Feeling fine

It's amazing what a bit of exercise does for you, started the day feeling really tired and run down but made sure I got on the treadmill at lunchtime as it was in my plan, 30 mins later being very hot and sweaty I did feel really good and its carried on for the rest of the day. Off out really early for a bike ride tomorrow so its bound to rain!

Hot and sweaty

Been a good couple of days, managed to work from home for a bit which has allowed me to catch up on stuff, I was also able to spend a bit of time going through my patterns, looking at some of the meanings of the patterns and also getting some good phys in as well.

In parallel have been getting a little bit stressed with work and it has been bleeding out so was really glad to have a good blast tonight as it is always a great stress reliever. My mind is a bit blank at the minute so well sign off until later tomorrow.

Getting into a groove

Past couple of days have been pretty standard to date, did my cardio yesterday and brought in the next set of chest exercises, which were very tough, may consider bringing a couple of them into the circuit I need to plan out. Training was good last night as I had the opportunity to take a small group of students through the basic applications of the moves within Yul Gok. The purpose was to give the less experienced members of the school a visualisation of the moves so that they could work on that mind, body connection I mentioned last week. Masters was a continuation of the pain and pressure points we started looking at last week. I think I forgot to mention in my blog that last Monday we were running through pressure points and Master Olpin wanted to show a combination of strikes on connecting pressure points. He used me as his demo dolly and in rapid succession struck a combination of pressure points quite lightly but repeatedly, as he was then talking to the rest of the class I suddenly realised that I had been effected by the strikes and just as I piped up with a "...Sir!" my feet started moving and my balance went out! So not a bad demo dolly as the demo showed the real effects of even light strikes.

Feeling a bit stuffed at the minute as I got the girls a portion of chips as a treat for their tea and the chips they left I ended up snaffling (only a few mind :))

Really good end to the week

This weekend has been pretty good all round really, yesterday was a bit of a mixture of massive frustration and near computercide and then a trip up the motorway for a family get together.The only downside being that I hadn't eaten any dinner as I thought there was going to be plenty of food and the reality was a pretty limited buffet that didn't come out until 9pm and had to feed over 60 people.

Not to worry though today was a cracking day, started off with about 1 min lie in as the kids don't have a setting to turn their clocks back and then got on with my monthly fitness test. Was really happy with the results, which I have posted on the Academy forum, and it just set the rest of the day up as a good one. Had my mum and sister (plus kids) over for Eleanors family party and had decided after such a good performance on the fitness test to just have a day off from healthy eating, but I have to admit I feel like I have eaten my entire monthly salt allowance in one afternoon.

One thing I haven't mentioned in these blogs so far is the idea I have been having about taking up Master Olpins Black Belt challenge. To date I have been looking to get involved with something that has a positive impact on the community at large and to that end have applied to become a Trustee of Shelter Cymru, a Welsh Homelessness Cahrity based in Cardiff. I am off for an interview in a week or so after visiting them a couple of weeks ago to see what they did and wether I woudl be interested in becoming a trustee member. Hopefully the interview will go well and if so may well join the board around Xmas time. To me this is really embracing the entire idea of what it is to be a Black Belt and the sorts of things you need to consider if you really want to wholeheartedly get something positive from the whole BB experience. It's not something for everyboday as we all have different reasons for getting on the BB journey but for me this isn't simply about chasing a belt. I have no illusions that on one day attaining the rank of BB that I will suddenly have access to some mystical wisdom beyond my years. I am looking to have a lifelong interest in Martial Arts as a way to maintian fitness and feel like I belong to a group of like minded individuals.

Thats enough of the preachy stuff, not sure how many people actually read this, I'm off now to avoid a horde of screaming girls who Michelle foolishly allowed to have a sleepover (I feel a Marathon Company of Heroes session could be in order)

An end to another week

Friday comes around again, not much to talk about at the moment really. I'm starting to get into a routine of fitness and settling into sorting out my nutrition. I may need to alter things a bit as I am noticing a dip in energy in the afternoon and early evening. Last nights training session was a good cardio and strength blast but there was a bit of a mishap with Shirley during sparring as I caught her in the stomach with a side kick. I'm glad I pulled the shot as the wind went out of her like a shot. I have never seen that reaction before and it made me think how effective a well placed side kick can be when done with full power and intensity.

