Week 2 - Back in Training?

Monday

I woke up feeling a bit ropey after a crap night's sleep.

I weighed myself today. The surprising thing is, even after a rubbish start to my training plan last week, I managed to lose 4 pounds!

In the morning, after breakfast, I cycled in to work for a little while and then cycled back in the rain. After this, not having time for lunch, I had a bowl of cereal! I then had to drive in to Solihull to visit the Post Office. There was a long wait in the Post office.

When I got home, I had to get on with weight training straight away. Today I reintroduced squats to my routine. I reduced the weight considerably and was pleased to report that my left knee felt fine during the three sets. I'll increase the weight steadily and I hope to be back at the normal weight before Christmas.

After a shower, I went to collect Lily and then the family had a lovely dinner and watched a good film - The Isle of Dogs by Wes Anderson - highly recommended if you fancy something very different!

Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Tuesday

Awake at 7 after a good night's sleep. I stayed in bed for 20 minutes, reading a chapter of Ant Middleton's excellent Mental Fitness (3rd time I've read it) and drinking water.

The girls went to Thorpe Park for the day. The weather was warm and bright so I thought I'd get a few things done. I cycled to the Post Office and back, I walked Fred to the park and back, I washed the windows of the front room, I brought the washing in etc. I also did an hour of weight training - I managed to set a personal best record for military press! I'm still surprised that I seem to be getting stronger as I get older.

The girls came back at about 7:30. I dropped Lily off, made a cup of tea, and watched TV with my wife.

Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol.

Wednesday

I woke up at about 3am with a racing heart. I didn't really settle after that and was glad to get up at 7:30 to start the day. I'm obviously worried about something, I just need to figure out what it is...

Today was gloriously sunny and warm. I decided to continue working on an oak tabletop for the two-tier workbench in the back garden.

This involved a drive down to B&Q, power tools, sash clamps and wood glue. I was out there for most of the day, not really sure of what I was doing, but sort of enjoying myself anyway.

Top one, nice one, get sorted

In the evening, I did hour of weight training, had a shower and then fired up the barbecue! I tried hard, but the combination of family, music, sunshine and the smell of the barbecued chicken was too much - I found myself reaching for a pale ale! I stopped drinking as soon as we had eaten and went to bed almost sober at 11pm after chatting in the dark in the back garden.

Weight training, no junkfood, beers

Thursday

I woke up at 3am and struggled to get back to sleep. However, I must have dropped off because the next thing I know it was 8am! Bacon and eggs for brekkie. Today was all about working on the outdoor unit. I got some more sanding pads from Screwfix. They gave me the wrong ones. I drove back to return them. Then I drove around other hardware places looking for the right ones. Then I gave up and carried on with what I had...

It was a glorious day - sunny and warm. Probably too warm for some. I had to work outdoors with a hat and shades on. Also, the mask when I was sanding made my face rather sweaty! Anyway, I made a lot of progress, but unfortunately didn't get time to do any exercise. I did, however, have time to drink 3 beers with my dinner.

No exercise, no junkfood, 3 beers.

Friday

I had a rough time trying to sleep. I reckon I got about 5 hours in the end. It was raining all morning. I drove to the Post Office and back. Then I worked on the garden work bench (I don't know what to call it) adding the final layer of stain followed by the first layer of varnish. It looks great and is probably finished, but I want to add one more layer of varnish to protect it from the weather.

In the evening, Martha and I headed off to the dojo. On the way there, we saw Luke and two of his dogs running around in the street trying to catch an escaped rabbit. "Having a beer later?" he managed to gasp. Of course I was...

Anyway, the Karate session was awesome. As always, the best lessons go like this: Kihon, Kata, Kumite. For Kihon, Sensei Gary had us black belts putting together new combinations (new to me anyway). This involved two kicks in each combination which certainly put a lot of pressure on my old knees and hips! Great training. Then Kata, which is Nijushiho. I think I'll like this kata once I get my head around it. So many different stances in one kata! At the moment, I'm just trying to remember the moves. I'm a long way from trying to make it look good.

