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Ruth Runs for Mind: A Quick Thank You

I ran a Half Marathon yesterday. So here’s a quick post to say thank you.

A welcome biscuit.
A welcome biscuit.

According to the provisional timings I made it to the finish line in 2 hours, 19 minutes and 10 seconds – pretty nice for a first half marathon, I reckon. And so much the better to learn that you’ve now helped me raise more than £300 for Mind – with payday still to come!

Most of all, this is for you lot. Thank you all, so much, for all your support – whether you’ve made a donation, suggested a song to help me along, or wished me luck on the way to this day. I’ve never done so much as a fun run before now. I honestly could not have done this without you. Thank you.

While I’m still collecting up photos and things, if you’ve yet to do so, and you’d like to make a donation to my fundraising efforts for Mind, the link is here

http://www.justgiving.com/ruthruns-edinburgh

Thank you, everyone!

Finally, I’d like to say a massive thank you to all the wonderful folks at Mind and Tyneside Mind for all their support and encouragement, as well as the organisers at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival. Thank you, guys – you’re ruddy splendid!
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Blog Music Other Stuff Ruth Runs

Ruth Runs for Mind – Edinburgh Half Marathon Playlist

One day to go before The Big Day, and I have to say this, first of all:

You lot bloody well did it, didn’t you?

New Picture (3) cropped
Thank you so much!


More than £200 raised for the mental health charity Mind, plus another £46.25 in Gift Aid. And that’s with payday donations still to be added. Thank you everyone, so, so much for supporting me and Mind. This donation is going to make such a difference to people’s lives, truly.

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Blog Fiction Music Other Stuff Photography Photos Reviews Ruth Runs

Bits and Bobs: EMF Half Marathon, ASFAR, Matt Pryor, Allison Weiss, Dogs playing Cards and more

 
Hi everyone! Here are a few odds and sods that have been gathering over the last couple of weeks…
 

  • It’s just under a week now to the Edinburgh Half Marathon, which you all know I’m running for the mental health charity Mind, right? I’m currently going through all your song suggestions for my Half Marathon playlist – there’s more than 70 RUDDY SONGS here – aren’t you lot splendid? I should be posting about the final shortlist in the next couple of days.

 

  • Meanwhile, there’s still time to donate to the main fundraising over on my Just Giving page. After Mental Health Awareness Week last week, the target is so close! If you can spare a donation, please head to http://www.justgiving.com/ruthruns-edinburgh/

 

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Blog BlogHops and Blog Tours Fiction Music Opinion Reviews Writing Process

Blog Tour: Writers’ Blog Tour

It’s not just a clever name.

You may have seen the Writing Process Blog Tour that’s been doing the rounds recently. I’ve been tagged by Neil Williamson, who in turn was tagged by Liz Williams, and Claire Weaver before her. However, I also recommend checking out Nick Harkaway‘s one on this, and Libby McGuigan‘s, and Jacey Bedford‘s – or, indeed, any of the other Writing Process blogs that have been cropping up, as they’re really quite interesting.

While my answers are mostly about fiction writing, the last part also has a little something about my process when it comes to music and non-fiction work. While it fits here, there seemed to be little point in doing this for the other questions – “because I was commissioned to do it” seems somewhat churlish an answer. I’ve also tagged three folks who I’m hoping will provide three very different insights into their own media… But first things first.

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Blog Music Photo Friday Photography Photos

Photo Friday: The Lake Poets, Tissue Culture, Trev Gibb

Back to normal for this week’s Photo Friday. Or at least, as close to normal as it gets. Last Saturday was The Roots Of… show at The Cluny 2, a benefit gig for the Tyneside branch of Mind (who I’m also raising money for at the Edinburgh Half Marathon this year…). A bunch of cracking local bands came together for some unique takes on the songs that have influenced them.

Archie from Tissue Culture at The Cluny 2 - 3rd May 2014
Archie from Tissue Culture at The Cluny 2 – 3rd May 2014

While I rocked up a bit late to catch High Tide 1547, or most of Hannah D’Arcy (who was in ruddy splendid voice that night), certainly Tissue Culture, The Lake Poets, and Trev Gibb and his band really did Tyneside Mind proud. Here are some of my highlights, along with some shots from the show: