Monday
Blood Pressure: 149/76
Resting Heart Rate: 58
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I woke up after half a night's sleep. I dragged myself off to work on the bike. It wasn't frosty or icy so I used the Specialized. I was still feeling the effects of Fridays' drunken night out!
It was a full-on day with barely enough time for a banana and an orange. When I finally rolled home I was just too tired to lift the weights. I listened to my body and my body told me to rest. I made a healthy dinner for the family and did some work stuff for most of the night.
No junkfood, no alcohol.
Tuesday
Blood pressure: 127/77
Resting Heart Rate: 62
Weight: 10st 3lbs
I woke up feeling a lot better! I was very surprised by my blood pressure reading today.
I cycled to work and back, ate healthily all day and then headed off to dojo. I had the great honour of helping a young white belt through his grading. I don';t know anything about the young man's history but at a guess I would say that he is very bright, on the autistic spectrum and has a large dose of ADHD! He was switched on and focused today. The only parts of the grading he struggled with was when, in between combinations, Sensei would tell us about his own experiences with grading and his current training plan. Then the young man became fidgety and I had to do my best to keep his attention on the task at hand. Anyway, he managed to grade and he was very excited to receive his round of applause and his orange belt.
No junkfood, no alcohol.
Wednesday
Blood pressure: 156/72
Resting Heart rate: 62
Weight: 10st 4lbs
I was disappointed to find that my blood pressure had shot up again overnight.
I cycled to work for a lovely last day of teaching with a great atmosphere in the staff room. Back at home, I set about doing a weights session and did some good lifting which left me feeling great. I was making dinner when Lucy asked if I wanted a beer. Of course, I replied that I didn't. However, about half an hour later I found myself opening the first of 4 ales.
And that was the end of my training for 2019!
I was then trapped in a downward spiral of beer, wine, biscuits, mince pies and chocolates. On Friday night, friends and family gathered for Lucy's birthday party at our house. This turned into a very alcoholic affair indeed with lots of dancing too! I managed to walk the dogs on Saturday and Sunday but that was the only healthy activity I managed.
Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 25, 2018
Sunday, December 16, 2018
How to Lose a Belly When You're 44 (part 7)
The last two weeks were hectic.
I spent the first week preparing for an Ofsted inspection. This meant staying very late at work every day (I think I did four eleven-hour days on the trot and then 8 hours on the Friday.) Then, at the weekend, Jonnie and I went down to London for a day to ruin our health on a pub crawl with my brother.
The following week was the Ofsted inspection. This also meant working long hours each day. Needless to say, after eleven hours at work, Lucy and I were glad to get home for a glass of wine or two in the evenings.
I haven't been training.
I think I managed one weekend bike ride and about three Karate sessions. I haven't done any running or weight training and my diet has been shocking.
The big news, however, is that Martha and I have been approached by Sensei Gary to take part in the Ruach instructor's course! I have recently been daydreaming about becoming an instructor but thought I'd wait until I reached 2nd Dan before even mentioning it to Sensei! I was very pleased and shocked when he approached me about it.
This, coupled with the fact that there is a grading at the weekend, has inspired me to get back into training in a serious way.
Here we go again...
Monday
Blood pressure: 138/73
Resting heart rate: 61
Weight: 10st 4lbs
I cycled to work in torrential rain. Happily, the weather was mild so being soaked through didn't mean I got cold. It was an interesting day with lots of managing behaviour to be done as well as contacting parents for meetings.
I cycled home for a lifting session. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I didn't have to use lighter weights for any of the exercises. Perhaps the two week rest did my muscles some good? I completed the lift in almost exactly 60 minutes and then set about making a protein-rich dinner for the family.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol
Tuesday
I cycled to work and back.
Tonight's dojo session was all about the kumite. We were warmed up with some basics, did some one-step sparring, and then found ourselves in a line-up. It was a good session.
Afterwards, Martha and I had a meeting with Sensei Gary to discuss our involvement with the instructor's program. Martha and I are very excited!
Karate, no junkfood, no alcohol.
Wednesday
I cycled in to work. Today, I found myself unable to resist the chocolates and biscuits in the staff room. I cycled home feeling only slightly guilty.
I did a good weights session and didn't drink beer.
Thursday
I cycled in to work, didn't eat the biscuits, cycled home and then did a good weights session.
Didn't drink alcohol.
Friday
I cycled to work and back.
Tonight's dojo session was my last training opportunity before the grading on Sunday. Sensei Russell was absent so Sensei Gary took the session. As part of the instructor's program, Martha was asked to take control of a group of white belts while I taught Tekki Shodan to a purple belt.
I think I would have benefitted from going over the techniques I need for grading, but I was still very happy to get some valuable teaching experience! Martha, as usual, was an excellent, natural teacher.
After the session, Martha and I raced home to pick up Lucy and then the three of us headed off for Jonnie's birthday night out. Six of us enjoyed curry and drinks followed by ice cream at our local Indian restaurant.
Saturday
I went along to observe the young students grade at our Saturday afternoon dojo. I helped a trio of dedicated and enthusiastic white belts practise their kihon, kata and kumite. Then, during the actual grading, I had the great honour of handing out the belts to the successful students. I wish I had worn my karategi instead of my civies!
Sunday
The day of my grading.
I was up at 7 to go cycling with Jonnie. We put together a gentle 35 mile route with the usual cake stop. I treated it as a warm-up and just span the little gears all morning. I didn't want to risk any soreness in the legs and certainly didn't want to end up with that empty, aching feeling you sometimes get after a hard day in the saddle. The wind slowed Jonnie down on the way home so I didn't feel so guilty about making him wait for me ticking along in a tiny gear. We eventually rolled into his drive with a very pedestrian average of 13.4 mph.
4 hours later, I was warming up in the dojo with about 15 other nervous karateka. Sensei Ronnie Christopher gave us an inspirational talk before we started and then, after that, he mentioned to me that he thought I was going for my black belt today! I took that as an encouraging sign!
I started well by joining in with the lower grades which got me nicely warmed up. The ankle was aching but I had some Deep Heat rubbed in and a bit of strapping in place. I was confident that it would hold.
For my grading, I thought the basics went well because I concentrated on staying fast and relaxed. However, my kata was disappointing: I was feeling the pressure and managed to get things wrong at the first kiai point of Kata Jion. I'm not sure if Sensei picked up on it (he probably did!) but he didn't say anything.
The real disappointment came when we did our ju ippon kumite. Firstly, I was partnered with a teenage girl! I immediately had to change my mindset from "I'm not going to lose a single point and I'm going to be faster and stronger than my partner" to "I've got to be mindful of my control and not hurt anyone"! Secondly, what I'd been practising for the last five years has been a big step backwards to avoid the attack followed by a thrust in to counter and close the distance. This afternoon, Sensei Ronnie let me know that this was wrong. He wants me to cut out the thrust when I counter and to stay at a fighting distance. Obviously, the middle of the grading is no time to start to adjust your technique so I was left doing the best I could with this information.
Needless to say, the mistake in Jion and the ju ippon kumite meant that I barely scraped by with a pass. At least I got my new belt.
Monday
My first day on the road to a black belt! I cycled to work and back and then did some weight training. No junkfood, no booze.
Tuesday
I cycled in to work today. One of the ladies I work with brought some sweets in for me so it would be rude to refuse them (I had four.) I cycled home.
Tonight's dojo session was kumite focused. I struggled to keep up with the pace of the line-up and was relieved when it was all over. Must get fitter!
no alcohol.
Wednesday
Cycled to work and back. Did some weight training. No junkfood, no booze.
Thursday
The same as Wednesday!
Friday
I cycled to work. Lucy was in a good mood and brought me a tasty sweet treat to go with my lunch! I cycled home ready for dojo. It was a brilliant session with both Sensei Russell and Sensei Ronnie delivering a useful, non-stop session with something for everyone. The only thing we didn't get to do was fight someone of our own grade. We were asked to partner with a beginner for each fight.
In the evening, lots of fabulous people from work went along to the Christmas staff party. There was free food and beer all night. I got stupidly drunk and then went home and carried on drinking. I think I wandered off to bed at about 4am. Needless to say, the rest of the weekend was a hungover mess. I was still too ill to go cycling on Sunday. What a waste of my two days off...
I spent the first week preparing for an Ofsted inspection. This meant staying very late at work every day (I think I did four eleven-hour days on the trot and then 8 hours on the Friday.) Then, at the weekend, Jonnie and I went down to London for a day to ruin our health on a pub crawl with my brother.
The following week was the Ofsted inspection. This also meant working long hours each day. Needless to say, after eleven hours at work, Lucy and I were glad to get home for a glass of wine or two in the evenings.
I haven't been training.
I think I managed one weekend bike ride and about three Karate sessions. I haven't done any running or weight training and my diet has been shocking.
The big news, however, is that Martha and I have been approached by Sensei Gary to take part in the Ruach instructor's course! I have recently been daydreaming about becoming an instructor but thought I'd wait until I reached 2nd Dan before even mentioning it to Sensei! I was very pleased and shocked when he approached me about it.
This, coupled with the fact that there is a grading at the weekend, has inspired me to get back into training in a serious way.
Here we go again...
 |
| The start of a journey I've been wanting to take for some time. |
Monday
Blood pressure: 138/73
Resting heart rate: 61
Weight: 10st 4lbs
I cycled to work in torrential rain. Happily, the weather was mild so being soaked through didn't mean I got cold. It was an interesting day with lots of managing behaviour to be done as well as contacting parents for meetings.
I cycled home for a lifting session. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I didn't have to use lighter weights for any of the exercises. Perhaps the two week rest did my muscles some good? I completed the lift in almost exactly 60 minutes and then set about making a protein-rich dinner for the family.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol
Tuesday
I cycled to work and back.
