Week 17 - Putting the Bike Back Together

Monday

Bit of a sniff and a sore throat today.

However, I did manage to go for a little run after work. I did a mile and a half and that was enough.

Run

Tuesday

Still have a bit of a sore throat and sniffles. After work, I went along to the dojo to help out with the session. Sensei Jason took the higher grades while I had a lot of fun with some young beginners and some adult lower-grades. It was a difficult mix but we managed to get some good karate done and have a bit of a giggle too!

One beginner was a young lady who was feeling a bit upset at the start of the lesson. She was wearing a hood and had earphones in. I was glad that she came to my session first. It's possible that a different instructor may have forced her to remove the hood and earphones. But I could tell that these things were keeping her calm - there's a good chance that she may be on the autistic spectrum, suffer from social anxiety, or both. It was an act of bravery for her to step into the dojo and I didn't want her to be frightened off by me being stern about her hood and earphones. I made sure she was following instructions and that she was safe while still wearing her hood and having her earphones on. I'm sure these things will be put to one side once she gets more confident in the dojo.

When I got home, I decided that I felt well enough for a few drinks with my dinner!

Karate, booze

Wednesday

Cycled to work. After lessons, I went along to the college gym to do my 40 minutes. Then I cycled home to make chicken and mushroom pasta and drink some more beer!

College workout, beers

Thursday

After work, I did a full hour of weight training in my man cave. I am very pleased to report that I managed to equal my personal record for barbell squats - the first time I've done this since my left knee injury back in July last year (2023). I felt strong but my hamstrings were rather sore. I decided to drink water with my dinner.

Weight Training

Friday

I cycled to work and back.

Tonight's Karate session was run by Sensei Ronnie and he had me instructing the beginners, orange belts and red belts. We did ippon kumite for half an hour and I am genuinely impressed by how well they are doing. They are ready to move on to more challenging things! The Friday night 8th Kyus are going to be a force to be reckoned with as they progress through the belts! 

This evening, we went out to an ex-servicemen's club to celebrate Lily's 18th birthday. She had a lot of fun with family and friends, and the music was good too! I drove the car so I couldn't have any beers, although I was almost tempted to try an Ansell's Mild - I haven't tasted one for about three decades!

By 11pm I was tucked up in bed with a cup of tea.

Karate

Saturday

This morning I set about putting some new components on the bicycle. I'm hoping to be able to ride with the chaps next weekend. I recently came across a fantastic bargain on eBay, and I made sure I got the best deals on Amazon too. The result was all the components I need to get the bike back on the road, plus a reserve bottom bracket and cranks! 

I did as much as I could while dodging the showers (I don't mind working in the rain, but it doesn't do the bike any good.)

In the afternoon, I went along to my Saturday afternoon Karate session. We did a good session, continuing to work on variations for ippon kumite defence and counters.

In the evening, Me, Lucy and the girls went with Dodgy Debbie for curry at the Bangla Lounge. Needless to say, I ended up staying up a bit late and having a few beers! I also indulged in poppadoms, ice cream and chocolate! 

Karate, junkfood, beers

Sunday

The lunchtime Karate session was great. It was my first time in Studio One at Cocks Moors Woods. There is a great atmosphere with this group of students. They are mainly lower grades but they certainly have the right attitude. I hope I get to work with them again. I was pleased to see Sensei Gary, back from his training in Japan. He very kindly let me run the session while he took care of the behind-the-scenes paperwork and stuff. I am also glad to report that the student from Tuesday was no longer wearing her hood or earphones! 

Back home to do an hour of ironing while watching the cricket. Then I was off to Tudor Grange to take the last session of the day. Sensei Joey, a higher grade, was present but he was kind enough to let me run the session. I did an intense, fast lesson covering kihon, kata and kumite. I tested the higher grades to see if they remembered any of the 'new' defences against jodan and chudan attacks - some of them are getting there.

Then back home to put the feet up with a lovely lamb dinner and, of course, a few beers to see the weekend out!

Karate, beers

Week 16 - Covering for Sensei Gary

Monday

It was raining heavily this morning so I used the car for work. I didn't feel well for most of the day. I felt rough to the point where I skipped lunch, and just drank some coffee. After lessons, I made myself go to the college gym. After about 15 minutes I was feeling better and by the end of it I was back to my old self!

