this was down to the students who engaged well and came up with some great answers. Afternoon lessons were okay.

I cycled home and then bashed out an hour of weight training. I was glad that my arm didn't give me any problems. My back was a bit tender so I nursed it through the deadlifts with my belt as tight as it would go.

Then I made chicken and mushroom pasta for the family. Tonight, we watched the very final episode of Stranger Things. It didn't disappoint (although there was a bit too much crying for my liking.) This programme has been one of the very best things I've ever seen on TV and I would rank it up there with Voyager, Game of Thrones, The Sopranos and the first season of True Detective.

No alcohol, no junkfood, weight training

Tuesday

I cycled in to work, did the work thing and then cycled to Halfords to pick up a windscreen wiper blade. When I got home, I tried to fit the blade only to discover that there was a part missing from the box. I vented my frustrations on an hour of weight training.

After this, I had a shower and then Lucy served up a magnificent Shepherd's pie made with a lamb joint (not the mince.) Top class! I drank water.

I did an MOT on myself today: I weigh 10st 4lbs, have a resting heart rate of 61 bpm, and blood pressure of 121/75

No booze, no junkfood, weight training.

Wednesday

Strike day! With most of the staff on strike, it was left to Wend, Lucy and me to facilitate lessons for the students. I had 15 students with learning needs doing GCSE work with me this morning. It was a great lesson -  because of the kids' desire to get stuck in!

The afternoon was a little more relaxed as we switched from English to maths and some of the students had gone home.

I met James in the gym and we had a good chat and a good session. Unfortunately, I failed trying to match my all-time bench press record. I missed it by 2 reps!

Back at home, I decided to have a few beers while I made dinner for the family!

Beer, no junkfood, weight training

Thursday

I had one too many beers last night. I woke up at 3:13am with a headache and then stared at the ceiling until the alarm went off at 6:10. I went to work feeling really rather tired. 

I was very grumpy at work but eventually cheered up and got some stuff done.

Lucy and I did a big shop at 5pm and then, back in my man cave, I did an hour of heavy weights to the sound of Global Underground trance tunes.

After this, predictably, I cracked open a beer!

Booze, no junkfood, weight training

Friday

Drove in to work because Dodgy and Lucy were going out straight from work. I got a lot done today and did a decent lesson with some great students.

Tonight's Karate session was run by Sensei Gary and it was a fast-paced mix of basics and kumite involving a mini-competition, some 5-step sparring and line-ups! I didn't quite get a sweat on but it was a good workout and I was very glad I went. Happily, Martha came with me tonight, and, as always, she was a different, happier person on the way home.

After Martha and I had dinner, I then had to collect Mouse, Cassie and Lily from Solihull and Lucy and Dodgy from the station. Unfortunately, both groups contacted me at the same time and I couldn't fit everyone in the car! I had to race to collect the girls, drop them at home, then zoom off to get Lucy and Dodge and take them back home, and then out again to drop Cassie and Lily off. Phew. I think I got home at about 11:30. Bed time with a cup of tea!

No booze, no junkfood, Karate

Saturday

Up at 7:30 for coffee and muesli. This afternoon's Karate session was a good one. I dedicated the first 45 minutes to kumite and only switched to kata to slow things down and focus the students at the end. We had the usual silliness from some of the students, but as Lucy explained when I got home, it's good that they're having fun which is why they keep coming back!

In the evening, Lucy and Dave from next door came round to enjoy some homemade curry and a few drinks!

Booze, no junkfood, Karate

Sunday

The first cycle ride of 2026. With Jonnie entertaining guests at home, Mark, James and I set off into the rain from my house. We wooshed along our Purity Temple route in a light rain with an unhelpful cross wind for most of the way. By the time we reached Wilmcote, 21 miles later, we had an average of 14.0mph. We were surprised and delighted to find Auntie Laura up from London, so, along with the Cakemaker, the five of us had a good chat while we got stuck into homemade coffee cake.

We got ready and tried to set off again only to find that my bicycle had a front puncture!

Twenty minutes later, after some furious pumping from James, we once again rolled out into the increasingly misty lanes. We went home via the Petticoat route. By the time we got to Ireland's lane, both Mark and I were suffering and we were glad to get off the bikes for a comfort break!

