How to Lose a Belly When You're 43 (part 5)

Monday
Half term holiday!
In the morning, I took some parcels to the Post Office and then bought a new latch for the bedroom door from B&Q. When I got home, I discovered that I'd bought the wrong size so I took it back. B&Q were very good and gave me my money back straight away even though I'd opened the package. The woman doing the refund was, however, very miserable and hardly spoke to or looked at me.
I bought the correct size and then went home and fitted the new latch (while feeling very manly with my tools out.)
Next, I did some weight training. I used very light weights again, only slightly heavier than last week.
After this, the dogs and I enjoyed a very pleasant walk in Hillfield park. Freddie chased squirrels and I chased Pokemon.
Eric and the Cakemaker visited for dinner and we indulged in apple pie and ice cream: my favourite ever dessert!
Tonight, was Martha's first ever shift in paid employment! She is the latest member of bar staff at Solihull Arden Club. I propped up the bar with Nigel for half an hour but didn't get to see her pour a drink. Nigel was there later and he witnessed her serve her first ale! I picked her up at 11:15 and she seemed very happy.
Bed at midnight with a Lemsip because I have the beginnings of a cold.
No alcohol

Tuesday
Blood Pressure: 120/73
We got up late (almost 9am!)
After a healthy breakfast, I walked the dogs around the park. Back home, after giving Freddie a shower, I checked my blood pressure and was pleased to find that it was lower than it has been for a long time, possibly since I started monitoring it. However, the NHS website says it is still too high.
I then popped in to college for three hours to get my lessons ready for next week.
In the evening, I went along to the Cocks Moor Woods Dojo for an hour of training with Sensei Ronnie Christopher. Tonight, as well as telling me where I was going wrong, he also complimented me on my stance during Basai Dai. A positive comment like that from a former World Champion goes a long way. I went home with a smile on my face.
A healthy dinner and then bed before midnight.

Wednesday
We had to get up at 6am to get ready for the delivery of the new bed. By 7:20 I had dismantled the old bed, photographed it ready for eBay, and then put the mattress in the car ready for the tip!
In the afternoon, the girls had a Halloween Party with their friends. The junkfood was too much for me to resist!
Fuelled by sugar, I did a quick, light weights session (6 exercises, 5 sets of 5 reps on each, with 300 reps of bodyweight exercises) in just 34 minutes which left me feeling good. At that speed and at light weights it feels more like a cardio workout than resistance training.
In the evening, we watched the last episode of series 3 of Luther (highly recommended although rather implausible!) before going up to our new bed at 10pm. The bed makes our bedroom feel like a luxury hotel. I just hope we don't fall out of it - it's so high off the floor!

Thursday
Resting heart rate: 42
It was great to wake up without back ache or bed springs digging into me!
While lying in bed, I measured my resting heart rate using my usual phone app. During the measurement, I had one of the heart fluttering sensations I've been experiencing recently. I wasn't quick enough to screen-shot it, but the waveform looked like this on my phone:

The 'flutter' is the shorter wave in the middle.

It's all very worrying really, but then worrying never solved anything. I'll have to carry on as I am and wait for cardiologist to have a look at me.
About two hours after breakfast, I set off on my weekly 10K run. I immediately suffered stitch in my left side, which then moved up into my chest, and then across into my right side. I had aches and pains nearly all the way round. It wasn't until I got to the five mile mark that I realised I was warm and comfortable and bouncing along nicely. I got home in a slow 65 minutes, 46 seconds.
Lucy had been shopping and had brought back cake. I tried to be good and ate a banana instead but it wasn't long before I was eating walnut cake and drinking tea!
Nigel popped in for a visit (which meant we polished off the rest of the cake) and then Harry came round so we could work on our bikes together.
After the tool box had been put away, I did some more selling on eBay and then had some dinner. I had another heart 'flutter' after dinner while watching a film on TV.
Bed early to read with a Lemsip.
No alcohol

Friday
Weight: 10st 2lbs
Resting Heart Rate: 39
I'm aware of the weight starting to creep back up...It's obviously because of the sweet things I'm distracting myself with.
This morning, Lucy suggested I go for a bike ride because it was a glorious day. I headed off into the lanes after breakfast and found myself staring into the sun for the first hour of the ride! There wasn't a cloud in the sky and the sun was low and bright. It made some cornering and descending a little sketchy but it was still a beautiful experience.

