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Ray Poynter

Ray Poynter at start of the Spine Race

Success disguised as failure

On Sunday morning at 8am I set off running 431km (268 miles) from Edale in the middle of England to Kirk Yetholm in Scotland, along the Pennine Way, as part of the Spine Race. However, I had to drop out at the first checkpoint, 72km (45 miles). It is clear

My first FRA, AL Fell Race – by the skin of my teeth

I tried a new race today. I knew that I would be under pressure to complete the checkpoints within the time limits, and I did it, just. Here is the story and perhaps a lesson or two.

Ray Poynter

Sometimes you need a plan C as well as a plan B

Today, I participated in Rasselbock’s off-road marathon in Sherwood Pines (a nearby forest just south of the more famous Sherwood Forest). I am not training for marathons at the moment; my focus is on the Spine Race in January 2025 (a 268-mile / 440 km race carrying a relatively heavy bag). So, I wa

Ray at the end of the race

2001: A Running Odyssey

Today, my run streak (i.e., running every day) reached 2001 days (just under five and a half years). People have different definitions of what running every day means; for me, it means a minimum of 3km (just under two miles).

Ray at the Minano Trail Race

The Minano 50K Trail Race

I have just had a fantastic weekend participating in the Minano 50K Trail Race (a 52km race in the mountains near Chichibu, Japan). Here is my account of the race.

Great Torii gate

Enjoying Golden Week

In Japan around the end of April and the start of May is Golden Week. This is a when four public holidays coincide and which has led to a custom of making this a special week, with lots of people going on trips. This week I was lucky enough to be invited by two friends to join them on a four-day, Go

Koinobori

Making the most of opportunities

Compared with most people, I am very lucky in the opportunities I get. One skill I have developed over the years is to grab opportunities when they arise and seek to enjoy the moment. This weekend was a good example of luck and of seizing the moment. I am in Japan for just under a month, a mixture o