At the Wee Stop

I got on the front and applied some pressure in an effort to reclaim our 14.0mph average. I'm pleased to report that by the time we got back to my place, the bike computer showed 14.0mph! Unfortunately, I had neglected to pause Strava while changing inner tubes at Wilmcote, so that app shows an average of 13.6mph!

After leftover curry followed by a shower, I went along to Sensei Gary's Sunday night Karate session. It was fantastic! It was also one of the hardest training sessions I've ever done in a dojo! It felt like I was back in one of Mr Roger's fitness classes! The session consisted of lots of fast-paced free flow basics followed by loads of partner work. I was partnered with the same younger, taller, faster black belt who had beaten me up last week... Great training!

In the evening, Lucy prepared a fantastic homemade dinner and I enjoyed a couple of craft ales!

Booze, junkfood, 40 miles of cycling, Karate

In summary, this was a decent week for training. Plenty of exercise but maybe a bit too much booze...

Back to Work

Monday

Back to work! It was training day at SCCB which meant that we had to drive over to our Bordesley Green campus. We collected our mate Clive on the way and then stuck to the main roads which had been cleared of most of the snow and ice. I didn't risk driving my usual side road route.

We had a guest speaker in the morning: A chap called Omar Sharif who spoke about himself an awful lot and then tried to sell us his book.

Eventually, this painful experience was over and Lucy and I headed home. It was bitterly cold and the snow and ice was still about. 

Back at home, I did an hour of weight training and then made dinner for the family. It was quite a force of will to not pick up a beer with my dinner. I stuck to water instead.

No booze, no junkfood, weight training.

Tuesday

I woke up to Ashes misery - things were going from bad to worse in Australia. More bad news: we when got to work we discovered that the heating had failed! And it was still bonkers cold! We had the usual staff members calling in sick which meant that we had to split four groups of students between myself and Dodgy. 

Anyway, it was a crap day of teaching and I was glad to get home and lift some heavy weights while Lucy made dinner.

No booze, no junkfood, weight training

Wednesday

I woke up to more Ashes failure. However, there was a silver lining: over night, Warwickshire's Jacob Bethell had scored his maiden test century.

The roads were still rather slippery so I drove us into work. 

After hours of GCSE maths and English I was glad to meet up with James to do our weekly workout. We had a nice chat, worked hard, and I managed to set my all-time PR for the bench press. Chuffed!

Back at home, I made dinner with the family and then we started to watch the last ever episode of Stranger Things. However, during this we had some bad news - our good friend Michael had gone out running and had taken a tumble. He is quite badly hurt and is currently at hospital. We wish him only the very best for a speedy recovery.

No booze, no junkfood, college workout.

Thursday

Another cold, wet day. I covered Michael's ICT class and then did my Maths and English classes in the afternoon. We closed the college early due to a weather forecast of a snowbomb later on tonight. But why we had to shut at 4pm is a mystery to me...

Lucy and I drove to Tesco, did a big shop, and then drove home in the rain. Then, as predicted, at about 6:10pm it started to snow!

I completed an hour of weight training and felt really strong afterwards. No booze and lots of sleep is starting to have an effect! Lucy fed me lots of chicken and broccoli.

Later, Mouse and I found ourselves out in the snow!

no alcohol, no junkfood, weight training

Friday

Snow day! Children and teachers across the country rejoiced! These days, it doesn't take much snow to close schools and colleges. We could have made it in to college without too much of a problem, but we were glad to be told to stay at home. I had an online maths meeting at 9am and then the day was mine. I really wished I'd brought some of my marking home with me, but I just didn't expect the college to be shut today.

In the evening, I went along to the Ruach Karate session at Tudor Grange. Three of our students had braved the conditions to come along. Happily they were all at the same level - 4th Kyu - which meant that Sensei Gary could taylor the lesson to suit them while running me through some of my 2nd dan syllabus! It's been a long time since I've done any training so I felt very slow and stiff. However, under Sensei's instruction I began to get back into the swing of things. 

After basics, we focused on kicks and did plenty of strength and conditioning exercises to develop our legs. There was some partner work with pads too. The last quarter of the lesson was dedicated to kata, specifically Tekki Shodan - one of my very favourites.