For kumite, Sensei Gary asked me to instruct the lower grades. I worked with a lovely group of white and orange belts, and saw some real progress in the ten minutes we had.

Everyone went home sweaty and happy. Martha's mood had been lifted by several magnitudes, compared to the miserable person who had got tin the car with me an hour ago!

Gi in the washing machine, feet up, beer in the glass. Luke called to say he wasn't coming round for a drink after all. So I watched the cricket instead. 

Karate, no junkfood, 3 beers

Saturday

I managed to sleep from about 10:30 until 6. That will do for me! In my dream, I was mountain biking with old school friends. But then they went missing and it was my job to hack through the tangled woods trying to find them.

I put another layer of varnish on the outdoor workbench. Then I walked Freddie in the park. He's very slow and nervous these days, so we just did a lap of the lake.

In the afternoon, I ran my Karate session. Embarrassingly, I left my black belt in my man cave in my rush to get out on time. This meant I had to teach without a belt on. Even more embarrassingly, Sensei Gary came along too and witnessed me trying to be an instructor without a belt!

Anyway, the session went well because of Sensei Gary's help. As always, we finished on the heavy bag.

Back at home, I got changed and then brought my bicycle out on to the drive ready to give it a deep clean. The sun was warm and bright, and this was where it started to go wrong. Luke just happened to be unloading his van at the time... We ended up drinking beers in the sunshine! My willpower seems to be non-existent at the moment. Anyway, I eventually finished cleaning the bike while listening to the cricket.

A lovely homemade curry from Lucy, some good TV and the end to a very enjoyable day.

Karate, no junkfood, beers

Sunday

Too much curry and beer meant that I woke up early with a sore tummy. I dozed until 7am when my alarm sounded. With Jonnie and Roger away, James arrived at my place and we cycled into the lanes at about 9am. We chose to do a relatively short route so that we could be back in time to watch some of the football with Lucy. We sped along our Honiley Variant course, up past Baddesley Clinton and down past Hay Wood. 

We had lemon cake at Wilmcote. The Boss was still in bed so we didn't get to see him when we left at 11am. We put the pressure on in order to try to get back for 12. Over  the remaining 15 miles we increased our average speed from 14.3 to 14.7mph. 

When we got back, Lucy was out walking the dog anyway! She wasn't watching the football! James and I went through some of my CD collection until Lucy came back and then the three of us watched England Women lose the World Cup final.

Later on, I put the finishing touches to the outdoor table.

After this, I did loads of ironing, then had some beers, then had dinner. Another splendid weekend!

Cycling: 35 miles, junkfood, 3 beers

Summary

No, I didn't find any more willpower this week. I'm exercising a lot, not eating much junkfood, but I am drinking almost every night! Hopefully, going back to work next week will get me out of my holiday mentality and back into serious training mode.

Week 1 - Restart

 Monday

A restart. A last chance?

I've been here several times before: A blank training log in front of me, a determination that this time will be different, an unshakeable faith in the process...

The first thing to do was weigh myself. I stepped onto the scales ready for a shock - and I got one. I was exactly a stone heavier than the last time I had weighed myself (in February)!

After this sobering discovery, I snapped on some lycra, performed a quick service on the bicycle (lubrication and tyre pressures) and then said good morning to James when he drove up at about 8:50. We agreed it was a chilly start but we expected it to get warmer. I had a base layer and a jersey, James was wearing a thin raincoat over his jersey. 

We set off to Purity. It was a slow ride. We didn't intentionally take it easy, but we were definitely at a chatting pace today. We discussed my stone of excess weight, how I was currently stronger than I had ever been, how I had turned my left ankle in the dojo two days ago, how my left knee was still a problem. I like chatting stuff through with James. He pointed out that, although I was now at the start of a new fitness journey, I was cycling down to Wilmcote for cake!