Did some weights today and a few sets of strength exercises, abs and chest and will be looking to do a fitness test on Sunday so am tossing up wether to do anything tomorrow or not.

Hectic day

The beginning of the week wasn't too bad and today was when it came to a bit of a halt. A very long day of quite tense meetings meant I wasnt able to get home until nearly 7pm tonight, but in the spirit of the thing I got changed and got straight on the treadmill. I had eaten an apple and banana about 45 mins before but after about 5 mins it soon became apparent that I just didn't have the energy and to be honest the inclination so I stopped after a mile and had some dinner.

Monday nights training was good and I picked up one very important point:

* In all of your basics and patterns try to get a mind/body connection to the activity, visualise an opponent and a strike that you will either defend against or attack.
* When looking to visualise use the simplest attack to assist in making the connection.

I did manage to get to a Tuesday night session and run through Choong Moo, feeling pretty confident about the sequence, now I need to focus on elements, such as the jumping side kick to ensure I am showing the correct emphasis.

New week, new start

Yesterday was a near perfect Sunday, got up at a decent hour had chance for the brain to relax and then out for a cracking 15 mile bike ride, very brisk but it just meant I went faster, managed to do the same route but at least 15 mins quicker. Mooched about at a mates for a bit with Shelly and the kids and then it was home and time for me to get my chef's hat on.

Made some pastry and then a steak and guiness filling, mmmm pies my downfall, as well as pizza, kebabs, fish and chips, pretty much anything deep fried really :)

Was woken up this morning by next door's dog at about 5.30am, really not impressed as today was the first day in ages when I have had the chance to work from home, which should have meant a little longer in bed, but no barking non stop until 7.30am amazing how it all stopped then, but it meant I was a bit zoned out for the first 30 mins until the green tea kicked in!

Had a very busy day getting some key reports togetehr and trying to fathom out what the hell it is I am now supposed to be doing on top of all the other stuff I am also meant to be doing. By about 12pm my head was spinning so decided to get the running machine out and went for a brisk 3 miler. Felt really good running so I thought why not push myself a bit further and see how quickly you can run a mile and a half without really going for it, I ended up doing it in 12 mins and 11 seconds so very happy with myself. I rate this as a real achievement because I truly dislike running, I just find it boring and a real strain on the knees, but it is a good cardio work out and coupled with yesterdays bike ride I am really seeing some rapid improvements in my overall cardio fitness.

I am doing my 4 weekly fitness test this Sunday and I had programmed in a mile and a half in 13 mins, I will let this stand as I am looking to build up core fitness and stamina and don't want to fall into the trap of training for the test as this can be a big mistake.

Currently sitting in the pool watching Ele do her swimming club, after this a swift trip hoem and then straight to the school for training tonight.

A good day

Really had an enjoyable time yesterday, I was dreading 7 small girls and a Frankie and Benny's but everyone was an angel, go to enjoy a nice spicy Meatball Calzone and then just mooched about for a couple of hours at the mall and my sisters as Shelly and the girls saw Fame.

Today I had planned for a bike ride with my mate but he rang up to cry off again, instead of doing the same just got changed and went for a nice 15 miler, weather was kind if a bit chilly (may be time for trousers rather than shorts) and I flew along, managed to take over 15 mins off my last time which I was really pleased with. The only other stuff I needed to get on with today was making the Sunday dinner which is a chore I never tire of. Today's feast is going to be Steak and Guiness pie. Yesterday Shelly misread my shopping list and bought a Kg of butter rather than a Kg of all butter pastry, so I decided to make my own shortcrust pastry today which is relaxing. didn't partake of the Guiness but did have a taste for an ice cold cider around 3pm, come to think of it I coudl just go for one now :) As I am still prepping the dinner I will sneak in some patterns in between chopping the veg and rolling out the pastry.

Another long day

Today I am resting up again, was up very early to get into London and managed to get back for about 4.30pm. Not a whole lot to mention today really, had a browse through a good reference book for the thesis called Get Tough. It's a book produced by W.E. Fairbairn who trained the commandos and special services during world war 2 in unarmed combat, waiting for another one by the same guy. Having to plan Ele's birthday party tomorrow so will sign off.