I went home to make a nice beef stir-fry and drink some beer!

College Workout, beers

Tuesday

I cycled in to work. It was rather windy so was a struggle to get up to speed.

I cycled home in the sunshine and showers. I had a wash and changed into my karategi. Martha and I headed off to the dojo. It was a good self-defence and kumite lesson, with plenty of punching and kicking. Happily, I only worked with black and brown belt adults so didn't really have to worry about injuring anyone (we always use control, however.)

Back at home, I scoffed loads of chicken and pasta and drank water.

Karate

Wednesday

I cycled in to work. It was surprisingly cold on the ride in.

After lessons, I went off to the college gym to continue to increase the volume of my bench presses, and to listen to 90s rave tunes. Then I cycled home. The ride home was considerably warmer and I was sweating a bit by the time I got back!

I cooked up some fish and homemade chips for dinner. In bed with a cup of tea by 10pm.

College workout

Thursday

We used the car for work today.

Back at home, I set about a heavy lifting session (well, heavy for me anyway). It was the first time using my new dumbbells with the steel grips. I found them for an absolute bargain online. My old dumbbells with the plastic grips were gradually disintegrating, with bits of plastic falling off in every session I used them. Today, I did some lat raises, front raises, deadlifts, shrugs and plenty of curls, along with 300 body weight reps. I got it done in just under an hour, and then sat down to scoff a bowl and a half of homemade chilli con carne.

Weight training

Friday

On the bicycle for work. I lost the Silly Commuter Race to a guy who cycled on the pavement and rode a bike with an incredibly rusty chain. It turned out he works at the college too! We had a chat afterwards and I complimented his obvious fitness. He didn't know what speed transmission he was using, but whatever it was it was a deep rusty orange colour. His bike looked like it was kept at the bottom of a pond.

After lessons, I cycled home and then got ready for Karate.

I had been asked to run tonight's session while Sensei Gary is training in Japan. I was glad to see Sensei Jason there too. We drilled everyone on ippon kumite as per Sensei Ronnie's instructions last Sunday. Then I took lower grades for kata and Sensei Jason took the higher grades through Jion.

Home for sausage, egg and chips and a few beers! Naughty but very nice.

Karate, beers

Saturday

I had to make some purchases up at Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter. My wife declined to come with me and she needed the car, so I decided to cycle in. The road bike needs a lot of work done to it, so I used the mountain bike instead. I gave myself plenty of time. 

It's 11 miles to the Jewellery Quarter. I had to cycle past the college. I stopped off to try to pick up my steel D-lock so I could secure the bike when I got to the shops. However, the security guard at college didn't recognise me and he wouldn't let me in even when I presented my staff ID card! Oh well. I had a cable lock with me that I could use.

After the college, I had to cycle through Spark Hill. What a dirty, miserable depressing place that is. The Highway Code no longer applies here apparently, Cars simply pull out and it's up to everyone else to brake. Some drivers just brake when they arrive at their chosen shop, put the hazard lights on and get out of the car. Even though the car has blocked the entire lane! Dazed people, who look like they gave up years ago, shuffle out into the road and it's up to the traffic to avoid them. I was very glad when I was out of the area and into Birmingham City Centre.

I navigated through the shoppers, across Great Charles Street and then continued north into the Jewellery Quarter. After splashing the cash, I headed back to the Bullring to use the public toilets (a lot like Spark Hill with mad shuffling people and a sense of desperation) and then sped off south to head for home. It was an eye-opening adventure!

After 22 miles, I was back home to stuff my face with some lunch before heading to the dojo.

For my Saturday session, I continued working on ippon kumite with my fantastic young people. Then, as always, we ended by hitting the heavy bag.

In the evening, I thought I deserved a few beers!

Karate, beers

Sunday

At lunch time, I went over to Cocks Moors Woods to cover for Sensei Gary while he is training in Japan. As it turned out, Sensei Lloyd was there to take the lesson! I was a bit miffed because I could have gone cycling with the lads instead. However, Sensei Gary was kind enough to call me from Japan to explain the situation.

