Last week started okay. I did a 4.5 mile run after work on Monday, and on Tuesday I went to a karate lesson.
By Thursday, I still hadn't had any alcohol or junkfood and I was feeling good. However, when I got back from dropping off my D&D players at 9:45pm, I couldn't face the weight lifting session I had planned for myself.
Friday was the day we broke up from work for the Easter holidays and a bit of an impromptu party started at midnight in my back garden! I didn't get up in time for the bike ride in the glorious sunshine on Saturday. After their ride, Jonnie and Nigel came round to drink my beer and take the piss (oh and to try to cheer me up!)
Sunday was Jane's 75th birthday party. After a hard 17 miles over Irelands Lane, I went round for cake, party food and beers!
So, one last chance to get my fitness on track or I don't think I'm ever going to get rid of this belly. I seem to be stuck at 10st 5lbs.
Monday
Another bright day. This time, accompanied by a strong chilly wind. I jumped on the bike at about 10:30 and headed down to Wilmcote. With the wind behind me it was hard not to set some good times over various sections of the route. On the way, I met a chap cycling down to Wooten Wawen on his own. We got talking and it turned out that he was a former racing cyclist and tennis player. We were chatting as we climbed up some little ramps and he was keeping up with me without any issue. He then told me that he was going to be 70 years old this year! I'll be glad just get my leg over my bike when I'm 70!
He was telling me about a cruise he had been on lately where he was with a lot of people of a similar age. He said they were all fat, unwell or both! He attributed his rude health down to an active lifestyle and I tend to agree with him (although I feel luck also plays a huge part in determining how healthy we are in our retirement years.)
At Wilmcote, I bravely refused cake, ate a banana, and then headed back into the wind. I battled against a headwind for 15 miles while climbing. I watched my average speed disintegrate from 16.1mph to just 14.9. Oh well.
30 miles of cycling at 14.9mph
No alcohol
No junkfood
Tuesday
Determined to get fit, I forced myself to put on my running shoes this morning. I headed out on my usual 10K and was very surprised to come home in the fastest time this year! I didn't feel too bad either!
In the evening, Martha and I went to the dojo to be put through our paces by Sensei Julian Cunningham. It was a non-stop, intense kumite-training lesson (without any actual fighting unfortunately.) Martha had to sit out early on because of pain she had been experiencing in her knee. She only told me about this in the car on the way there otherwise I would have convinced her to rest.
No alcohol, no junkfood.
Wednesday
I had a go at some weight training today. I have a bit of a cold on me today and was feeling a bit achey. Weight lifting didn't go well and I failed at the squats at 42kg. The problem was getting the bar over my head onto my shoulders. I was aching too much to do it safely.
I jumped on the bike instead and did a leisurely 19 miles.
No junkfood, three ales in the evening.
Thursday
I tried lifting again and did a little better, but still didn't finish the session.
I had some naughty food and drank a beer or two.
Friday
My brother came up from London today. His idea was to ride the Mad March Hare route with me on Saturday. He came up on the train with his brand new Specialized Tarmac: a fantastic looking carbon bike with Ultegra gearing and brakes.
We had a very healthy chicken casserole homemade by Lucy and I resisted alcohol. Sid sipped a cider while we watched pro cycling on Eurosport.
Saturday
Up at 7 to find Sid changing the tyres on his Specialised. He had chosen to remove his 23mm slicks in favour of the 25mm Continental 4 Seasons all-weather tyres. I tried to convince him that he wouldn't need those today but he was determined!
We met up with Jonnie and then drove out to the start of the Mad March Hare route. We were very happy to be riding on a dry, sometimes sunny day. The ride out to the Cotswolds was very pleasant - we were chatting, not pushing too hard, and cracking jokes. We stopped at 20 miles for bananas and cereal bars.
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| Cycling catalogue? |
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| Refuelling is a serious business |
Saintbury Hill was a huge challenge, as always. Sid romped away up it like mountain goat, and it was all I could do to keep him in my sights for the rest of the 1.6 miles of the climb. He was the Quintana to my Froome - except I never caught him...
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| At the top of Saintbury Hill |
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| At the top of Saintbury Hill |
We all got to the top with out stopping and, after a few photos and a bite to eat, we were descending! As my regular readers will know, I'm not very good at going downhill. However, in the dry, with a few miles in my legs and feeling good, I can convince myself to lean into the corners and let go of the brakes. Today was one of those days: I'm sure I would have broken all of my previous records on this section of the ride, but unfortunately, I had neglected to restart my Strava after stopping it at the top of Saintbury! How frustrating! Still, when we rolled into Mickleton, I was feeling rather pleased with myself.
After the other pair had refreshed themselves with goodies from the Post Office, we set about the serious business of climbing back up to Solihull, about 30 miles away...
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| Mickleton Post Office. Important for Lucozade etc. |
It wasn't long before my legs decided they had had enough and the cramps hit. Unfortunately, we still had plenty of miles to go. After a brief stop to give them a rub and a stretch, there was no option but to keep going. Later, after a quick consultation with my alcohol adviser (Jonnie), we decided a stop at The Bell in Tanworth was in order.
I was first to the bar and was delighted to find Timothy Taylor's Bolt Maker on tap! A fantastic best bitter! Each man dispatched 2 pints of this superb beer along with a packet of dry roasted peanuts. We got back on the road as new men, the remaining miles flying by.
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| First to the bar |
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| The lads in raptures at the prospect of beer and nuts. |
Back at home, Lucy had worked her magic with the pots and pans and there was a fantastic feast laid on. We were joined by our friend Naomi.
The celebrations continued long into the evening, even after Jonnie had gone home and Sid had fallen asleep in a chair.
Needless to say, the morning was rather difficult...
Sunday
Sid went home early which left me free to mope about the house feeling sorry for myself. I was terribly hungover and it took all my strength just to organise a little Easter egg hunt for the girls.
Later on: recovery ales and a bit of homemade grub to set me straight.
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