Tonight's dojo session was all about the kumite. We were warmed up with some basics, did some one-step sparring, and then found ourselves in a line-up. It was a good session.
Afterwards, Martha and I had a meeting with Sensei Gary to discuss our involvement with the instructor's program. Martha and I are very excited!
Karate, no junkfood, no alcohol.
Wednesday
I cycled in to work. Today, I found myself unable to resist the chocolates and biscuits in the staff room. I cycled home feeling only slightly guilty.
I did a good weights session and didn't drink beer.
Thursday
I cycled in to work, didn't eat the biscuits, cycled home and then did a good weights session.
Didn't drink alcohol.
Friday
I cycled to work and back.
Tonight's dojo session was my last training opportunity before the grading on Sunday. Sensei Russell was absent so Sensei Gary took the session. As part of the instructor's program, Martha was asked to take control of a group of white belts while I taught Tekki Shodan to a purple belt.
I think I would have benefitted from going over the techniques I need for grading, but I was still very happy to get some valuable teaching experience! Martha, as usual, was an excellent, natural teacher.
After the session, Martha and I raced home to pick up Lucy and then the three of us headed off for Jonnie's birthday night out. Six of us enjoyed curry and drinks followed by ice cream at our local Indian restaurant.
Saturday
I went along to observe the young students grade at our Saturday afternoon dojo. I helped a trio of dedicated and enthusiastic white belts practise their kihon, kata and kumite. Then, during the actual grading, I had the great honour of handing out the belts to the successful students. I wish I had worn my karategi instead of my civies!
Sunday
The day of my grading.
I was up at 7 to go cycling with Jonnie. We put together a gentle 35 mile route with the usual cake stop. I treated it as a warm-up and just span the little gears all morning. I didn't want to risk any soreness in the legs and certainly didn't want to end up with that empty, aching feeling you sometimes get after a hard day in the saddle. The wind slowed Jonnie down on the way home so I didn't feel so guilty about making him wait for me ticking along in a tiny gear. We eventually rolled into his drive with a very pedestrian average of 13.4 mph.
4 hours later, I was warming up in the dojo with about 15 other nervous karateka. Sensei Ronnie Christopher gave us an inspirational talk before we started and then, after that, he mentioned to me that he thought I was going for my black belt today! I took that as an encouraging sign!
I started well by joining in with the lower grades which got me nicely warmed up. The ankle was aching but I had some Deep Heat rubbed in and a bit of strapping in place. I was confident that it would hold.
For my grading, I thought the basics went well because I concentrated on staying fast and relaxed. However, my kata was disappointing: I was feeling the pressure and managed to get things wrong at the first kiai point of Kata Jion. I'm not sure if Sensei picked up on it (he probably did!) but he didn't say anything.
The real disappointment came when we did our ju ippon kumite. Firstly, I was partnered with a teenage girl! I immediately had to change my mindset from "I'm not going to lose a single point and I'm going to be faster and stronger than my partner" to "I've got to be mindful of my control and not hurt anyone"! Secondly, what I'd been practising for the last five years has been a big step backwards to avoid the attack followed by a thrust in to counter and close the distance. This afternoon, Sensei Ronnie let me know that this was wrong. He wants me to cut out the thrust when I counter and to stay at a fighting distance. Obviously, the middle of the grading is no time to start to adjust your technique so I was left doing the best I could with this information.
Needless to say, the mistake in Jion and the ju ippon kumite meant that I barely scraped by with a pass. At least I got my new belt.
 |
| From a distinction to a merit, and then just a pass. |
 |
| The new belt |
 |
| A bit of relaxation after the pressure... |
My first day on the road to a black belt! I cycled to work and back and then did some weight training. No junkfood, no booze.
Tuesday
I cycled in to work today. One of the ladies I work with brought some sweets in for me so it would be rude to refuse them (I had four.) I cycled home.
Tonight's dojo session was kumite focused. I struggled to keep up with the pace of the line-up and was relieved when it was all over. Must get fitter!
no alcohol.
Wednesday
Cycled to work and back. Did some weight training. No junkfood, no booze.
Thursday
The same as Wednesday!
Friday
I cycled to work. Lucy was in a good mood and brought me a tasty sweet treat to go with my lunch! I cycled home ready for dojo. It was a brilliant session with both Sensei Russell and Sensei Ronnie delivering a useful, non-stop session with something for everyone. The only thing we didn't get to do was fight someone of our own grade. We were asked to partner with a beginner for each fight.
In the evening, lots of fabulous people from work went along to the Christmas staff party. There was free food and beer all night. I got stupidly drunk and then went home and carried on drinking. I think I wandered off to bed at about 4am. Needless to say, the rest of the weekend was a hungover mess. I was still too ill to go cycling on Sunday. What a waste of my two days off...
Sunday, November 18, 2018
How to Lose a Belly When You're 44 (part 6)
Monday
Blood pressure: 142/65
Resting heart rate: 57
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I was sorely disappointed when I stepped off the scales this morning: I'm exactly the same weight as I was this time last week. I've gone 7 days without any beer or junkfood and I'd exercised for over an hour on every one of those 7 days. It makes me question why I'm doing this. However, I'm determined to carry on and see what happens to my stats over the next few weeks.
I cycled to work, didn't have time for lunch, cycled home, made a chicken, mushroom and tomato curry for Lucy and myself, and then did a late-night weight lifting session. Once again, the vein was sticking up in my bicep when I'd completed the hour. It probably doesn't mean anything but it makes me think I'm doing something right.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol
Tuesday
Blood pressure: 146/75
Resting heart rate: 58
Weight: 10st 4lbs
I cycled into college. I was stuck at work until 6:30 so Martha and I couldn't go to the dojo. I cycled home and did an hour's weight training before a very healthy vegetable-based dinner.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol.
Wednesday
Blood pressure: 143/74
Resting heart rate: 61
Weight: 10st 2lbs
I knew I wouldn't have time for weight training tonight so I left the house a little early this morning. I pedalled out into the lanes for a while before turning back and heading into work. I cycled 16.1 miles at 13.7mph. Even though my average speed was slow, I was cycling against a stiff headwind for half of the ride, I had my rucksack strapped to my back and the traffic was thick on the A34 (when the wind was behind me). I was sweating buckets by the time I got to college!
I cycled home to get ready for a night out - Lucy, Jonnie, Sally and I were going to the theatre. I allowed myself a beer with dinner (Fuller's ESB - fantastic!). It was my first alcoholic drink in 10 days.
We saw an hour-long performance called Ventoux. It tells the story of Armstrong and Pantani, with their epic battle up Mont Ventoux in the 2000 Tour de France forming the backdrop against which the story is told. There were only two actors on the stage and they never left it during the whole hour. I was impressed by their ability to remember all the lines and what they had to do next.
I'm a complete theatre noob - I saw a few plays with school and that's about it really. I think I saw an interpretation of Lord of the Flies when I was in my late twenties?
Anyway, Ventoux wasn't what I consider to be a 'play'. It was more like an art performance with lots of symbolism as opposed to realism. We see Armstrong's cancer spread as a he draws on himself with a piece of chalk. We see Pantani's addiction as he throws white powder about the stage and sticks his head in a bucket of water. Pantani's victory in the race, which I assumed would be the climax of the performance, happened about halfway through, indicated by a recording of Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen's actual commentary from the broadcast. There was lots of euro dance music blasted out as the two actors clambered aboard their onstage bicycles (up on turbo trainers) and raced against each other, and we had a yellow spotlight for Armstrong and a corresponding pink one for Pantani.
We saw Pantani die (with his head in the bucket) and we saw Armstrong struggle under the weight of worldwide accusations. We didn't get to see Armstrong's relationship with Bruyneel and there was no mention of Pantani's cosmetic surgery.
And then it ended.
What I was left with was a desire to watch the actual race, to re-read Matt Rendell's book about Pantani, and, most surprisingly, a need to defend Armstrong - because even though he was a nasty, cheating bastard, he defeated cancer and rode those 7 victorious Tours. There's only so much that drugs can do, Lance still had to get on his bike and ride the thousands upon thousands of miles of training and racing! I can't help it, anyone who can complete a Tour deserves respect, despite all the drugs and the lies.
I know, I'm weird.
Needless to say, I had to go home and drink beer while contemplating all these deep and meaningful questions about my favourite sport!
16+ miles of cycling, no junkfood, 3 beers.
Thursday
Blood pressure: 145/72
Resting heart rate: 57
Weight: 10st 1lb
Cycled in to work, had a good day, cycled home. I hit the weight training hard, felt good, didn't eat any junkfood, and didn't drink any beer.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol
Friday
Blood pressure: 142/73
Resting heart rate: 50
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I cycled in to work, was an awesome teacher, and then cycled home again.
Martha and I headed off to Sensei Russell's Friday night Karate session. I was very surprised to discover that Sensei Russell had made changes to his lesson plan! I always look forward to Sensei Russell's high-energy mix of dynamic warm-up followed by basics, followed by kata, and ending in kumite. It works! However, tonight we had a 1st kyu taking the warm up and he rattled through it at a fair lick. It didn't get chance to get sweaty. After some kata, which included some peer assessment, I found myself in a group of 4 senior grades receiving special attention from Sensei Russell. He showed us some kumite techniques and got us to work on them with a partner. I did my best to get up to speed, being mindful of my ankle at all times. One of the techniques involved a sweep so I had to explain to my partner that I could only practice the technique with my good foot forward! We finished with some freestyle. I risked the ankle and had a little go at it. The 1st kyu who led the warm-up came at me like a steam train! His attacks were a little wild and I managed to keep him at bay. I got a couple of good counter attacks in but only because his mai geri was so slow. Phew! I'm sure he could have knocked my block off if he'd felt like it!
I went home eager for my dinner. I discovered that Lucy had opened a bottle of red wine for cooking purposes. I didn't need any more reason than that...