In the evening, I went to Tudor Grange to take that session. We had a great hour working on ippon kumite and everyone seemed to go home happy. 

Later on, Lucy, Jane and I watched the St George's Day parade go up and down the Stratford Road.

Just one of the many vehicles in the parade.

For dinner, Lucy made a wonderful homemade chicken curry. I shocked my liver by drinking water instead of beer.

Karate

Week 15

 I'm going to start keeping the blog up to date again. It wasn't a conscious decision to stop blogging, it just happened. Anyway, I miss it, so I'm going to start doing it again.

My long term target remains the same: to achieve my second dan black belt in Karate. To do that, I have to be fast, strong, focused and sharp. I'm currently slow, weak, focused and soft. One out of four...

Last month, after 12 weeks of training, the cycling chaps and I managed to get through another Mad March Hare in a time that was slightly faster than last year. It felt a lot easier. It's now spring, nature is waking up everywhere, and the days are longer and warmer. Let's get to it!

Monday 8th April

I cycled in to work. After lessons, I went along to the college gym to do my shoulders and chest workout. I had the place to myself so blasted out some heavy metal! 

I had the place to myself

I cycled home to make chicken and mushroom pasta. Unfortunately, I didn't make enough so I ended up having bacon and eggs!

College workout

Tuesday 9th April

I cycled in to work in the rain and got soaked. Thankfully, it wasn't too cold this morning. 

After lessons, I went along to the college gym again. This time, accompanied by Michael. We did some work on the bench press together. Then I cycled home for Jane's birthday party! I managed to resist all the cake on offer, but I couldn't say no to a beer (or four...)

College workout, beers

Wednesday

I cycled in to work. After lessons, I once more went along to the gym. I had it to myself again. I did my usual workout, but couldn't complete everything because the lat pulldown machine broke. I wasn't even lifting heavy! I cycled home.

I cooked dinner for the family and decided to enjoy some ales to help me along!

College workout, beers

Thursday

I cycled in to work again. This time, it was a much brighter and warmer morning. After lessons, I cycled back home and then set about a weight lifting session comprised of side raises, front raises, squats, overhead presses, curls, press ups, triceps dips and leg raises. It took me almost exactly one hour, and by the end of it my hamstrings were very sore!

Weight training

Friday

We used the car for work this morning. Our friends had some terribly sad news so we went to visit them briefly after we left college.

Back at home, I went out for a short run. I'm taking it really easy on the runs to make sure I don't make my left knee any worse. I had it strapped up and smeared in Deep Heat. I wobbled round for 1.3 miles and then went home to barbecue some chicken for the family and some friends. Of course, I ended up enjoying one too many beers!

Run, beers

Saturday

This morning, I did boring stuff like clean the dishwasher and walk the dog. In the afternoon - time for dojo! I was the instructor (Saturday at Village Hotel Shirley is my regular dojo) and I had some fantastic young people turn up to train with me. We did a high-energy warm up with a partner and then blasted through some basics. Some of my students have a grading on Sunday so I made sure that they felt confident and ready. We moved on to kata and I looked at those who will be in the grading. I made sure I gave them a 'pass'! 

Back at home to watch the grand national with my wife - she won some money!

Lucy made a lovely dinner and we watched the last episode of Succession.

Karate

Sunday

Up early for Sensei Ronnie's training session on the mats. It was a glorious sunny morning and I was quite envious of my mates going cycling without me today, but Sensei Gary had called the instructors together at this session to have our portraits take by a professional photographer!

The session was great! We started with free flow basics just to get the blood pumping, and then the rest of the session was spent on kumite. We were called off the mats one by one to have our photos taken, and then there was a group photo at the end of the session too. I'm looking forward to seeing the group one.

Back at home, I made use of the dry sunny conditions to spend a few hours in the garden. I did some tree surgery and then got stuck into cutting up some firewood for use in the firepit in the summer months. 

Tree surgery in the sunshine

After I'd filled a couple of boxes with firewood, I went inside to do some ironing and watch Mumbai Indians lose a game of cricket.

In the evening, the family had dinner, we watched the first episode of Fallout, and I enjoyed some beer!

Karate, beers