iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Finished on a 90km week. Can’t decide whether to try and match that again! #runsky #nonbinaryrunner

Anson with no shirt on in a woody area of grassland

Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Can you tell my weekend run was very windy? Took me over 8h to do only 55km & 1500m elevation 😭 But my it’s exposed up on the South Downs & i guess weather meant it was a great chance to check out some key bits of kit for upcoming #Winter200 ultra!! 😍 #runsky

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Sundays were meant for faffing, so decided to find out what that new biofilm was coating our garden pond… 🦠 🧪

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Running in the dark in a forest is brilliant. We saw loads of deer & frogs and heard bars & owls. But I woke up this morning full of scratches & bruises from tripping on roots & slamming into broken branches. But I loved every gruelling minute of it! 😍 #runsky

Selfie of Anson’s head whilst they are out running the dark. They are wearing a vest and head torch.

Photo of two runners standing in a forest clearance with their head torched on

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Ring muscle-up progresses albeit very slowly! But this is the first time I’ve managed with only using a thin yellow band!! 💛 #callisthenics

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Gorgeous run in the rain this morning. Barely stopped smiling for 2 hours!! 💙 #runsky

Selfie of Anson smiling in the rain whilst on a run. They are wearing a black running vest. Distance & time taken are in the top left hand corner

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

My contribution to #wildflowerhour & #commonnames this week involves a couple of rarities found during my visit to Durness SAC in NW Scotland last week. Parnassia palustris or ‘bog-star’ and Dryas octopetala or ‘mountain avens’ @wildflowerhour

3 Flowers of Parnassia palustris or bog star. The flower has 5 creamy white petals with a pink centrepiece . The flowers are lying against green grass

White flower of Dryas octopetala that has 8 petals, a yellow centre and is lying against its green clunky leaves

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Stunning run round Balnakeil & Durness this morning #runsky #trailrun #sutherland

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Lovely 50km run up through Epping Forest & back today. Got a bit incensed by the golf course watering the green during peak temp and evaporation! The law needs to be changed! #runsky

Anson smiling at the camera wearing only a black running vest

Sprinkler being used to green the grass (foreground) for golfers. The background shows effects of drought with parched brown landscape

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

10s of thousands attended London trans+ pride today for an afternoon of love & rage 🏳️‍⚧️ Loved to see so many non-binary people as well 💛🤍💜🖤 #transpride #nonbinary

Anson and David marching on london trans+ pride. Anson is wearing a white T-shirt with “trans cult” written on it. David is wearing a black T-shirt

Lots of people holding placards and signs marching down regents steet in the sun

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Not weird, but currently a record card of a line drawing I made of a diatom from Lesotho!

Record card being used as a bookmark. On the record card is a line drawing of a diatom called Hantzchia amphioxis

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Like a ritual, before I start counting #diatoms from a new core, I always draw my own library of images of key taxa from that site. It makes research really slow going at first, but I find it quite cathartic. These are diatoms from a Lesotho wetland 🧪 🦠

Two images of hand-drawn diatoms, one above each other. Top drawing is of the genus Denticula, and the lower image is of the genus Nitzschia. Size dimensions are also written on the record cards

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Not part of #lawnflowers challenge, but not the less interesting for it - Orobanche hederae, or ivy broomrape, growing amongst, well ivy, on an unmown verge in east London! #wildflowerhour

Orobanche hederae, the ivy broomrape, growing amongst ivy. It is a parasitic plant and is yellow as it doesn’t contain any chlorophyll

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Second ultramarathon in 2 weeks - The Queen of the Suburbs (50km)! This time though I was a welfare runner, staying at back of pack to make sure other runners were doing ok in London’s heatwave 🥵 #runsky

Strava map showing 50km ultra route in west London

Anson & Hannah both wearing black running vests

Runner on path next to field of blue flowers

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Gorgeous wildflower meadow as seen on my ultramarathon in west london this afternoon, with contrasting red poppies, white ox eye daisies & blue cornflowers ❤️🤍💙 #wildflowerhour

