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Wednesday, December 7, 2016

How to Lose a Belly When You're 42 (part 15)

The last three weeks have been a complete failure when it came to training. I still attended my martial arts lessons and did some infrequent running and riding but that was about it for exercise.

So I thought I'd tell you about my day trip instead:

Lucy, Debbie and I went down to London to visit Laura for her birthday. We were hoping to see my brother too but he couldn't join us.
I hadn't been to London since I was 22 - I was interested to see if it was as I remember it 20 years ago!
We all fancied a drink so we went down in the train.  I do love travelling by train - it's so much more comfortable with the big chairs and tables, especially these days with the free wifi and plug sockets. The only downside is how busy our particular train was.

I like trains


Everyone was either going to Twickenham to watch England beat Argentina, or going shopping. Towards the end of the journey, a lot of people found themselves having to stand (there were no elderly or pregnant people so I didn't feel guilty keeping my seat.)

Solihull boy in the Big Smoke


At Marylebone Station I was pleased to see hundreds of bicycles locked up - there is hope for humanity yet!

The most beautiful sight I saw that day.


The first stop was to find somewhere to have a wee - apparently you have to pay to have a wee in the train station! We stopped at a pub called The Globe. It looked comfortable but, because of the rugby on TV, we couldn't get a seat. I sampled a half of London Glory by Greene King. It was average. At least I got to have a wee.

I'd normally go for Black Sheep but I was in London, so...

Then we went on a tube train. I'd never been on the Underground before. Happily, it wasn't crowded so it was a very pleasant experience: I particularly enjoyed looking down the length of the train and watching it turn corners.

My first time on a tube train.


Shortly after, we arrived at the Portobello Road Markets. It wasn't really my thing - it was very crowded and very cold. I suppose it would have been fun if I'd had lots of spare cash in my pocket...


What will you have?
We eventually met up with Laura and then Carl. We settled in the Castle pub on the Portobello Road. We had chips and beer. The train journey home was ace - lots of laughter and more beer. A good day trip!

Next week, I did a 6 mile run and took part in some great martial arts lessons. On Sunday, a week after I got back from London, Jonnie, Nigel and I got ready for a cycle down to Wilmcote and back. It was a very cold start with lots of frost and ice about. The forecast was for lots of sun and no wind so I knew it was going to thaw out although it would still be a cold day! Unfortunately, Nigel is still relatively new to cycling: he took one look at the weather and wisely decided to stay indoors! That left Uncle Jonnie and myself to brave the first few miles heading south. With three layers on, one of them thermal, I soon warmed up. I was actually sweating by about the 7th or 8th mile, even though the temperature never got above 4 degrees all day! There was a lot of frosty tarmac to contend with and even patches of ice where the road had been damp. I could hear the ice crunching under the wheels and see chunks of it in the gutters as we went by.
We took it steady and reached Wilmcote a little over an hour after we set off. The tea and coffee cake were most welcome!
The sun was very low on the horizon for the entire ride. This caused a problem as we headed back through Aston Cantlow: an old lady driver, obviously struggling with the visibility, found herself driving on the wrong side of the road heading straight at us! She corrected herself just in time and probably didn't realise she'd done anything wrong...
We took it easy on the way back. Legs were aching and we didn't have much energy to use. It had been about a month since we'd been riding together, and the only cycling I'd done in that time was on my short, perfectly flat commute to work.
We are out of shape.
We discussed our options and how best to prepare for the Mad March Hare. There was even talk of going running together...watch this space.
Later that day, I went to a band rehersal with Nigel followed by an excellent kata and basics lesson with Sensei Gary.

Tuesday (yesterday) was Jonnie's birthday. Much ale and curry was ingested which made the following morning at work rather a struggle! However, it was a great night with great people!

So, I've sort of brought this blog up to date. The training seems to have taken a back seat for the moment although I'm still riding to work and practising my karate. I'll try to fit some more rides in before the new year and the training restarts with a vengeance!







Wednesday, November 23, 2016

How to Lose a Belly When You're 42 (part 14)

Monday
Weight: 10st 9lbs
I was a bit disappointed to learn that I weigh exactly the same as I did last Monday. I tried to convince myself that I've lost some fat and gained some muscle but it didn't work..
I cycled to work and back and then went for a run. It was quite a mild night so I got very sweaty early on. I bumped into Auntie Sally out on a walk and she was perspiring too!
It was a slow run but I felt okay when I got back.
I cooked eggs for the family and then put my feet up.
No junkfood, no alcohol.

