Running has taken a big hit this month as I've spent every weekend decorating. In the past few weeks I've learned how to wallpaper like a pro, paint like Titian and build some cracking wardrobe doors out of contiboard with a fine oak finish. In fact I've gained a new respect for my Father who's business brain is not only ripe with very clever idea, but also full of amazing DIY tips.

So now that I'm back to work for a rest, I'm longing for a good run again. Just one look outside will tell you that this is perfect running weather. It's bright and sunny, but quite cool, without being cold. In fact, I'm sorely tempted to take a day off work (as holiday), simply to go for a proper run and stretch my legs.

Maybe the running impulse explains the new pair of Asics trainers I ordered, which have arrived this morning. As I'm sure you know, Asics is the world's biggest running shoes brand. They sponsor nearly every official race and sports event going and a worn by all manner of athletes. Not bad for a Japanese brand that's competing with Adidas and Nike if you ask me.

My life seems to be decorating and I'm really drained. I could fall asleep right now. But I have to get home, cook dinner, eat it and sort out other things before I go for a run. Will I run? I hope so.
 

Got called in to help a mate decorate this weekend.

Exchanged many free hours of my time grouting, tiling a bathroom and partaking of a fine roast dinner and thai green curry as a form of payment.

Due to family commitments I didn't go for a run.
Due to easter sunday I couldn't go to the canoe club.
Looking forward to canoeing next Sunday.
 

Life's been so busy lately, it's tough to keep my running blog updated, which, let's face it, has turned into more of a What Slab Did Today than the dedicated training journal that it was supposed to be.

So continuing with that new trend, let's talk about my weekend -which was probably one of the best weekends in a long time.
Went to Camden with Bex for a spot of shopping. It was made even more enjoyable because she had no money, while I was looking for new t-shirts and maybe a comfy jumper or two. So instead of being dragged through millions of girly shoe shops, there was just the alternative places that I like, including Hexagon and Cyber Dog.

I got myself some nice technical looking t-shirts, including one with an exploded diagram of old skool head phones. Found a really snug hoody like the one I lost last year. That had a funky technical design too, but they didn't have it in my size.
Got home, checked the website and that wanted £60 for it, plus postage. Bit more than what I was quoted in store. Might give that a miss then.

We walked everywhere on Saturday, from Euston to Camden, back to Euston, on to the tube, then around Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Tottenham Court Road and along the Thames.

Sunday was a little more healthy. I went out for a run, then felt the urge to go for a walk straight after, so I was out for about 2 hours in total, before I got home, had a bath and visited the folks for Sunday roast.

Other Things:
I still need to join the local canoeing club.
Our office is moving to a new location which has a gym built in the basement with regular classes.

Two new things I need to join.

The post has just arrived at work and there's a parcel with my name on it. Very strange. I don't remember ordering anything.
So I opened up the box to find a pair of Birkenstock shoes inside. I didn't order these. I was busy getting sloshed this weekend!

Naturally I suspect that Bex is behind this latest fashion atrocity. I pointed and laughed at her when she bought herself Fit Flops as an excuse not to go running, I hated the Crocs and now she's bought me Birkenstocks of all things when I have a perfectly good pair of funky Merrell walking sandals for summer. It's not like I buy her clothes...or is that her hidden female agenda?

On top of my running, I have decided to join a local canoeing club. Stay tuned for more running and rowing with Slabbenchpress
 

While I was completely justified for condemning Crocs earlier, I've seen the perfect summer sandal for a guy like me who doesn't really want to wear sandals, but gets very hot feet otherwise.

Just check out these Merrell Kahuna walking sandals. That's right, I said walking sandals. Basically, take the typical walking shoes, rip off the uppers, some bits at the side and back and you end up with these. I think that's the ideal behind them. So essentially a walking sandal is exactly the same as a walking shoe, but with less material surrounding your foot so that they stay cooler because the air can get to the skin. Looks good to me for when we take my parent's dogs on a long summer walk.

I've really got into going for a walk lately, usually after a big dinner or sunday roast. There's something lovely about taking in the countryside that you tend to miss when you're running past at a hundred miles an hour, dodging dog walkers, traffic and whatever else comes your way.

Obviously I'm not going running in these things, although I suppose I could. They have all the support in the right places. But then, I'm buying these as a good looking fashion shoe for my hot and sweaty feet in summer. Maybe I'll go for a casual run and see how they do. Might have to mind the stoney paths though.

