I like running and singing, but not at the same time…
Welcome to a blog series called “Why do you run?“. I hope to publish inspiring insights from runners I know, on why they started running and continue to do so.
Gannon has been running with Morrisville Run Club (MRC) for a while now. I believe he joined our crew when we were training for the Tobacco Road Marathon in 2018/2019. He likes to run a lot of miles along with his dog, Gunner.
Continue reading “Why do you run, Gannon Griffin?”
I’ve been creating running photos like this for a while now and recently people have been asking how it is done.
It started off with a fascination with floating photos, where both feet are off the ground. I expanded this to pull multiple frames from the same video and stitch them together to create images like above.
The complete process is carried out on an iPhone using apps Snapseed and Over. These apps are free and are available for both iOS and Android.
When I first started posting floating shots, the technique behind that was to take some slow-motion video (to provide the most usable frames) and screenshot the frame I needed.
This process builds upon that. You start with some slow-motion video, ensuring the background does not move. Then screenshot a number of non-overlapping frames from the video.
Before merging begins, you may want to enhance the individual frames in your favorite mobile photo editor. I use Snapseed for this task.
If you decide to crop, ensure each frame is cropped identically. I recommend leaving cropping and any straightening until after the merge stage.
To merge the frames I use Over, as it supports layers in a project. I load in the first image, and then immediately load the second image, ensuring it is sized and positioned correctly.
For some reason, Over adds subsequent images a little smaller than original size. To fix this, use the resize tool to increase to 125%. Be careful, not to move the photo.
Once it’s positioned correctly, use the mask tool to remove just enough of the 2nd photo so you can see yourself underneath. If you use the feathered mask tool, it will blend a lot better.
If you are a bit too aggressive with the mask tool, Over has a reverse mask tool to allow you to put pieces back. You can also zoom in to work on more intricate areas.
Continue the process of adding images for as many frames that you captured. Once all layers have been merged, export the image from Over.
Once exported, I usually bring it back into Snapseed to straighten and crop. It is now ready to post on your socials! I would love to see your creations, so please tag me if possible!
Here’s a video of the process I made while processing one of these images.
Welcome to a blog series called “Why do you run?“. I hope to publish inspiring insights from runners I know, on why they started running and continue to do so.
It’s-a-me! I’ve blogged about many other runners over the course of this series, and now with the launch of the #releasetherunner movement, it felt like a great time to share my own story.
I was never an athletic kid. I was the kid who dodged team sports and would rather spend the time in the band room, or art room. I suffered from childhood asthma, so it never took long for me to lose my breath when forced to participate.
It was my wife Liz that first started to run. I had absolutely no interest in it. She would keep asking me to join her, or try it for myself — and I did — but it never lasted long.
To find out what finally kicked my butt, and made me stick at it, keeping reading…
Continue reading “Why do you run, Alastair Vance?”
Who runs 2.5 miles, eats one dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts, and then runs another 2.5 miles to the finish — all within an hour? Not this guy…
You see, I already learnt my lesson. I just can’t eat that many doughnuts. I tried the challenge a few years ago and could only manage nine doughnuts before I’d had enough.
So this year I grabbed my box, ate two, then pushed through the crowds and ran on. In the same period, my daughter consumed five doughnuts. I’m saying nothing.
I run this race for the buzzing atmosphere, for the people in ridiculous costumes, and for the puddles-of-puke obstacle course. It’s also for a great cause, with the proceeds going to North Carolina Children’s hospital.
There was one guy, back on the course after the doughnut stop, still trying to swallow multiple doughnuts that he’d crammed in his mouth. He was running with a group of friends. I heard his friend encourage him, “Think about the kids!”, as he continued to gag.
There was two lads in a horse costume, the guy at the back running completely in the dark. I heard someone shout, “any chance of a ride?”. I bet they’d heard this a dozen times throughout the race, but they replied in good humor, “Sure, hop on! It can’t get any worse!”
One other memory is of a poor guy in a Care Bear suit. I was actually worried about him. His face was pained, red faced and he was breathing real loud and heavy. I had doubts he’d make it, but he survived. I saw him at the end.
Is really is an event for everyone!
Welcome to a blog series called “Why do you run?“. I hope to publish inspiring insights from runners I know, on why they started running and continue to do so.
How do I know Brendan? This man is like a brother to me. I’m known Brendan for years and always try to catch up when I’m back home.
Some of my first memories of Brendan is him running 16 miles out along country roads, and past my house. I used to think he was absolutely crazy.
I’ve also watched him participate in triathlons down at Daft Eddy’s, which is a wonderful spot for a pint if you’re ever in Ireland.
These days, he’s not as active as he used to be, but still enjoys getting out for a run. 🙂
Continue reading “Why do you run, Brendan Mulholland?”
Disclaimer: I received a pair of Turtle Gloves Lightweight Running Mittens to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!
While mittens can look like sleeping bags for my hands, don’t be fooled, Turtle Gloves convertible mittens are more functional than they first appear!
If you don’t know already, mittens are generally considered warmer than gloves. This is because our fingers can generate quite a bit of heat when they are together rather than separated by fabric.
If you don’t know already, mittens are generally considered warmer than gloves. This is because our fingers can generate quite a bit of heat when they are together rather than separated by fabric.
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The drawback with mittens, is that you don’t have full use of your fingers. Well, Turtle Gloves has solved this by introducing mittens that can convert quickly to expose your fingers.
This is an easy procedure that can be done on the run without the need to stop. I had to do this on practically every run, not because I needed my fingers, but because they were too warm!
I have tested the gloves in temperatures ranging from the mid-twenties to late forties, so the fact my fingers got too warm is amazing because these gloves are so thin.