Exercise

Cycled to work and back
Run: 4.7 miles at 10:48 pace

Food

2 x wholemeal toast with peanut butter
Pineaple juice
2 x cups of redbush tea
1 x cup of Earl Grey
3 slices of banana malt loaf
2 bananas
1 satsuma
Leftover stir-fried chicken pieces
Mexican scrambled eggs (peppers, onion, homegrown tomatoes, tortilla, mushrooms) with homemade potato wedges from Mom's allotment.

Alcohol

None

Tuesday

Weight: 10st 8lbs
Due to car issues, I could only ride my bike to work today, then I had to put it in the back of my Fiat and drive home. In the evening, I went to pick up the amplifier and mixing desk I need for the quiz on Saturday night. I had to drive to Redditch and back. By the time I got back home and scoffed a late dinner, I was far too tired/lazy to do a weight lifting session.
I watched a bit of TV and wasted an hour on the Playstation. I went to bed just after midnight but unfortunately I couldn't get off to sleep. I just lay there looking at the ceiling. The last time I remember checking the time it was 3:30am...
No junkfood, no alcohol.

Exercise

Rode to work (4.6 miles)

Food

2 x wholemeal toast with peanut butter
Glass of pineaple juice
Redbush tea
Banana
Handful of mixed nuts
2 fresh plaice fillets with tomatoes, rice and vegetables.

Alcohol

None

Wednesday

Up at 6am after about 2 hours sleep (if that)
I had to drive today
Back at home, I did a weight lifting session and managed to lift heavier than I did last week.
I cooked for the family. In bed for 10:30!
No junkfood, no alcohol.

Exercise:

Press ups: 100
Triceps dips: 100
Leg raises: 100
Deadlift (54kg): 5 sets of 5 reps
Side raise (6.5kg): 5x5
Front raise (8kg): 5x5
Squats (37kg): 5x5
Curls (37kg): 5x5
Overhead Press(29kg): 5x5


Thursday 

Weight: 10st 7lbs
Rode in to work in my shorts because I can't find my winter riding trousers. It was a cold experience!
I had malt loaf for lunch and then picked at nuts and fruit.
In the aferternoon, I took the Sports and Leisure group to the sportshall. After our usual warm-up (which the lads now take in turns to lead themselves) we did 2 rounds of circuit training. One of my students is about to take his kickboxing black belt grading in 10 days time. He was desperate to show some moves to the class so I let him have the last 10 minutes of the day to demonstrate and teach the group some techniques. The speed of the guy is incredible! I wouldn't have a hope against him in a fight and I don't think anyone else at our club would either, apart from Sensei Ronnie of course. At only 16, this kid has a very bright future ahead of him. His dedication to training is obvious - he'll probably have his own dojo before he's 25.
Rode home very very hungry!
Dinner was chicken and pasta.
After dropping my Dungeons and Dragons players home I started weightlifting at about 10pm. I replaced yesterday's deadlifts and OHP with DB curls and Shrugs.
At 11, I slumped on the couch with muesli and Playstation. I actually fell asleep with the controller in my hand...
No alcohol, no junkfood.

Exercise
Cycled to work and back
Leg raises:100
Push ups: 100
Triceps dips: 100
Shrugs (48kg): 5 sets of 5
Curls (37kg): 5x5
Squats (37kg): 5x5
Dumbbell Curls (17kg): 5x5
Side raises (6.5kg): 5x5
Front raises (8kg): 5x5

Food

2 x Wholemeal toast and peanut butter
Redbush tea
Apple and orange juice
Malt loaf
Nuts
Banana
Plum
2 x chicken breasts with pasta
Bowl of muesli with semi-skimmed milk.