Red poppies, white ox eye daisies and blue cornflowers growing amongst tall green grass

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

The London100km #ultramarathon on Saturday did not disappoint 🤩 Managed knee osteoarthritis pain successfully which was a huge relief as pounding those pavements for almost 14h was not kind 😅 *runsky

Becks & Anson wearing running gear showing off their black metal medals on yellow ribbon. They are standing below a pink parasol

Route map of the London100 km ultramarathon plotted in yellow. Total distance completed of 106.01 km also shown

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Going for an unplanned long long run on the hottest day of the year so far may not have been my best idea, but my, I loved every tired kilometre of it 🤩 #runsky

Anson eating an ice cream cone beside a lake. They have ice cream on their nose & moustache!

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Camino Ultra organised a fantastic 50km #ultramarathon along the Lea Valley canal. The sun shone, and there was a party-like atmosphere at the end. I even managed to win the trophy for fastest non-binary runner 🥹 #runsky #lgbtq 📷 Dr Helen Farebrother-Naylor

Close-up if Anson holding a wooden medal for finishing an ultramarathon

Paula in a pink vest presenting Anson with the trophy for fastest nonbinary runner. The trophy is a green Bucky watering can used by canal boat people.

Photo taken by Dr Helen Farebrother-Naylor

Google Map showing route in yellow of the Lea Valley Ultra. Distance covered highlighted is 50.35km

Canal boats on the Lea Valley canal, with trees on the right hand side

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Long run today in what felt like the first day of spring ☀️ #runsky #ultramarathontraining

Anson standing in front of a lake. They’re wearing a blue vest & black running vest.

Running route via Coros showing key data of 34.06km

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

New blog post up on my @spinerace.bsky.social DNF. My post sits alongside one by the phenomenal Ruden Bhutia. Thank you to Camino Ultra for hosting these. #runsky #ultramarathon #spinerace www.caminoultra.com/post/spine-2...

Two photos of Ruden and Anson, one positioned on top of each other. Both are holding spine race numbers and standing in front of a spine race background of orange and black logos

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Glorious run in the sun today. Managed not to cross my own path 😅 #runsky #nonbinaryrunner

Anson wearing a white vest and running waistcoat, taking selfie in front of two tall blocks of flat next to a football field. Added label says 22.01km

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

After Spine DNF, time to get back on the saddle, so to speak 😅 #runsky

Anson selfie wearing black top in front of an urban lake on their run. Run detailed 10k

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

As if it couldn’t get any worse, I shrunk my favourite woolly hat (in photo) in the wash last night 😭😂

Anson wearing a blue top but also wearing a shrunken yellow woolly hat on top of their head

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

My @spinerace.bsky.social didn’t quite go according to plan with my second ever DNF 😭 Taking the positives, I got to the start line, I have a new appreciation for how tough the race is, and for how tough the runners are who make it to the end!! #runsky 2nd 📸 credit: @andrewhendryphotographer

Runners in background traipsing through snow & blizzard conditions

Three runners talking against background of dark sky

Photo credit: @andrewhendryphotographer

Anson walking wearing green and black waterproofs, holding walking poles

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Kit-check done & registered! Chomping at the bit now to get started on my @spinerace.bsky.social adventure ❄️ 🌧️ 🧊 ⛰️ You can track my 🔵 here for the next 6-7 days #195 live.opentracking.co.uk/spinerace26/ #nonbinaryrunner #runsky #ultramarathon

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Packing an extensive mandatory kit for @spinerace.bsky.social becomes its own art from! #ultramarathon #spinerace

Image taken looking top down onto a carpeted floor with lots of different pieces of clothing and sleeping bags etc as part of mandatory kit for a winter marathon

To the left one small front pack and to the right one larger backpack for running an ultramarathon

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

Just finished my Xmas Eve reading, “Don’t Burn Anyone At The Stake Today” by @naomialderman.bsky.social Really thoughtful insight as to whether humanity has entered our 3rd information crisis era… Highly recommended! #booksky

Photograph showing dust cover for the book by Naomi Alderman “Don’t Burn Anyone At The Stake Today”. Cover is in bright yellow orange & red