After the session, Sensei presented me with a very thoughtful gift: A Japanese whisky glass with the image of Mount Fuji at the bottom. Thanks, Sensei.

Back at home, I decided a few beers were in order! After dinner, Lucy and I watched MobLand - very good but very violent!

Booze, no junkfood, Karate

Saturday

I woke up with a bit of a headache. I made breakfast for myself and Lucy, dropped the girls at the train station, and then prepared my GCSE English lesson ready for Monday. After lunch, Lucy and I took Freddie for a walk in the sunshine. It was still quite tricky under foot, with plenty of snow and ice around to make things interesting!

My afternoon Karate session was great! Once again, Sensei Gary took the strain and allowed me to train! I can't remember the last time I got to train for two consecutive sessions. We did some kicks with partners, and then got stuck into some alternative ippon kumite drills. Great stuff!

In the evening, Lucy and I watched some more of the excellent MobLand and I enjoyed a few beers.

Beer, no junkfood, Karate

Sunday

With snow, ice and slush all around, there was no bicycle ride today. Instead, Lucy had me clearing space in the garage which included dumping a tumble dryer, and then building a planter made of galvanized steel. 

After this, I spent most of the afternoon updating my eBay page with lots of K-Pop albums and manga books.

Tonight's Karate session was yet again a fantastic opportunity for me to train! This time, we were kumite focused. I was partnered with a much bigger, younger, faster black belt and I was breathing really hard within 30 seconds. I managed to get a few attacks in, but the kid certainly got the better of me tonight. I think it came down to fitness... Anyway, we then moved on to legs and we did a series of strength and conditioning drills to improve our kicks. I went home hot and happy. The last time I did three consecutive Karate sessions was when I was a brown belt!

At home, Lucy had made a fantastic lasagne for the family. I had a glass of water with my dinner!

No alcohol, no junkfood, Karate

In summary, a good week for my training plan! I exercised every day, set a new personal record for bench press, had five sober days, and managed to avoid junk food for the whole week! This is the way.

Happy New Year!

Monday

Lucy took me to The Barn to go shopping. We bought a rose arch for the back garden. Then we went somewhere warm to buy bird feeders.

I did an hour of weight training, didn't eat junkfood, but did drink some beer.

3 beers, no junkfood, weight training

Tuesday

I got up early enough to have breakfast and lift weights for an hour before Lucy, Jane and I headed off to see family in Market Harborough. Paul and Debbie provided a wonderful lunch accompanied by two of the very best beers I've had this year! After having a lovely time chatting with family, we headed back home. Mouse provided me with half a bowl of stir fried chicken... I went to bed hungry.

2 beers, no junkfood, weight training

New Year's Eve

Lucy and I drove off to Cheltenham. We went shopping (I got vests, pants and pyjamas, Lucy got a gloves) and then decided it was time for a sit down. Lucy spotted a fantastic pub at the back of a hotel. The pub is called Gin and Juice and has a lovely atmosphere, a real fire, great service and one of the best pints of Guinness I've ever tasted!

Later on, we checked into our fabulous AirBnB which was only a short walk from the centre of town. After unloading all of our luggage, and a glass of champagne each, we walked back to town and enjoyed a fantastic curry at Indian Haveli. The food was great, the lager was expensive, and the waiters were very understanding of my unique sense of humour! 

After a walk back in the (literally) freezing temperatures, we were glad to get back to our warm flat and to lie in bed watching the fireworks.

Booze, junkfood, 10,000+ steps

New Year's Day

Cheltenham Races! We followed the masses of people heading to the racecourse. We were very excited about our first day at the races together. In fact, unlike Lucy, I had never been at the races before! We were seriously underdressed! Everyone was dressed to impress: Suits, crombie overcoats, short skirts, flat caps, ties and riding boots were everywhere! Next time, I'll do better to look the part.

Anyway, the racing was great fun even though we lost money and the beer was eye-wateringly expensive.

This was when we first arrived. It got a LOT busier by the time the first race started. It was a sea of people below us and crowds all around us.

