I struggled out of bed with a hangover.
I was hopeless today. I didn't even drive to work. I once again gave in to the temptation of sweet things (Cadbury's Whole Nut!) and had a few small glasses of cava with Lucy in the evening. I managed to make a healthy dinner for the family before hiding in the man cave for the rest of the night.
No exercise, junkfood, booze
Tuesday
I cycled slowly in to work.
I ate healthily.
I cycled slowly home.
Tonight's Karate session was fantastic! It was an unannounced conditioning session. Sensei Gary had brought in a fitness trainer to 'inspire' us over a small circuit made up of skipping ropes, medicine balls, resistance bands and agility ladders. We also had to do a series of standing jumps. What really surprised me tonight was how long we spent on each exercise: 4 minutes without stopping and then immediately onto the next one! I'm used to having between 30 seconds and one minute on each exercise. It was a huge shock to the system to maintain that level of effort over 4 minutes. Happily, I was partnered with Sensei Jodi and our friendly rivalry came to the fore: there was no way I was stopping until he did!
After 20 exhausting minutes of circuit training, we had to run down to the other end of the hall where Sensei Gary drilled us in fast, hard basics. I was really struggling at this point but again, having Sensei Jodi next to me meant that I couldn't stop!
After 20 minutes of basics, things slowed down considerably when we moved up to Sensei Lloyd's kata instruction. We spent a lot of time observing and copying high-level techniques. It was a good way to recover.
Later that evening, I discovered that my left calf and my abdominal muscles were a little sore...
Karate, no junkfood, no alcohol
Wednesday
Ow! My abs resisted mightily when I sat up in bed! I hobbled downstairs with my throbbing left leg to make a healthy breakfast and then cycle in to work. For some reason, I was full of energy and fast on the commute this morning.
I managed to eat healthily again, even though a student brought me some homemade cake!
I cycled home (letting off some steam with a bit of road rage on the way), made Chinese stir fry for the family, and then did a good weight-training session. The only trouble I had was during one of the bodyweight exercises that I do: I usually perform 100 leg raises in every session but today I couldn't do one! The ache in my abdominal muscles was far too great!
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| Lifting heavier every week. Tonight was the first time in a long time that I had 46kg on the bar... |
I didn't have any trouble with the rest of the exercises although the 100 press-ups made my stomach ache a little.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol.
Thursday
Weight: 10st 6lbs
Crikey! My left calf and my abs are aching like crazy! Getting out of bed was like a challenge on an assault course. What did they do to me on Tuesday?
Strangely, as soon as I get on the bike, I'm fine, but when I get off the bike, I'm limping!
This morning, just as my morning maths class was coming to a close, I experienced a large heart 'flutter' (see previous blog posts from August onwards.) I had almost forgotten about these strange sensations that I've been having on and off for the last eight months. It reminded me that I still hadn't had my results from the heart monitor on January 2nd. I called up the hospital and was told they had lost my letter. They'll get back to me by Monday at the latest...
In my afternoon sports class we mixed it up with some football, cricket and some Karate. I spent ten minutes teaching my class the basic training kata and some of them were getting the hang of it. One student complained that it seemed a little simple so I performed Bassai Dai in front of the class. I was embarrassed to get an impromptu round of applause from a dozen teenagers!
I cycled home and then, because my left leg won't let me go for a run, I did another weights session. Again, I couldn't do a single leg raise, but the other exercises were fine.
Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol.
Friday
Weight: 10st 5lbs
Left leg and abs still aching, but not as badly.
I cycled in to work. It was jolly cold.
I managed to eat healthily all day but the sugar cravings were quite challenging today!
I cycled home in a cold rain.
Tonight's training session was the first of Sensei Russell's Friday night Karate classes. There were lots of kids there and only four adults (including me.) However, Sensei Russell kept the pace high from the start and offered something for everyone - a bit of kumite training, some basics and lots of kata to finish.
There was hardly any talking and I don't think Sensei Russell uttered the word 'I' at any point! Everything was student-focused and designed to challenge and reinforce. Awesome session.
There was even a round of applause at the end.
Came home to a wonderfully healthy dinner of salmon fishcakes and broccoli. Somehow, I managed to resist a beer.
Karate, no junkfood, no alcohol.
Saturday
Weight: 10st 5lbs
I woke up feeling a bit ropey, not rested. I couldn't face my usual cycling breakfast of crumpets so I did myself bacon and eggs with tomatoes on toast.
The ride started poorly - it was obvious as soon as I turned the pedals that I was lacking energy. We were riding into a headwind but that was no excuse. Jonnie was waiting for me for most of the first half of the ride. I felt empty and out of breath for a lot of the morning.
The lanes were soaking wet! It wasn't raining, but there was standing water everywhere and there were even large drifts of snow up against the hedgerow. As we headed out towards the Purity Brewery there was even some snow left in the road! However, it was a mild day and the temperature soon reached double figures. The standing water did cause us to slow down on occasion: at some points it was like riding along a shallow river - no visible tarmac at all!
After 20 minutes I was glad to get to the cake stop for homemade lemon drizzle and a hot cup of tea. Feeling refreshed, we sped out into the lanes and headed for home. I'm pleased to report that I raised my atrocious average of 13.4mph to an almost acceptable 13.7. Jonnie managed to get back at 14.1mph: I'm sure he could have gone a lot faster but he had to do a lot of waiting for me.
Jonnie did us proud with Timothy Taylor Landlord served in appropriate glasses!
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| As things should be. |
There was some talk about my poor performance today and there is a possiblilty that I may be overtraining. Lucy thinks I'm just getting old! Oh well, I watched Man U beat Liverpool on the TV and drank another beer.
Cycling: 35 miles at 13.7mph, junkfood, 4 bottles of ale.
Sunday
Up before 7am to sell stuff at the Alderbrook tabletop sale. I got home at about 1:20pm and treated myself to some of last night's leftover homemade curry.
This afternoon's karate session was splendid. Sensei Ronnie drilled us in kata with a bit of kumite training thrown in. Towards the end, we did a fun fitness activity where we split into teams and competed against each other. I'm enjoying this recent emphasis on fitness at the club.
I completed the first hour which is for all comers but I had to leave before the advanced session started because Jane and Eric were coming over at 5 for dinner.
It was at dinner when my good eating habits collapsed. My willpower caved in at the sight of Lucy's homemade bread pudding! I also treated myself to a drink.
Bed at 9:30.
Karate, junkfood, 2 beers and a glass of red wine.
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