Karate, no junkfood, most of a bottle of red wine.
Saturday
Blood pressure: 142/69
Resting heart rate: 51
Weight: 10st 2lbs
I woke up with a bit of a sore head after indulging in red wine last night. Lucy and I did some shopping which somehow managed to take us until lunchtime. Then I cycled back to the shops to get the stuff we forgot. When I got home, I spent an hour sweeping the leaves off the front drive (I don't know why, I just do as I'm told.) Then it was time for dojo! This afternoon's session was ace with plenty of fast basics. I finally worked up a sweat in the dojo for the first time in ages! We did a fair bit of kata and then some basic kumite drills to finish. Smashing! My ankle wasn't too sore for the session until right at the end when we did a kneeling bow - sitting back with my feet underneath me was a rather painful experience!
My favourite part of the session was Sensei Gary asking if Martha and I would be interested in the instructor's course! I'm not sure what it's all about but of course I said yes! I went home for lunch very excited!
In the evening, we spread out in the front room to watch Strictly Come Dancing and have a drink. Cheers!
Karate, no junkfood, 3 beers.
Sunday
Blood pressure: 152/69
Resting heart rate: 51
Weight: 10st 2lbs
What a glorious day! It was a cold start but there was bright sunlight all day with barely a cloud in the sky. There was a strong wind, however. I called for Jonnie at 9 and we set off into the lanes determined to complete the 46 miles of our Coughton route. Jonnie was suffering from a bad cold - I could hear it in his voice. We stopped at Earlswood Lakes so that Jonnie could make some adjustments to his shoes.
We kept heading West. What we tend to forget is just how hilly this route is! It has 2400ft of climbing to deal with over its 46 miles. When we realised that it was going to be a long day in the saddle, and Jonnie was still feeling ill, I suggested we turn south and look for a more direct route to Wilmcote. Jonnie was having none of it.
So we struggled on through this beautiful route on this beautiful day and our energy was ground down and down and down until we crawled into Wilmcote at an average speed of 13mph. Our legs were empty, backs were aching, and Jonnie was hacking and sneezing with his illness.
We made the unprecedented decision to consume THREE slices of cake each! We hoped this would give us the energy to get home in a reasonable time.
Unfortunately, it didn't. We crawled north in the little gears, eventually rolling into Jonnie's drive with a pathetic 12.9mph average speed. But we were glad we'd done it and rewarded ourselves with a hop-based energy drink!
I did some ironing in the afternoon. Jane and Eric came for dinner. I couldn't help myself and worked my way through most of a bottle of red and had some apple pie and ice cream for pudding.
46 miles of cycling, junkfood, one beer, 2 large glasses of red wine.
It's been a strange week for training - I started off strongly but gradually gave in to the temptation of ale as the days went on. However, I seem to have lost a bit of weight and the ankle isn't too bad (apart from when I try to do the kneeling bow!) I managed to exercise every day and, apart from the cake and apple pie on Sunday, I ate cleanly. The stand-out moment of the week was on Sunday afternoon when Jonnie and I, aching and spent, finally got back to his house after the gruelling bike ride:
"Jonnie," I said, barely able to lift my head up, "Next time you have a cold, don't volunteer to ride 46 miles of climbing!"
"Why not?" he replied.
Blood pressure: 142/65
Resting heart rate: 57
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I was sorely disappointed when I stepped off the scales this morning: I'm exactly the same weight as I was this time last week. I've gone 7 days without any beer or junkfood and I'd exercised for over an hour on every one of those 7 days. It makes me question why I'm doing this. However, I'm determined to carry on and see what happens to my stats over the next few weeks.
I cycled to work, didn't have time for lunch, cycled home, made a chicken, mushroom and tomato curry for Lucy and myself, and then did a late-night weight lifting session. Once again, the vein was sticking up in my bicep when I'd completed the hour. It probably doesn't mean anything but it makes me think I'm doing something right.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol
Tuesday
Blood pressure: 146/75
Resting heart rate: 58
Weight: 10st 4lbs
I cycled into college. I was stuck at work until 6:30 so Martha and I couldn't go to the dojo. I cycled home and did an hour's weight training before a very healthy vegetable-based dinner.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol.
Wednesday
Blood pressure: 143/74
Resting heart rate: 61
Weight: 10st 2lbs
I knew I wouldn't have time for weight training tonight so I left the house a little early this morning. I pedalled out into the lanes for a while before turning back and heading into work. I cycled 16.1 miles at 13.7mph. Even though my average speed was slow, I was cycling against a stiff headwind for half of the ride, I had my rucksack strapped to my back and the traffic was thick on the A34 (when the wind was behind me). I was sweating buckets by the time I got to college!
I cycled home to get ready for a night out - Lucy, Jonnie, Sally and I were going to the theatre. I allowed myself a beer with dinner (Fuller's ESB - fantastic!). It was my first alcoholic drink in 10 days.
We saw an hour-long performance called Ventoux. It tells the story of Armstrong and Pantani, with their epic battle up Mont Ventoux in the 2000 Tour de France forming the backdrop against which the story is told. There were only two actors on the stage and they never left it during the whole hour. I was impressed by their ability to remember all the lines and what they had to do next.
I'm a complete theatre noob - I saw a few plays with school and that's about it really. I think I saw an interpretation of Lord of the Flies when I was in my late twenties?
Anyway, Ventoux wasn't what I consider to be a 'play'. It was more like an art performance with lots of symbolism as opposed to realism. We see Armstrong's cancer spread as a he draws on himself with a piece of chalk. We see Pantani's addiction as he throws white powder about the stage and sticks his head in a bucket of water. Pantani's victory in the race, which I assumed would be the climax of the performance, happened about halfway through, indicated by a recording of Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen's actual commentary from the broadcast. There was lots of euro dance music blasted out as the two actors clambered aboard their onstage bicycles (up on turbo trainers) and raced against each other, and we had a yellow spotlight for Armstrong and a corresponding pink one for Pantani.
We saw Pantani die (with his head in the bucket) and we saw Armstrong struggle under the weight of worldwide accusations. We didn't get to see Armstrong's relationship with Bruyneel and there was no mention of Pantani's cosmetic surgery.
And then it ended.
What I was left with was a desire to watch the actual race, to re-read Matt Rendell's book about Pantani, and, most surprisingly, a need to defend Armstrong - because even though he was a nasty, cheating bastard, he defeated cancer and rode those 7 victorious Tours. There's only so much that drugs can do, Lance still had to get on his bike and ride the thousands upon thousands of miles of training and racing! I can't help it, anyone who can complete a Tour deserves respect, despite all the drugs and the lies.
I know, I'm weird.
Needless to say, I had to go home and drink beer while contemplating all these deep and meaningful questions about my favourite sport!
16+ miles of cycling, no junkfood, 3 beers.
Thursday
Blood pressure: 145/72
Resting heart rate: 57
Weight: 10st 1lb
Cycled in to work, had a good day, cycled home. I hit the weight training hard, felt good, didn't eat any junkfood, and didn't drink any beer.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol
Friday
Blood pressure: 142/73
Resting heart rate: 50
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I cycled in to work, was an awesome teacher, and then cycled home again.
Martha and I headed off to Sensei Russell's Friday night Karate session. I was very surprised to discover that Sensei Russell had made changes to his lesson plan! I always look forward to Sensei Russell's high-energy mix of dynamic warm-up followed by basics, followed by kata, and ending in kumite. It works! However, tonight we had a 1st kyu taking the warm up and he rattled through it at a fair lick. It didn't get chance to get sweaty. After some kata, which included some peer assessment, I found myself in a group of 4 senior grades receiving special attention from Sensei Russell. He showed us some kumite techniques and got us to work on them with a partner. I did my best to get up to speed, being mindful of my ankle at all times. One of the techniques involved a sweep so I had to explain to my partner that I could only practice the technique with my good foot forward! We finished with some freestyle. I risked the ankle and had a little go at it. The 1st kyu who led the warm-up came at me like a steam train! His attacks were a little wild and I managed to keep him at bay. I got a couple of good counter attacks in but only because his mai geri was so slow. Phew! I'm sure he could have knocked my block off if he'd felt like it!
I went home eager for my dinner. I discovered that Lucy had opened a bottle of red wine for cooking purposes. I didn't need any more reason than that...
Karate, no junkfood, most of a bottle of red wine.
Saturday
Blood pressure: 142/69
Resting heart rate: 51
Weight: 10st 2lbs
I woke up with a bit of a sore head after indulging in red wine last night. Lucy and I did some shopping which somehow managed to take us until lunchtime. Then I cycled back to the shops to get the stuff we forgot. When I got home, I spent an hour sweeping the leaves off the front drive (I don't know why, I just do as I'm told.) Then it was time for dojo! This afternoon's session was ace with plenty of fast basics. I finally worked up a sweat in the dojo for the first time in ages! We did a fair bit of kata and then some basic kumite drills to finish. Smashing! My ankle wasn't too sore for the session until right at the end when we did a kneeling bow - sitting back with my feet underneath me was a rather painful experience!
My favourite part of the session was Sensei Gary asking if Martha and I would be interested in the instructor's course! I'm not sure what it's all about but of course I said yes! I went home for lunch very excited!
In the evening, we spread out in the front room to watch Strictly Come Dancing and have a drink. Cheers!
Karate, no junkfood, 3 beers.