Set the controls for the heart of the sun.

I arrived in Wilmcote and had a chat with Eric and Jane along with Laura and Carl who were visiting from London. After homemade cake and tea I headed back.
I covered 31 miles in a steady 14.1mph.
This afternoon, Lucy, Carl, Martha, Mouse, Lily, Mabel and I went to Tudor Grange Leisure Centre to play some indoor tennis! I hadn't played tennis since Aberdovey a couple of summers ago. And before that, the last time I'd played had been at school. I still enjoyed myself thoroughly and was happy to learn from Carl and Lucy who are very talented players.
Lily and Mabel decided to have a rest after a little while but the rest of us carried on, got sweaty and had a lot of fun.
After two and half hours, we headed home.
I was so hungry, I had stomach ache! A bowl of cereal and another slice of cake was needed.
Two hours later and we headed off to a local curry house with Jonnie and Sally. I watched the rest of them get slowly drunk on cava, white wine, red wine and some of my favourite ales. I wasn't desperate to join in but I was questioning WHY I was doing Sober for October. So then I'd think about the money I've raised so far and I'd take another sip of water.

Temptation!

After the dinner, I drove the five of them back to Jonnie and Sally's place and I carried on home to watch the first episode of season 2 of Stranger Things with Mouse, Tilly and her current boyfriend Jack.
The episode was great - fun, nostalgic, mysterious, moving and creepy. All in 45 minutes. Genius.
Then I got the call to play taxi again and I went to fetch the revellers and drop them home (about 34 miles of driving in total.) I got home at just after midnight and collapsed into bed with some Preacher comics.
No alcohol.

Saturday
Up early to drive Mouse, Harry and their mate Jake to Cannock Chase for a camping weekend with school. I got back, had a bit of lunch, and then headed off to dojo. Today's lesson was run by my friend Tony. He did a great job of warming the class up and then running them through their basics.
He put me in charge of teaching Heian Godan to a pair of purple belts. I enjoyed myself thoroughly. Teaching certainly helps me to think about my own kata as I try to show others how to do it properly. A good experience.
In the evening, I indulged in some homemade brownie baked by Martha. I watched two episodes of Luther with Lucy and went to bed at 10 to read Preacher.
No alcohol.

Sunday
Up at 7:20 to go cycling. It was miserable and windy outside, but a lot lighter because of the clocks going back an hour. Jonnie and I set off at 9am. Nigel wasn't riding because he was going to watch the local football derby on the big screen at the Arden Club.
The lanes were busy with traffic. I'm not sure where everyone was driving to on a Sunday morning. Also of note: we didn't see a single peleton today, compared to the five or six we counted last Sunday. We chose to test ourselves on the full Purity Route. Going out was easy - with the wind behind us, we clocked up a 15.2 mph average by the time we reached 18.5 miles, turned north into the wind and were faced with the Binton climb. The climb destroyed our average and we arrived at the cake stop with a speed of 14.6 mph.

My audience while I was having a wee in Binton. Sorry ladies.

After refuelling (I had double cake helpings) and a rest, we headed north into the wind. The air was cold and the legs were tired. Jonnie did a lot of work on the front, I did my bit when I could, but we were both drained by the time we got back. The average had dissolved to 14.1 mph. To be honest, we were pleased that we'd kept it above 14!
It does make me wonder what I have to do to improve my performance on the bike. More miles? More rest? More protein? I don't think I've seen any improvement in my own fitness/speed/strength in the last four years! Maybe I came to the sport too late?
Anyway. We enjoyed a cup of tea with Sally, Cali and her daughter Lyndsey and then I headed home for some soup. I checked my heart rate an hour after I finished the ride: it was 75bpm which is rather elevated (my usual daytime HR is about 55bpm.) I drove to Cannock Chase and back to pick up Mouse, Harry and Jake. When I arrived home, I checked my HR again. This time it was a much more usual 44bpm.
The family sat down to homemade shepherd's pie and I couldn't resist some homemade brownie when everyone was in bed!
No alcohol.

