Week 13 - Half Term!

Monday

I woke up with a bit of a headache after yesterday's family lunch (the beer and wine were flowing!)

After an appropriate amount of recovery time, I ambled out to the shed to finish painting the ceiling.

In the evening, I did a weight lifting session and made dinner for the family. I ended up enjoying three ales while having dinner and then watching The Last of Us on TV!

Weight training, no junkfood, 3 beers

Tuesday

A lovely sunny day. Lucy spent most of it in the garden. I fiddled about with the car and managed to get the windscreen washer working (just replaced a fuse.) Then I walked the dogs, dropped the kids off at the train station, picked Lucy up from swimming, and did some ironing.

In the evening, I went along to the dojo. Sensei Gary was in charge and we did a lot of basics and combinations. We did a bit of attacking with partners. I was partnered with beginners so didn't get to have a go myself. However, it was all good training. Home for a late dinner and PlayStation!

Karate, no junkfood, no booze.

Wednesday

I had to do some shopping today. I made the mistake of driving into Birmingham City Centre - something I hadn't done for years. I thought it would be a simple case of parking up in Digbeth. However, these days I need a permit to park anywhere in Digbeth or in the surrounding streets. I ended up having to drive out to Nechells Green to find a parking spot. I was shocked to find it so dirty and neglected. It resembled one huge car park that had never been swept. The streets were filthy - the majority of the litter seemed to be made up of those blue gloves that people wore in 2020 as a COVID measure.

Anyway, I walked 40 minutes to the Rag Market, discovered that the Rag Market isn't open on Wednesdays, had an internal temper tantrum, walked 40 minutes back to the car, and drove home. While desperate for a wee. 

I was so glad to get back to Solihull - nearly everyone in the city centre seemed to be mad or sad or angry. I don't know what possessed me to go shopping in Birmingham - from now on, I'm only shopping in Solihull or online.

Anyway, I set about lifting up some weights to cheer myself up. 

Later that evening, Lucy and I watched Top Gun: Maverick. I was flabbergasted to see how closely it resembled the end of Star Wars Episode 4: the heroes having to fly down a canyon to shoot a target only 2m wide when their targeting system doesn't work, then having to handle an enemy pilot who is all dressed in black. One of the characters even says "Stay on target"! Despite that, I thought it was good fun and it was so refreshing to see actual film of jet fighters instead of CGI. The flight sequences were terrific!

Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Thursday

I dragged myself out for my weekly 10K run. This week I was powered by The Wedding Present, Mudhoney and The Cure in my earphones. I completed my fastest run this year in 63 minutes and 10 seconds (yes, still horribly slow for most people.)

In the evening, Lucy and I went out to dinner at the Railway Inn in Dorridge. The food was great, the beer was good and the place was nicely decorated (the Mrs loves fairy lights.). The only complaint from me was because I was sitting by the door and ended up having to keep my coat on!

I drank one too many beers, ended up a bit giddy, and eventually got to bed to watch the start of England vs New Zealand in the test on my laptop!

10K run, no junkfood, lots of beer.

Friday

Yep, I woke up with a hangover. It wasn't too bad, however, and by the afternoon I was out on my bicycle. I went along to the Tudor Grange cycling track. To my continued amazement, people still walk their dogs on the track. Even though there were two blokes on road bikes going hell for leather around the track. Why not walk the dogs in the rest of the park? Anyway, I did 15 miles at 15.7mph.

Back home for Mouse's birthday party. Well, it wasn't really a party: The grown-ups stood around drinking in the kitchen, while the younger grown-ups played Mario Kart in the front room. I was in bed shortly after ten, watching the test live on my laptop.

Cycling, no junkfood, loads of beer

Saturday

Another mild hangover, another visit to the cycling track. This time, there were even more dog walkers, including one bloke who walked his dog around it three times, even though he could see I was trying to train. And he was one of those phone zombies who simply stared at his screen the whole time. Weird. It was a lot windier today and my average was only 15.1 mph over the 15 miles.

I went to Karate in the afternoon and got stuck in to some basics with Sensei Gary. It was a very enjoyable session and the young people seemed to love it.

In the evening, Lucy and I discovered the TV series Narcos which is highly entertaining. I enjoyed 3 more beers...

Cycling, no junkfood, 3 beers

Sunday

Up at 7 after some very vivid dreams about my brother selling drugs to my wife.

My cycling buddies and I left Jonnie's place at 9. Our training target today was to ride 44.6 miles at 13.7mph over some hilly terrain. We also had a 10 mph wind to deal with. We were going at a good rate for the first 17 miles. It was when we got to the Evesham Road that Jonnie and I realised that Roger and James were not behind us. We cycled back up the hill for a while until I discovered I had received missed calls from Roger (my phone was on silent for some reason.) It turned out that James had snapped his chain and none of us was carrying a quick link or a chain tool. Jane was kind enough to collect James in her car and drive him back to the cakestop. Roger, Jonnie and I continued on the route and arrived at the cakestop 7 miles later.