Sunday
Blood pressure: 152/69
Resting heart rate: 51
Weight: 10st 2lbs
What a glorious day! It was a cold start but there was bright sunlight all day with barely a cloud in the sky. There was a strong wind, however. I called for Jonnie at 9 and we set off into the lanes determined to complete the 46 miles of our Coughton route. Jonnie was suffering from a bad cold - I could hear it in his voice. We stopped at Earlswood Lakes so that Jonnie could make some adjustments to his shoes.
 |
| Just a few miles along, the enormity of our undertaking had yet to sink in... |
We kept heading West. What we tend to forget is just how hilly this route is! It has 2400ft of climbing to deal with over its 46 miles. When we realised that it was going to be a long day in the saddle, and Jonnie was still feeling ill, I suggested we turn south and look for a more direct route to Wilmcote. Jonnie was having none of it.
So we struggled on through this beautiful route on this beautiful day and our energy was ground down and down and down until we crawled into Wilmcote at an average speed of 13mph. Our legs were empty, backs were aching, and Jonnie was hacking and sneezing with his illness.
We made the unprecedented decision to consume THREE slices of cake each! We hoped this would give us the energy to get home in a reasonable time.
Unfortunately, it didn't. We crawled north in the little gears, eventually rolling into Jonnie's drive with a pathetic 12.9mph average speed. But we were glad we'd done it and rewarded ourselves with a hop-based energy drink!
I did some ironing in the afternoon. Jane and Eric came for dinner. I couldn't help myself and worked my way through most of a bottle of red and had some apple pie and ice cream for pudding.
46 miles of cycling, junkfood, one beer, 2 large glasses of red wine.
It's been a strange week for training - I started off strongly but gradually gave in to the temptation of ale as the days went on. However, I seem to have lost a bit of weight and the ankle isn't too bad (apart from when I try to do the kneeling bow!) I managed to exercise every day and, apart from the cake and apple pie on Sunday, I ate cleanly. The stand-out moment of the week was on Sunday afternoon when Jonnie and I, aching and spent, finally got back to his house after the gruelling bike ride:
"Jonnie," I said, barely able to lift my head up, "Next time you have a cold, don't volunteer to ride 46 miles of climbing!"
"Why not?" he replied.
Sunday, November 11, 2018
How to Lose a Belly When You're 44 (part 5)
Monday
Blood pressure: 150/72
Resting heart rate: 57
Weight: 10st 5lbs
It's half term and, because I have the best job in the world, I don't have to go in to work!
I dropped some children off at the train station, did some weight lifting, picked some children up from the train station, cooked dinner and did the washing up.
I was very careful during the weight lifting: I didn't want to have a repeat of the back pain from two weeks ago. I managed to get through it okay. For the rest of the day, I enjoyed the pleasant ache you get from an hour's lifting.
My blood pressure shows no sign of improvement.
The most important thing is: I managed to resist all sugary foods and alcohol!
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol.
Tuesday
Not being able to go to the dojo today, I decided another weight lifting session was in order. As usual, I did 6 different exercises. This morning, I swapped out barbell curls and squats and replaced them with dumbbell curls and overhead presses. I did another solid hour. My back was a little sore but I didn't feel any sharp pain.
I had to go in to work for a meeting in the afternoon. I was aching all over when I got on the bike! I think I crawled in to work at about 12mph! I felt a bit better on the cycle home.
After a homemade beef chilli, the family and Auntie Debbie went along to the Botanical Gardens' Halloween event, the Garden of Ghouls! It was lots of fun, made us all jump (apart from Martha who seems impervious to horror but will hide behind the couch when confronted with a dead bee) but was over far too quickly.
Back at home, only sheer force of will prevented me from enjoying the real ale and homemade cheesecake on offer. The real test of willpower will be on Friday when we have our Halloween house party...
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol
Wednesday
Blood pressure: 144/74
Resting heart rate: 54
Weight: 10st 3lbs
Today's weight-lifting session was a bit of a struggle. I've been reading Sensei Ronnie Christopher's book about competition fighting In the early part of the book, the emphasis is on the importance of a proper warm up before training. With time on my hands, I thought I'd get a sweat on before lifting any weights. I started off with jumping jacks (which some people call star jumps.) I managed two before I had a sudden sharp pain in my trapezius muscles! It looks like yesterday's shrugs had put more strain on my back than I thought.
I carried on with a much more gentle warm up and then carefully started my lifting program. I am pleased to report that, with the help of lots of Deep Heat, I got through all six exercises (5 sets of 5 reps) and 300 body-weight reps too. I was really aching by the end of it!
Unfortunately, my willpower slipped in the evening. I was aching badly, Lucy was enjoying a drink and I told myself it was half-term after all... Before I knew it, I was opening a beer.
Weight-training, no junkfood, beer
Thursday
Blood pressure: 138/75
Resting heart rate: 70
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I went out for a 15 mile bike ride.
In the evening, Lucy and I went out to the pub and then to dinner. I had two puddings.
My blood pressure is high and I'm putting on weight...
Cycling, junkfood, booze
Friday
Blood pressure: 154/71
Resting heart rate: 62
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I attended Sensei Russell's Friday night training session.
Later, we had a big Halloween/fireworks party with Jonnie, Sally, Nigel, Penny, Naomi and Debbie. There were loads of young people too. Hydro turned up but left as soon as Batman arrived. I drank loads and loads until 3am...
Karate, no junkfood, loads of alcohol
Saturday
I suffered on the couch for most of the day. I managed to take Martha to Karate and I was very impressed with her teaching skills. Sensei had Martha teaching a kata to some lower grades and I noticed how clear and confident she was. Karate really does do wonders for young people.
Afterwards, I went home for more suffering and then a few quiet bottles of Guinness in the evening!
Sunday
I reluctantly slid out of bed and tried to convince myself that I wanted to go riding. I was STILL suffering the effects of Friday's party. I eventually clambered onto the bike and Jonnie and I set off into the lanes. I was glad he suggested our Honiley route because it's rather flat and gentle without any mad descents or hideous climbs. However, I still suffered.
I felt like I was having a mild out-of-body experience for the first 20 miles or so. It was if it wasn't really happening and I was staring out through someone else's eyes. The cyclic rhythm of the ride began to seep into me and I could barely keep my eyes open. Before we reached Snitterfield, I could have happily cycled into a ditch and just curled up to sleep until this nightmare was over!
However, upon reaching Snitterfield, I had to face up to my responsibilities: Tradition dictates that I lead the ride up along the Armouries until we reach the A34. So I got on the front, clicked up a gear and set about setting a decent pace. I managed to drag us to Featherbed lane where Jonnie always leaps off the front chasing his tea and cake.
We refreshed ourselves with tea and homemade cake at Wilmcote. I continued to feel better to the point where I was looking forward to getting back on the bike. The ride home was good, we hurtled through Aston Cantlow at around 18mph and then threw ourselves up the climbs. The predicted rain came early. Jonnie, knowledgeable in such things, described it as 'wet rain'. By the time we arrived back at his house we were thoroughly soaked. We refreshed ourselves with some beer from the local brewery before I became too cold and had to head off home to get a change of clothes.
We rode 39 miles at 14mph. It should have been a lot faster.
In the evening, a normal person would drink lots of water and get an early night. I, of course, stayed up late drinking more Guinness and playing video games.
Monday
Blood pressure: 154/79
Resting heart rate: 71
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I cycled in to work. I worked at 100mph with no time to eat. I cycled home for a weight lifting session. I made a protein-rich dinner for the family.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol.
Tuesday
It was Tilly's graduation today. Lucy, Jane and I travelled along to the breathtaking Worcester Cathedral for the award ceremony. We stopped off for lunch on the way home. I managed to resist pudding. I managed to resist a bottle of local ale (the fact that it was kept in a fridge helped me say no.)
Martha and I went along to Karate. We did a lot of kicks along with some kata towards the end. The ankle wasn't too painful - I'm acutely aware of it when trying to do a kneeling bow. Other than that, it only aches a little.
Karate, no junkfood, no alcohol
Wednesday
Blood pressure: 159/75
Resting heart rate: 59
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I cycled to work and back. I did another good weight lifting session. I cooked chicken stir fry for the family.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol
Thursday
Blood pressure: 147/75
Resting heart rate: 58
Weight: 10st 4lbs
I cycled in to work. I had a good day's teaching, scoffed a load of tuna and pasta, and then cycled home for some weight training. I set a new record on barbell shrugs. During tonight's training, I noticed that a vein was sticking up in my right bicep. I haven't noticed this for well over two years, possibly three. I'm taking this as a good sign that my body is working hard!
Then I drove in to town to collect Mouse and Hydro because they were too lazy to get the train.
Back at home, Lucy had made a lovely homemade dinner which I enjoyed with nothing stronger than fizzy water!
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol
Friday
Blood pressure: 149/74
Resting heart rate: 57
Weight: 10st 4lbs
I cycled into work, ate loads of healthy foods, and then cycled home. Martha and I attended the Karate session. Sensei Russell didn't take the class. The instructor in charge was drilling us in some advanced punching techniques. He was speaking very quickly and I know that both Martha and I found it very difficult to keep up with what was going on. At one point, he asked me to help him demonstrate something. I obviously didn't understand what was required of me or I didn't do it quick enough because he shouted: "Ha! How old are you? I'm older than you and I'm faster than you!"
Dojo etiquette demands that I don't talk back to an instructor so I kept quiet. I let the rest of the class think I'm a slow old man. (Maybe I am!)
Despite the confusion with the punches, the rest of the lesson was frantic and fun with the youngsters laughing and getting involved with the kumite at the end.
I got home, got changed, enjoyed a wonderful homemade salmon dinner and, somehow, managed to resist the tempting selection of real ales lined up in the kitchen...
Karate, no junkfood, no alcohol
Saturday
Blood pressure: 157/72
Resting heart rate: 60
Weight: 10st 4lbs
Today was this week's cycle ride.
I sprang out of bed eager to put on a better show than I managed last week. The sun was out and the wind was blowing in the right direction.
