That All Important Run

Last year I ran a 5K Resolution Run in March with Pip who did the 10K and in November a 10K Mens Run and a 10K MoRun run in a space of 7 days with Ben. This year I have run a 10K Resolution Run in March and the Edinburgh 10 mile run all in aid of Stroke.

Funny old thing running - it can be absolute agony running sometimes (can feel like it is all the time), but once I stop I look forward to the next run to go on. Sometimes its hard to work up  the enthusiasm or will to go on a run, but once I am out there pounding the ground  it feels great. Great to be connected with nature and the world around me especially when it is just you and if you take those moments to look up and take it all in - life feels great, especially when I spot that heron sitting motionless by the canal or get to see an amazing sunrise/sunset. Then again I can turn up the pace or run a bit harder or longer to make myself pay for all those sins like eating to many cakes or sweets or give myself the excuse to overindulge with out feeling guilty next time round. Running allows me to loose myself with memories of the past and thoughts of now and in the future, without interruption, with freedom.


Running for me works at many levels - apart from hopefully keeping me fit -Running for charity to raise funds for a cause and in remembrance of Mum and Dad gives an extra meaning to putting myself through the grind, especially when I have been sponsored there is even more pressure to fulfil my side of the "contract" and give it my best shot.  

Of course there is also the personal satisfaction in completing the race, running faster than before and getting that all important medal of achievement. The buzz and air of anticipation that surrounds a race on the build up right up to just before the gun. All those training miles (have I done enough?) by myself and now I find myself in amongst the throng of other like minded runners all with there own agenda, but with the ultimate goal of crossing the finishing line.  

Putting the medal around your neck gives you a great sense of achievement. All that training paid off with success. The anticipation and nerves have been put to bed and replaced by exhilaration.

Nothing beats that feeling when I cross the line knowing I gave it my all and when there are others there to share that emotion it doesn't get better!! :-)









Then there is that next run to train for -  to keep fit and active and remember Mum and Dad.....

Am I Going Bonkers - 5k Mo Running to 5k Resolution Running?

Am I going bonkers? I ran my first competitive charity 5K run in November last year in the Edinburgh MoRun at Holyrood Park on the 8th November 2014. My placing was 35 out of 262 runners/28 out of 79 male runners or impressively 4th place out of 7 veterans aged over 50 in a time of 27min 22secs. I was just so chuffed to finish the race - Pip was the real star as she completed the 10K with Lucy ( 2 laps of Holyrood!!) in under an hour an  amazing achievement :-). It was a bright, cold crisp morning for the race, loads of competitors - there was a real buzz of trepidation and excitement while registering and waiting for the race to start. Little had prepared me for the steep climb soon after the start up Queens Drive to Dunsapie Loch - my thought was no way was I going to complete this race!! (All my training had been on the flat along the canal!!). But it was worth it for the view and the scenic run around the back of Arthur's Seat, past Salisbury Crags back down to the finish line just past Dynamic Earth. A real sense of achievement and pride when you cross the line makes you forget the hard training :-)

Pip and I before the race - feeling nervous!!

The 5k race start

Made it!!!

Chuffed medal holder!!

Pip and I with our race medals!

And after all that and wondering whether to do another 5k - well yes - I have registered to do the 5k Resolution Charity Run on the 1st March at Crammond in support of the Stroke Association and in memory of Mum and Dad. I hope to get a faster time and am well into my cold training now. If you would like to sponsor me click the "JustGiving Sponsor me" button at the top of my blog page to see  my sponsor page or free Text BDLT59 £1 to 70070. Or just relax, sit back and follow my update blog after the race! Thank you for following me and your support.

Tuscan Views in May

 - a surprise around every corner -

Church bells in the evening at Montescudaio, Tuscany

Birds singing in the evening at Podere Al Mare, Tuscany, May 2013

The Lyceum graduates from the Carbon Trust Scotland’s Carbon Management Programme

Certificate presented to David Tildesley, Buildings Manager at the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company by Fergus Ewing, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism and Paul Wedgwood, General Manager at Carbon Trust Scotland

The Royal Lyceum Theatre Company successfully graduated from the Carbon Trust Scotland’s Carbon Management programme on Wednesday 20 March with a commitment to reduce their carbon emissions which will see them benefit from significant financial savings over a period of five years. This makes them the first producing theatre company in the UK to graduate from the programme.

The Royal Lyceum Theatre Company was among 50 small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Scotland to graduate from the Carbon Management Programme at the official ceremony at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, receiving their certificates from Fergus Ewing MSP, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism.

By implementing the projects in their Carbon Management Plan The Royal Lyceum Theatre Company Ltd aims to cut carbon emissions by 20% which will result in savings of over £96,000 by 2017 and £39,000 per annum thereafter.

The Carbon Management programme is designed to help SMEs develop a targeted framework to deliver energy saving and carbon reduction practices by establishing their current baseline CO2 emissions, assessing the risks and opportunities posed by climate change and developing a robust strategy to reduce carbon footprints over a five to ten year period; in many cases resulting in significant financial savings.
The Carbon Management programme was rolled out to the private sector in 2011 due to the programme’s success since 2006 within the public sector. Over 150 Scottish public sector organisations have undertaken the programme since 2006.

David Tildesley, Buildings Manager at the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company, commented: “How the Lyceum interacts with the environment as a producing theatre is likely to play an increasing role in our future operational funding as a leading Scottish arts organisation. Undertaking the Carbon Management Programme seemed a natural next step if we were serious about how we could as an organisation take collective steps to reduce our environmental impact and become more sustainable. We are currently establishing a Going Green campaign with staff which will identify ways in which we can reduce our carbon emissions and protect our environment. Some of the initiatives include using Going Green notice boards to highlight how much energy we are consuming in our buildings; establishing waste recycling points for office waste; installing energy efficient lighting and controls and installing water saving devices in toilets to conserve water.”

Fergus Ewing, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, said: “I am delighted that so many private sector companies are now recognising the benefits of addressing their energy efficiency by embarking on the Carbon Management programme, which not only makes financial sense but also helps to cut damaging emissions. The fact we have over 50 companies graduating this year is extremely encouraging. These companies, from as far afield as Shetland, the Hebrides, the Highlands and down to the Central Belt, have led the way for Scottish businesses and have collectively identified potential total annual cost savings of over £3.5m, with cumulative savings approaching over £14m possible over the period of these Carbon Management Plans.”

Paul Wedgwood, General Manager at Carbon Trust Scotland, said: “The Carbon Trust Scotland has a strong track record in helping both companies and public sector organisations make significant carbon and financial savings by implementing energy saving projects. With 50 companies graduating from the programme this year, a marked increase on last year, we know there is a growing hunger amongst the private sector for better energy efficiency to reap financial benefits, particularly in the current economic climate where every penny counts. The Carbon Management programme is an excellent vehicle to achieve savings, which will not only benefit the environment but makes excellent business sense too.”

Meals on Wings

The size of the wings on an Airbus A380 are immense, understandably considering the size of the aircraft, the onboard service and food is good too with Singapore Airlines....still not sure it should be flying though?...