As soon as we arrived I went knocking on doors looking for a chain tool. Brian searched through his tool shed but couldn't find one. We had a nice chat anyway. Then I called on Stuart and of course he had two! I set to work on Jame's bike and, although it was a fiddly business, with Jonnie's help I manged to get his chain back together. Phew! This meant that there was no time for me to have cake! (Actually, the lads would have waited of course, but I didn't want to hold them up any longer.)

The remaining 21 miles home were very challenging. Poor James was stuck in the little gears (I had shortened his chain considerably) and now the wind was against us. After dropping down from High Cross, Roger and I took it upon ourselves to 'protect the average' by giving it the beans all the way to the end of Blythe Valley. At this point, we had managed to get a 13.9mph average and I eased off to let Jonnie and James join me. Roger pushed on and finished with a terrific 14.1mph average against the wind!

I walked the dogs in the park. It was a gloriously sunny day (just a bit cold and windy)

Blue skies!

After dog walking, I had a much needed shower and then headed off to Sunday Karate at Tudor Grange. The emphasis was once again on basics. I had a lovely time doing a bit of training and a bit of teaching. Great session. Some of the young people are now beginning to appreciate my strange sense of humour!

Back at home, I enjoyed two huge bowls of beef chilli and a bit of Toblerone (my favourite chocolate!)

Cycling: 46 miles at 13.8mph, junkfood, no beer.

Week 12 - Trying to Last the Pace

 Monday

Cycled to work and back, did an hour of weight training, didn't eat junkfood, didn't drink booze.

Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol.

Tuesday

Valentine's day! I cycled to work and back and then set about making the world's greatest creamy chicken and mushroom tagliatelle. We had a few drinks and watched a scary film. My perfect wife also presented me with tickets to see Worcestershire vs The Bears at Edgbaston! If she's lucky, I may even take her with me!

No excercise, no junkfood, a few drinks

Wednesday

See Monday

Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Thursday

I cycled in to work and back and then went out for my weekly 10K run. Tonight was the first time this year when I didn't wear a running jacket - it was warm enough to wear just two thin layers. I had some good rock and roll in my earphones which helped me stagger along until I got home in 66 minutes.

A small selection of my running playlist

10K run, no junkfood, no alcohol

Friday

Today was a staff training day over at our impressive campus in Longbridge. The morning was okay - we attended some useful sessions and chatted to some good people. The afternoon was boring - just a lot of sitting around. We were glad to get out of there for our half-term break!

At the Karate dojo, Sensei Ronnie Christopher focused on kata and went through some minor changes to Hangetsu which he had been working on with Sensei Dave Hazard earlier that same day.

Karate, no junkfood, no alcohol

Saturday

I spent a lot of Saturday painting the inside of the shed in the back garden. I also made two curries, walked the dogs, and degreased and lubed the transmission on my bicycle. I also did an hour of weight training.

Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Sunday

With Jonnie away, Roger and James came along to my place ready for a 9:00am start. Our target today was a 40+ mile bicycle ride at an average speed of at least 13.6mph. 

The lanes were dry, there wasn't much wind, and it wasn't cold (I was wearing only one pair of gloves - the first time this year!) I led the lads out on my 'Bushwood' start which avoids both Tom Hill and Gate Lane. James was very enthusiastic and suggested we start more of our rides using the same route. 

I reminded the chaps that we would face some climbing later on, and some headwinds, and that we needed to build a bit of a buffer while the lanes were flat. We got stuck in and had soon built up a very decent average speed. It got to the point where I was struggling to hold on! In fact, James and Roger pulled away from me on The Ridgeway, and I set a new PR on Strava just trying to catch them (which I didn't do!) We were 27 miles into the ride in Binton when the average eventually dropped below 15mph!

We got to the cakestop after 31 miles and a very healthy average of 14.9mph. Unfortunately, I forgot to pause the Strava app and it recorded me walking around Jane's house...

After refreshing ourselves with excellent coffee cake (Roger ate all of an enormous piece which I would have struggled to finish!) we headed off for the final 15 miles. My cries of "chatting pace, chaps" fell on deaf ears and Roger and James kept the pressure on all the way home! Maybe they just didn't want to talk to me... We got back to my house with an average speed of 14.6mph over 46 miles. Far faster than we needed to be at this stage in the training programme.

An hour later, we had four family visitors over for lunch. Lots of lovely puddings were on offer and the wine and beer flowed. We ended the evening watching some cricket and then playing some jazz on YouTube! I wobbled off to bed happy in the knowledge that I didn't have to get up for work in the morning.

