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James | Trail Runner & Ultra Running

@runningtofeel

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Ordinary runner. Stubbornly going long.
Trail running for the head as much as the finish line.
Resilience, big mountains + questionable humour.

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Look at anyone at a big event, everyone will have a story.

For some just making the start line is a monumental achievement, then to reach the finish line is emotional.

A feeling that cannot be described in words.

Life is made up of chapters, some tough ones, some great ones. Work your way through them, because there is always a new one and it could be incredible. by @runningtofeel

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2 months ago

6 nights in the desert with @ultraxco
Back to providing purpose in my life. Supporting runners doing extraordinary things.

First time in the Wadi Rum desert and needless to say that is one special place.

Made even more special by the people at the event. Runners, crew, medics, therapists, media team, and local team also.

Honestly, working on events is the gift that keeps giving. Yes it’s hard work, yes it’s long days. But I’d have it no other way.

These are moments which all become beautiful memories and I love it. taken in Wadi Rum Desert, Jordan by @runningtofeel

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10 days ago

Bucket list experience.

This week I have been slightly offline, whilst crewing @ultraxjordan in the Wadi Rum desert.

Crewing this with @ultraxco has been on my bucket list for a long time and I was lucky enough to be able to join them for the 10th edition of this incredible event.

So much to say about what has been an incredible week supporting many amazing runners and a brilliant volunteer crew.

Felt like a dream come true this week.

For now… just this simple reel showing the joy of the office for the week.

🫡 taken in Wadi Rum by @runningtofeel

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13 days ago

Personal growth. Apparently. taken in Chamonix, France by @runningtofeel

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2 months ago

I’ve struggled with my own body image for a long time. Basically since getting made redundant and breaking my leg. Twice.

I put on weight, and for the longest time, even recently, I haven’t felt like I’d really shifted any of it.

Every time I saw a picture of myself, I hated it. My head would immediately go, “Come on Cookie, you still need to lose more.”

Then I saw this picture.

Taken by @danbentleyphoto at @itswhywerun .

And for the first time in a long time, I didn’t hate what I saw.

Funny how the person in the photo hasn’t suddenly changed.

Just goes to show, a camera, and your own opinion, only ever tell one side of the story.

Not sure what I’m trying to say here apart from be kind to yourself. by @runningtofeel

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23 days ago

15 Legends, 5 Days, 250km, over £31,000 raised.

WhyWeRun Wales 2026 was special this year.
A smaller group, meant more connection, more moments, more memories.

Luckily this year, the weather treated us with better days, and impressive sunsets. Obviously, Wales is Wales and we had one day where the winds and rain forced change upon us.
Much like life, we can plan for one thing, life throws another idea - we have to accept and adapt. These runners took it in their stride.

Each year I’m reminded as to how special this event is and how privileged I am to be able to help facilitate something that has far reaching impact as well as genuinely life changing for both runners and further afield.

To the runners, I hope you all had many moments that become memories. An adventure that lasts a lifetime, friends formed and a new outlook on life.

To the crew, your boundless energy, empathy and support you seem to have on endless supply for these runners always astounds me. We are so lucky and proud to have you part of the community. Thank you for everything you do.

To the medics, your professionalism, attention to detail and just watching and caring for everyone is unmatched.

To our therapist team, you are quite literally the glue and the tape that holds everyone together.

To everyone involved, including supporting brands, Celtic Camping - Thank you. Without you, this just cannot be done.

It’s been an incredible week that will stay with me forever.

As one event finishes, we are already planning 2027. Entires are already open for @itswhywerun Wales 2027.

Big Love.

📸 @danbentleyphoto taken in St. David’s, Pembrokeshire by @runningtofeel

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25 days ago

We need your help, next week is set to be extraordinary.

Our group of incredible human beings are about to run 250km over 5 days, along the Welsh coastal path, in what is always unpredictable conditions 😅 and they need your help.

Yes, this is a personal challenge for every one of them, but it’s also for a bigger purpose too.

Every £100 these runners raise for @bigmoose.charity pays for an hour of therapy with human givens trained therapists. People get a response within 24 hours and seen in a matter of days, not months.

It’s genuinely life changing, not just for the runner but for those that receive this support as a direct result of their journey.

