Week 21 - Fred Zeppelin and the Birthday Bash

Monday

I cycled in to work and back. In the evening, I went for a run in the sunshine. I went a little bit farther than last week (1.96 miles) and the knee was okay.

I made a chicken and mushroom stir fry for the family.

Run

Tuesday

I cycled in to work. Martha is currently too ill with a cold to train at the dojo, so I stayed at college and used the gym. I did my 40 minute workout focused on chest and shoulders. Then I cycled home. Lucy made chicken and rice for dinner. Perfect training fuel!

College workout

Wednesday

We woke up to heavy, persistent rain. I chose to leave the bike at home and I jumped in the car with Lucy. After lessons, I went along to the college gym to do my 40 minutes. I really had to work hard to complete my bench press sets. I'm not increasing the weight, just the volume.

Back at home, I made a healthy vegetarian dinner for the family.

College workout

Thursday

After work, I did a heavy lift for an hour in my man cave. I did side and front raises, curls, overhead presses and squats. I also did a total of 300 bodyweight reps between sets.

Weight training

Friday

After work, I dropped Lucy and Debbie at the train station and then went for a run. I ran for 21m 12s without slowing to a walk. The knee was okay. After that, Jonnie and I went to meet Jason and Gary to watch Fred Zeppelin in concert! It was a great night although Jonnie and I maybe overdid it with the Stella!

Run, beers

Saturday

My karate lesson was better this week. We blasted some basic kicks, then did a combination. We practised the combination with pads and a partner before having a little kata competition. 

In the evening, I collected my wife from the train station (back from the Chelsea Flower Show!) before enjoying a few beers with my homemade beef chili con carne.

Karate, beers

Sunday

It was a bit wet when Jonnie, Mark, James and I pedalled off on the Purity Temple route. Happily, it only rained for about 10 minutes, and then the morning got brighter and warmer all the way to Wilmcote. We headed up and over the Average Destroyer and James was in cracking form on the climbs. After leading us up that, he then took over again and blasted us along from the Blue Boar. By that time, we had the wind behind us and we were going nicely!

I'm pleased to report that this week's cake was a fantastic carrot cake! Thanks Jane!

While we were at Wilmcote, the sun really came out. Myself and Mark decided to shed some stuff and leave it with Jane: I got rid of my winter gloves, leg warmers, scarf and overshoes. Mark left his jacket (it's a thick one!)

Of course, we'd gone less than a mile when it started raining again!

The ride was full of the usual good-natured banter, the highlight being a fictional music album created by James and Jonnie that actually made me cry with laughter! 

The sprint at the end was a big effort for me and I was under pressure from both James and Mark. I managed to get to lamppost 13 first, but it won't be long before Mark comes past me at the end of a ride! I had made a rather large effort and had to ride slowly along a side road to wait for my heart rate to slow down.

Back at home, Lucy "suggested" that a marquee might be a good idea for the party this evening. I got it down out of the loft and started piecing it together in the back garden. I was rather fatigued and even went a bit dizzy if I stood up too fast. It took me an hour and a quarter. After this, I went to pick up James and Lily and brought them along for the party to celebrate James's birthday and his becoming a grandad. It was a great time and the marquee was certainly a good idea! Lucy did a brilliant job with food and making sure everyone was comfortable and happy. I just got slowly drunk with family and friends!

Cycling: 39 miles, junkfood, booze

Week 20 - Grandad James!

Monday

I went for a run after work. I made sure the left knee was strapped and I managed to go about 10% longer than last week. Always looking to progress...

Then, obviously, I deserved some beers.

Run, booze

Tuesday

After work, Martha and I went along to Sensei Gary's Tuesday night Karate session. It was fantastic! The session was 90% kumite, with plenty of sweaty partner work and even some light freestyle. I had the honour of going up against Sensei Russell, and, although he clearly bested me, I was surprised that I actually managed to land a few techniques on him! I threw my damp gi in the washing machine as soon as I got home! More sessions like that please Sensei!

Karate

Wednesday

I cycled to work. After lessons, I got stuck into the gym at college and managed to improve my bench press sets just a fraction. Then I cycled home.

