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James Mackeddie

Endurance | Adventure | Chill

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  • Who is James?
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By: jamesmackeddie April 23, 2019

TFT Dalby 2

Posted by:jamesmackeddie

Runner, Writer, Blogger, Photographer

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Trash Free Trails – Dably & Grizedale Spring Trail Clean Tour Stops

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The final day of @trashfreetrails #selfLessisolation Project & it’s been a interesting challenge with the limitations the current situation imposed on all What it lead to was creativity, adaption & ownership of those trails closest to you Despite hoards hitting the local trails of late, on the whole, trash isn’t a major issue on my local trails, however, below are some handles of epic people who’ve been finding, documenting & collecting it by the black bag full! @24tom @julialikesbikes @badlydrawnchalk @calchap123 @rosslambie @duncan_machin @lucathurlow @owenorange @leonrosser & many others! Cheers to @domtrashfreetrails, Ben (@rideguard) & the A-TEAM for an inspiring 6 weeks 🤘🏻 . #trashfreetrail #protectwhatyoulove
With the inevitable news of @utmbmontblanc being cancelled & memories flooding social feeds, I rediscovered this @goprouk video from 2016 when I was chasing @nickyspinks @ultra_damo & Jasmin Paris round the course for @inov_8 After what had been a hectic & eyeopening night in the back of a minibus with @24tom, stopping at several CPs following the lead pack, we hiked up to Grand Col Ferret under head torch, to be greeted by an insane cloud inversion at 4am, lighting up the peaks above As we waited, with Italian Mountain Rescue dressed in down suits, the like you’d see on Mount Everest, & us in running kit with some lightweight insulation, we had plenty of time to take in the vistas, before a snarling @zachmiller38 punched through the clouds leading the race It remains one of those pinch me moments #notanotherselfiestick #utmb
Tomorrow @pyllon Wolf Pact kicks off at 6AM (& don’t I know it having our teams 6AM slot 😎) . 1 hour of speed & pacing, covering as much distance as possible, in a relay that takes in 9 team members giving it all After last months individual WAVA challenges, it’s now time to virtually race as a team Members of the GREATEST team tagged - Bolt Ya Rocket! 🚀 . Some could call @hunterfituk out for dirty tactics last night 😂 . Swipe📱 👈🏻 . #teampyllon #pyllonwolfpact
Today marks the start of Mental Health Awareness Week I feel safe to make a generalisation that everyone reading this has had to confront some sort of challenge over the past couple of months I know I’ve had some darker moments, some episodes where i felt helpless & things have become too much, like some of those climbing the ridge above In truth, it wasnt too much & through acts of kindness from friends, colleagues & strangers on here, I was able to bounce back & offer the same support to others. I’ve checked in with more people over the last 10 weeks then probably the past few years, experienced conversations I wouldn’t have had, made new friends, expanded my mind & shared It may seem trivial, in a time where face to face interactions are limited at best, where a screen has come to signify connectivity, relationships & socialising - but that simple act of reaching out, of being there has huge power & significance This years theme for the week is an Act of Kindness & right now, you can positively impact someone’s day with a few letters & emojis I’m not for one second suggesting you light up the DMs of everyone you follow or who follows you, but if you were to share a short conversation with a different person every day of this week, and moreover, take that forward for the remainder of the month, you can, if only for a brief spell, make someone feel less isolated - including yourself So here’s to a week of being aware & random acts of kindness This community is pretty special, whether you follow me for shots of runners, gear reviews, my personal mental health experiences or that you simply got bored one day, hit follow & can’t be bothered to change it What matters is that you are here & we can give to others If you ever want to chat, my DMs are always open to anyone & everyone I’ve tagged some great charities in on the photo who can offer professional support #mentalhealthawarenessweek #randomactsofkindness
When I set up @faces_of_the_trail , I was shooting more races, sharing adventures with others on the trail & travelling a lot 2 years on, before all this kicked off, that had changed somewhat I had a grand vision, a space I could share peoples stories, from meeting them & capturing their personality via the medium of photography, whilst they arranged words to tell their trail tale Things have significantly shifted in the past months & it’s time to evolve the page & website to reflect this Time to invite everyone to join in If you want to learn more about the changes & how to get involved tap the handle @faces_of_the_trail to find out #facesofthetrail
I grew up being told I was worthless My mother, in her wisdom, took it upon herself to do her best to unsettle me & question my position in all I did. Some of the lasts words she said to me when I moved out at 16 were ‘you’re worthless, you’ll never achieve anything.’ Since then I’ve been trying to find myself & continue to 14 years later. In all I’ve done, I can look back & see some part of my reasoning for taking up a sport, joining a team or organisation, speaking to others or looking into opportunities was for self validation In recent years #teampyllon has been my time free time investment, along with shooting races/events, riding & trying to be outside more My father, who I moved in with at 16 told me before he had brain surgery in 2009, that his biggest fear for me, is that I’ll never be happy. That I couldn’t find happiness in my day to day life. And, I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t an element of truth in the fact being genuinely happy comes rarely to me But, we can forge our own way & make decisions that create long term changes. We have the power to influence & build what matters most to us. It’s not easy, set backs are guaranteed, but little by little, consistency can lead to change I took this photo the other week, psyched to go out & run, when my most valuable possession was the ability to exercise outside. No perfectly crafted photo, just happiness & energy
It can be hard at times to quantify our relationship with the outdoors, what role in plays in our life’s, decisions we make & the way in which we chose to live I’ve found myself contemplating mine. Where racing sits, where testing myself, applying risk, who I share it with & how i interact with it all mean to me In short I have no answers. Right now it’s too big a question, with variables that change like the direction of a storm front But I do know I’ve not valued it enough, not cherished the opportunities to run & ride, walk & observe. At times I’ve negatively got consumed in ideals of physical fitness & not coming close to these, I’ve found myself retreat further indoors. Others I’ve taken the easy option, rather then make the most in less then ideal conditions. Taken it for granted & missed out I’ve been externally grateful over the past weeks for being able to head outside & escape the confines of the house. To have those interactions from a distance that solitary living doesn’t provide More than anything, it’s elicited feelings that only the trail can provide
I was considering long stints in the shower with 3 new running waterproofs in for review (the first is being released in the next couple of days) But then the weather shifted & they’re very much in need now Self portraits in the courtyard as you try to keep the camera dry are always good fun Wonder if the neighbours noticed 😆 . #britishspring #waterproofjacket
Last night was pretty special Cooler temperatures & different atmospherics, as cloud rolled in, ahead of a week of precipitation & new energy. The trails have held up well, but now the classic sands of Woburn are taking over, blowing out corners, creating sand traps in areas. Water is needed The bluebells seem to be at 11 currently, fields of delicate petals covering anywhere with a modicum of shade. Never seem them out in such force Both bike & trail provide sanity, an escape #woburnbiketrails #trashfreetrails #sonyrx100 #ofnaturenotagainst

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