Alcohol

None

Friday
We had to attend a meeting in Digbeth again this Friday. unfortunately, the roads were very frosty in the morning so, rather than risking a 25mm or 30mm tyre in those conditions, I chose the mountain bike with its 2.4 inch tyres!
Big mistake.
The bike is heavy. I'd forgotten just how heavy. Coupled with the massive knobbly tyres this meant I was very slow and working very hard. To get back in time for karate meant I had to push really hard. I was very tired and very sweaty when I got back home.
It was worth it though, the karate training tonight was excellent - reminding me of my first dojo 17 years ago when we practised basic techniques over and over to improve them and to develop our fitness and stamina. I came away happy!
At home, I ate sensibly and didn't drink alcohol.

Saturday

I got up in time to ride my bike but decided it would be too frosty/icy on the roads. I went for a run and covered a slow 4.7 miles without stopping or walking. 


My excuse/reason for not riding in the cold.

In the evening, I was the 'quizmaster' for a pub-type quiz to raise funds for Mouse's trip to Ecuador. We held it at Wilmcote Village Hall and there were about 50 people in attendance. I don't think I did a very good job. Everyone thought it was too hard (apart from the eventual winners!) and I think I was too serious as a compere for the evening. I should have put some jokes in there.
I had a few beers during the evening and and opened some wine at home.

Sunday

We attended a very enjoyable lunch for our friend Mark's birthday. We met family members at the Rose and Crown and I was disappointed by the lack of local ales. However, Jonnie and I opted for Hobgoblin which was very welcome. After three of these I was ready for my three course dinner. It was top quality fare: a very tasty soup followed by THE best Sunday chicken lunch I've had in a restaurant. The pudding was a fantastic millionaire shortbread accompanied by chocolate ice cream. All for £17! Highly recommended. After not being allowed to pay for our dinner, Lucy and I went home where I opened another beer...and then some wine...


Summary
Another failure of a week. It was all going splendidly until Saturday night when I got a bit carried away and stayed up until 2am. After that, I was on a bit of a mission...

Monday, November 14, 2016

How to Lose a Belly When You're 42 (part 13)

Monday
Weight: 10st 9lbs
Cycled in to work and back.
In the evening I did a weight lifting session before cooking dinner.
No junkfood, no booze.

Exercise
OHP (29kg): 5 sets of 5 reps
Side raise(6.5kg): 5x5
Barbell curls (36kg): 5x5
Squats (36kg): 5x5
Dumbbell curls(17kg): 5x5
Front raise (8kg): 5x5
Press ups: 100
Leg raises: 100
Triceps dips: 100

Tuesday
Weight: 10st 7lbs
Cycled in to work and back.
Dojo was a group basics session followed by low grade kata.
Homemade curry.
No junkfood, no alcohol

Wednesday
Weight: 10st 7lbs
Drive to work.
Home for a cold, cold run. For some reason, I went out without my hat. My ears were freezing! They were so cold that it gave me a headache! I wasn't even sweating when I got home after 4 miles.
Shepherd's pie
One bottle of Guinness.
No junkfood

Exercise

Run: 4.3 miles at a very slow 10:56 pace


Thursday

Weight: 10st 8lbs
Cycled in to work and back.
I did a fitness session with the Sports and Leisure group in the afternoon. I joined in with the warm-up (LOTS of running), the martial arts, and then the football. I was pouring with sweat when I finished - my clothes were sticking to me. Good workout!
At home, before playing Dungeons and Dragons, I scoffed a big helping of homemade chili. Then, Will the nextdoor neighbour brought some fresh pasta round and I couldn't resist.
After dropping everyone home, I got back at 10 and simply couldn't face any weightlifting. I switched on the PS4...
No sugary food, no alcohol

Friday
We had a meeting at a different campus in the afternoon so this morning I swapped the Raleigh for the Specialized. By cycling to Hall Green, then to Digbeth and then back home I covered a total of 16.4 miles (mostly in rush hour.)
Tonight's Karate session was a back to basics lesson - hardly any combinations, just making sure we had our blocks, kicks and punches correct. The big problem was the amount of young people everywhere. The were several times where I had to stop a technique for fear of hitting one of the kids. We need a bigger dojo or separate adult lessons. There are too many there on a Friday night now.
Home for the second beer of the week - Aldi's own Medusa! Tasted like a fizzy Vimto.
Lucy had made a fabulous homemade Chinese dinner, so I had two helpings of that followed by two more beers. Bed at 11.

Exercise
Cycled to work and back (16.4 miles)
One hour of Karate training

Food

Cornflakes with semi-skimmed milk
Apple juice
2 x redbush tea
Banana
Homemade Chinese chicken with stir-fried vegetables and egg-fried rice.

Alcohol

2 bottles of ale
1 bottle of stout


Saturday
Weight: 10st 7lbs
The weather was far too wet for an enjoyable ride, so I settled for a weight lifting session. For some reason I struggled to get through the program in the hour I'd allowed myself, but I did it. I had a pleasant ache in the muscles for the rest of the day.
I spent most of my Saturday at the computer completing the questions for a quiz I'm hosting to raise money for Mouse's World Challenge holiday to Ecuador. In the evening, Jane (the cake lady) and Eric came for dinner so I had a few ales while being sociable (and staring at celebrities dancing on TV.)
Bed at 11.
No sugary food.

Exercise
100 push ups
100 triceps dips
100 leg raises
Squats (36kg): 5 sets of 5
Curls(36kg): 5x5
Dumbbell curls (17kg): 5x5
Deadlift (54kg): 5x5
Shrugs (48kg): 5x5
Side raise (6.5kg): 5x5

Food

Bacon and scrambled eggs with wholemeal toast and homegrown tomatoes
Banana
Tuna and homegrown tomatoes with noodles
Chicken with sweet potato fries, lettuce, homegrown tomatoes, stir-fried vegetables and couscous

Alcohol

3 ales
Half a glass of cider


Sunday
Cheat day!
Today I was manning a table at a tabletop sale at Alderbrook School - raising funds for Mouse's World Challenge. Due to lack of space in the car, I opted to cycle the 2.7 miles to the school! Cycling in jeans is uncomfortable...
I thoroughly enjoyed myself selling old tat to the public and spending the day with Jane (the cake lady), Mouse and her friends.

Tat for sale!

I cycled home to scoff some chicken and get ready for karate.
At the dojo, we concentrated on basics and kata in order to prepare for the gradings next month.
Martha says she doesn't feel ready for the grading (she hasn't learned her new kata) but I'm going to go for it.
Back at home, I indulged in some cheat day foods (cookies, yay!) and had a drink.
Bed at 11pm

Exercise
Bike ride : grand total of 5.2 miles!
One hour of karate training.

Food
Lots of stuff that's bad for me.

Alcohol
2 ales 
A large whisky before bed.


Summary
Quite possibly my most successful training week since May.
I didn't drink too much and I only indulged in junkfood once. 
I'm not running as far or lifting as heavy but I'm sure I can change this before the end of the year!

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

How to Lose a Belly When You're 42 (part 12)

Monday
Weight: 10st 9lbs
I cycled in to work today. It was quite hard going on the Raleigh after spending the last two weeks on the Specialized. At work, I ate some malt loaf and fruit. I've been feeling crap all day - I just put this down to too much beer last week and not enough exercise.
Cycled home to do a weights session and then make my Mexican scrambled eggs.
No junkfood, no alcohol.
I'm determined to get it right this week...

Exercise
Cycled in to work and back (9.2 miles)
Press-ups: 100
Leg raises: 100
Triceps dips: 100
OHP (29kgs): 5 sets of 5 reps
Side raises (6.5 kg) 5x5
Bar curls (36kg): 5x5
Squats (36kg): 5x5
Deadlifts (54kg): 5x5
Front raises (8kg): 5x5

Food

2x wholemeal toast with peanut butter
Glass of apple and mango juice
4x cups of redbush tea
Three slices of malt loaf (no butter!)
Apple
Banana
Mexican scrambled eggs (peppers, homegrown tomatoes, onions, mushrooms) with potatoes from Mom's allotment.
1 coffee

Alcohol

None


Tuesday

Weight: 10st 8lbs
Cycled in to work. At college, I found time for some malt loaf and a banana but I didn't drink as much water as I wanted to.
Cycled home.
It was a chaotic lesson at the dojo tonight. Sensei Gary did a great job of controlling all the karateka, most of whom were kids. We did a long warm up where I worked with a young black belt. After that, we focused on kata where I got to perform Basai Dai about 5 times. Got a bit sweaty.
At home, fish and rice for tea.
I'm absolutely aching for a glass of good beer but I'm determined to train hard this week. I'll sip some water instead...
No junkfood, no alcohol.