How to Lose a Belly When You're 43 (part 4)

Monday
10st 2lbs
Storm Ophelia hit the UK today so I decided I wasn't going to ride in the high winds. I drove to work and back. My right arm and left calf were throbbing with pain all day.
At home, I did a weight lifting session with tiny weights just to keep the body used to these exercises. I did 300 bodyweight exercises too (press ups, tricep dips and leg raises.)
No alcohol, no junkfood.

Tuesday
I cycled in to work. The care group had made cupcakes and I was given one by one of the students who came to visit my IT lesson...
I cycled home.
At the dojo tonight, we did a kicks-based lesson with Sensei Julian.
After a healthy dinner, I found it impossible to resist a hot chocolate and couple of biscuits!
No alcohol.

Wednesday
I cycled in to work. On the ride home, in a cold wind and drizzle, I decided that I wasn't going to wear shorts on the commute for the rest of the year. It's time for the waterproof trousers!
At home, I did a super-light weight training session before Nigel came round to watch me eat my dinner. We played some tunes in the man cave and didn't drink any ale because we're both Sober for October.
No junkfood, no alcohol.

Thursday
Cycled in to work. I did an extended martial arts based warm up with the Sports group before our football tournament. It was a very busy day at work and I didn't get time to eat my lunch. I cycled home to lift up some very light weights and make dinner for the family (homemade curry and chips!)
In the evening, Nigel got in touch and arranged an interview for Martha at the Solihull Arden Club. One moment, Martha was in bed, twenty minutes later she's in an impromptu interview and has got the job! Nice one Nigel, you're a top bloke!
I'm not sure what this will do for her Karate but it will do wonders for her confidence, her CV and her bank balance.
I stayed up late reading and turned the light off at midnight.
No junkfood, no booze.

Friday
10st 0lbs
Awake early after a rough night's sleep. The intention was to go for an early morning bike ride but I couldn't face it. I felt very bloated with stomach pains. At work, the pain in my belly very gradually went away and by the ride home I was feeling okay.
After a fast, very light weights session, I got changed and then Lucy, Jonnie, Sally and I went for dinner in Solihull. We had a nice time but my dinner was crap: a bit of salmon, not quite cooked long enough, with some hard green beans and lentils. Yes, lentils. On a plate.
After that, we went to see Chris Connor in the Elvis Show at Solihull Core Theatre.
Firstly, the guy looks like The King. Secondly, the guy moves like The King. Finally, the guy SOUNDS like The King. He and his band put on a very convincing 1970-era show taken straight from the film That's the Way It Is. I know the film like the back of my hand and I was flabbergasted to see how closely Chris Connor was following it, even mimicking Elvis's antics during guitar solos and instrumental sections. He had obviously studied the man very closely. The jump suits looked authentic, as did the scarves and the hair. The lead guitarist even played a pink guitar similar to that of James Burton's pink Telecaster from the Vegas years.
During the interval, I tried my first ever non-alcoholic beer. It wasn't too bad although it was lacking that alcoholic sharpness to cut through all that malt. It was better than I expected.
When I got home, I was really hungry. Luckily, or not, depending how you look at it, Tilly had left some take out Chinese food. I ended up wolfing down noodles, rice and chips at 11pm!
No alcohol, no junkfood apart from the last hour!

Saturday
9st 13lbs
I'm currently the lightest I've been for over three years. Sober for October does have its advantages!

This weight graph clearly shows the effects of my summer holiday and the effects of Sober for October!

After a very lazy start to the day involving me cooking bacon and eggs for Lucy and myself, I took the dogs for a stroll around the park. After this, as Storm Brian made his presence felt across the UK, I went out for my weekly run. I felt quite good and got back with a time of 63 minutes and 35 seconds. Slow for most people but not too bad for me, considering I was trying to run in some very windy conditions!
I managed to eat healthily for the rest of the day and Lucy had prepared plaice with rice and vegetables for my dinner. Wonderful.
Bed early to read.
No junkfood, no alcohol.