Cycling: 46 miles, junkfood, booze

Week 11 - illness and recovery

 Monday

I cycled in to work and back. I had a beer while waiting for Lucy to get ready, and then, with Mouse, we went off to a family birthday celebration in a pub! Jonnie and Sally were, as always, very generous and made sure we had plenty of food and drink. Everyone went home happy!

No exercise, no junkfood, loads of beer

Tuesday

I woke up feeling terrible after a poor night's sleep. At first, I thought it was the effects of last night's party. Unfortunately, it soon became clear that I was suffering some cold symptoms - sore throat, aching, bit of a cough. Oh well, Lemsip instead of coffee this morning. At this point, I was still determined to carry on with my training, so I jumped up on the bike and cycled in to work. As usual, my fingers were frozen by the time I got there!

I felt worse as the day went on, and the bicycle ride home was very slow. In no condition to lift weights, I watched cricket on TV before making a simple dinner for the family and ferrying Martha to and from her dog grooming course at college.

Off to bed early, with a Lemsip.

No exercise, no junkfood, no alcohol

Wednesday

Still sick. The sore throat is the main symptom, but I'm also tired and achy. It was -4 when I went out to scrape the frost off the car. I left the bike at home...

I felt pretty crap all day and my lunch was a cup of Lemsip and a banana. The students were awesome today, though. We did have a few laughs and got loads of work done.

At home, I made a healthy dinner (Mexican eggs and potato wedges) and watched episode 4 of the still impressive The Last of Us with the family.

No exercise, no junkfood, no alcohol

Thursday

I felt considerably better today.

I cycled in to work. In the afternoon, I umpired some cricket with the sports lads and then cycled home.

In my man cave, I did an hour of weight training - the first bit of exercise this week! I was pleased to set a personal best for barbell shrugs.

Weight training, no junkfood, no booze.

Friday

Lucy and I used the car for work today. I was home in time to go to the dojo. I was asked to teach again, but I did get to do a few minutes of kumite drills with a purple belt.

At home, I stayed up playing Fallout 4 on the Playstation!

Karate, no junkfood, no beer

Saturday

Up early for cycling! 

Roger, James and I met at Jonnie's and headed off into dry lanes. There wasn't much wind and it wasn't too cold. A great February day for cycling! As per the last few rides, Roger spent a lot of time off the front, leaving Jonnie, James and I to follow behind as best we could! We were a lot faster than we needed to be - our training programme for the day specified a 13.5mph average but we were hurtling along at a much faster rate. At one point we had an average of 14.9mph, and this was without trying to set a good time.

When we reached the Blue Boar, we encountered a lot of traffic and a lot of roadworks. I happened to be at the front at this point. When we reached the long descent through Binton, I thought I had better get a move on to prevent the chaps having to pull out into traffic to overtake me. I put the pressure on and managed to get a couple of Strava cups in the process. Good fun!

By the time we got to the cake stop, we had a very healthy average of 14.6mph. Without the cake maker (she was out having coffee and cake at the village hall) I was 'mother' and managed to serve cake and the wrong drinks to everyone. I managed to avoid cake myself (not sure if the chaps noticed).

Back in the lanes, we decided to return home at a chatting pace but to keep the average above 14mph. This was easily achieved because of the work we'd put in earlier. James I chatted about books and films, and the miles ticked by. The four of us arrived back at Jonnie's with an average of 14.2mph after 39.9 miles.

As soon as I got home, I scoffed some leftovers, got changed and then walked the dogs in the park. After that, I set about painting the inside of the shed. I painted as long as I could until it got too dark to see what I was doing. Back in the house to do an hour of ironing.

Finally, it was beer o'clock and I put my feet up with three real ales and a fantastic dinner of homemade sausage casserole! Unfortunately, Lucy made me watch the Brit Awards - I can't remember ever witnessing such a shallow display of corporate nonsense and uninspiring music. I was glad to escape to bed to read Jason Fox's autobiography.

40 miles of cycling, no junkfood, 3 beers

Sunday

A non-stop day. After a nightmare about watching a failed space rocket launch hurtling towards Earth, I awoke with a start at 2:15am. It was hard to get back to sleep, but when I did, I slept through my alarm and didn't get out of bed until after 8! 

I got myself moving after coffee and muesli. I washed the car inside and out, but soon discovered a nail sticking out of one of the tyres. This resulted in an expensive trip to Kwik Fit...

With no time for lunch, I got back in the shed and managed to add another coat to the ceiling.

After this, I went off to the dojo for an excellent Karate session. I made the mistake of mentioning to Sensei Gary that I was glad to get to the dojo 'for a bit of a rest.' He then proceeded to work us really hard with a series of lightning fast combinations, press-ups, squats and sit-ups. I was glad to slow things down with a bit of kata for a few minutes! Everyone went home happy and sweaty. My gi went straight into the washing machine!