I met Roger at Jonnie's house and, after a brief chat with Sally, the three of us set off into the lanes. Jonnie was even more frisky than usual and he was quickly off the front as soon as we reached Tom Hill. He sped off towards the A3400 leaving Roger and me to warm the legs at a steady pace and to have a bit of a chat. Jonnie waited for us at the chip shop. We crossed the road together and then headed off up the rather steep Ireland's lane. Jonnie was obviously feeling very strong and he manged to set his Personal Record for the climb! Roger and I quizzed him about his form - he revealed the secret was his breakfast: homemade damson jam!
We span the wheels through Lowsonford, High Cross and eventually into Snitterfield. We rode together past the Armouries with me on the front doing my best Vasil Kiryienka impersonation. We dropped down the descent, crossed the A3400 again and then Roger and I watched Jonnie vanish into the distance along Featherbed Lane!
Tea and cake at Wilmcote was most welcome with a choice of sweets on offer! I had lemon cake.
Unfortunately, as we sat munching and chatting in Wilmcote, the sun gradually disappeared behind a bank of darkening cloud. We set off again, but this time the sky was decidedly overcast and foreboding.
We had an average speed of 14.1mph and I was determined to keep it above 14mph over the remaining 15 miles of climbing. I led from the front with Jonnie doing his fair share too. Of course, being on a new bike and having only recently returned to cycling, Roger was beginning to find the going tough after the 30 mile mark. His legs couldn't match his ambition and I slowed the pace a little so we could ride together. (Jonnie, rather like an over-excited Jack Russell, couldn't help springing off the front for the remainder of the ride. Roger and I occasionally caught a glimpse of him as he crested a hill in the distance!) By the time we got back to Jonnie's place, the average speed had dropped to 13.8mph over 36 miles.
I declined the offer of a beer and went home to clean my bike and then get ready for Karate.
This afternoon's session was rather like a sports lesson in a primary school! There were excited kids everywhere! It's great to see the future of the club having so much fun practising Shotokan Karate. Sensei Gary asked me to help demonstrate something with him and I got the punch completely wrong. It was no fault of Sensei Gary's - he gave the instruction quite clearly. Maybe I'm just having a bad Karate weekend? The fact that I'm still thinking and writing about it now shows how embarrassed I am.
I was also asked to help teach Kihon Kata to a beginner. I enjoyed the responsibility and I also got to practise my technique in this most important of kata. If you can't get to grips with the basic stance, punch and block of Kihon Kata then no other kata you attempt will be performed correctly. Kihon Kata is the strength at the base of the pyramid that is your Karate.
In the evening, with the family all in different places doing different things (visiting London, at a party, out with friends, working) I had the house to myself. I had a nice dinner and watched the excellent Netflix series Fight World. Watching martial artists train and fight helped me to keep focused on my own path and not think about the beer in the kitchen!
Cycling, Karate, one slice of homemade cake, no alcohol.
Sunday
Blood pressure: 145/73
Resting heart rate: 46
Weight: 10st 5lbs
A rather leisurely start to the day. After making breakfast for Lucy and myself, I weighed myself and was a little confused to find that I haven't lost any weight so far this week, despite avoiding alcohol and junkfood. Oh well, I'll see what the scales say tomorrow.
Lucy and I went shopping and then I took the dogs to the park.
After lunch, I did consider going along to Sensei Ronnie's advanced session. I haven't attended the advanced session since I injured my ankle on the 9th October. It's too sore to allow me to fight with any confidence but I know that if Sensei said we were sparring, I'd go for it 100% and end up getting injured even worse. I'd be too embarrassed to try to explain to him that I couldn't fight because my foot hurts...
Instead, I did some weight training. I was pleased that I found it rather easy! I avoided the temptation to go heavier and stuck to my plan.
The rest of the evening was rather relaxing.
As tempted as I was to have a beer, I resisted. I didn't even have any pudding after dinner.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol
Blood pressure: 150/72
Resting heart rate: 57
Weight: 10st 5lbs
It's half term and, because I have the best job in the world, I don't have to go in to work!
I dropped some children off at the train station, did some weight lifting, picked some children up from the train station, cooked dinner and did the washing up.
I was very careful during the weight lifting: I didn't want to have a repeat of the back pain from two weeks ago. I managed to get through it okay. For the rest of the day, I enjoyed the pleasant ache you get from an hour's lifting.
My blood pressure shows no sign of improvement.
The most important thing is: I managed to resist all sugary foods and alcohol!
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol.
Tuesday
Not being able to go to the dojo today, I decided another weight lifting session was in order. As usual, I did 6 different exercises. This morning, I swapped out barbell curls and squats and replaced them with dumbbell curls and overhead presses. I did another solid hour. My back was a little sore but I didn't feel any sharp pain.
I had to go in to work for a meeting in the afternoon. I was aching all over when I got on the bike! I think I crawled in to work at about 12mph! I felt a bit better on the cycle home.
After a homemade beef chilli, the family and Auntie Debbie went along to the Botanical Gardens' Halloween event, the Garden of Ghouls! It was lots of fun, made us all jump (apart from Martha who seems impervious to horror but will hide behind the couch when confronted with a dead bee) but was over far too quickly.
Back at home, only sheer force of will prevented me from enjoying the real ale and homemade cheesecake on offer. The real test of willpower will be on Friday when we have our Halloween house party...
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol
Wednesday
Blood pressure: 144/74
Resting heart rate: 54
Weight: 10st 3lbs
Today's weight-lifting session was a bit of a struggle. I've been reading Sensei Ronnie Christopher's book about competition fighting In the early part of the book, the emphasis is on the importance of a proper warm up before training. With time on my hands, I thought I'd get a sweat on before lifting any weights. I started off with jumping jacks (which some people call star jumps.) I managed two before I had a sudden sharp pain in my trapezius muscles! It looks like yesterday's shrugs had put more strain on my back than I thought.
I carried on with a much more gentle warm up and then carefully started my lifting program. I am pleased to report that, with the help of lots of Deep Heat, I got through all six exercises (5 sets of 5 reps) and 300 body-weight reps too. I was really aching by the end of it!
Unfortunately, my willpower slipped in the evening. I was aching badly, Lucy was enjoying a drink and I told myself it was half-term after all... Before I knew it, I was opening a beer.
Weight-training, no junkfood, beer
Thursday
Blood pressure: 138/75
Resting heart rate: 70
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I went out for a 15 mile bike ride.
In the evening, Lucy and I went out to the pub and then to dinner. I had two puddings.
My blood pressure is high and I'm putting on weight...
Cycling, junkfood, booze
Friday
Blood pressure: 154/71
Resting heart rate: 62
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I attended Sensei Russell's Friday night training session.
Later, we had a big Halloween/fireworks party with Jonnie, Sally, Nigel, Penny, Naomi and Debbie. There were loads of young people too. Hydro turned up but left as soon as Batman arrived. I drank loads and loads until 3am...
Karate, no junkfood, loads of alcohol
Saturday
I suffered on the couch for most of the day. I managed to take Martha to Karate and I was very impressed with her teaching skills. Sensei had Martha teaching a kata to some lower grades and I noticed how clear and confident she was. Karate really does do wonders for young people.
Afterwards, I went home for more suffering and then a few quiet bottles of Guinness in the evening!
Sunday
I reluctantly slid out of bed and tried to convince myself that I wanted to go riding. I was STILL suffering the effects of Friday's party. I eventually clambered onto the bike and Jonnie and I set off into the lanes. I was glad he suggested our Honiley route because it's rather flat and gentle without any mad descents or hideous climbs. However, I still suffered.
I felt like I was having a mild out-of-body experience for the first 20 miles or so. It was if it wasn't really happening and I was staring out through someone else's eyes. The cyclic rhythm of the ride began to seep into me and I could barely keep my eyes open. Before we reached Snitterfield, I could have happily cycled into a ditch and just curled up to sleep until this nightmare was over!
However, upon reaching Snitterfield, I had to face up to my responsibilities: Tradition dictates that I lead the ride up along the Armouries until we reach the A34. So I got on the front, clicked up a gear and set about setting a decent pace. I managed to drag us to Featherbed lane where Jonnie always leaps off the front chasing his tea and cake.
We refreshed ourselves with tea and homemade cake at Wilmcote. I continued to feel better to the point where I was looking forward to getting back on the bike. The ride home was good, we hurtled through Aston Cantlow at around 18mph and then threw ourselves up the climbs. The predicted rain came early. Jonnie, knowledgeable in such things, described it as 'wet rain'. By the time we arrived back at his house we were thoroughly soaked. We refreshed ourselves with some beer from the local brewery before I became too cold and had to head off home to get a change of clothes.
We rode 39 miles at 14mph. It should have been a lot faster.
In the evening, a normal person would drink lots of water and get an early night. I, of course, stayed up late drinking more Guinness and playing video games.
Monday
Blood pressure: 154/79
Resting heart rate: 71
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I cycled in to work. I worked at 100mph with no time to eat. I cycled home for a weight lifting session. I made a protein-rich dinner for the family.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol.
Tuesday
It was Tilly's graduation today. Lucy, Jane and I travelled along to the breathtaking Worcester Cathedral for the award ceremony. We stopped off for lunch on the way home. I managed to resist pudding. I managed to resist a bottle of local ale (the fact that it was kept in a fridge helped me say no.)
Martha and I went along to Karate. We did a lot of kicks along with some kata towards the end. The ankle wasn't too painful - I'm acutely aware of it when trying to do a kneeling bow. Other than that, it only aches a little.
Karate, no junkfood, no alcohol
Wednesday
Blood pressure: 159/75
Resting heart rate: 59
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I cycled to work and back. I did another good weight lifting session. I cooked chicken stir fry for the family.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol
Thursday
Blood pressure: 147/75
Resting heart rate: 58
Weight: 10st 4lbs
I cycled in to work. I had a good day's teaching, scoffed a load of tuna and pasta, and then cycled home for some weight training. I set a new record on barbell shrugs. During tonight's training, I noticed that a vein was sticking up in my right bicep. I haven't noticed this for well over two years, possibly three. I'm taking this as a good sign that my body is working hard!