Sunday
10st 0lbs
Up at 7:20am to go cycling. Storm Brian was still blowing hard outside (without rain this time) so I knew it would be a cold one. I put on the full length bib tights along with thermal base layer, jersey and rain jacket.
Jonnie set off to do the 36 mile High Cross route. We set off strongly and soon warmed up. It was about 11 miles into the ride, at High Cross, that I ran over a branch in the road. This branch flicked up into my front wheel and knocked my bike computer's sensor out of alignment with the magnet on my spoke. This wouldn't normally be a problem, but after three or four minutes of faffing, Jonnie and I couldn't get my computer to work again! We decided to roll on.
However, after two or three miles I must have glanced down at my non-functioning computer at least 20 times. In fact, that's a rather conservative estimate. It felt entirely alien to be cycling along not knowing my current or average speeds. Unfortunately, it didn't get any better and I still found myself looking down at my stem for no reason for the entire ride!
The wind made for hard going and our sluggish 14.1mph reflected this. I also think that yesterday's 10K knocked some of the energy out of my legs. I feel Jonnie could have gone faster today.
Interestingly, we must have seen about 5 or 6 club rides out in the lanes today, much more than normal. Is it national peleton day?
I was fairly lazy for the rest of the day. I occupied myself by putting records and toys and comic books up for sale on eBay.
I allowed myself some treats tonight - such as biscuits with my tea. Heavenly!
Only 10 days of Sober for October to go...

How to Lose a Belly When You're 43 (part 3)

Monday
A day of rest.
I've been aching a lot recently - chest, shoulders, arms and especially my back. Today, I drove in to work. After work, Lucy and I went to buy a new bed. I had no idea how expensive they are so I ended up spending £1000 over what I'd budgeted for! After that experience, I needed a beer. Which, of course, I couldn't have because I'm being Sober for October!
We went home and I made dinner for the family and then 'enjoyed' a cup of tea before bed.
No junkfood, no alcohol, no exercise.

Tuesday
Weight: 10st 1lb
I've lost half a stone since I rebooted my training on the 21st August.
I woke up feeling good. However, on the ride in to work, I collided with a flat bed truck and hurt my arm. The truck had decided to change lanes, it didn't matter that I was already in the lane it was moving in to! It forced me further and further over until I had nowhere to go and I hit the corner of the truck. My bike sprawled out on to the pavement and I ran after the truck. The driver saw me but didn't stop. I went back to get my bike. It didn't hurt at first...
When I got to work I discovered that I had a bit of swelling and some missing skin on my right arm. This damage occurred through a base layer and my rain jacket! What was worse, however, was that it had aggravated my already injured arm (the karate injury from March) which was already throbbing from building the planter on Saturday!
At the dojo tonight, Sensei Gary dedicated his entire hour to working with the 6 karateka (myself and Martha included) who will be travelling to the competition at the weekend. It was quickly obvious to me that my right arm was severely weakened and it hurt just to do a simple gyaku zuki. Oh well, at least the competition will be good experience for Martha.
Home for homemade bolognese.
No junkfood, no alcohol

Wednesday
I woke up with my arm like a dead weight. It was an effort just to move it and painful to lift my cup of tea. There's no point in wishing something hadn't happened but I can't help thinking what unfortunate timing yesterday's crash was - just before the competition!
I cycled in to work where I discovered that it was painful to write on my whiteboard!
I cycled back home, found I was locked out, cycled out to meet Martha coming home from college, and so we cycled home together.
Tonight, I went for a run. Happily, running doesn't hurt my arm at all. However, I developed a dry cough which lasted for most of the run. Also, I'm considering getting some headphones for the run so I can play music or listen to Radio 4: I get so bored on the run that I often find myself thinking about things to think about! I finished the 10K in 65 minutes 8 seconds which is slow even for me.
When I got home, Martha and I fitted our new gumshields in readiness for the fight on Saturday. Mine is uncomfortable but I have a feeling I'll only be wearing it for about 30 seconds!
Sober for October is getting a little easier - I didn't even think about a beer after the run tonight.
No junkfood, no alcohol.