I fixed a puncture on Martha's bicycle and then, finally, got to sit down with beer, homemade curry, and an excellent episode of The Last of Us.

Karate, no junkfood, 3 beers

Week 10 - New Personal Bests

 Monday

I cycled into work and back. At home, I did an hour of weight training and then made dinner for the family. We watched the latest episode of The Last of Us together.

Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Tuesday

It was parents' evening at college today so I used the car. Lucy and I got home at about 6:30 and I was in no mood for any exercise. I wolfed down a huge dinner and then picked up Martha from her college course.

No exercise, no junkfood, no alcohol

Wednesday

I cycled in to work and back. I did an hour of weight training and then made dinner for the family. Tonight, I stayed up a little later than I should playing Fallout 4 on my Playstation.

Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Thursday

I've finally got rid of the extra weight I put on at Christmas. I am 7 pounds (half a stone) lighter than I was at the start of 2023.

I cycled in to work. This afternoon, I was with the sports group. Much to their dismay, I had planned a circuit training session which consisted of the following exercises: tricep dips, medicine ball squats, medicine ball jump shots, rope skipping, bench step-ups, boxing, kick pad, barbell lifts, dumbell work, leg raises and press ups. I was partnered with the biggest and fittest lad there - a 17 year old who is well over 6 feet tall! We challenged each other on every exercise, each exercise lasting 30 seconds. By the end of it I was gasping and he was lying flat on his back. The rest of the group didn't seem to be suffering as much as we were! So then we did the whole circuit again, extending each exercise to 35 seconds. Needless to say, by the end of it I was sweaty mess and my muscles were aching.

The cycle home was a very slow 4.6 mile ride...

To my great surprise, I found that I had successfully talked myself into my weekly 10K run! With Genesis, Opeth and Haken in my earphones, I wobbled off into the dark for 6.2 miles. It was a hard, shaky, slow plod and I eventually stumbled through the door with a depressing time of 67 minutes and 29 seconds. However, I was still chuffed to have done it. After a pint of water and a shower, I put my feet up and watched some South African cricket with a few beers. Cheers!

Circuit training, 10K run, no junkfood, 3 beers

Friday

I cycled in to work and back. I was asked to teach at the dojo tonight. Sensei Ronnie put me in charge of the beginners. They were three very eager young children and they displayed great discipline and determination. All of them were mesmerised by Sensei Ronnie instructing the rest of the class in kumite so it was sometimes hard to get their attention!

Back at home, I unwound with a few beers on the couch.

Karate, no junkfood, 3 beers

Saturday

I went to the Post Office, cleaned some windows, did the washing up, hung the washing out, walked the dogs and did some ironing.

After all that, I set about a weight training session. I was very happy to set a new personal record for deadlift today. Not too bad considering that I've been hurling weights around since I was a teenager. I didn't think I could still be getting stronger at the age of 48.

I enjoyed a wonderful dinner of Panang Chicken before I settled down to watch John Wick - a load of tosh, but great fun!

Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Sunday

With James temporarily unable to ride, three of us (myself, Jonnie and Roger) headed off into the lanes on Jonnie's Route - 38 miles with 1900ft of climbing. 

It was a crisp, cold, very bright morning. The sun was low and as we were heading south, I was having terrible trouble seeing ahead. It looked like I was actually riding into the sun! As the morning went on, visibility got better and I was soon into a good rhythm. As has been the case for the previous two rides, Roger was very strong and spent a lot of time off the front.

I took over on Spernal Lane and then took the lads down the A435. We had a slight tailwind with us and Jonnie and I both ended up getting personal best times for that segment. We worked well together and got to the cakestop after 23 miles with a healthy average speed of 14.2mph. 

I enjoyed two slices of excellent homemade banana and carrot cake with my coffee before heading off into the lanes again. The sun was even starting feel a little warm and there was hardly any wind. A lovely winter's day for riding! I got on the front for the first 4 miles, but then Rog was rocketing off into the distance once again! I rode with Jonnie while Rog continued to test his legs. We eventually came together after the Tom Hill climb, and rode the last 3 miles as a group.

It was a great day in the saddle and we were much faster than our target average speed. Sunshine, dry roads and hardly any wind certainly help!

Back at home, I scoffed cold leftovers and then got changed into my work gear.

The backgarden shed has developed a very bad case of mould over the winter months. Today, I had to scrub the whole thing down with bleach in readiness for painting next weekend. It was a long job - 2 hours and 20 minutes with no break. I was glad to get in the shower to get the smell of mould and bleach off me! 

The internet says I shouldn't breathe mould.

I did some ironing before dropping Mouse off at the pub to meet some friends. After dinner, I picked up Mouse and we noted how cold it was (the car told us it was already -2 and it wasn't yet 10:00pm.)

A bit of Playstation before bed.

Cycling, junkfood, no alcohol