Monday
I woke up feeling rather tender - my back was aching, two of my fingers were swollen (from a poor block I did last night) but the main problem was my left arm. The arm was hurting like I'd been hit with a hammer! I don't remember any big knocks to that area during the sparring yesterday. Maybe the adrenaline covered it up?
The weather has finally cleared! There was a bit of frozen snow outside of the house, but nothing to stop me riding my bicycle to work. I arrived rather sweaty - it's a lot warmer than it has been recently.
I enjoyed my GCSE English lesson - this was down to the students who engaged well and came up with some great answers. Afternoon lessons were okay.
I cycled home and then bashed out an hour of weight training. I was glad that my arm didn't give me any problems. My back was a bit tender so I nursed it through the deadlifts with my belt as tight as it would go.
Then I made chicken and mushroom pasta for the family. Tonight, we watched the very final episode of Stranger Things. It didn't disappoint (although there was a bit too much crying for my liking.) This programme has been one of the very best things I've ever seen on TV and I would rank it up there with Voyager, Game of Thrones, The Sopranos and the first season of True Detective.
No alcohol, no junkfood, weight training
Tuesday
I cycled in to work, did the work thing and then cycled to Halfords to pick up a windscreen wiper blade. When I got home, I tried to fit the blade only to discover that there was a part missing from the box. I vented my frustrations on an hour of weight training.
After this, I had a shower and then Lucy served up a magnificent Shepherd's pie made with a lamb joint (not the mince.) Top class! I drank water.
I did an MOT on myself today: I weigh 10st 4lbs, have a resting heart rate of 61 bpm, and blood pressure of 121/75
No booze, no junkfood, weight training.
Wednesday
Strike day! With most of the staff on strike, it was left to Wend, Lucy and me to facilitate lessons for the students. I had 15 students with learning needs doing GCSE work with me this morning. It was a great lesson - because of the kids' desire to get stuck in!
The afternoon was a little more relaxed as we switched from English to maths and some of the students had gone home.
I met James in the gym and we had a good chat and a good session. Unfortunately, I failed trying to match my all-time bench press record. I missed it by 2 reps!
Back at home, I decided to have a few beers while I made dinner for the family!
Beer, no junkfood, weight training
Thursday
I had one too many beers last night. I woke up at 3:13am with a headache and then stared at the ceiling until the alarm went off at 6:10. I went to work feeling really rather tired.
I was very grumpy at work but eventually cheered up and got some stuff done.
Lucy and I did a big shop at 5pm and then, back in my man cave, I did an hour of heavy weights to the sound of Global Underground trance tunes.
After this, predictably, I cracked open a beer!
Booze, no junkfood, weight training
Friday
Drove in to work because Dodgy and Lucy were going out straight from work. I got a lot done today and did a decent lesson with some great students.
Tonight's Karate session was run by Sensei Gary and it was a fast-paced mix of basics and kumite involving a mini-competition, some 5-step sparring and line-ups! I didn't quite get a sweat on but it was a good workout and I was very glad I went. Happily, Martha came with me tonight, and, as always, she was a different, happier person on the way home.
After Martha and I had dinner, I then had to collect Mouse, Cassie and Lily from Solihull and Lucy and Dodgy from the station. Unfortunately, both groups contacted me at the same time and I couldn't fit everyone in the car! I had to race to collect the girls, drop them at home, then zoom off to get Lucy and Dodge and take them back home, and then out again to drop Cassie and Lily off. Phew. I think I got home at about 11:30. Bed time with a cup of tea!
No booze, no junkfood, Karate
Saturday
Up at 7:30 for coffee and muesli. This afternoon's Karate session was a good one. I dedicated the first 45 minutes to kumite and only switched to kata to slow things down and focus the students at the end. We had the usual silliness from some of the students, but as Lucy explained when I got home, it's good that they're having fun which is why they keep coming back!
In the evening, Lucy and Dave from next door came round to enjoy some homemade curry and a few drinks!
Booze, no junkfood, Karate
Sunday
The first cycle ride of 2026. With Jonnie entertaining guests at home, Mark, James and I set off into the rain from my house. We wooshed along our Purity Temple route in a light rain with an unhelpful cross wind for most of the way. By the time we reached Wilmcote, 21 miles later, we had an average of 14.0mph. We were surprised and delighted to find Auntie Laura up from London, so, along with the Cakemaker, the five of us had a good chat while we got stuck into homemade coffee cake.
We got ready and tried to set off again only to find that my bicycle had a front puncture!
Twenty minutes later, after some furious pumping from James, we once again rolled out into the increasingly misty lanes. We went home via the Petticoat route. By the time we got to Ireland's lane, both Mark and I were suffering and we were glad to get off the bikes for a comfort break!
 |
| At the Wee Stop |
After leftover curry followed by a shower, I went along to Sensei Gary's Sunday night Karate session. It was fantastic! It was also one of the hardest training sessions I've ever done in a dojo! It felt like I was back in one of Mr Roger's fitness classes! The session consisted of lots of fast-paced free flow basics followed by loads of partner work. I was partnered with the same younger, taller, faster black belt who had beaten me up last week... Great training!
In the evening, Lucy prepared a fantastic homemade dinner and I enjoyed a couple of craft ales!
Booze, junkfood, 40 miles of cycling, Karate
In summary, this was a decent week for training. Plenty of exercise but maybe a bit too much booze...
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