Thursday
Weight: 10st 1lb
Blood Pressure: 131/84
The arm feels considerably better but is definitely still very tender when lifting anything. I cycled in to work. In the afternoon, I did a good martial-arts warm up with the Sports lads followed by two full circuits of tricep-dips, battle rope, medicine ball, skipping rope, bench steps, focus pad, heavy bag, hurdles, leg raises and press ups! Phew. Then I cycled home.
At home, I set up for a lifting session but a part of me knew it was all in vain. I managed to get through 5 bar curls but when I tried to do some dumbbell side raises, my right arm simply couldn't lift. It was too painful and the arm was too weak. Plus, you're not supposed to train an injury anyway. Right there and then I could have quite happily murdered the driver of that truck on Tuesday.
I needed a beer but I couldn't have one so I did some ironing instead.
In the evening, frustrated and angry, I let myself have a treat of some Roses chocolates and a bag of Monster Munch while watching the last episode of Preacher Season 2 - one of the silliest, most fun and sometimes beautiful series I've ever seen. (Even Hitler and Arseface escaping from Hell was shot with gorgeous colours and careful framing that made some scenes seem like a painting!)
No alcohol.

Friday
Cycled to work. A lady had brought some birthday cake in to the staffroom so that was the end of healthy eating for the day. Cycled home. Martha and I took part in Sensei Ronnie Christopher's 2 hour training session tonight. It was a great session with lots of kata and kumite. Sensei told some great stories including his best yet which involved kicking a Japanese team captain in the head causing him to stagger into his own country's flag and hang on to it to keep himself upright!
I left feeling very positive about tomorrow but Martha is still worried to the point of tearfulness. She's very brave to continue with something that makes her so nervous.
At home, with the working week done and 2 hours of training behind me, I was desperate for a beer. I had a mug of hot chocolate instead...
No alcohol

Saturday
Up at 6am ready for the competition. We met the other competitors from our club (Ruach) at the leisure centre and then we set off for the competition in Wolverhampton. It had quite a good turn-out with 120 people signing up to compete in various categories. There was a very broad range of abilities on display - fast and strong senior grades, including a lot of black belts, right down to beginners struggling to get to grips with Heian Shodan. There were a lot of nervous people today and many forgot their kata techniques - one black belt even performed the wrong kata entirely!
Martha and I both lost our kata competitions but that was because our opponents were judged to be better, not because we had made any errors.
The afternoon was all about fighting. Martha did exceptionally well and managed to score against the black belt woman who eventually went on to take the gold medal. She was happy with her fight.
I had a hard fight against a black belt who beat me in extra time but not before I had scored against him:

He managed to get some good hard kicks in which left me in pain but I didn't let him see that. I had to go outside after the fight to get some air but I was okay after about half an hour. I'm still limping now, however.
Martha, Sensei Gary, Sensei Jodi and myself awarded ourselves with pop and biscuits on the drive home!
No alcohol

Sunday
Out into the lanes with Jonnie and Nigel. My back, right arm and left leg were all aching and/or throbbing in pain but not enough to stop me riding.
It was great to see Nigel back on two wheels. We headed off on out Honiley route with our usual chatting and banter. 
There was a bit of a crisis in Wilmcote due to the microwave drying out the treacle tart. Happily, there was plenty of homemade coffee cake to go around. Phew!
After cake and tea, we sped off into the lanes. Unfortunately, Nigel found his legs lacking today so he had to take it easy on the way back. I rode with him and we had a pleasant journey home in warm October sunshine.
At Jonnie's we had soft drinks even though I would have loved an ale. Nigel is also being Sober for October and is finding it rather boring!
In the afternoon, I cleaned and serviced the bike. I managed to get rid of an annoying tick that had plagued me on my ride today. After that, I went along to dojo for a fast paced kumite and kata session with Sensei Gary and Sensei Jim. Throughout the lesson, I felt bruised, battered and drained. I questioned the wisdom of training while carrying at least two injuries. Oh well, it might just toughen me up.
On the drive home, I fantasised about drinking a pint of best bitter. When I got home, I did some ironing instead...
Please sponsor me while I'm Sober for October - it's harder than all of my bike rides and runs put together!

