I don't like Mondays, but I liked this one!

The last few weeks, the last few months even has seen a steep decline in the number of articles on my blog. That's not to say I haven't been running, far from it, I have been running more than ever. 

Recently I have really struggled to find the motivation and brain power to write anything, I have had plenty of good ideas and have on several occasions started to write things but have just lacked the will to get anything published. The only reason I can think of for this is my new job which I started earlier this year which certainly takes up a bit more mental energy as well as more of my time. 

So what better way to get my motivation reignited than on a Monday, but not just any Monday, a Monday off work. Not only a Monday off work but a Monday off work started off with a run. 

Monday marks the start of the working week, along with the dread of embarking on five days of work that hangs over the working population like a dark cloud on a Monday morning there is also a ray of optimism that every Monday brings. A new week, a chance to start again, a whole range of new possibilities for how the week might turn out.

It depends how you look at it, you can choose to treat it as an opportunity or fear it as a dreaded curse. I summed up these kind of thoughts and feelings in an article I wrote for Running Junkies last year which can be read here if you so wish.

Any way back to today, I am now less than two weeks away from the Vanguard Way marathon and although I have trained hard I am not feeling particularly marathon ready. The reasons for this is mainly due I think to poor diet in recent weeks as well changing my training to bring a greater focus to each run and to really concentrate on pacing. Despite this added focus I feel more confused about my pacing, how fast I can run and how I should pace my marathon, but anyway that's a story for another article which I will hopefully write shortly! 

This morning I found myself at the house of my brother in law and running buddy, not to mention frequent character in my blog, Tom in Tunbridge Wells following an excellent day at the cricket yesterday watching Essex v Kent at the Nevill Cricket Ground in Tunbridge Wells. Despite a day sat in the sun drinking a few amount of alcoholic refreshment and an evening spent sampling some of Tunbridge Wells fine drinking establishments not to mention a late night curry we were still keen to venture out for an early morning jaunt. 

What followed was a 7K speedy canter out of Tunbridge Wells along a bridal path out towards the Sussex border providing some great views over the South East. It was quite a hilly little run with at last three decent testing climbs and a few gentle downhills. 

It was still a humid morning with a thick covering of cloud following early morning showers, a light drizzle provided some nice refreshment without getting us too wet.

On a clear day the views but be spectacular but today they were hidden from view, the moody weather conditions not wanting to unveil what lay beyond.

I must admit I struggled at first, the steepness of the run, the beers and ciders consumed yesterday along with Tom's rapid early pace all proved rather challenging.

Hope you are happy with your increased presence on the blog Tom?!  

The frustration I have running with Tom is that where as I like a thorough warm up routine prior to setting out running Tom is more of a throw on some running kit and head straight out the door type of guy. It's just the way our bodies differ and I must say I am envious to be able to just run rather than needing to stretch muscles and increase blood flow before contemplating heading off. So it took me a good 3 or 4 Kms before I felt warmed up, anyway that's my excuse for struggling to keep up with Tom on the first half of the run! 

Back at the house Tom cooked up an excellent post run breakfast, a Jamie Oliver inspired concoction, sweet corn pancakes topped with tomatoes, avocado, pancetta, syrup, natural yogurt and a squeeze of lime juice. It sounds far too much for one dish but all I can say is, it works!

What better way to start a Monday?! Certainly better than being stuck on my desk ploughing my way through the weekends email. So with an invigorating run under my belt I am looking forward to my training ahead this week, of course it will be scaled down a bit as I start to taper but it will be enjoyable none the less. 

I hope your Monday and your week got off to a great start, whatever you have planned make the most of your week and have a great weeks training!

A weekend in Somerset

This last weekend was a weekend without running but instead filled with the delights that Somerset had to offer.

Friday was a journey down to Taunton on the train and then an afternoon drinking cider in The Plough Inn which has held the recognition of being CAMRAs Somerset cider pub of the year. 

With all that drinking some food was required to soak up some of the alcohol and what better than a delicious pieminster pie?! I opted for the beef and Stilton option which provided a nice combination of rich meatiness and creamy cheesiness. The pie was served with an accompaniment of mashed potato, minted mushy peas and onion gravy and the meal was enjoyable and fulfilling. 

Friday evening and off to the main entertainment of the day, cricket action with the T20 blast game SomersetvEssex. Although the game was delayed by rain and interrupted and cut short through bad light it was still a pretty entertaining game and good contest between the teams with Essex coming out on top which made the trip down to this away game more than worth the wile! 

Saturday was then a visit to some of the attractions you only really find in Somerset, cider farms! As a cider lover my first visit to a cider farm had the potential to be an almost religious pilgrimage experience. I managed to contain the gravitas of the situation and met the prospect with my usual excitement and exuberance.

Our first visit was to the Burrow Hill cider farm in Martock where their rustic farm shop was decadently laid out with an abundance of cider and apple related products beautifully laid out for sale. A strong mental disposition was required to overcome the inherent urge to splurge money on every pretty shiny bottle containing sweet apple tasting goodness. 

The farm and the shop was very traditional and rustic and gave away little to suggest that their cider making process had developed much since their production began some 150 years ago despite advances in technology and increased demands due to the surge in popularity in cider. 

After much deliberation and quite a few tastings to try to help make my mind up I eventually settled on a 4 litre bottle of medium cider to take away with me. A large bag of their own brand salt and cider vinegar crisps as well as a bottle of their renowned cider brandy completed my purchases and I was glad to beat a hasty exit form the shop without inflicting any further damage to my bank balance. 

Luckily we had managed to avoid the frequent showers that kept recurring throughout the day and we were able to take a walk around their orchard to get more up close and personal with their prized crop. 

The walk also gave a good view of the burrow hill, an unmistakable local landmark of a one tree hill peering out over the local landscape. You can just about make it out in the centre of the following photo, as you can also see it unfortunately wasn't the most pleasant of summers days. 

Next it was on-wards to Perry's cider farm in Ilminster which is in contract a more commercial and visitor friendly operation containing a small museum as well as a shop and Cafe and eatery. 

The museum although small is completing crammed with old farming and cider making artifacts as well as information on cider apples and cider production.  

The shop is where the magic really happens though and is again a place where your bank card could come in for some real punishment. 

The large barrels below contain the different varieties of ciders Perry's produce in an almost try before you buy fashion. The shop is slick and sharp country farm type shop full of not only a wider range of Perrys merchandise and products but also a comprehensive range of all kinds of products from other suppliers who follow the same natural ethos that Perry's adhere to. 

After helping myself to a more than a fair and acceptable amount of cider its a good job there was some food on offer. The onsite Cafe and Eatery served up a great tasting lunch of locally produced and naturally prepared food. I opted for the special which was a Perry's Platter which was a generous serving of cold meats, cheeses, salad, chutney, pickle and fresh bread, needless to say this was all washed down with generous amounts of cider!

I would recommend a trip to Perry's for anyone visiting the area with a passing interest in cider or even an interest in freshly produced natural produce. 

Once again my visit to the West Country has provided a great weekend, it must be something about consuming large quantities of cider that makes for a great time!