Hell with it, I'm going to be a fat bloater and get myself some chinese. Chicken chow mein and crispy beef I think.
Prawn crackers? Nah, too excessive.

Now to dazzle my work colleagues with my well honed chop-stick skills.
 

What a weekend we just had! Beautiful clear blue skies, sunney, warm weather and no excuse to stay indoors.
So after my morning run, I took the girlfriend for a bit of country walking. Nothing too strenuous, although it took us a good hours walk to reach a nice riverside pub. Stopped for some lunch and a pint, then sauntered on some more.

Sunday the girlfriend's mum invited us round for mother's day, or more importantly Sunday roast, which consisted of beef, yorkshires and spuds with a liberal sprinkling of veg. Naturally, I bought a bottle of red wine with me to say thanks...and because their taste in weak white wine isn't up to my standards.

After dinner we took their dog Molly for a walk as well. Poor thing doesn't seem to have been walked much at all. She pretty much collapsed onto her bean bag and fell asleep as soon as we got back.

Back to work today...and the skies are grey :(
 

Last night I got all creative in the kitchen and made me and Bex some Turkish Lamb which went down a storm, even if it was rather spicy.

Now, I'm crap when it comes to cooking, but I managed to find a couple of health, running and walking websites online. I found this one in particular which seems quite new, but if you don't mind all the adverts, there's some really good articles to checkout.

They seem to be getting all kinds of shoes to review for trail running and walking as well. After reading their Hi-Tec Auckland WP review, I'm seriously considering getting a pair. While I might love the Merrell shoes I got just after Christmas, I'm reluctant to get them covered in filth because they're really nice and actually quite trendy. Walking trainers are the new fashion shoe according to this article. I'm not entirely convinced, but I'm really happy with my Merrell shoes, even if they are for hardcore hiking. I may have to invest in a pair of Merrell trainers instead.

I'll never understand how Bex can fork out a small fortune on shoes of all things when they'll just get tatty over time. This is why I generally don't spend more than £30 on a pair of trainers. Smart office shoes; obviously you pay more because they're smart, but they last longer because you don't wear them as much.

So while I'd like nice shoes, I'm reluctant to spend much money on them because they're going to get trashed. Or if I buy expensive shoes for a specific purpose, I can't bring myself to wear them if they're really nice. Okay, I'm gonna buy a pair of those Hi-Tec Auckland shoes, because they're good and cheap. They might look nice, but they're so cheap I won't care if they get trashed. I think that solves my problem.
 

Met up with an old work colleague for a drink and a catch up last night. Haven't seen the chap in about 6 months since I left my last job. But he was the same cheerful guy, who while not happy in his work was still very content in life, skiing in the French Alps (the week before us I might add), back packing in Australia and going on Safari in Africa with his camera.

The guy produces some truly breathtaking photographs. It's just a pitty that he can't do that professionally instead of the rut he appears to be stuck in with his career.

So when the talk turned to running and his love of triathlons (he's propper hardcore!) he told me that his wife was training for the Ironman.
"Rather her than me"
"That's what I said!" he replied.

While we were in the pub I also saw a fella with a pair of Merrell shoes and commented in passing, because you never see people wearing Merrells. Okay, I had mine on and for a breif moment I was cool, hip and trendy. I might buy some trainers like the ones he had, simply because they looked quite awesome. Bex is turning me into a vain and fashionable young man it seems.

Didn't see Bex on Valentines Day. She was sick and didn't want me to catch it. So I shot zombies with Mel instead. That's love.

It took a good 10 minutes to make the usual 5 minute journey through the thick snow, wet slush and a really horrid feeling underfoot. Yes, I am a large, semi-muscular man, but the sound of walking through a huge vat of vomit isn't particularly appealing.
But my Merrell shoes were great. My feet were warm, comfy and most importantly dry. Also, but the time I got into the pub my shoes didn't even look remotely wet. Best purchase I've ever made. Thanks Bex for nagging me to get them. If it wasn't for you I'd have been swimming along in my soggy old trainers.

Pacer poles are supposed to give you more power in your pace and help to take weight off of your legs. You just hold them while you're walking and they do all the work for you. Or make it easier. So basically, pacer poles transmit maximum arm power and leverage into the ground to help propell you along. But what's the point in that? The idea of exercise is that you're meant to push your body to get better results, not try to make a casual stroll of a long hike.

<sarcasm> Maybe I should make my running easier with a pair of roller skates for the downhill bits? </sarcasm>