After 4 hours, we walked back to town, put the heating on in our flat, then walked to the nearest pub to join in the fun and silliness that had taken over Cheltenham. There had been 44,000 people at the races! And despite all the people and all the drunkenness, we didn't see one bit of aggression. It was a nice atmosphere all day.

Back at the flat, we watched a film and finished off the champagne!

booze, no junkfood, 10,000+ steps

Friday

I loaded the car whilst having a bit of a sore head. Then we drove off to Tewkesbury to see the Abbey there. We didn't really know what to expect so we were very pleasantly surprised to find that the abbey was a huge, beautiful, well-maintained building with a car park, a shop, cafe and free entry!

On the way into Tewkesbury Abbey

After exploring the beautiful abbey, we had a walk around Tewkesbury town centre. The only shop we were tempted into was a second hand book shop where I found a hardback copy of  X-Men: The Asgardian Wars by Chris Claremont. It was worth it just for the amazing artwork, but I know that Claremont is one of the best comic book writers to ever do it. I'm looking froward to reading it!

Back at home, we were surprised to find snow and ice on the ground! Tekesbury had been sunny and dry. Solihull was decidedly more wintery! 

I made a fantastic chicken and mushroom balti for myself and Martha. In the evening, Dodgy Debbie came over. I drove Lucy and Debbie to the pub and then collected them 2 hours later. I had a beer and then went to bed at 10, ready to be back at the dojo in the morning!

beer, no junkfood, no exercise

Saturday

My alarm went off at 6am After drinking a pint of water, and with a monumental effort, I forced myself out of bed to make coffee and toast. I had a shower and got into my gi. A little after 8am, Sensei Gary arrived and Martha and I jumped in his car and set off for the Ren Shi Kan dojo in Halesowen. It was an instructor's session, but I knew that Martha would be welcomed along as one of Ruach's adult black belts. 

At first, we were all rather cold and it was a real challenge to get my muscles moving and to get some feeling in my bare toes! But it wasn't long before we were all warmed up and by the end we had even got a bit sweaty.

It was a kata-based session and we ran through selected parts of approximately 10 kata. It was a real eye-opener for me: I had terrible trouble recalling kata I had won gold medals with, and even the kata I performed as part of my black belt grading! After that excellent training, Sensei Gary treated us all to a coffee and some breakfast (I just had a coffee, Martha had tea.) He was then kind enough to drop us home after nearly burning his clutch out getting up the icy car park hill!

Back at home, I got changed and then built the rose arch for the back garden. I did an hour of marking (Level 1 writing papers) followed by over an hour of ironing. After that, it was time to use my new step ladders to put some Christmas decorations back in the loft.

In the evening, Lucy and I watched a stand up comedy show on tele - Micky Flanagan, one of my all-time favourites. And I didn't drink beer!

no alcohol, no junkfood, Karate training

Sunday

I had a great sleep and didn't crawl out of bed until almost 9am!

It is still very much winter, with snow and ice everywhere. I made breakfast for myself and Lucy and then did the washing up.

I did an hour of weight training in the man cave. Although I'm still getting pains in the elbows, the joints hold and I am still progressing in all lifts. Today I did side raises, front raises, deadlifts, shrugs, isolated curls, barbell curls, 100 press ups, 100 triceps dips and 100 leg raises.Then I enjoyed the rest of last night's leftover bolognese!

Tonight, Lucy made a lovely casserole, the family watched Stranger Things together, and I didn't drink beer!

no alcohol, no junkfood, weight training

In summary, I was drinking for 5 days out of 7 so I can't pretend that this was a successful week. However, I've trained well over the last 2 days. so I now need to carry this forward.

Christmas!

Monday

The alarm was set for 7am. I hugged my pillow a bit longer and then got up at 7:10. 

I had a coffee and then drove Mouse to work. After this, I came home to drive Martha to work!

A little later, I made more coffee and breakfast for myself and Lucy.

I cycled to Tesco and then cycled down to see Jake very briefly. After lunch, Lucy and I headed over to Blythe Valley with Freddie the dog. I was wearing thin socks in my massive walking boots which meant that the toes on my left foot were getting sore. I solved this by wrapping my woollen gloves around my toes! Now my hands were cold...