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

Last strength-training session for 2025 & @spinerace.bsky.social. Now just to focus on gentler plyometrics, flexibility, and much shorter runs & cycles. Race day T-23 days 😬 #runsky

Anson in gym taking a selfie with no top on but wearing trackies

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

Did something super scary as part of my training for 268 mile @spinerace.bsky.social - my first solo hike / run through the night. Loved every second: 🦉 , the 💫 , clear 🌌& even the mud! #runsky I’m also raising money for Oracle Head & Neck cancer 🙏 #cansky www.justgiving.com/page/anson-m...

Anson wearing green jacket & red front pack, drinking cup of coffee from flask whilst doing some nighttime hiking. Hike statistics also recorded on photo of 53.42km

Photo of the night sky showing Orion constellation

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

Went out for a cheeky 50km run through Epping Forest. The rain & the mud made it a bit treacherous by the end, but my, did I enjoy that! It’s all training for my @spinerace.bsky.social adventure! And raising money for a head & neck cancer charity! #runsky www.justgiving.com/page/anson-m...

Anson taking a selfie in front of a reservoir called Connaught Water in Epping Forest. They are wearing a black jacket & bright red chest pack

Anson’s lower leg caked in mud after slipping into a mud pool!

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

I’ve read a fair few #scifi books this year, but Toward Eternity by @antonhur.com was one of the best #booksky

Book cover of “Toward Eternity” by Anton Hur. Cover shows a greedy-Bluey planet in the background with weird colourful plant like organisms scattered across the cover

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

I had a marvellous weekend reccing Hadrian’s Wall & The Cheviots for upcoming 268 mile race @spinerace.bsky.social! I’m also raising money for Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK. I’m 4 yrs since told of a terminal condition. All donations will be matched 🙏 #cansky www.justgiving.com/page/anson-m...

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

Another Pennine Way Spine recce adventure. Greenhead to Bellingham via Hadrian’s Wall. And bogs. Lots of bogs 😍 #runsky #pennineway #spinerecce

Anson (left) & Llinos (right) in full. Spine kit. Standing in front of a conifer forest

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

Lovely walk around the Heath today

Photo of london taken from Parliament Hill

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Gave a very different conference talk at the weekend, delving into the life of the amateur diatomist Ken Knox, who no one had heard off up until now… 🩵 🧪🦠 #diatoms

Anson in a blue T-shirt standing in front of a PowerPoint slide with words “Ken Knox: keen amateur diatomist”

A box of old microscope slides lined up side by side

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

Mini milestone - first time I’ve managed to bench press more than I weigh!!

Anson dressed in blue shorts & vest taking selfie in front of a mirror in a gym

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

“Last Dance at the Discotheque for Deviants” was marvellous, bringing to life my memories of working in Russia in the early 1990s, with political upheaval, economic tragedy & fledging gay scene trying to find its feet. Oh, and a murder (thankfully not a memory!) @pauldavidgould.bsky.social #lgbtq

Anson holding a book called ‘last dance at the discotheque for deviants’ by Paul David Gould

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

What better way to spend #caturday than going for lunch to a lesbian couple’s new home, where their cats were 120% floof and England women won the rugby World Cup 😍

Fluffy cat cleaning herself in front of a tv screen showing women’s rugby

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

Last long run before next weekend’s #ultramarathon, The Peak Divide, a 76km race between Sheffield & Manchester. Can’t wait 😍 #runsky

Anson taking a selfie (with no top on as usual) while out running. Background is a dried out lake bed surrounded by green trees. Also on the image are running statistics for race just done

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Anson Mackay (they/them) @ans.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Out for run today there are loads of red crossed painted on ppls houses and gates since yesterday’s far right march. Starmer & Cooper’s pandering to English flag sentiments has partially led to this 🤮 #bushwood #e11

Red crossed pained on brick wall, with green plants in foreground

Red Cross pained on gate post. Someone else has written in cross ‘refugees welcome here’

Red crossed pained on brick wall of someone’s house

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