Going to rest up

After my rather downbeat post Rich (my instructor) contacted me telling me it's probably best to relax rather than train tonight. Even though he is speaking sense and I know having a rest will do me good I still feel annoyed with myself for feeling this rubbish. As he is always saying a good martial artist walks into their training hall always giving 100% I think I am at 60% at best at the minute. I still have to run Ele and Robbie to their session but will have a relaxing night and hopefully be a bit more refreshed when I wake up tomorrow.

Feeling crap...

Feel like I'm burning the candle at both ends at the minute. A succession of early starts, long drives and late nights is taking its toll. Today and yesterday were prime examples, 5.15am start, all day working then back home for about 7.30pm, by the time I had had my dinner and sat down it was time for the kids to go to bed, just feeling really tired. Had to be up early again to make sure I could spend some time with Ele as it is her 10th Birthday today, set off for the relatively short drive to Cardiff and when I got there found I didn't have my laptop, then went into a tailspin when it wasn't in the house. After much frantic phone calling to the Hotel I was at yesterday, they luckily found it and popped it into the safe, just means another 5.15am start tomorrow. Ended up coming back early and as a consequence got on the cross trainer, okay, not sure I should have done it but didn't get the opportunity last night, didn't feel energised just crappier. Will be at training tonight but am concerned that I'm feeling so strung out that I wont do it justice, all I want to do is collapse on the sofa and not think about work, training or anything, just take some time to just be.

As it's Ele's birthday I am going to share some fish and chips with her and Shelly, with a small slice of chocolate Birthday cake to finish it off, hopefully that might cheer me up, don't want to feel like this on her birthday.

Soooo tired

I am cream crackered, have to be up at 5.15am tomorrow for a drive to London and my brain feels like Jelly at the minute. I did go training tonight to try and get a little more practice on Choong Moo, to be honest I can't really think of anything more to write...

Sometimes Technology is just crap

Was going to post last night but as per usual just when I want to use it the internet decided to play up, sometimes I swear technology is self aware, it only seems to pack up just when you really need it.

Okay Sunday was a good day, busy weekend need a rest now but unfortunately straight back into work. Had a great session yesterday, managed to get a 3 mile run in after I got back in from work which really helped to make me feel positive and shook out the cobwebs of a long drive. I have never enjoyed running, even when I was in the Army running was always my least favourite activity. I can't say I have grown to enjoy it but I can tolerate it and it is improving my cardio resistance which is why I am doing it as part of my fitness routine.

After the run I had to jump in the car to pick up  my eldest daughter from swimming, so by the time I got hoem I had about 5 mins to cram some food down me before it was off to training. Really enjoyed the session on pattern breakdown, it really helped to demystify the whole process and taking some ofthe lower grades really made me have to think how to put forward some of the key concepts:

* You don't need to focus on the formal move or how you got to the position
* If it feels right then it usually is a valid application
* Get a student to remain static in a position and then move around the student adopting different positions, this then makes the student asses what attack or defence they codul adopt in any given position.

Masters was also really good as I enjoy the self defence stuff and takedowns are always good when you have a group. Being able to think about how to deal with takedowns effectively opens the subject up:

* Think about control of the opponent when they are on the floor
* Use pain as a control element and support that with a strong purposeful command to the opponent directing them what you want to do e.g. relax the arm, I am going to roll you over etc.
* One of the ideas behind the control element is to enable you to assess the situation and decide your exit strategy under control.

I am going to stop now as I am in a conference session (not too relevent hence the post) but I should listen in.

The house is still a mess

Yesterday went okay, we managed to get all the decorating done and by the time Ele came back from her friends house we had the bed and her bookcase done. The look on her face was worth it all though as she is really please with her new 'grown up bedroom'. I did fit a bit of training in though, managed to go through Choong Moo about 4 - 5 times so hopefully am locking in the early sections already. Most likely not going to be able to work on my thesis which is a pain but I am continuing with my research as one of my books turned up yesterday. Starting to read up on Krav Maga which already looks really interesting, certainly one for the student who is keen on self defence principles.

Need to get cracking as I still have a wardrobe and a curtain rail to get up before I can get the opportunity for a bike ride.

The house is a mess

Didn't get the opportunity to do any phys today which was disappointing but really it was down to the fact that the house is being turned upside down as we are redecorating my daughters bedroom. The house is looking like a bombs hit it and when the house is like this it does effect my head. I am hoping to get the chance to get out on the bike on Sunday but it really comes down to how much we can get done tomorrow.