Then I drove in to town to collect Mouse and Hydro because they were too lazy to get the train.
Back at home, Lucy had made a lovely homemade dinner which I enjoyed with nothing stronger than fizzy water!
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol
Friday
Blood pressure: 149/74
Resting heart rate: 57
Weight: 10st 4lbs
I cycled into work, ate loads of healthy foods, and then cycled home. Martha and I attended the Karate session. Sensei Russell didn't take the class. The instructor in charge was drilling us in some advanced punching techniques. He was speaking very quickly and I know that both Martha and I found it very difficult to keep up with what was going on. At one point, he asked me to help him demonstrate something. I obviously didn't understand what was required of me or I didn't do it quick enough because he shouted: "Ha! How old are you? I'm older than you and I'm faster than you!"
Dojo etiquette demands that I don't talk back to an instructor so I kept quiet. I let the rest of the class think I'm a slow old man. (Maybe I am!)
Despite the confusion with the punches, the rest of the lesson was frantic and fun with the youngsters laughing and getting involved with the kumite at the end.
I got home, got changed, enjoyed a wonderful homemade salmon dinner and, somehow, managed to resist the tempting selection of real ales lined up in the kitchen...
Karate, no junkfood, no alcohol
Saturday
Blood pressure: 157/72
Resting heart rate: 60
Weight: 10st 4lbs
Today was this week's cycle ride.
I sprang out of bed eager to put on a better show than I managed last week. The sun was out and the wind was blowing in the right direction.
I met Roger at Jonnie's house and, after a brief chat with Sally, the three of us set off into the lanes. Jonnie was even more frisky than usual and he was quickly off the front as soon as we reached Tom Hill. He sped off towards the A3400 leaving Roger and me to warm the legs at a steady pace and to have a bit of a chat. Jonnie waited for us at the chip shop. We crossed the road together and then headed off up the rather steep Ireland's lane. Jonnie was obviously feeling very strong and he manged to set his Personal Record for the climb! Roger and I quizzed him about his form - he revealed the secret was his breakfast: homemade damson jam!
We span the wheels through Lowsonford, High Cross and eventually into Snitterfield. We rode together past the Armouries with me on the front doing my best Vasil Kiryienka impersonation. We dropped down the descent, crossed the A3400 again and then Roger and I watched Jonnie vanish into the distance along Featherbed Lane!
Tea and cake at Wilmcote was most welcome with a choice of sweets on offer! I had lemon cake.
Unfortunately, as we sat munching and chatting in Wilmcote, the sun gradually disappeared behind a bank of darkening cloud. We set off again, but this time the sky was decidedly overcast and foreboding.
We had an average speed of 14.1mph and I was determined to keep it above 14mph over the remaining 15 miles of climbing. I led from the front with Jonnie doing his fair share too. Of course, being on a new bike and having only recently returned to cycling, Roger was beginning to find the going tough after the 30 mile mark. His legs couldn't match his ambition and I slowed the pace a little so we could ride together. (Jonnie, rather like an over-excited Jack Russell, couldn't help springing off the front for the remainder of the ride. Roger and I occasionally caught a glimpse of him as he crested a hill in the distance!) By the time we got back to Jonnie's place, the average speed had dropped to 13.8mph over 36 miles.
I declined the offer of a beer and went home to clean my bike and then get ready for Karate.
This afternoon's session was rather like a sports lesson in a primary school! There were excited kids everywhere! It's great to see the future of the club having so much fun practising Shotokan Karate. Sensei Gary asked me to help demonstrate something with him and I got the punch completely wrong. It was no fault of Sensei Gary's - he gave the instruction quite clearly. Maybe I'm just having a bad Karate weekend? The fact that I'm still thinking and writing about it now shows how embarrassed I am.
I was also asked to help teach Kihon Kata to a beginner. I enjoyed the responsibility and I also got to practise my technique in this most important of kata. If you can't get to grips with the basic stance, punch and block of Kihon Kata then no other kata you attempt will be performed correctly. Kihon Kata is the strength at the base of the pyramid that is your Karate.
In the evening, with the family all in different places doing different things (visiting London, at a party, out with friends, working) I had the house to myself. I had a nice dinner and watched the excellent Netflix series Fight World. Watching martial artists train and fight helped me to keep focused on my own path and not think about the beer in the kitchen!
Cycling, Karate, one slice of homemade cake, no alcohol.
Sunday
Blood pressure: 145/73
Resting heart rate: 46
Weight: 10st 5lbs
A rather leisurely start to the day. After making breakfast for Lucy and myself, I weighed myself and was a little confused to find that I haven't lost any weight so far this week, despite avoiding alcohol and junkfood. Oh well, I'll see what the scales say tomorrow.
Lucy and I went shopping and then I took the dogs to the park.
After lunch, I did consider going along to Sensei Ronnie's advanced session. I haven't attended the advanced session since I injured my ankle on the 9th October. It's too sore to allow me to fight with any confidence but I know that if Sensei said we were sparring, I'd go for it 100% and end up getting injured even worse. I'd be too embarrassed to try to explain to him that I couldn't fight because my foot hurts...
 |
| My ankles are different sizes. |
 |
| This photo was taken today - over a month since I injured myself. |
Instead, I did some weight training. I was pleased that I found it rather easy! I avoided the temptation to go heavier and stuck to my plan.
The rest of the evening was rather relaxing.
As tempted as I was to have a beer, I resisted. I didn't even have any pudding after dinner.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol
Monday, October 29, 2018
How to Lose a Belly When You're 44 (part 4)
Not a good week as far as a healthy lifestyle is concerned: I think I drank a beer most days and the cakes and treats came out at the weekend.
However, I still managed to motivate myself to get to training.
Martha and I went along to dojo on Tuesday for a good session.
We went along on Friday too. Sensei Russell changed his usual format due to the amount of new students who turned up that night. This session is becoming very popular and I have to be careful not to crash into someone when performing kata.
Saturday's session with Sensei Gary was lots of fun as usual. At one point, he had me trying to 'teach' Heian Godan to a roomful of beginner grades! I've found that, without a lesson plan, a Smartboard and a classroom support worker, teaching Karate is really hard! I instantly forgot the names of the techniques I was trying to demonstrate and found it impossible to keep track of what everyone was doing. At one point, the students were moving before I had given the count.
Maybe I'll get another go at it and I can try to do a better job.
Still, it was thoroughly enjoyable!
Sunday was the usual big bike ride. Nigel and Jonnie were both injured and Ed was on holiday. That left my old mate Roger on his brand new bike! Roger had ridden the 2015 Mad March Hare with us and has been an enthusiastic rider for all of his life. Today he was testing his brand new Lapierre bike on a long ride.
We cycled down past the Purity Brewery to Temple Grafton and then across to Wilmcote for homemade cake and cups of tea.
After that, we had to slog it out uphill into a headwind for the remaining 15 miles. We covered 35 miles at a relaxed pace. We stopped off for tea and coffee at Wedge's Bakery.
I don't think this week has helped me get any closer to a black belt, but at least the ankle is starting to feel better. I might even try a run next week.
However, I still managed to motivate myself to get to training.
Martha and I went along to dojo on Tuesday for a good session.
We went along on Friday too. Sensei Russell changed his usual format due to the amount of new students who turned up that night. This session is becoming very popular and I have to be careful not to crash into someone when performing kata.
Saturday's session with Sensei Gary was lots of fun as usual. At one point, he had me trying to 'teach' Heian Godan to a roomful of beginner grades! I've found that, without a lesson plan, a Smartboard and a classroom support worker, teaching Karate is really hard! I instantly forgot the names of the techniques I was trying to demonstrate and found it impossible to keep track of what everyone was doing. At one point, the students were moving before I had given the count.
Maybe I'll get another go at it and I can try to do a better job.
Still, it was thoroughly enjoyable!
Sunday was the usual big bike ride. Nigel and Jonnie were both injured and Ed was on holiday. That left my old mate Roger on his brand new bike! Roger had ridden the 2015 Mad March Hare with us and has been an enthusiastic rider for all of his life. Today he was testing his brand new Lapierre bike on a long ride.
 |
| Roger's new bike. I think it's French. |
We cycled down past the Purity Brewery to Temple Grafton and then across to Wilmcote for homemade cake and cups of tea.
After that, we had to slog it out uphill into a headwind for the remaining 15 miles. We covered 35 miles at a relaxed pace. We stopped off for tea and coffee at Wedge's Bakery.
I don't think this week has helped me get any closer to a black belt, but at least the ankle is starting to feel better. I might even try a run next week.
Sunday, October 21, 2018
How to Lose a Belly When You're 44 (part 3)
Monday
Blood pressure: 150/76
Resting heart rate: 52
Weight: 10st 7lbs
I'm a fat bloke with dodgy blood pressure.
I cycled in to work. I suspended one of my favourite students. I cycled home.
I got stuck into some weight training as soon as I got home. During the deadlifts I felt a twinge in my lower back. I went on carefully until I'd finished all 5 sets. However, when I moved onto some shrugs, just picking up the bar was enough to get a serious pain in my back. I dumped the bar.
I stomped about in my man cave feeling frustrated. I tried one last time, concentrating on good form with my lifting belt as tight as it would go. It was no good, the pain was still there.
I gave up.
I made a healthy dinner for the family and took it easy.
20 minutes of weight training, no alcohol, no junkfood.
Tuesday
Blood pressure: 149/77
Resting heart rate: 59
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I woke up with a bit of an ache in my back, but nothing too serious.
I cycled in to work.
Work was mental. We suspended a total of eight students in one morning.