Back at home, I did an hour of weight training, and was very surprised to complete the full hour, despite the last two weeks of stress and alcohol! Maybe my body needed a rest as much as my mind did?

Still, I had some beer with my dinner...

3 beers, no junkfood, weight training

Tuesday

Today I did some weight training and didn't drink beer!

no alcohol, no junkfood, weight training

Christmas Eve

With James out shopping, Mark and I headed off on the annual Christmas Eve ride. It was bonkers cold but thankfully not icy. We did the full Honiley Route to take advantage of a strong wind from the east. The start of the ride was particularly hard: riding into the headwind before we got down to Snitterfield. However, the wind pushed us along the Armouries and then along Featherbed.

At Wilmcote, we had mince pies and the best mulled wine I'd ever tasted!

We cycled back in energy-sapping 360 degree wind, arriving back after 38 very cold miles!

In the evening, I was back out in the freezing cold wind. This time I was manning the barbeque! Obviously, I needed some beers to help me burn chicken and pork to perfection!

booze, junkfood, cycling

Christmas Day

I got some fantastic presents this year: Endura cycling bib tights, loads of books (Thomas Harris and Terry Pratchett - could they be any more different?), a pair of slippers, 2 fleeces, aftershave, aluminium step ladders, beers, chocolate, and loads of other great stuff. I was very pleased to see that the girls were happy with the presents Father Christmas had brought them. 

Jane came round for dinner with us, and then Jake, Tilly, Helen and Ren joined us for drinks and to join in with my quiz. Carl, Lily and Mabel joined in remotely from London!

After everyone had left or gone upstairs to bed, Lucy and I watched England v Australia in the 4th Ashes test until we were too tired to stay up any longer.

Needless to say, today was not about fitness, it was about family and fun. 

beers, junkfood, no exercise

Boxing Day

After a slow start, I drove over to pick up Lily and then back to collect Mouse, Martha and Fred the Dog. We went over to Clowes Wood and walked down and around the Earlswood Lakes. It was a cold day, but wonderfully clear and bright, with hardly and wind. After 10,000+ steps, we clambered back in the car and headed home for a dinner of Lucy's fantastic homemade turkey pie!

After dinner, I dropped Lily off and then Lucy and I met with Gary and Kelly for a few drinks at a local bar. The walk to the bar and back added another 4000 steps to my total!

Beers, no junkfood, 15000+ steps.

Saturday

Another slow start to the day...

After breakfast, I did an hour of marking and then got on with an hour of weight training. After that, I did a load of ironing, and then added some more things for sale on my eBay account. 

I had a few beers in the evening and watched Stranger Things with Mouse.

3 beers, no junkfood, weight training

Sunday

Up at 7 to go riding with the chaps. With Jonnie away, Mark and James arrived at my house for a 9am start. James and I were upset to discover that Mark was wearing what can only be described as lilac tights. He said that his wife likes them.

Into the lanes. It was rather cold and I was wearing two pairs of gloves with hand warmers inserted, along with a balaclava, tights, four tops and a pair of overshoes. James was wearing shorts.

Unsurprisingly, James complained of the cold. As we passed a pub in Lownsonford I jokingly asked if anyone fancied a pint (it was about 9:30am). James replied that he just wanted a hot sausage to hold to warm his fingers!

We whooshed along James's Tom O'The Woods route and onto Honiley Variant. We kept a decent pace and were glad to get the wind behind us for the Armouries and Featherbed.

Today, Jane provided ginger cake and custard! Absolute heaven for three cold riders!

The three of us kept the pressure on and, even though James was having trouble finding energy in the cold, we all made it back with an average speed of 14mph over 40 miles.

Lilac tights out of shot

In the evening, I collected James from his place and brought him back to a dinner party at my place. Mark and his family were there for a get together. Lucy had prepared a fabulous spread which was very well received. Then I was talked into running my Christmas Quiz again! James's team won with a score one point higher than Lucy's team achieved on Christmas Day! After everyone had left or gone to bed, James and I stayed up late watching a programme about the Tour de France.

beers, junkfood, 40 miles of cycling

In summary, this week was another health and training disaster. I'll need to take things a bit more seriously next week!