Its days like this when it gets tough, have too many commitments and juggling then all causes problems and 9 times out of 10 I end up not achieving much at all relating to my plan. All I am really focussing on is sorting out the bedroom (and I hate DIY)

Drive by blog No 2

Was a pretty normal day really, loads to do at work, did manage to get 30 mins on my thesis during lunch and made a good start on WW1 and WW2, have a couple of books coming from Amazon that I will get reading up on when they arrive, mr postman I'm looking at you.

Got back late from work and found a bit of a family crisis happening so wasn't able to go training tonight, I have kept up with my reps today and I did go through Choong Moo (up to the steps I know) so at least i did something positive. Feelng very drained again as I get to the end of the week, I think I have been fighting a bit of a cold so hopefully things will turn around next week. Shelly and I have a big weekend of re-decorating my eldest daughters bedroom but am hoping to get a couple of sessions of forms practice in and maybe a sneaky bikeride.

Drive by blog no1

Just a quickie today, had to get up to Bradford for this afternoon so decided, as my plan stated a cardio session today, to get on the cross trainer early this morning. Had a good sweat session and it woke me up for a 3hr drive up north. Just got back in so am deciding to take it easy with a relax on the sofa.

Work Life Balance...What's that

Woke up to see the glowing red numbers on the alarm clock register 5.15am. so started the day. A long trip up the M4 in the rain to London for an all day conference on Digital Inclusion, rock and roll or what eh! Doing this conference whioch was due to finish at 5pm meant I wouldn't be back in the area until after 8pm at the earliest, so the plan was to go straight to training and quickly look at the first part of Choong Moo. This mornings sessions were interesting but the afternnon had nothing that related to my business area, so at 2pm i took the decision that it was time to come home and see my family. So here I am writing this blog.

Will get the opportunity to train tonight but I do want to get back early to spend some time with Shelly as I am up to Bradford tomorrow so will be another late one returning. This is another part of the challenge having to fit in all these training activiites, as well as spending time with the family and juggling a demanding job. We'll just have to see how this pans out.

Curve Ball

Okay, started the day out okay, got into work and then got a phone call from my Director telling me that a bit of a curve ball was coming my way in that my job would be altering to take into account my impending management of the Account Managers of a company we have recently acquired. So off I duly went from Trowbridge to Newbury to discuss this, nothing like having a simple life is there!

Writing this in a lunch break and hoping to get home in time for some cardio, very early start planned tomorrow and will be taking my uniform with me as probably won't get back to Wotton until 8.15-8.30pm but will go straight to training as I am keen to start understanding Choong Moo.

Feeling worn down and it is only 2.05pm on Monday, roll on the rest of the week ;)

Early Bird

Was up fairly early for a Sunday today as I had planned on going out with my mate for a bike ride, firstly though I had to find out how I had been doing on the weight loss this week. With a bit of trepidation I got on the scales and found that I had lost 6 pounds! Really chuffed with that, your body does get rid of a bit of retained water and othe rrubbish so the first week of a fitness and healthier eating regime usually gives you these sorts of results. The harder act is maintaining it week after week to get the average of abut 1-2 pounds every week, but I'm happy, to me its a real achievement and a really positive way to end the week.

The bike ride was cracking, weather was perfect, sun shining and the countryside around Wotton never lets me down, had a thoroughly enjoyable ride and was good to have a blather with my mate Dave as we managed to sort out some more demanding X-country rides in the near future.

No rest for the wicked though as soon as I was home it was time to get the Sunday Roast on! As I had had a good week on the weight loss and after a good long bike ride I decided to treat myself to a couple of roast potatoes done around the chicken, mmm yummy:)

This afternoon was spent walking down to Synwell playing fields and managing a handful of giggling girls, was pleasant and a good way to settle down after a big Sunday Lunch.

Have run through some of the forms today and will complete when I get back from taking Ele and her friend Beth swimming. I also managed to find a couple of good reference books that will help me with my thesis so ordered those on Amazon last night, should get here in a week so can get cracking and see what all the fuss is about on Krav Maga. If anything really decent crops up in my research I will have a chat with Rich about it and see if we can incorporate any of it into a self defence session on a Tuesday night.