I cycled home.
Martha and I went off to dojo. It was my first attempt at training since I sprained my ankle last week. The warm up involved lots of running which I found rather painful - I was doing more hopping and skipping than running. Then on to basics followed by kata. I found the pain slowed me down but I managed to complete all of the drills. We ended with a bit of one-step kumite. I had no choice but to take it easy and take the power out - I could have easily rolled the ankle again and be back at square one.
Martha impressed me tonight - she looked confident and aggressive.
Karate, no alcohol, no junkfood.
Wednesday
Blood pressure: 143/76
Resting heart rate: 59
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I cycled to work, suspended yet another student, cycled home.
Tonight, I read through Master Funakoshi's Twenty Guiding Principals of Karate before starting my weight lifting session. Inspired by the Master, I focused on my form, gave it my all, and managed to complete exactly the same program that I failed on two days ago. The back held and I felt strong.
I made a chicken stir fry for the family.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol
Thursday
Blood pressure: 154/72
Resting heart rate: 57
Weight: 10st 4lbs
I cycled in to work. I had a great day's teaching and didn't have to suspend anybody! I cycled home.
I usually go for a run on Thursdays but my ankle is nowhere near ready. I did another weight training session instead.
Again, the back held, the ankle held, and I felt strong.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol.
Friday
Blood pressure: 150/74
Resting heart rate: 60
Weight: 10st 4lbs
Disappointed with my blood pressure results after being a good boy for four days, I cycled into work. It was rather cold and my hands went numb. I met two sets of parents for disciplinary meetings and then I cycled home.
I went off to the dojo. Sensei Russell did his usual fast-paced, no nonsense lesson with plenty of basics and kata. I like the way he focuses on reverse kick - everybody's area for improvement! I tried to join in with the sparring but it was impossible and rather dangerous: I couldn't move quickly enough with my sprained ankle. I went down to the other end of the dojo and sparred with some youngsters instead.
By the time the session ended my ankle was throbbing mightily and I could barely kneel down for Sensei ni rei.
After ironing two of my karategi, I enjoyed Lucy's homemade casserole followed by a cup of tea. I stayed up until midnight playing Final Fantasy 12. I love the gambit system!
Karate, no junkfood, no alcohol.
Saturday
Blood pressure: 134/81
Resting heart rate: 45
Weight: 10st 4lbs
It's five years to the day that I started training at Ruach Karate. It's also exactly five years since I first rode the Specialized! To mark the occasion, I gave my bike a proper good clean, a polish and some new lubrication. It took me over an hour and the thing looked brand new by the time I'd finished.
I went along to the Saturday Karate session. The ankle slowed me up badly but I still gave it my best.
After a little while, I was asked to work with a young man with some challenging behaviour. He's a lovely kid, but there's too much standing around for him to focus. To try to get him interested in what we were doing I had to invent games. He has a fantastic imagination and seemed to be talking to himself about zombies. I made a game where I was the King Zombie, he was the Robot Zombie, and he had to do what I told him to. It seemed to work for a minute or two at a time and then he needed to be a new character. During the course of the training session he was Electric Zombie, American Zombie, Chinese Zombie, Karate Zombie, Giant Zombie, Lazy Zombie, and Ninja Zombie! Phew!
Trouble is, in the middle of all our games, Sensei Gary was also instructing the class - so I had to have one ear on Sensei and the other on the young man I was helping.
At one point, Sensei asked me to demonstrate a kicking kata that he had just drilled us on. Unfortunately, working with the young man meant that I'd only managed to learn about half of it! I muddled through in front of the class as best I could.
I went to bed at about midnight feeling rather tipsy and bloated.
Karate, no junkfood (apart from chips), 4 bottles of beer.
Sunday
Blood pressure: 151/74
Resting heart rate: 58
Weight: 10st 4lbs
I crashed back into consciousness at 5:10am. My stomach was churning and there was some little bastard in my skull using a pick axe to hack his was out through my eyes.
I tossed and turned and eventually staggered downstairs at 7am for aspirin and breakfast.
I cycled round to Jonnie's place at 9am. It was a bit chilly, and rather misty, but the sky was bright and there was hardly any wind. The lanes were shiny. There was some discussion as to whether they were icy or simply wet. "Stick to the dry bits," was the sage advice from Jonnie.
I struggled on the downhills today. The hangover and the shiny lanes did nothing for my almost none-existent descending skills. Jonnie had to do a bit of waiting as I tiptoed down the hills to Temple Grafton. By the time we arrived in Wilmcote, after 20 miles, the average was a hungover and nervous 13.4mph.
Refreshed by two slices (each!) of homemade lemon cake and cups of tea, Jonnie and I removed our jackets, and I took off my hat, scarf and gloves, and then we headed out towards Snitterfield. By now, the sun was high in the sky and warming us up nicely. The BBC predicted a high of 16 degrees before we got home.
We kept the pressure on and managed to slightly improve on our average, despite the way home being generally uphill.
We arrived back at Jonnie's in the glorious sunshine and refreshed ourselves with some terrible mass-produced lager (which I was very grateful for, actually.)
Back at home, I took the dogs for a walk, marvelling at the beautiful warm weather in the middle of October. I was wearing a t-shirt and shorts!
In the afternoon, I ate chicken and noodles, did some ironing, and drank some ale.
In the evening, we ate steak pie and watched Daredevil on Netflix.
What a cool weekend!
41 miles of cycling, junkfood (cake) and beer
Blood pressure: 150/76
Resting heart rate: 52
Weight: 10st 7lbs
I'm a fat bloke with dodgy blood pressure.
I cycled in to work. I suspended one of my favourite students. I cycled home.
I got stuck into some weight training as soon as I got home. During the deadlifts I felt a twinge in my lower back. I went on carefully until I'd finished all 5 sets. However, when I moved onto some shrugs, just picking up the bar was enough to get a serious pain in my back. I dumped the bar.
I stomped about in my man cave feeling frustrated. I tried one last time, concentrating on good form with my lifting belt as tight as it would go. It was no good, the pain was still there.
I gave up.
I made a healthy dinner for the family and took it easy.
20 minutes of weight training, no alcohol, no junkfood.
Tuesday
Blood pressure: 149/77
Resting heart rate: 59
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I woke up with a bit of an ache in my back, but nothing too serious.
I cycled in to work.
Work was mental. We suspended a total of eight students in one morning.
I cycled home.
Martha and I went off to dojo. It was my first attempt at training since I sprained my ankle last week. The warm up involved lots of running which I found rather painful - I was doing more hopping and skipping than running. Then on to basics followed by kata. I found the pain slowed me down but I managed to complete all of the drills. We ended with a bit of one-step kumite. I had no choice but to take it easy and take the power out - I could have easily rolled the ankle again and be back at square one.
Martha impressed me tonight - she looked confident and aggressive.
Karate, no alcohol, no junkfood.
Wednesday
Blood pressure: 143/76
Resting heart rate: 59
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I cycled to work, suspended yet another student, cycled home.
Tonight, I read through Master Funakoshi's Twenty Guiding Principals of Karate before starting my weight lifting session. Inspired by the Master, I focused on my form, gave it my all, and managed to complete exactly the same program that I failed on two days ago. The back held and I felt strong.
I made a chicken stir fry for the family.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol
Thursday
Blood pressure: 154/72
Resting heart rate: 57
Weight: 10st 4lbs
I cycled in to work. I had a great day's teaching and didn't have to suspend anybody! I cycled home.
I usually go for a run on Thursdays but my ankle is nowhere near ready. I did another weight training session instead.
Again, the back held, the ankle held, and I felt strong.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol.
Friday
Blood pressure: 150/74
Resting heart rate: 60
Weight: 10st 4lbs
Disappointed with my blood pressure results after being a good boy for four days, I cycled into work. It was rather cold and my hands went numb. I met two sets of parents for disciplinary meetings and then I cycled home.
I went off to the dojo. Sensei Russell did his usual fast-paced, no nonsense lesson with plenty of basics and kata. I like the way he focuses on reverse kick - everybody's area for improvement! I tried to join in with the sparring but it was impossible and rather dangerous: I couldn't move quickly enough with my sprained ankle. I went down to the other end of the dojo and sparred with some youngsters instead.
By the time the session ended my ankle was throbbing mightily and I could barely kneel down for Sensei ni rei.
After ironing two of my karategi, I enjoyed Lucy's homemade casserole followed by a cup of tea. I stayed up until midnight playing Final Fantasy 12. I love the gambit system!
Karate, no junkfood, no alcohol.
Saturday
Blood pressure: 134/81
Resting heart rate: 45
Weight: 10st 4lbs
It's five years to the day that I started training at Ruach Karate. It's also exactly five years since I first rode the Specialized! To mark the occasion, I gave my bike a proper good clean, a polish and some new lubrication. It took me over an hour and the thing looked brand new by the time I'd finished.
I went along to the Saturday Karate session. The ankle slowed me up badly but I still gave it my best.
After a little while, I was asked to work with a young man with some challenging behaviour. He's a lovely kid, but there's too much standing around for him to focus. To try to get him interested in what we were doing I had to invent games. He has a fantastic imagination and seemed to be talking to himself about zombies. I made a game where I was the King Zombie, he was the Robot Zombie, and he had to do what I told him to. It seemed to work for a minute or two at a time and then he needed to be a new character. During the course of the training session he was Electric Zombie, American Zombie, Chinese Zombie, Karate Zombie, Giant Zombie, Lazy Zombie, and Ninja Zombie! Phew!
Trouble is, in the middle of all our games, Sensei Gary was also instructing the class - so I had to have one ear on Sensei and the other on the young man I was helping.
At one point, Sensei asked me to demonstrate a kicking kata that he had just drilled us on. Unfortunately, working with the young man meant that I'd only managed to learn about half of it! I muddled through in front of the class as best I could.