It was good cake! Coffee and walnut, with a strong cup of coffee to go with it. We found ourselves watching women's football with Eric and Jane. When it went to penalties, we decided it was time to head back out into the lanes. It was warmer now, and James removed his jacket.

We returned via our Honiley Variant route. I don't remember ever riding it in reverse, but I must have because Strava gave me a few cups for it when I got back home. It was a nice route and one we intend to ride again.

Today's cycle: 38 miles at a very pedestrian 13.6mph.

The rest of the day was spent indoors tending to my eBay account. I cooked a healthy dinner for the family (lots of eggs and mushrooms) and tried to remember to drink water. I also tried to resist any more junkfood but couldn't help saying yes when the kids offered me an ice cream Snickers!

Cycling, junkfood, no alcohol

Tuesday

I woke up and stayed in bed for 20 minutes reading a book and sipping water. I realised that I had forgotten to measure my blood pressure yesterday (I always take my blood pressure when starting a new training phase.) I got up and activated my automatic blood pressure monitor: 134/80 with a resting heart rate of 52. Lots to do...

After breakfast, I cycled into work and back. I wasn't there long, only a few minutes to get something I had left in one of my filing cabinets. I travelled on the fast bike. It was raining lightly but there was hardly any wind.

After that, Lucy and I went to the Post Office in Solihull. Still raining.

A little later, We took Fred for a walk in Hay Wood. Yes, it was still raining, but we had waterproofs and walking boots. It was a lovely walk and we didn't see another human being for about an hour!

On the way home, we went to see a friend who had just moved into the area. I connected her washing machine and Lucy and I moved some furniture around for her. Lucy took her shopping, and Fred and I went home.

I scoffed a late lunch. Two hours later, I set about some weight lifting. The walk earlier had proved to me that my ankle and knee were still not fully recovered. I did an hour-long weight training session that focused on arms, shoulders and a bit of core. No squats or deadlifts yet.

Lucy came up with the perfect homemade training dinner - chicken with rice and lots of greens!

Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Wednesday. 

Up at 6:45. After breakfast and some weight training, I drove out to the NEC for some exam invigilation training. I've only ever been to the NEC to attend events such as Common Wealth Games powerlifting or Iron Maiden in concert. In the middle of the day, I was stunned by just how vast it is and how empty it was! I found the room, got talking to a couple of invigilators, and waited for the training to start, Happily, the 2 hour training session only took 45 minutes! Before I knew it, I was back in the car and back home.

Lucy made a lovely dinner and I ate far too much of it. In bed by 10:30.

Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Thursday

Up at 5:45! I was back at the NEC by 7:30. The exam started late, but I was lucky enough to be put in a room with a single candidate (who has medical issues.) I managed to keep still and quiet for 3 hours. I helped tidy up and then I was back in the car by 2:30.

It was a lovely sunny day. When I got home, I jumped on the bike and set off for 15 miles in the countryside. I found it really hard going at first - I was tired and hungry - but after ten miles I started to get into a rhythm and the last few miles were rather enjoyable. 

Then, the sun called me out to the backgarden where I read some comics and drank some beer. Later I was joined by Dodgy Debbie, Luke and Lucy for few more drinks!

In the evening, I manned the barbecue. I cooked chicken thighs which I had been marinating in chilli, garlic, paprika, cumin, olive oil and black pepper for over 24 hours. They turned out lovely!

More Walking Dead later, and then I tried to read a chapter of my book but I was too tired (and tipsy) and didn't make it to the end!

Cycling, no junkfood, beers

Friday

There was no milk, so I cycled to Tesco before breakfast. Then I hung some washing out. A little later, Lucy and set off for Wilmcote to set something up for Jane and Eric. It was a lovely sunny day. On the way home, I dropped Lucy off at Tesco and then took Freddie the dog for a walk in the park. We saw Dave and his dogs while we were there.