So all in all I am feeling like the early bird that caught the worm, pretty happy with the first week but mindful that there is a long road yet to travel so need to keep thi slevel of activity and enthusiasm for the next 5 months.

Mmmm doughnut...

Had a good day yesterday, apart from the 5 hours in a car on my day off. Had a good meeting, all very positive, a different opportunity presented itself which is worth exploring so just need to wait a couple of weeks to see how things pan out. Got back about 6pm and as my plan said cardio I got straight on to the cross trainer, dylu did my time and then cracked on with some reps on the free weights. Felt good and then settled down to a relaxing (relatively) Friday night.

Today so far has been a hectic one, left the house at 10am and had to do tonnes of shopping to sort out a redecoration of my Eldest daughter, Eleanors, bedroom. By the time we had all got in to Yate it was well past lunchtime so decided to treat Ele with a Burger from BK, mmmm flame grilled beef! I did resist and was hoping to grab a salad from somewhere but no luck. It was all made worse when we eventually got something from a nice sandwich shop and Michelle and the girls decided on having cakes as well. The jammy donut Hannah chose looked really good and she made it worse by smacking her lips after every bite to get all the sugar stuck to here mouth and fingers.

Will do my reps tonight as I have done every night so far and on the whole when I get on the scales tomorrow I am hoping for a positive outcome.

Oh dear

Just read an email from Rich where I have dropped a major bollock! Should have actually applied BEFORE the grading so in reality I am nearly a month into the formal application cycle already. Mmm have replied to Rich this morning but need to switch my head into the trip today, have done quite a bit of planning already for the black belt cycle but need to ensure that it is realistic with a potential March grading. Bit of a set back but you have to make sure you are doing things for the right reason not just to chase the belt so will most likely try and get a chat with Rich and talk it out. So far talking to myself ,so on looking at this blog thing I am already looking like a weird loner with bell tower sniper tendancies...

Big day, could it spell change?

Got up this morning, very groggy I think I have been doing too many miles and too many early mornings recently. Today could be interesting, a new opportunity has presented itself which has intrigued me enough to travel to Middlesex on my day off. Did my reps this morning and found that my side is still swollen from my bike accident, probably due to the punding I gave myself in the gym on Weds night. Probably for the best, flush all the bad gunk out and keep the blood flowing. Read the black belt requirements last night, gulp, it all becomes a little bit more real when you look at it set down like that. Hopefully the sun will shine today and all will be okay, things are hectic and I think I need the world to slow down a bit, will enjoy a weekend with some forms practice and perhaps start thinking about the pattern breakdown.

Lets get it on

Hello all, well finally managed to get a few minutes this week to get down my black belt goals down and sent off to Master Olpin, I am going to make a post on the forum later which will list the goals. This first proper blog entry is more about the stresses of this week! As per usual work has done it's best to scupper my plans, this week being the first week proper meant I needed to get stuck in and meet the targets I set myself for the week, which are:

1. Have three sessions looking at the Spartan chapter of my thesis
2. To get three distinct cardio sessions completed (min 30 minutes)
3. Lose 1 pound in weight
4. Establish morning and nightime reps routine

All looking okay I suppose you might say but this week I had a retirement dinner on Tuesday and then I had to be in Birmingham for 9.30, all great until you realise that I then had to drive up to Edinburgh, nightmare. Got to the hotel last night to find they didn't have a gym, however they have some sort of arrangement with a hotel down the road, what I didn't reaslise was that my session was going to cost me a £10! I suppose I only would have spent it on kebabs and chocolate, was a good 1hr and 30 min workout, plenty of sweat and then sat down to a pretty healthy dinner.
 
The conference I was at today was very boring, so boring in fact that I decided to get stuck in to my thesis, I actually started it over the weekend and got the introduction sorted and the skeleton on the first chapter, by the time I needed to scoot off to drive the 7 hours back to Wotton I had completed the first chapter and I think finished off the second, looking at about 1,800 words at the moment so pretty chuffed about that. I did work until 10pm last night so I am putting it all down to work life balance.
 
So far I have managed to achieve everything on my plan which makes me a happy bunny, just extremely tired and looking to just put my feet up, still got some exercises to do though. As this is a blog please feel free to comment, ask questions. See you later.