"Anthony, it's easier if you relax."
"Oss, Sensei."
Tonight, Lucy, Jonnie, Sally and I headed down to Wilmcote for the Village Hall quiz. We drank beers, ate fish and chips, had a laugh, and we even managed to win the quiz against about 12 other teams!I went to bed at about midnight feeling rather tipsy and bloated.
Karate, no junkfood (apart from chips), 4 bottles of beer.
Sunday
Blood pressure: 151/74
Resting heart rate: 58
Weight: 10st 4lbs
I crashed back into consciousness at 5:10am. My stomach was churning and there was some little bastard in my skull using a pick axe to hack his was out through my eyes.
I tossed and turned and eventually staggered downstairs at 7am for aspirin and breakfast.
I cycled round to Jonnie's place at 9am. It was a bit chilly, and rather misty, but the sky was bright and there was hardly any wind. The lanes were shiny. There was some discussion as to whether they were icy or simply wet. "Stick to the dry bits," was the sage advice from Jonnie.
I struggled on the downhills today. The hangover and the shiny lanes did nothing for my almost none-existent descending skills. Jonnie had to do a bit of waiting as I tiptoed down the hills to Temple Grafton. By the time we arrived in Wilmcote, after 20 miles, the average was a hungover and nervous 13.4mph.
Refreshed by two slices (each!) of homemade lemon cake and cups of tea, Jonnie and I removed our jackets, and I took off my hat, scarf and gloves, and then we headed out towards Snitterfield. By now, the sun was high in the sky and warming us up nicely. The BBC predicted a high of 16 degrees before we got home.
We kept the pressure on and managed to slightly improve on our average, despite the way home being generally uphill.
We arrived back at Jonnie's in the glorious sunshine and refreshed ourselves with some terrible mass-produced lager (which I was very grateful for, actually.)
Back at home, I took the dogs for a walk, marvelling at the beautiful warm weather in the middle of October. I was wearing a t-shirt and shorts!
 |
| Dog walking in the sunshine. No filter! |
In the afternoon, I ate chicken and noodles, did some ironing, and drank some ale.
In the evening, we ate steak pie and watched Daredevil on Netflix.
What a cool weekend!
41 miles of cycling, junkfood (cake) and beer
Sunday, October 14, 2018
How to Lose a Belly When You're 44 (part 2)
Monday
I couldn't face riding the heavy mountain bike to work so I dashed in on the Specialized.
Another highly stressful day. A lot of the staff in our department, staff who have been there at least as long as I have, agree that this year has seen the worst behaviour from students that we can remember. A lot of the young people we're asked to teach are disrespectful, self-centred and unbelievably aggressive. We're having a hard time reaching the teenager under all the layers of protective nastiness. Energy drinks, cigarettes, grime music and junkfood all add to the difficult job of managing behaviour.
And mobile phones. Don't get me started on phones...
I cycled home and let my frustrations lose with some weight training while listening to Pantera. It felt marvellous. Then, aching all over in a good way, I cooked a healthy, protein-rich dinner for the family.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol.
Tuesday
Blood pressure: 150/79
Resting heart rate: 59
Weight: 10st 4lbs
My blood pressure is crap.
I cycled in to work, worked a less stressful day (I only had to phone 3 parents today), and then cycled home excited for dojo.
Martha and I headed off for Karate despite the fact that she was suffering with a cold and sounded quite hoarse. I was enjoying a fast-paced kata and kumite lesson until disaster struck: I was sparring with a black belt when I rolled my left ankle rather badly. I've turned an ankle several times before and, after a bit of limping, was usually able to walk it off.
Not this time.
I felt something pop out of place, I hit the deck, and then felt something pop back into place. The pain was like an electric shock up my body which settled briefly in my stomach, making me feel sick.
Ruach Karate and Cocksmoor Woods Leisure Centre were very helpful and came to my aid straight away. I was helped to a bench and given an ice pack and lots of advice.
I'd like to point out that Ruach Karate is not to blame for my injury. Anyone can roll an ankle whenever they're doing anything involving running or walking. I did this to myself and no amount of health and safety precautions could have prevented it. Injuries are all part of the Karate life - it's difficult to think of any adult karateka who hasn't suffered some sort of knock in the years I've been tying a belt around my waist. Thankfully, Ruach is VERY good at looking after the children in the club.
Thanks to Sensei Gary Beggan and the orange-belt nurse for acting so quickly and professionally.
I managed to drive home and then I put my feet up to watch Defenders with Mouse. Gradually, my ankle swelled up and ached more and more. I've already given up the idea of cycling to work tomorrow.
Half a Karate session, no junkfood, no alcohol.
Wednesday
Blood pressure: 141/72
Resting heart rate: 63
Weight: 10st 3lbs
The pain in my ankle woke me up at about 5am and I couldn't get back to sleep after that. It throbbed mightily until I eventually hobbled downstairs at 6:20am. The ankle had really swollen up and I was limping badly - holding onto things as I went!
I didn't let it stop me and felt I still managed to get some okay lessons done today. The staff at work were quite insistent that I get the foot checked even though I could wiggle the toes and I could walk on it. People on social media were telling me to visit A&E too. Eventually, Lucy, Leanne and Rachel ganged up on me and Lucy dropped me off at Solihull Hospital to get checked.
Predictably, the ankle was fine - just swollen, not broken.
The service at Solihull Hospital was excellent - I was out within an hour and a half, everyone was professional, and it was a good experience. Well done, the NHS.
Also predictably, I went home, cooked dinner for the family, and then got a bit spannered with my girlfriend. Hic!
Thursday
I managed to cycle to work and back. Got home late, drank beer and listened to Iron Maiden.
Friday
A bit of an impromptu party with Jonnie and Sally. Stayed up drinking until 1:30am!
Saturday
Dog walking in the daytime. It's a 1.7 mile walk and the ankle was aching but not hurting.
Sunday
More dog walking, this time in the rain. The Weekend Warriors had planned to ride today, but the rain was heavy and relentless.
The ankle was a little sore, but nothing too bad.
Well, I've rested the ankle for almost a week and I'm now determined to get back into training.
I'd estimate that, if everything goes to plan, I have about 320 days to get black belt fit...
Tomorrow is Day One!
I couldn't face riding the heavy mountain bike to work so I dashed in on the Specialized.
Another highly stressful day. A lot of the staff in our department, staff who have been there at least as long as I have, agree that this year has seen the worst behaviour from students that we can remember. A lot of the young people we're asked to teach are disrespectful, self-centred and unbelievably aggressive. We're having a hard time reaching the teenager under all the layers of protective nastiness. Energy drinks, cigarettes, grime music and junkfood all add to the difficult job of managing behaviour.
And mobile phones. Don't get me started on phones...
I cycled home and let my frustrations lose with some weight training while listening to Pantera. It felt marvellous. Then, aching all over in a good way, I cooked a healthy, protein-rich dinner for the family.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol.
Tuesday
Blood pressure: 150/79
Resting heart rate: 59
Weight: 10st 4lbs
My blood pressure is crap.
I cycled in to work, worked a less stressful day (I only had to phone 3 parents today), and then cycled home excited for dojo.
Martha and I headed off for Karate despite the fact that she was suffering with a cold and sounded quite hoarse. I was enjoying a fast-paced kata and kumite lesson until disaster struck: I was sparring with a black belt when I rolled my left ankle rather badly. I've turned an ankle several times before and, after a bit of limping, was usually able to walk it off.
Not this time.
I felt something pop out of place, I hit the deck, and then felt something pop back into place. The pain was like an electric shock up my body which settled briefly in my stomach, making me feel sick.
Ruach Karate and Cocksmoor Woods Leisure Centre were very helpful and came to my aid straight away. I was helped to a bench and given an ice pack and lots of advice.
I'd like to point out that Ruach Karate is not to blame for my injury. Anyone can roll an ankle whenever they're doing anything involving running or walking. I did this to myself and no amount of health and safety precautions could have prevented it. Injuries are all part of the Karate life - it's difficult to think of any adult karateka who hasn't suffered some sort of knock in the years I've been tying a belt around my waist. Thankfully, Ruach is VERY good at looking after the children in the club.
Thanks to Sensei Gary Beggan and the orange-belt nurse for acting so quickly and professionally.
I managed to drive home and then I put my feet up to watch Defenders with Mouse. Gradually, my ankle swelled up and ached more and more. I've already given up the idea of cycling to work tomorrow.
Half a Karate session, no junkfood, no alcohol.
Wednesday
Blood pressure: 141/72
Resting heart rate: 63
Weight: 10st 3lbs
The pain in my ankle woke me up at about 5am and I couldn't get back to sleep after that. It throbbed mightily until I eventually hobbled downstairs at 6:20am. The ankle had really swollen up and I was limping badly - holding onto things as I went!
 |
| I took this during morning break at college. |
Predictably, the ankle was fine - just swollen, not broken.
The service at Solihull Hospital was excellent - I was out within an hour and a half, everyone was professional, and it was a good experience. Well done, the NHS.
Also predictably, I went home, cooked dinner for the family, and then got a bit spannered with my girlfriend. Hic!
Thursday
I managed to cycle to work and back. Got home late, drank beer and listened to Iron Maiden.
Friday
A bit of an impromptu party with Jonnie and Sally. Stayed up drinking until 1:30am!
Saturday
Dog walking in the daytime. It's a 1.7 mile walk and the ankle was aching but not hurting.
Sunday
More dog walking, this time in the rain. The Weekend Warriors had planned to ride today, but the rain was heavy and relentless.
The ankle was a little sore, but nothing too bad.
Well, I've rested the ankle for almost a week and I'm now determined to get back into training.
I'd estimate that, if everything goes to plan, I have about 320 days to get black belt fit...
Tomorrow is Day One!
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