Exercise

One hour of karate training
Cycled to work and back

Food

2x wholemeal toast with peanut butter
Glass of apple and mango juice
3x cups of redbush tea.
3 slices of malt loaf
Banana
2x plaice fillets with savoury rice and green beans.


Wednesday

Weight: 10st 7lbs
Resting heart rate: 48 bpm
I had to drive to Handsworth today. For lunch, I had some fruit and nuts and malt loaf.
Back at home, I went for a run. It was a cold evening (only 6 degrees according to the BBC) so it was a bit of a shock running around in shorts. 4.3 miles later and I was sweating buckets! I'm glad I managed to run for 45 minutes without stopping or walking.
Back at home, Lucy had made a delicious all day breakfast. This was very tasty but not really training food! I'll be surprised if I've lost any weight today.
After this, I slumped on the couch feeling very full and satisfied!
No sugary foods, no alcohol.

Exercise

Run: 4.3 miles at 10:17 pace.

Food

2 x wholemal toast with peanut butter
Cup of redbush tea
Glass of apple and mango juice.
2 handfuls of pistachio nuts
Apple
Three slices of malt loaf.
All day breakfast: potato waffles, beans, fried egg, tomatoes, sausages, mushrooms.

Alcohol

none

Thursday

Weight: 10st 7lbs
I had to drive to work again today.
I ate healthily at college despite the amount of lovely looking cakes on offer in the staff room!
I did a bit of exercise with the sports group - just the last round of circuit training (push ups, skipping, bench steps, medicine ball exercises etc) and then 10 minutes of stretching/yoga.
I was going out straight from work so I grabbed a slice of lasagna from the staff canteen to keep me going.
Tonight, we attended Mouse's awards evening at school where she was presented with an Outstanding Achievement for Three or More Subjects: she won in drama, PE and religious education. I was very proud of her drama and PE results!
Back at home, Lucy sensibly decided it was too late to eat but I ended up having a bowl of home made chili before bed. The dreams later that night were horrifying!
No sugary foods, no alcohol.

Exercise

One round of circuit training

Food

2x wholemeal toast with peanut butter
Cup of redbush tea
Apple and orange juice
Banana
Three slices of malt loaf
Homemade beef chili with wholewheat pasta

Alcohol

none


Friday

Weight: 10stone 7lbs
Cycled in to work. 
At lunch time I had to attend a meeting in Digbeth so I jumped on the bike again. After three slices of malt loaf and an utterly pointless 2 hour meeting, I cycled back home. It was quite a hair-raising experience racing through the rush hour traffic in Sparkhill - I found myself riding a little more aggressively than I usually do...
Tonight's karate session was taken by Sensei Ronnie Christopher. For me, the highlight of the evening was when he asked the people watching (parents of the kids in the class) to keep quiet while we were training! I feel like I've been waiting for this moment for the last three years! In fact I talked about it on my blog in 2014 here.
In glorious silence, we were able to concentrate on our new kata: Hangetsu. 
I remember fist learning this kata under the tutorship of Sensei Paul Hexley. He explained that this kata was originally performed bare-chested to show the musculature of the karateka. Although I can't find any reference to this online, I have no reason to doubt him.
Tonight, leaving our gi in place, we went through the kata twice with Sensei Ronnie and then he let us perform it on our own. I was convinced I knew it so I added a bit of performance - and messed it up royally, even my kiai was in the wrong place! Struggling on, I messed up again and ended up copying the others. WTF?
After that, my confidence dipped and I was feeling quite downhearted. I tiptoed through it again, this time taking care to follow the others but still messing it up!
For the fifth and final time we were to go through Hangetsu, I had a little word with myself: I could either go home feeling disheartened and disappointed or I could go at it hard and perform the kata of my life! So I chose to give it my all...and fucked it up massively. Even Sensei Ronnie came over to point out that there were moves missing from my kata.
I went home with down-ears and my tail between my legs...
In the evening, Lucy and I went across to the Harvester for dinner and I had a couple of crap beers.
I'll be glad when it's Saturday...

Exercise

Work and back (about 14 miles today!)
One hour of karate training.