I lit the barbecue, burnt some sausages, drank a few beers, and then had dinner with the family outside in the sunshine.

College workout, beer

Thursday

Fantastic news! James in now a grandad! Welcome to the world, Canaan.

He is so cute! And so is the baby.

Today was a weight training day. I trained heavy for an hour at home after work and managed to improve my barbell curl just a little bit.

Weight lifting

Friday

I went for another run today. I covered 1.8 miles at a pace of 9m 43s per mile. That will do. I can build on that.

After the run, I got showered, shaved and changed, and then Lucy and I attended the funeral of a much-loved family member. 

The wake was at Jonnie and Sally's place. They did an awesome job of looking after their guests. The socialising and remembering went on until midnight.

Run, beers

Saturday

I woke up and felt awful.

I considered riding the bike to make me feel better. I later discovered that it was punctured anyway. Instead, I kept myself busy by cutting a sheet of perspex to size (to replace a sheet of glass in the greenhouse), and then sawing up firewood. 

It was a lovely sunny day so I dragged the dog out for a walk for about 40 minutes. After that, I dropped Lucy and Dodgy at the train station and then went home to get ready for Karate.

This afternoon's lesson was a lot like last week - the students all seem lethargic and reluctant to give it 100%. Which, unfortunately for them,  is the only way to get a black belt! I did my best to get them revved up. I tried pad work, I tried explaining to them that they need to go fast and hard at their techniques, I even got them partnered up to do a bit of controlled competition sparring. Nothing worked very well and the lesson never really got going. Maybe I'm expecting too much from them? At least they still turn up every week!

Back at home, I got some ironing done and watched the cricket. Martha and I had dinner. After I collected Lucy and Dodgy from the train station, I joined them for a drink in the garden, while repairing the punctured tyre, before eventually crawling into bed with a cup of tea and Terry Pratchett. 

Karate, beers

Sunday

A slow start this morning. I didn't seem to want to get going. However, it was a lovely warm day and, after breakfast, I was ready for a ride in the lanes with the chaps. It was our first ride with James as a grandad and as a man in his sixties! As always, he was still fit, fast and full of banter! We went along our High Cross route today, trying to find somewhere to wear out Mark. It didn't work - he was on the front most of the time. The descent into Snitterfield was a bit sketchy because of the crappy road resurfacing - there are still patches of loose gravel on the downhill sections. I went down the hill very cautiously and using the brakes, Jonnie, sitting bolt upright, wooshed past me at about 35mph! He later explained that he can't see much in his shades anyway, so didn't see the loose gravel! 

Riding in the warm sunshine is a joy. The banter flows, the chaps are smiling and telling stories. It really is worth riding hard throughout the winter so that we are fit enough to enjoy days like today.

At Wilmcote, I was very pleased to find that Yvonne was there because she is always polite enough to pretend I'm funny. Today, the carrot cake was very disappointing, mainly because it was lemon drizzle cake (it was rather nice actually.) We sat outside in the sunshine to have our coffee and cake. It was lovely. The only downside was Jane's trickling water feature¹ which made all us old blokes desperate for a wee.

We went home via Jonnie's Shortcut up to Purity Brewery. I was still searching for a chink in Mark's armour but couldn't find one. He could match us up any incline. When we reached the sprint for lamppost 13 at the end of the ride, Mark went for the win far too early. I manged to hold on to his wheel and then pass him in the final few metres. Before I feel too smug, I have to remember that he is 10 years older than me, and I have been a road cyclist 13 years longer than he has!

Back at Jonnie's, our host very generously provided the beers and we sat in the sunshine sipping ales and discussing the ride. Harry came to join us too. It was one of those moments that I wish I could hold on to: that awesome feeling after exercising hard, with the endorphins in my bloodstream, mixed with the buzz from the first beer of the day, plus four great blokes to chat with, and then the warm sunshine in Jonnie's fantastic garden. One of those moments to cherish.

Then Sally came along and made us take down the marquee from Friday!