The particular model I was testing is not available for purchase yet, we were fortunate to try out the prototype. They are made from Polartec Power Dry fabric, which means they are lightweight, moisture wicking, fast drying and water repellent.
And bonus – you can safely machine wash and tumble dry them!
The gloves go up the arm, covering my watch, so I ended up wearing my watch on top of the gloves. This wasn’t an issue at all, since the material is very thin.
I definitely plan to continue using these gloves for the remainder of my winter training. I run outside a lot, and the flexibility of these mittens avoid me having to interrupt an interval session to remove gloves and store them in my pockets. With Turtle Gloves, I can just flip them over and roll them back as needed.
I have a discount code that will take 15% off at turtlegloves.com. Just use code TURTLEGLOVESBR when checking out.
Disclaimer: I received a Road iD Sidekick ID to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!
Road iD is an engraved tag that you wear when you go out for a run (or any other outdoor activity). It contains your emergency contact details and any important medical information, should anything bad happen to you.
I know it’s not nice to think about such scenarios, but when you can bring peace of mind to yourself and those that love you so easily, Road iD makes perfect sense.
I’ve known about Road iD for quite a few years, and have always meant to pick one up. My friend had one she would wear on her ankle. I always thought it was a great idea, but that if I had to strap it on every time I left the house for a run I would eventually forget it.
Fortunately I would never (ever) leave the house without my Garmin. I mean, does it really count if I can’t post it to Strava and the socials?
So when the chance came to test a Road iD Sidekick ID, I jumped at it. The Sidekick ID slides on to my Garmin strap. It has my name, my wife’s number and son’s number on there, should anyone need to make a call on my behalf.
You can also add medical information if applicable, so that first responders can react more efficiently.
Now my Road iD goes with me everywhere. I may forget every other piece of safety gear from time to time, but at least I’ll have my ID on my wrist.
If you’re reading this post on Black Friday (Nov 29th), then you can get a Sidekick ID for only $15.99 with Black Friday savings!
It’s #blackfriday! Get up to 60% off sitewide during the Black Friday sales on RoadId.com! #deals #roadidbr #bibchat
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It literally takes minutes to fully customize and order your Road iD, and shipping is so fast. When I ordered mine it was done with the engraving process within the hour and shipped a couple of hours later. Amazing service.
I wrote a little poem that I’m going to share with you.
If you hit me with your car
because you swerved too close
before you think to turn and bolt
do please stop my garmin
If you find me off the trail
my face down in the ditch
don’t you dare just pass on by
please first stop my garmin
If you find me in the snow
blue and fully frozen
please defrost my arm out first
so you can stop my garmin
I hope we never meet like this
but if we ever do
my name is on my road-id
my contact details too
So if you have some extra time
please call the ones I love
but I am thankful most of all
that you stopped my garmin
Just to be clear, while I do put grave importance (no pun intended) on stopping my Garmin when I’m not running, in any of the above scenarios, please seek medical assistance first! Thank you! 🤣
First off, Race Across Durham is one of my favorite races of the year, and it’s right here in Durham, minutes from where I work everyday.
This was my third year running RAD, and was a much better race for me than 2018 — mainly because I felt ill on race day and struggled to enjoy the experience as I knew I would have otherwise.
2019 made it all better. Zach and I hadn’t done much trail running to get ready for this race, and were thankful to the course preview runs set-up by Bull City Running and Life Skills Foundation. I believe the second preview run may have been the first time on the Eno in 2019 for us.
Still, we’d decided our number one priority was to enjoy this race, so once the race had started we settled into a conversational pace and did just that.
You never remember the hills until you hit the bottom of it and then exclaim, “yeah I remember this hill now”. That happened multiple times along the course.
The route meanders through the trees, alongside the Eno River, gradually increasing in elevation as we head toward the Eno Rock Quarry.
Around mile 4 we hit the first aid station and stopped for a snack, a drink and a photo. I’m not sure we’ve ever ran a race this relaxed before, and it felt good.
Even though it had rained the day before, the trail was in good shape, not really any muddy areas that I noticed.
At mile 5 a surprise awaited us. There was an unofficial aid station set up with a box of beer sitting on a table. Everyone was just running past. Crazy, I know. Not us — nope. We stopped for some “trail magic”. Thank you very much to whoever left those out.
So we were half way there. The next aid station was not until mile 8.
In 2018 we were missing a bridge or two due to some flooding. This year the bridges were restored, although I kind of enjoyed running through the stream last year.
The last hill up toward the quarry is probably the toughest hill on the course, but it leads up to one of my favorite sections of the course — running over the stepping stones and then along a ridge between the quarry lake and the river.
We stopped and posed for the photographer before crossing the river, and were promised we’d “make the cover” — not even kidding. Maybe even modeling careers might be launched from this. Who knows?
However, it looks like the photo didn’t make the cut to the website, never mind the cover of anything! 🤣
The out-and-back section from 2017 was added back into the route this year, and while the section is not very technical we were beat by that stage and were glad to reach the turning point and run that last leg back to the finish.
We ran through the finish line together, my belly giving me a 1 millisecond advantage over Zach’s time. Lots of snacks and drinks available there while we waited for the shuttle bus back to the after-party. The oranges were amazing!
We didn’t have to wait long to get on a bus. I felt really bad for the driver though as she had to smell multiple bus loads of smelly trail runners all morning.
There’s not a better week to snap up all your Christmas gifts — keep a look out for some great deals. If you have a runner in the family, here are some ideas to get you started.
Are you a runner? What are you hoping for under the Christmas tree this year? Comment below!
Alastair Vance 