Food

2 x wholmeal toast with peanut pbutter
2 x cup of redbush tea
Glass of apple and orange juice
Three slices of malt loaf
Salmon with rice and peppers
Bag of crisps

Alcohol

1 and a half pints of flavourless cold ale (I left half on the table.)
2 bottles of ale
Half a bottle of red wine

Saturday
I messed up again.
I woke up with a rubbish headache and spent most of the day moping around the house and lying on the couch.
In the evening, we visited our next-door neighbours and set off some fireworks. They fed us chili and rice, pudding, and lots of ale.

Sunday
The day of the Ruach Karate club competition!
Martha and I went off very excited but also nervous. We had entered ourselves for the fighting and kata (technique) events. Of course, I had a mild hangover and not enough sleep. My preparation for the event could not have been worse.
The competition itself was very good. A little chaotic at times but very spirited and friendly with loads of encouragement from everyone. Sensei Ronnie is a marvel both as a karateka and a teacher. He left no-one out and made everyone feel good about themselves. One competitor with learning difficulties was 'progressed' into the second round of the kata competition and he could not have been prouder or happier.
Martha came up against some very stiff competition. She was knocked put of the kata competition in the first round by a black belt. I won my first two rounds and then met the same black belt, who went on to win the competition, in the semi final. That's how I won my bronze medal!

Some of the veteran competitors!


Awarded with my bronze medal.


In the fighting, Martha lost out to two black belts but still came away with a bronze medal. 
I won my first fight but lost my second fight 1-2 to a black belt.



My second fight - I ended up losing 1-2 (don't let the blue belt fool you - I was fighting a black belt!)

With Sensei Gary's organisation and Sensei Ronnie's passion and skill, the day was a roaring success. Sensei Mark did a great job of refereeing the fighting with compassion and encouragement.
A superb family day.



Summary
The story repeats itself - a great week of training followed by a weekend of drunkenness and laziness. 
I'm going to get my head out of my ass and start training hard: Next year, the club karate competition will have a very different result for me - I'm going for gold!


Sunday, October 30, 2016

How to Lose a Belly When You're 42 (part 11)

Half-term holidays.
On Monday, I was at Kwik Fit when I got a text from Nigel asking me if I could go round. When I got there, I had a bowl of fantastic orange chocolate cake with cream thrust into my hands. Shortly after, a Fender bass guitar was nudged in my general direction.
"Remember? You agreed to be in the band."
Erm...? My memory is getting worse.
Anyhoo, Nigel, Penny and I rehearsed some well-known tunes (including some by CCR, Bon Jovi and Hendrix) and it was a good feeling playing a guitar through an amp for the first time in about 15 years!


Two guitars in the mancave!

Nigel very kindly let me take the bass home with me so I could learn the tunes.

The rest of the week was nice, but didn't have anything to do with health and fitness either, and certainly didn't have anything to do with losing my belly!
Halloween meant that there were always treats such as biscuits and cake in the house. Lucy and I kept my beer shelf well stocked.
I didn't attend dojo on Tuesday because I was cooking liver and onions for myself and Eric. 
I cycled into work 3 times this week (no teaching, just paperwork.)
I went to the dojo on Friday night for a fighting lesson with Sensei Mark. Martha and I loved it!