Back at home, I decided I could put some replacement perspex in the greenhouse (I cracked a pane when cleaning it last week.) I was getting the ladders out to do just that when the wife suggested I do a bit of surgery on the the tree in the front garden. So I got stuck into that. I don't mind working in the sunshine, and I like to be useful. After that, I found myself up the ladders again, but this time up one of the trees in the back garden! With that done, I could then put the replacement pane in the greenhouse.

Then, of course, it was beer o'clock again! Jane came round for dinner and we all enjoyed Lucy's homemade curry.

Cycling: 36.5 miles, beers, junkfood

1. (Not a medical condition)

Week 19 - Tree Surgery

Monday

I woke up with a bit of a sore head, but nothing serious. Today, Lucy and I decided that one of the trees in the back garden needed a trim. It was making everything too dark and the branches were hanging over the greenhouse, the potting shed, and Luke and Kirsty's garden. It was a warm day, and by 9:30 I was in t-shirt and shorts and climbing up my ladder and into the tree. Without an electric saw, I was using a handsaw and cutting down branches manually. It was hard work, but good fun in the sunshine. 

It was a long job, and there were masses of branches in two big piles in the back garden by lunchtime. After lunch, I set about the long task of cutting it all up into firewood! Again, all I had was a manual saw, so my right arm got a good workout! 

Just before 4pm, the job was done. I put on my running gear and headed out the door. I did a short run, only 1.6 miles, but that was enough at the moment as I gradually coax the left knee back to fitness. When I got home, I jumped in the shower and quickly realised I had a rather sunburnt head! All that tree surgery and running had given me a bit of a red scalp!

In the evening, Lucy and I headed up town to enjoy an Evening with Aggers and Tuffers. It was hilarious! The only downside to the night was the Town Hall running out of Purity Ubu before I'd even got there! 

Run, beers

Tuesday

After work, Martha and I set off to the dojo. Tonight, I helped Sensei Gary with the lower grades. We did some combinations and some pad work. Good fun. Back up at the deep end, Sensei Gary drilled us in some fast-paced basics. We got very sweaty and out of breath. 

Afterwards, a higher grade let me know that he thought I was leading the way in tonight's session. It was very nice to hear such a positive comment!

Back at home, I ruined all my hard work by having some more beer...

Karate, beers

Wednesday

After lessons, I went along to the college gym and did 40 minutes of good training. When I got home, I lit the barbeque, cracked a beer, and set about burning some chicken! 

College workout, beers

Thursday

When I got home from work, I did a heavy weight training session for an hour. I was aching afterwards! 

Weight lifting

Friday

It was a hot day. It was hot in the dojo. This didn't stop Sensei Gary from working us hard with combinations and some one-for-one freestyle. Sensei shut the doors so that the local youths couldn't peer in and make remarks as we trained. This only increased the heat! It was during kata that I started to feel rather unsteady... However, I kept on training, I concentrated on my breathing, and I was soon feeling fine. A good session that tested all of us from white to black belt!

Karate

Saturday

Up feeling good. This morning was warm and sunny. I put my work gear on, borrowed some step ladders from Luke, and then set about cleaning the greenhouse. It is a big job if it's done properly. I cleaned all the inside first (the spiders were not happy) before getting up on the ladders to clean the outside. After about three hours it was looking a lot better and was positively gleaming in the sunlight.

The greenhouse and my head: gleaming

After a shower, I headed off to my Saturday Karate lesson. Today, my students were slow and quiet. The exact opposite of what they need to be! I mentally ditched my lesson plan and set about getting them revved up. We got the pads out and practised attacking with spirit and with a loud kiai! It took me about 20 minutes to get them in the correct mood, and even then they started to flag if I didn't keep pushing them. A tough session, I just hope I'm not being too hard on them...

Later, I joined a couple of black belts in a bar for a couple of drinks. My mate Luke came to join me for one too. When I got home, I was pleased to find Sally and Lucy enjoying the weather in the back garden. We enjoyed a few more drinks as the sun went down, I built a fire in the fire pit and we played music on Spotify. We probably stayed up a bit too late.

Karate, beers

Sunday

We definitely stayed up too late.