How to Lose a Belly When You're 43 (part 2)

Monday
Cycled in to work on the race bike. I worked relatively late, for me, and then went off to do another 15 miles on the bike before cooking dinner for the family.
Tonight, Mouse and I watched the final episode of Stranger Things (season 1.) This series has been one of the most entertaining TV productions I've seen. It's based in 80s America and is quite obviously inspired and influenced by classic 70s and 80s films such as ET, Poltergeist, Alien, Jaws, Stand by Me, Carrie and Close Encounters of the Third Kind as well as the RPG Dungeons and Dragons. In fact, the season opens and ends with a group of friends playing D&D around a table. The series follows a group of 4 children as they investigate the disappearance of their friend. It soon becomes clear that he's been abducted by some kind of supernatural monster...
I was a kid myself in the 80s and played outside on my BMX with my mates just as the Stranger Things kids do. The 80s music along with the images of warm summer evenings with friends evoked a strong sense of nostalgia in me. Mouse's generation, seemingly slaves to mobile phones and console games, have missed out on the adventure that is roaming the streets with your best friends, building dens in the park and finding places to bask in the sunshine and make your own fun.
As well as being an enjoyable series, it is also a very scary one! It has some genuinely creepy moments where I could feel the hairs rise on the back of my neck. The performances by the players were never less than convincing and the attention to detail was impressive. Highly recommended.
No junkfood, no booze.

Tuesday
I cycled in to work for a very busy morning! At lunch time, I experienced a strange feeling in my right thumb. Eventually it went completely numb and the sensation was gradually making its way up my forearm. I pinched my skin, thumped it, held it under a hot tap but I couldn't feel anything. Thankfully, somewhere during the afternoon's teaching, the feeling returned. I have no idea what caused it and I hadn't experienced it before. How strange.
I cycled home and then got ready for the dojo.
Tonight's karate session was, once again, focused on those of us who are taking part in the competition next month. I was at the front of a line-up and was attacked by all the male adult karateka in the club, one after another, over and over. I was quickly exhausted and, if I did manage to block their attacks, I rarely found the energy to respond with a counter that scored. It certainly didn't make me feel better about my competition fight, but I'm still very grateful for all the time Sensei Gary is dedicating to Martha and me. (Martha was put through the same exercise facing female fighters and some of the teenagers. I couldn't watch her because I was fighting my own fight at the time, but she said she did very well apart from over-thinking her techniques.)
The lesson had run over and then Martha and I stayed behind while I was given some good advice from Sensei Jodi.
Back home late for homemade stir fry.
No junkfood, no booze.

Wednesday
Cycled in to work and back and then did a good weights session - the heaviest since March.
No junkfood, no booze.

Thursday
Cycled in to work. In the afternoon, I took the Sports lads on a two mile run. It was a better effort than the last time we tried it but it was still a rather embarrassing spectacle. Two of the lads failed to complete the course, two simply walked around and three strolled back in 24 minutes. The rest put in a decent effort with the winner crossing the line in a fast 17m 59s. I stayed with the back marker and returned to college after 27 minutes!
I gave the lads a bit of a lecture about putting in some effort and then reaping the rewards. Some of them actually went to their personal tutor afterwards to complain that I was pushing them to be as good as me but that I'm fitter than they are! There's no way that I'm as fit as these skinny 17 and 18 year olds - they're just lazy. I explained that an hour of exercise is only 4% of a day. They then complained that I'd told them this before...

I cycled home and then went out for my weekly 10K. I had a few aches and pains but got home in 65m 01s.
No junkfood, no booze.

Friday
I like Fridays.
I cycled in to work in a good mood. My morning lesson was frantic but we got a lot done. In the afternoon, I took part in my first ever Skype meeting. Then I cycled home.
Tonight's karate session was, of course, all about the competition next week. I had the honour of training with former world team kumite champion Sensei Ronnie Christopher. Of course, I expected to do nothing but fight all evening, but instead, Sensei had us training in kata! Perhaps Sensei recognises that I don't have much of a chance in the fighting but I could get a medal in kata? A very enjoyable hour where I won both my kata contests and Sensei made us laugh with his self-depreciating tales of his own kata efforts.
At home, Lucy had prepared a wonderful homemade curry. In this situation, after a week of work and training, I would automatically reach for a beer. This month, however, I'm attempting to go Sober for October raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support. It was a bit of a shock to the system to be sipping Tesco Effervescent Vitamin C drink instead of a pint of Sadler's Mud City Stout!
No junkfood, no booze

Saturday
Up early to go riding. Unfortunately, contradictory to the weather forecast, it was tipping it down with rain! Very sensibly, Nigel decided to stay indoors.
By the time I got to Jonnie's, the rain had turned into a fine drizzle and by the time we set off, the rain had stopped. A few miles in, we spotted some blue sky and it wasn't long before the sun was out and we were rather warm in our three layers! The roads were very, very wet and the sun was low and strong in our eyes. Some lanes were quite muddy and we both experienced some wheelspin. I was careful on the descents.
Today, we headed off for the shorter version of the Purity Route. I added a little detour (turned out to be rather longer than I'd intended) following the Tommy Godwin route up over Shelfield Green. It's a very 'horsey' area and we passed at least six riders in a row. I think the original Purity Route is more enjoyable.

A bit muddy

At Wilmcote, I allowed myself a slice of the Cakemaker's homemade cake (she makes it especially for the ride) and then we headed back on drying roads. We were determined to make a 14mph average and so we put in a huge effort for the last 3 miles, dragging it up from 13.7mph to our target. Phew!

"Is this for the blog?"

I'm pleased to report that the ladies, Sally and Lucy, had gone riding too today! They covered 16 miles of canal. Well done both!
At home, I walked the dogs, built a planter for the back garden and loaded the car ready for the tabletop sale tomorrow. Bed at midnight.
No junkfood (apart from the slice of cake), no booze.

Sunday
Blood Pressure: 131/79
Resting Heart Rate: 45
My blood pressure and heart rate are a bit healthier than this time last week (143/80 51bpm). Maybe the alcohol free days are having an effect already?
Up at 7 ready for the tabletop sale with Jane, Mouse and Hydra. We didn't make much money (less than £40) but we had a good laugh. I literally had tears of laughter rolling down my cheeks.
This afternoon's karate session was a strange experience. Sensei Ronnie was missing some teeth! He told me it had happened in a training session yesterday! However, he managed to run a very good and varied session with something for everyone from white belt to black belt. There was some bad news at the end for the session when it was announced that Sensei Chris has to return home to Ireland and so won't be training with us any longer. I'll see him on Tuesday before he leaves the club for good.
Home to eat dinner and watch everyone eat pudding and Jane and Lucy get sloshed on wine!
No junkfood, no booze.

So, I made it through my first week of being Sober for October. I also manged to eat healthily (apart from one slice of homemade cake) and to exercise for at least an hour every day. I hope this puts me in good stead for the competition next week!

How to Lose a Belly When you're 43 (part 1)

Monday
Yesterday, Jonnie, Nigel and I rode 63 miles for charity.
This morning, I woke up feeling ropey with an elevated heart rate. I plonked myself on my old Raleigh and struggled in to work in the rain. I felt better as the day went on but the ride home was particularly tiring. I somehow managed to find the energy to do a good weights session before I made dinner for the family. I was aching all over and retired to bed just after 10pm.
No booze, no junkfood.

Tuesday
I woke up feeling a lot better after a dream where I played for Aston Villa. The cycle to work and back was still a struggle, but I dragged myself off to the dojo with Martha in the evening.
It was another competition training session - once again entirely focused on kumite. Sensei Gary was very encouraging but I know that my fighting is far from being up to standard. Also, I found out that I'm going to be in the over 40s category for the kumkite. Oh well, at least I'll be one of the youngest in that category!
Martha told me that she is feeling rather nervous about the competition now that it is only 19 days away!
At home, I allowed myself 3 beers with dinner and while watching the excellently creepy Stranger Things with Mouse.
No junkfood.