Back at home, I got stuck into some weight training. I reintroduced dead lifts today. I reduced the weight dramatically and monitored my form carefully. I am pleased to say that my knee didn't hurt - I intend to get back up the proper weight before Christmas. However, my ankle was a little sore during the reps.

In the evening, Lucy and I walked up to See Jonnie and Sally. The beers were flowing and Jonnie got the barbecue going and made us a lovely dinner. Having had no lunch, I ate rather a lot! 

Lucy and I walked back down the road. We were reading in bed before 11pm!

Weight training, no junkfood, beers

Saturday

I sent the morning drinking lots of water and tending to my eBay account.  After a huge lunch, I cycled along to the dojo to teach my Karate lesson. Again, I had a range of students to teach from a beginner in a white belt right up to black belts. We focused on kata today - I assessed them on Tekki Shodan and one student managed to pass. We ended, as always, by letting loose on the heavy bag!

Disappointingly, back at home, I found myself reaching for a beer at about 6pm. It seems I just can't get out of the holiday mentality.

Karate, no junkfood, booze

Sunday

James, Jonnie and I cycled off into the lanes at 9am despite a light drizzle and a chilly wind. We'd travelled about 2 miles when James's rear tyre punctured. It didn't take him long to replace the tube.

James working hard, Jonnie and I supervising...

After this, the rain became a little heavier, enough to make Jonnie put his raincoat on (I would have done the same had I brought one with me.) Still, it was a warm day and we were in no danger of getting cold. Unfortunately, the rain managed to switch off my rim brakes - they hardly worked at all! This meant I was taking the descents even more gently than usual.

It wasn't long before the rain stopped, we warmed up, my brakes came back, and we began to put a little pressure on the pedals. We travelled along our Petticoat Route and stopped for cake after only 18 miles!

After polishing off a huge slice of coffee and walnut cake (the lads had lemon drizzle) it was back into the lanes for the final 15 miles. James complained of tired legs after his gardening exertions during the week. The lads let me win the sprint in a solo effort up to Jonnie's house.

Home for a lunch of leftover chicken, green beans and spicy noodles.

In the evening, Martha, Lucy and I went to Edgbaston to cheer on the Birmingham Phoenix against the Oval Invincibles. It was a great match with Jamie Smith doing the business with the bat to help us to our first victory of the season.

Rather good seats!

With Martha at the cricket!

Of course there were beers to celebrate, and there were crisps too! Then I got home and found myself eating more leftover chicken at10pm!

Cycling, junkfood, alcohol

Summary

NOT the restart I had in mind. Not to make excuses for myself, but I obviously still feel in holiday mode. With 9 days left before I return to work, let's see if I can find a bit more willpower next week!

Week 35 - restart required

 Monday

Our second anniversary!

Lucy gave me some lovely anniversary gifts including a new shirt and some Terry Pratchett Discworld books.

I did an hour of weight training at some point today, and then Lucy and I were quickly in party mode! We had a lovely dinner out in Moseley and also enjoyed a few drinks!

Weight training, junkfood, booze

Tuesday

It was a bit of a struggle to wake up this morning...

Today, Lucy and I met James at Wilmcote. Due to a communication misunderstanding, Paul and Debbie were still an hour and a half away! We were meant to ride with Paul today. Instead, James and I set off on a 24 mile adventure on our bicycles without him. We headed south, ended up a bit lost (which was the intention) and found lots of main roads! I was glad to get back to a top class lunch of lasagne followed by pudding!

In the evening, I went along to the big Tuesday night dojo. The higher grades and I went through Nijushiho together. It is a kata I could get to like, but at the moment it seems too long and complicated. More work needed! After this, I was put to work teaching the beginners - we had a great time hitting pads!

And after this, it all went wrong.

Too many late nights, too many parties, too much beer. It was a highly enjoyable 2 weeks, but a fortnight that ultimately killed my fitness efforts.

It's now time to restart - watch this space...