I’ve been making unreality posts about runs I could do. But instead of letting them remain unrealities, I need to start thinking about what actually matters if I want these runs to be successful.
Going It Alone
One of my biggest faults is my reluctance to accept help from others. I’m more than happy to help people, but accepting help makes me feel lesser somehow. That’s part of why I enjoy running, it’s just me. If something goes wrong, I can always walk home. I don’t have to rely on a bike or someone showing up on time. I can just run.
That said, if I want these runs to resonate with others, I could benefit from one non-running partner to document the experience. To make the journey enjoyable to watch, I’ll need more than just B-roll of the areas and restaurants. I’ll need great footage of me running, eating, and talking about the struggle in real time.
Tech Gear
For my Olive Garden run, I used a GoPro Hero 7 Black and a battery pack. I didn’t record the entire run, I focused mostly on the eating segments and got a few quick shots of myself running. One thing I desperately needed was a better microphone. I felt like I had to shout to be heard in restaurants, and the road noise and camera movement made the running footage almost unusable.
I still have the GoPro, but I’d love to find something that works better with a portable mic. Honestly, the Hero 13 doesn’t seem like much of an upgrade over the Hero 7 for my purposes. I’m not shooting in 5.3K or 120 FPS. I’m vlogging runs, not doing sick flips.
I am curious about what DJI and Insta360 have to offer. Pairing a DJI Osmo Action 3 with a wireless DJI mic setup might give me the quality and flexibility I’m looking for.
I also am very interested in the 360-degree cameras that are now available.
I’ll also need a solid power bank, since I plan to play Magic as much as possible. I’m not sure how long the camera batteries will last either, so I’ll likely need backups. Plus, if I’m filming over 12 hours, I’ll definitely need extra SD cards.
Running Gear
I used a running belt for my Olive Garden run, but honestly, it wasn’t very comfortable. I’d prefer a vest, ideally one that lets me mount a camera. I also really dislike drinking from a straw, and most bladder packs just seem like disease waiting to happen. Thankfully, there are vests designed to work with water bottles instead.
I’ll need multiple clothing changes: extra socks, at least one fresh pair of shorts, and a shirt. I also need a system to store “used” clothes. I think dog poop bags could work well. They’ll contain the moisture and smell, and I can just shove them into my vest.
Other essentials: Liquid I.V. packets, body wipes, and a microfiber towel to wipe down during breaks. I’ll also need sunscreen and a small first-aid kit with band-aids, ibuprofen, that kind of stuff. Also, a headlamp and reflective gear, since I’ll definitely be running after dark.
Conclusion
These runs won’t succeed on stubbornness alone. I need to plan, gear up, and be open to support.
I also need the weather to cool down.
