Monday
In the car to work. After lessons, Lucy and I went over to see Michael and Rachel. Michael is recovering from an extreme sports injury so I was relieved to find that he was still himself, and telling stories with his usual fantastic sense of humour.
After a lovely visit, which included unboxing Michael's vintage Subbuteo set, there was no time to get any weight training done. Lucy and was kind enough to take over dinner duties from me so I did some marking instead. I had beer with dinner.
Beers, no junkfood, no exercise
Tuesday
I cycled in to work and back. I did an hour of heavy weight training at home. I didn't drink beer.
No booze, no junkfood, weight training.
Wednesday
I cycled in to work. I had a good day of GCSE lessons and assessments with my wonderful students, and then met James in the gym. I'm very pleased to report that, with James counting out the reps, I managed to equal my all time bench press record. I felt like I may have had one more rep in me, so next week I may even attempt to better it...
The cycle home was really hard - I was pedalling into a 19mph head wind after using up most of my energy in the gym. At some points on the way home it felt as if I could have gone faster if I was walking!
Back at home I made dinner for the family and drank water.
No beers, no junkfood, weight training.
Thursday
In the car today. After work, Lucy and I did a big shop at Sainsbury's and then, back at home, I did a weight training session while Lucy made a lovely dinner. I had a beer or two with dinner...
Beers, no junkfood, weight training
Friday
My elbows are aching after the three heavy weight sessions I've done this week. The right one is particularly sore so I strapped that up for the day.
I cycled in to work and back and then headed off to Sensei Gary's Friday night session. As is becoming the norm this year, he didn't ask me to teach and I got to train! I spent 40 minutes working on Jion—a kata I performed for my black belt grading, but had gradually forgotten over the past six years. It felt good to blow the cobwebs off and start to get to know it again.
Back home for Lucy's wonderful homemade chicken and rice dish and plenty of water.
No alcohol, no junkfood, Karate training
Saturday
Up at 7am. I drank a bottle of water and then sprang out of bed for coffee and muesli. At just after 9:30, Lucy and I got to college to help out at the SCCB Open Day. We went home at 2:30 and I got ready for the dojo.
Sensei Gary came along for the start of the lesson to meet a young competition winner from a local school. He had won a prize of free Karate training at Ruach Karate. He enjoyed himself thoroughly and certainly looked the part in his new karategi and mitts!
Young black belt Haji (the guy who is great at beating me up!) and I conducted the training and we had a good turn out. From orange belt right up to brown belt. We did a mix of basics, pad work and kata.
Back at home, I repaired a pair of inner tubes just in case I need them on the ride tomorrow morning. Of course, I had to have a couple of beers to help me with the job...
3 beers, no junkfood, Karate
Sunday
Up at 7am. I met up with the lads at Jonnie's place at 9. This is the first time we'd seen Jonnie since he'd returned from Australia. We also found out that he'd been rather unwell with tonsilitis. This, coupled with 6 weeks off the bike, meant that he was facing a rather challenging 40 miles today.
Mark and I had to get back early today, so it was just Jonnie and James taking on the full ride. We took it easy on the way out, plenty of chatting and then helping out on the climbs. After 15 miles, Mark and I had to turn around. We wished the chaps luck, pointed the bikes north, and then stamped on the pedals! I kept a close eye on our progress and within 9 minutes or so we had increased our overall average speed from 13.6mph to 14.2mph! This is the result:
A coffee, a slice of toast, a shower, and I was in the car and off to the dojo.
I was covering classes for Sensei Gary today. The first session, at Cocks Moors Woods had 32 students! I was the only black belt present so I didn't have the option of splitting the class. To make matters worse, I had 4 beginners and 5 white belts. So, lots of distracted kids to try to keep busy, and quite a few serious adults who had turned up to train. It was a difficult situation but I think everyone got something out of the session, and most people went away smiling (with the exception of one beginner who left early in tears!)
I got home, had another coffee, and then did an hour of ironing.
I received the news that Jonnie and James had got back safely after riding the entire 40 mile route. Well done chaps.
Then I got back into the car and rushed off to the Tudor Grange session. I had 15 students including 2 black belts so it was a much easier session. We only had one student who insisted on being silly and pushing the boundaries of acceptable behaviour.
However, of the two sessions, the Cocks Moors Woods students were much more 'switched on', and had the correct Karate attitude. The Tudor Grange lot have a long way to go regarding their budo spirit.
Back at home to write up a speaking and listening exam for college, and then to sit down to Lucy's marvellous homemade chicken and vegetable pie.
No alcohol, no junkfood, Cycling and Karate
In summary, I exercised for six days and ate healthily every day this week. I only drank alcohol on three of those days. That's okay. If I can do this every week then I should start to get some results.