On Saturday morning, I met up with Nigel, Chris and Pete at Jonnie's house. The five of us set off into the damp lanes; three riders with jackets, myself and Chris in only two layers. 
It rained all day; only a very fine misty drizzle, but non-stop.
I led the charge down to Lowsonford and there were mutterings that I was going too fast - I was accused of having Weetabix for breakfast. All I was trying to do was keep the average speed above 15mph (it was 15.3mph as we passed the Fleur de Lys pub.) Then I kept pushing towards Claverdon, onto Norton Lindsey, through Snitterfield and eventually to Wilmcote. We were all very damp when we got there. Jonnie would sometimes take over at the front and his efforts on Featherbed lane meant that I could freewheel behind him as he punched a hole in the air with his massive rain jacket!
After we had refreshed ourselves with homemade coffee and walnut cake without any walnuts (the chef had ran out of them) we agreed that we were all getting cold sitting in our damp clothes and we needed to get moving again.
We headed out into the wet lanes and pointed our handlebars north.
On the approach to Aston Cantlow we were joined briefly by an ancient man on a racing bike with terribly skinny legs in baggy Lycra. He was turning a big gear and finding it quite easy to keep up with us. He seemed to be a bit of a loony and was complaining about a Dynamic Rides route he had been on that morning. He told me that he'd left them to it after a while because he didn't like the route or choice of pit stop. I noticed that he took a Tony Martin approach to riding and was therefore covered in snot and dribble. I tended not to look at him as we were chatting.
After a short while, He grew tired of my responses and got on the front of our 6 man peleton. A mile or so went by. Realising that everyone else was happy to sit behind him, I took over for a bit. However, this was obviously not acceptable to our new lunatic friend and he insisted on riding beside me to talk more nonsense. After a while, he shot off the front and stayed about 100m in front of us as we approached Ullenhall.
As we got to Ullenhall, myself and Pete were closing in on him but Pete reeled me in because, quite rightly, he thought it would be a good idea to wait for the others.
We continued on our usual route through Tanworth and finally back to Jonnie's.
Like last week, Jonnie and I opted for specially brewed bottled energy drinks while the other, more sensible, chaps chose pop.
There was no wind today and I was disappointed not to have achieved a 15mph average.
We eventually came home after 39 miles with an average of 14.7mph. Maybe it's the steady diet of cake and beer?
Once I became too cold to sit around Jonnie's drinking beer, I went home.

Sunday included rehearsal with Nigel and the band followed by a good basics and kata lesson from Sensei Gary, 'assisted' by Sensei Jim.
And then more beer. 
And cake.




Tuesday, October 25, 2016

How to Lose a Belly When You're 42 (part 10)

Monday
I woke feeling rough after a rather boozy weekend. I felt so ill that I let myself daydream about calling in sick and spending the day on the couch.
Anyway, that soon passed and an hour later I was riding my bike in to college.
Tonight, I cooked my usual protein-rich scrambled egg dinner and then did a weights session. I lifted the same weight as the last couple of weeks and it still left me aching but feeling good.
Early to bed.
No alcohol, no junkfood.

Exercise
Rode my bicycle to college and back (about 9.2 miles)
100 press ups
100 triceps dips
100 leg raises
Overhead press (29kg): 5 sets of 5 reps
Dumbell front raises (8kg): 5x5
Squats (36kg): 5x5
Curls (36kg): 5x5
Deadlift (54kg): 5x5
Shrugs (48kg): 5x5

Food

2 x peanut butter on wholemeal toast
Cup of redbush tea
Glass of orange juice
Left over homemade frittata
Handful of nuts
Banana
Mexican scrambled eggs (made with fresh eggs from Martha's work experience placement, peppers, spring onions, mushrooms, homegrown tomatoes, tortilla and served with homemade organic potato wedges [potatoes from Mom's allotment])

Alcohol

none


Tuesday
Weight: 10st 7lbs
I cycled in to work on the Specialized. The roads were wet but it wasn't raining. Still, I got a bit of a soggy bottom so I'll be glad when I find time to fix the Raleigh - I miss the mudguards!
I hardly ate anything at work and then cycled home with a a rumbling tummy. With no time to eat, I took Martha to our martial arts lesson. We did some kata work and then some very basic one step sparring. I didn't get to work up a sweat but it was still good to practise some techniques.
Back at home, I devoured my dinner and then had a lazy hour on the couch before bed.
No junkfood, no beer.

Exercise
Cycled to work and back
One hour of martial arts training

Food

2 x wholemeal toast with peanut butter.
2 x cup of redbush tea
Grape juice
Handful of nuts
Banana
Apple
2 x plaice fillets in breadcrumbs with savoury rice, green beans and broccoli.

Alcohol

None


Wednesday
Drove to work
Ate nothing
Drove home
Tonight, I scoffed a banana and then went for a run. The traffic was so thick that I didn't even bother trying to cross the roads, I simply ran around the side streets in a loop, two and a half times! It was a slow time and I only managed to cover 4.2 miles in 45 minutes. The legs were okay but the chest was a bit tight. How runner marathon runners do it is a complete mystery to me. I felt rubbish by the time I got home.
I spent the rest of the evening ironing, tidying the man cave and sprawled on the couch playing Minecraft!