I had a bit of a sore head when I woke up. After breakfast and some aspirin I was just about ready when Mark came to call and we headed out into the lanes. Mark has gone from novice to very keen cyclist in a very short space of time! I struggled to keep pace with him today and was impressed by how well he climbs. He's the full package now - descender, rouleur and climber. It was a warm day. Mark was sensibly stripped down to one layer, but I was wearing a base layer under my jersey.

By the time we rolled into Wilmcote I was feeling a bit better, and I enjoyed my coffee in the sunshine. I left my base layer with Jane, and then Mark and I headed north back to base. We finished with a respectable pace of 14.6mph over 38 miles.

Back at home, I enjoyed a few ales with dinner.

Cycling, beers

Week 18 - Instructing the Instructors?

Monday

After college, I went for a brief run (1.5 miles) before making dinner for the family and pouring a few beers.

Run, beers

Tuesday

After lessons, I went along to the college gym on my own, blasted out some heavy metal and rap, and got stuck into my workout (mainly bench press, because I don't have a bench at home.)

Home to drink water instead of beer!

College workout

Wednesday

After lessons, I enjoyed a college gym workout with my mate Michael.

The I cycled home to make dinner and, almost inevitably, enjoy a few ales!

College workout, beers

Thursday

I cycled in to work and back. When I got home, I strapped my knee and then went out for a short run. It was only 1.6 miles but it was a decent pace (for me).

After that, I took charge of a family and friends barbeque. I was very pleased that Mark dropped by so we could have a chinwag. I had a few beers with my dinner and it was great to eat outside for the first time this year. Summer is coming!

Run, beer

Friday

I cycled in to work. The college was having a wellness day. I managed to avoid it by joining an online chess group! Apparently that counts as wellness. After my 'wellness' I cycled the 4.6 miles home and then set about a heavy weight lifting session for an hour.

Then, of course, beers. Hey, it's a bank holiday (no capitals).

Weight training, booze

Saturday

It's all about the bike. Today I set about getting the Specialized road bike back on the road. Last week I had managed to strip off the old components and put the new cassette on. Today, I had to put on the new front rings and then the chain. The front rings went on in minutes, but then I had a real game with the chain! For some reason, my chain tool simply would not cut the chain. It was if the device had suddenly become to big and chunky for a 9 speed chain. I was glad when Jake turned up so he could have a go, but even he didn't have the strength to make it work. Tilly was kind enough to take me down to Halfords to get a new chain tool.

Back at base, Jake and I found that the new tool worked effortlessly, straight away. The chain was now at the required length. We then had a bit of trouble putting the new pin in the chain to hold it together. Jake ended up making a Frankenstein tool out of the new device and the old one. It eventually worked. 

Finally got everything fitted.

For this afternoon's Karate session, I had the group work with a partner and kick some pads. Always good fun. I was disappointed that Village Hotel has now removed the heavy bag from the dojo. I don't know why they would do this. Trying out techniques on the heavy bag was always our favourite way of ending the lesson. Sensei Gary popped in, end he very kindly presented me with some special gifts from his training in Japan!

Back home to eat healthy home-cooked food and drink water.

Karate

Sunday

Up early for the monthly instructors' training session with Sensei Ronnie. The lesson started badly for me when I was asked to take the class for 10 minutes! Many of the class were very experienced higher-grades and I had a very strong sense of imposter syndrome! Put on the spot, my frantic mind latched on to part of yesterday's lesson when we practised side thrust kick in drills and then with a partner. I hope that was the kind of thing Sensei wanted! After that, the class was under the instruction of Sensei Ronnie for the rest of the hour. We focused on some kumite drills and ended the session with light freestyle. It was a warm morning and I was rather sweaty when we finished. I felt great and left the dojo ready for the day! 

Today, Lucy, Martha and I went to visit Debbie and Paul for lunch. He's a great cook and we enjoyed homemade lasagne. I went there without the intention of drinking, but he explained that he had bought several ales for me to enjoy so I felt obliged to have a beer. I didn't take much persuading!

Back at home, I had another beer before enjoying a huge bowl of homemade chilli con carne.

Karate, beers