 So in one week I will take part in the Stirling marathon, or as its been branded this year the Great Stirling Run. The event is now in its 3rd year and it's a scenic marathon starting and finishing in the City of Stirling while taking in the surrounding rolling countryside to the north of the city, passing through small towns such as Doune, Dunblane and Bridge of Allan where the locals come out in force to support the runners.
Now let me be honest from the beginning, I am no running expert, while I was actively fit playing football at a reasonably competitive youth level up until my late teens, for the next 16-17 years I let myself go, fed up with sport, giving no thought to exercising or what I was eating, I was just being consumed with work and business and as my business developed and grew and I became more office based instead of doing physical work my weight ballooned.
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 "Our mental health affects the way we think, feel and behave. A mental health problem can feel just as bad, or worse, than any other illness" - SAMH website - www.samh.org.uk
I believe one of the biggest health challenges we currently face in the modern world is also still one of the least talked about and perhaps still thought of as a taboo subject. Great work has been undertaken in recent years in raising awareness of mental health and the importance of sufferers talking and seeking help but there's still a long way to go before mental health is taken as seriously as a physical health problem. I, like many others, face challenges each day, week, month and year with coping with my thoughts in everyday family and business life. On the days that don't go well for me, it affects my mood, my thoughts and my actions. There have been a few serious low points for me over the years but thankfully I have found and invested in methods and tactics that help me cope. From meditating, journalling, joining groups, to paper exercises such as asking myself a series of questions about my thoughts I have been able to help ease any major issues I could have had. One of those methods of coping is running - I have found changing my physical state either with running or a brisk walk to be one of my best tactics to help my mind and thoughts. Unfortunately there are many people affected by mental health - many people in everyday walks of life who from an outside perspective seem happy, seem successful and seem contented with life. But on the inside they are not coping with their thoughts. They are in a dark place inside and don't know what to do to help ease their troublesome thoughts. In recent years there has been an increase in awareness regarding mental health but there is a long way to go before, not only at public level but also at government level, mental health issues are deemed as important as a physical health issue. This year as part of my Stirling Marathon 26.2 mile challenge I would like to raise awareness and would welcome your support in donating to help the Scottish Association of Mental Health and the work they do to help and care for those affected by mental health. Please consider donating at www.scottmclean.charity Thank you for your Support Scott McLean www.scottmclean.scot The village of Cambusbarron, Stirling remembered today all those that fell during the Great War. For my generation World War 1 feels such a long time ago, with World War 2 feeling closer to our time as that war is more associated with being around the birth of our parents and the stories they could pass on to us. Unless you go deep into studying the history of WW1 I don't think we truly can appreciate the atrocities that our grandfathers and great grandfathers went through in that conflict. Like many millions throughout the world, today my family and I took time to remember and pay our respects to the millions that fell and who sacrificed to allow many future generations hope and opportunity.  A massive thank you to all our team plus friends, family, suppliers, delivery drivers and our postman who all donated towards the Macmillan Cancer Support Coffee morning recently held at our Stirling Electrical/Alarms office.   22 years ago today (8th October) my business life began with an electrical job at Smiths Restaurant in Stirling.
It's been a long journey since then with so many ups and downs and so many wins and losses where every day there is another lesson to be learned. Thank you to all who have supported me and Stirling Electrical Services Ltd. (SES) over the past 22 years, especially my very supportive wife.  90 days ago as part of one of my 'Fun' goals to achieve in this quarter I said I wanted to have a go at Ice Skating.
Not once before had I tried it in my life. Today I hit my target. But after the first 10 minutes on the ice I was tapping out. I couldn't move forward, I couldn't move away from holding onto the side. I was finished. After standing at the side for a few minutes and after a good few deep breaths I quickly threw that 'finished' story out of my head. Back on the ice, I was re-focussed. What I hadn't realised before was that I had about a hundred teachers all around me. I stood and watched, I took in how they moved on the ice, how they balanced. I stood and watched how they flicked their feet and the motions they made. Ok, lets go again then I said to myself. Slowly and uneasily...I managed to move forward and I moved away from the side. Around and around the rink I went. I stopped at times, I rested, I looked at others again to learn more. I was now moving faster, I was feeling more comfortable - it also helped that I had tightened my boots. Around and around the rink I went......thud. The more comfortable I felt with the level I was at the faster I pushed myself. But this created a new challenge - it was now time to fall down. As my confidence grew, I wanted to expand, I wanted to move faster, I wanted to be more graceful. But that brings with it new challenges. Thud, Thud, Thud....it's bloody sore falling on hard ice, that's something else I've learned as well today. 90 minutes later, sweating (how can that be in an ice rink) I was skating and still falling over but where I had came from to where I was now in the space of 90 minutes was massive. From, wanting to quit after 10 minutes, to simply changing the story in my head that ice skating was too difficult and I couldnt do it, to watching and learning from others around me. From falling down, bruised and sore, I got back up and tried and tried again. Dancing on Ice is a long way off, infact skating for more than 2 minutes without falling on my arse will still take many more hours to achieve. But funny how the above is just like all the things we achieve in life. From fear and dread to begin with, to taking small steps, making mistakes and learning from those mistakes to eventual improvement and success as long as we persevere and put in the hard work. I dread to think what my next 90 day 'fun' goal will be. My new podcast is now available where I will discuss business, fitness and family. Hopefully I will provide some words of wisdom along the way. The podcast is available to listen and subscribe to on a host of popular platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Full details are on my new podcast page.  I admit it’s taken me many years to realise but if you own a business or looking to progress your career this is the best investment of your time.  Celebrating with the boys #Stirlingmarathon New PB 3h49m55s - 9 minutes faster than last year. Thank you to all for the support and donations. #stirlingmarathon #stirling #scotland#running #ukrunchat #ukrunning |
Scott McLeanBusiness , Weather, Community, Charity 
www.stirlingelectrical.co.uk
www.stirlingalarms.co.uk
www.stirlingweather.co.uk
www.saturntaxis.com
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