Wednesday
Weight: 10st 2lbs
I'm rather pleased with the weight loss so far. I've lost 6lbs in the 37 days since I restarted my training program on the 21st August. That's faster than I'd intended to lose weight.
Cycled in to work and back.
At home, I discovered I'd been sent a Sober for October badge ready for Sunday. I'm now dreading the thought of not having a relaxing ale for a month, but I do love a challenge.
In the evening, I set off for a 10K in the rain. My legs felt like lead and I was rather unmotivated. I staggered around in a miserable 67 minutes and 27 seconds. I felt rubbish when I got back but at least I'd got the run out of the way for the week.
I refuelled with Lucy's homemade shepherd's pie.
No junkfood, no beer.

Thursday
Cycled in to work. I was really hungry today and demolished my lunch sandwiches at 10:30am. I was with the sports group in the afternoon and we started of with some martial arts. I'm pleased to say that all the lads took it seriously and we worked well together. After this, I organised a 20 minute football tournament (3 a side.) after a break, we did some 100 metre sprints and I'm pleased to report that I came third with a time of 15:00 seconds on grass.
I cycled home with aching legs.
At home, I managed another fairly heavy (for me) weights session before heading off for drinks with Sally on her birthday. Back home for dinner and an episode of the excellent Stranger Things. I had a total of 3 and half ales tonight.
No junkfood.

Friday
Weight: 10st 3lbs
Happy birthday to me.
I got up at 6, had some breakfast, and then headed out on my race bike. It was pouring down with rain. I was determined to get 15 miles in the legs before work so got my head down. Thankfully, it was warm rain so it was kind of like riding while having a shower! At about 7 miles in there's a bit of a climb up to the Punch Bowl pub. As I crested the top of this hill I experienced a sudden fluttering sensation in my chest. It was a bit of shock and very disappointing as I didn't have any trouble with my chest during the Tommy Godwin. The rest of the ride was a miserable affair as I felt like I couldn't make too much of an effort in case it triggered another strange sensation. I arrived at work soaking wet and fed up. I spent the rest of the morning trying not to worry about my heart.
My friends and students at work were awesome as always: lots of cards, cake and hugs and even a couple of bottles of beer.
In the late afternoon, Lucy, Debbie and I attended the wake of a friend's granddaughter. The family had bravely tried to put a positive spin on things, but it's still such a sad time.
Tonight, family gathered at the Fieldhouse for my birthday dinner. The Fieldhouse had made a complete mess of things and hadn't even reserved a table for us. The food was uninspiring, seemingly based around oven chips. The ale was too cold.
However, the gifts people had given me soon cheered me up! Lucy had done a fantastic job of making sure I had lots of very thoughtful presents. She'd obviously spent a lot of time and effort getting everything right. Thanks babe.

Opeth's first album - one of my fantastic birthday gifts.

Saturday
Up at 7 ready for cycling. The weather forecast from the BBC said to expect another drenching this morning. There was no sign of Nigel so Jonnie and I set off into the lanes.
As soon as we got going I found myself waiting for that horrible fluttering sensation in my chest that I experienced yesterday. I got very tense waiting for it to happen and I had to consciously make myself relax as we headed out towards Ulenhall. I could feel the muscles in my back tensing as I cycled.
The expected downpour didn't happen, we just got a bit damp in the drizzle. At Wilmcote, we had tea, Jonnie had cake and I had a banana. We watched the sun come out and then headed off back on the same route. Blue skies and sunshine have a wonderful effect on the mind and I felt myself relax a little and become a bit more chatty. I was still mindful not to put much of an effort in on the climbs, just in case that fluttering sensation came back.
I have an appointment with a cardiologist in 5 weeks time. It seems a long way off...
After a cup of tea and a very healthy lunch of tuna, pasta and salad, I did some ironing and then jumped in the shower ready for dojo.
This afternoon's training session was all about me! There were only 4 students present and of the 4 of us, I was the only one who had entered the competition next month. It
was an intense session of fighting and kata with Sensei giving me regular feedback as we went. He worked me really hard and I was a red-faced dripping mess by the end of it. It reinforced that I also need to keep working on my fitness!
After a bowl of soup I headed up town for a few beers with some old school and university friends. I ended up drinking far too much but having a grand old time. 

Sunday
My most hated of things: a wasted day. Feeling far, far too ill to do anything, I spent the day on the couch or in the man cave. Didn't eat healthily either. No exercise.