The charity have been there for @runningtofeel and I, we’ve been the beneficiaries of that service, it makes it that much more important for us to give back - as we know how powerful it can be.

We’ve learned that we’re stronger together. Asking for help is a strength. Life is meant to be a shared journey; and we get to create this space for others to explore this for themselves.

So as I said at the start of the caption, we need your help! Help us raise as much awareness and money as possible so we can help as many people as possible in return.

Thank you and we hope you’re inspired by what these incredible people are doing 🙏 by @runningtofeel

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a month ago

Feel cute, won’t delete.

September is a busy month. Not quite sure how I ended up this busy, however it’s a good thing.

Last weekend, with @ultraxco in Slovenia.
This great 📸 caught by @danae_visuals_

Tomorrow, on a plane to the UK and Wales for @itswhywerun

Then after that, we are back with @ultraxco heading to Jordan for @ultraxjordan

Love being in position where I can give my time to events that create genuine life improving experiences for people.

Very thankful for the opportunities life is presenting right now, and privileged to meet so many incredible and interesting people along the way.

Just need to fit some running in around this now. by @runningtofeel

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a month ago

Back to work! 🫡

It’s been a while since I volunteered with @ultraxco, mostly thanks to work, life and everything in between.

As I move into a new chapter, getting back to the things that give me purpose, connection and genuine joy feels pretty important.

So this past weekend I headed to Slovenia to crew at @ultraxslovenia.

It was busy. It was ridiculously hot. But supporting the runners, spending a few days with an incredible crew, and experiencing another brilliant Ultra X event was exactly what I needed.

Huge shoutout to everyone behind the scenes who worked their arses off to make the weekend what it was. ❤️

Next up… @itswhywerun Wales.

Apparently I’ve decided September is for working at endurance events. 😂 taken in Ajdovščina, Slovenia by @runningtofeel

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a month ago

Think I misunderstood European Campsites.
Quite literally the only tent amongst Caravans and Camper Vans.
Only one van conversion on site. Average age 70+.

Still, for one night next to a lake, it was ok. by @runningtofeel

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a month ago

MCC didn’t turn out to be the race id trained for.
It became a race of survival.

After Col de Forclaz, my stomach went. I was bloated, uncomfortable and unable to get proper nutrition in. The plan I had rehearsed, now was irrelevant.

On my way to Col de Balme, I was in a pretty dark place. I hurt, I was sick, energy disappearing, and so was my goal time.

There were moments where I genuinely questioned why the fuck I was still moving forward, and if somebody offered me an exit, I likely would have taken it. But there wasn’t, so we kept going.

Somewhere along the way, I reminded myself of everything I have endured before, the challenges I’ve overcome. I hadn’t come this far to only come this far.

In a small mountain refuge, I managed to buy a bottle of coke. This I think genuinely saved the day. We just kept sipping on this for the next hour.

Not exactly my dialed in nutrition plan, but it was a new plan.

A friendly face at Col de Balme helped the head, we finished the coke, refilled the bottles and off we went.

Little by little things started moving in the right direction. We could start getting a lot more water in, and hydration improved. We refilled again at Le Tour and onto Argentiere.

Here, a few crackers and watermelon went down fine. So we cracked on with just enough energy to keep moving reasonably well!

There was no heroic turnaround, no magic fix. I never felt amazing, just one foot in front of the other.

Then the rain came. And weirdly, this felt awesome. We locked in and began running.

Over the bridge and onto the river path, I’ve run this stretch to the finish a thousand times. We went. With anything and everything we had left.
We are running home.

I’ve thought about resilience over the past year. A word often thrown my way.

Sometimes it isnt feeling strong.
Sometimes it isn’t being positive.

Sometimes resilience is simply reaching the point where you don’t give yourself or had another choice.

You hurt, you doubt, you want an easier options.
And you take another step anyway.

MCC Finisher.
Comeback complete, or just beginning?

You got this. taken in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc by @runningtofeel

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a month ago

Two years out of racing, four months of training and one MCC finish later…

Am I going to wear this medal around Chamonix like I’ve just won the fucking thing?

Absolutely.

Jokes aside, I’m incredibly proud of this one. It means more than the medal ever could.

#chamonix #utmbworldseries #utmb #utmbmcc #medal taken in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc by @runningtofeel

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2 months ago