Exercise
Run: 4.2 miles at 10m 34s pace

Food

2 x wholmeal toast with peanut buter
Glass of grape juice
Cup of redbush tea
Banana
Two huge beef burgers with stir fried vegetables and noodles.

Alcohol

None

Thursday

I had to drive in to work today because I was going to be in a rush to get home in the evening.
I had nothing to eat at work.
At home, it turned out that Lucy was in much the same position and hadn't had time to get any dinner ready. I did egg on toast and then got changed. I was going out!
I went with Debbie, Nigel and Penny to see a covers band called Voodoo Room. As you can probably guess from the name, the band performed a selection of Hendrix and Cream tunes. They did them rather well. The three chaps in the band didn't look anything like Hendrix or Cream - they didn't have anywhere near enough hair and the frontman was in the latter stages of pattern baldness (I feel your pain, brother) so he had what remained of his hair determinedly brushed forward into a high fringe!
They sounded great, however. All three of them were obviously very talented and the songs were faithful reproductions of the originals.

Voodoo Room

The difference, of course, was the modern setting. Solihull Arts Centre is a great venue due to the facilities, the sound, and how comfortable it is. However, it appears to be devoid of atmosphere. While I was sitting in my upholstered chair sipping a chilled ale with the band no more than 30 metres away, I found myself imagining Hendrix at Woodstock, tripping on acid, the smell of weed all around, naked people, dancing, maybe a guitar on fire...
When Nigel went for a wee during the second set, he watched the remainder of the show from the doorway, not wanting to walk in front of the audience on his way back to his seat. That's the 'atmosphere' of the Solihull Arts Centre!
After a great show, we went for one more ale and then fell into a taxi home.

Exercise

None

Food

2x wholemeal toast with peanut butter
Cup of tea
Grape juice
2x coffee
2 fried eggs on wholemeal toast

Alcohol

5 ales!

Friday
Woke up with a headache! I drove in to work because I was so tired I couldn't face the thought of cycling.
At work, I did a warm up for a football game but then left the kids to it. I was the ref and blew the whistle occasionally even though I don't really know the rules of 5-a-side.
I had a big sandwich and then drove home.
The karate lesson was kata-focused with Sensei Ronnie Christopher in charge. We went through Yondan, Godan, Jion and finally Empi - but we only went through by count, I didn't actually get to 'perform' a kata.
In the car on the way home, I bored Martha with tales of training in the 'old days' (about 15 years ago) when I'd go home bruised, sweating and sometimes bleeding. I miss those days.

Saturday
Cycling in the morning with Jonnie, Nigel and two riders I hadn't met before - Chris and Peter.
We set off on a cold misty morning but the roads were bone dry and there was barely a breath of wind. The day gradually warmed and so did we as the route took us through Snitterfield and then on to Wilmcote. Chris was obviously an experienced cyclist who rides just for fun. He wasn't using a bike computer or Strava, wasn't concerned about average times, and left us all for dead on every hill we encountered! Peter was new to the sport but was obviously already fit: he was steady on the flat, pedalled on the downhills and was faster than me on the climbs!
The tea stop was most welcome with two types of homemade cake on offer: ginger or chocolate. I did the only sensible thing and had a bit of both!

The Gatekeeper of Wilmcote (and chief cake-maker)

Chris and Jonnie, and their nutritionist.

The remaining 15 miles was uphill through Aston Cantlow, Ullenhall and Tanworth. My legs suffered and, although I was in no danger of encountering the man with the hammer, I found it hard to maintain a decent average and resigned myself to watching the average drop from 15.3mph to 14.7mph.
Back at base, Jonnie and I refreshed ourselves with hop-based energy drinks while the rest of the men were much more sensible and sipped tea and coffee. Later that day, Lucy and I returned to Jonnie and Sally's to sample Jonnie's cooking (great curry!) and drink a few ales. Needless to say, I found the walk home a little wobbly!

Sunday
Woke up with a monster headache. I was too tired to go to the dojo, too tired to ride or lift weights. I spent most of the day on the couch eating and drinking. What a waste of a day.


Summary. 

The all too familiar pattern: I started the week well and then weekend boozing destroyed all of my ambition and drained me of my remaining energy. 
Still, I'll give it another go next week!

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