Lots of info in today’s post! Not only will I teach you how to create a beautiful, flying running selfie, I’m sharing my second Body First Video! Today we’re moving up the leg a little to focus on tight calves as well as the muscles in the front of the lower leg. Plus, of course, it’s the Running Coaches’ Corner, so be sure to link up below and check out all the other great running posts!
The Art of the Running Selfie
If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I love to post a running selfie or two a day. You may notice that in almost all my photos I manage to catch the shot with both of my feet off the ground. I frequently get asked about how I manage to time my running selfies to that point of perfection.
I can assure you that I am not really flying down the road or the trail except in my dreams. If you’ve ever seen my race photos you’d know that isn’t true! As matter of fact, most race photos manage to do the opposite of making us fly.
I know from talking to other runners, that there are many ways to take a running selfie. I’ve tried a few of these, like setting the timer and hoping that you catch a semi-decent shot. A couple years ago, I purchased a selfie stick that came with a remote. For a long time, I used that remote to take burst shots, which came out pretty well. At least when the remote didn’t lose it’s connection to my phone.
Then one day, I read a post by Nicole about how to take an action shot. You know those great jumping photos that make us even an almost 60-year-old woman look like we’re 10 feet off the ground? And of course, the running selfies that make us fly. Her advice, which makes so much sense when you think about it, was to use video!
It was such a great idea, but I found that when I tried to pick out a photo from the video, I had a hard time getting it just right, let alone take a screenshot on my Note 5. So here is how I started with Nicole’s tips and made it work better for me.
I always use my phone, but if you have a GoPro like my friend Deb does, that will certainly work too. The first thing to do is make sure that your phone is in selfie mode. Yes, I once set up my phone in the bright sun and didn’t realize until I got home that I’d filmed a rock.
Next, find a place to set up or prop your phone. I run on trails much of the time, so I use rocks a lot, but anything that has a somewhat flat surface will work. I will use a smaller rock or something similar to prop up my phone. I’ve even used my sunglasses or water bottle on occasion.
Think about how you want your photo to look. You can set your phone high, low, or in the middle for different angles. Check what is in the background. You’re going to be running, so make sure that the ground in the area is safe.
When you have your phone propped at the angle you want, start the video and run. You can run back and forth, toward and away from your phone, or a combination. If my phone is set up low I will sometimes leap over it. When you run, allow yourself to bound a little bit. It looks funny on video, but it makes for a great flying photograph!
If you plan to take a group shot, like the one above, take a moment to tell the other runners the best photos come when everyone is in cadence with the others. That’s not as easy as it sounds, especially when you have more than a couple people!
After a couple of passes, stop the video and take a quick peek, just to make sure that you didn’t cut off your head or video a rock. Then finish up your run and head home.
For the next step, you will need to download an app to your phone. This will help you grab the perfect frame (or 10) with the exact poses that you want. I use an Android phone and I love Vid Trim. It’s a free app that allows you to go frame by frame through a video, saving the ones that you like. It does a few other things like trimming videos, but it’s pretty basic.
There is an iPhone app called Instagrabber that seems to do the job (I tried it out on my iPad). It’s not quite as user-friendly as Vid Trim, but it will get the job done. There is a paid app called Snapstill that has good reviews. It costs 99 cents. Or you can try the old fashioned way and take screen shots.
After you’ve saved your photo grabs, you will probably want to edit the best ones. I love Snapseed, which is available on both Android and iPhone. I’m pretty sure I don’t use it to its full capabilities, but I like the results. Check out Wendy’s post on photo editing for some great tips.
And, voila! You’re ready to share your photos to Instagram or other social media! Then you can have your followers ask you how you take such amazing running selfies!
Body First Video Series: Lower Leg
Today we’re working on the lower leg, calves, and shins. I used the Trigger Point Therapy Grid and Massage Ball, but you can use any foam roller and a tennis or Lacrosse ball. Remember that you can subscribe to my YouTube channel to get notifications when a new video is posted.
Here is the first video in the series: Body First Video Series: Happy Feet
Tools Used in the Body First Videos
A few of you have asked about what tools I’m using in my videos. I use a variety of rollers, balls and other tools in my Body First Videos. While a regular foam roller and a tennis ball are certainly adequate, some special tools can offer a better option. Here are some of my favorites (affiliate links).
Intelliroll: This is the roller I’m using in the hip flexor video. I love that it is contoured to fit my body. The center cut-out allows me to roll my entire back and neck without compressing my vertebrae.
Trigger Point Grid: Also available in a 26 inch version. I love the multi-dimensional surface that helps you get into areas that you need to with differing angles and pressure.
Trigger Point Vibe: I don’t own the Vibe (yet), but I got to try it out at IDEA World and I loved it. It has all the advantages of the Grid with the addition of vibration.
Trigger Point Massage Ball: I really like this massage ball because it is small enough to get into certain tight areas, but it’s not as firm as a lacrosse ball.
Lacrosse Balls: That being said, lacrosse balls are great tools for self-myofascial release. They are firm and great for finding those trigger points. They’re pretty inexpensive too!
Activ8r Body Ball: I bought this double hard rubber ball a few years back at the IDEA Convention expo. It’s fairly expensive now. A better deal might be this Double Lacrosse Ball at only $12.95.
Spiky Massage Roller: This is the closest thing I could find to an oval spiky foot roller that I picked up years ago. I have no idea who made it (though I found it on a New Zealand website!). This is similar, though. The benefit of it being oblong is that it won’t slip out or roll away as easily.
High Density Foam Roller: Nothing wrong with the traditional foam roller. The extra length makes it great for different chest openers (see last week’s video). I like the high density because it is a little firmer and lasts longer than a simple foam roller.
Do you take running selfies? Any tips to add? If you use an iPhone and use this technique, what app do you use?
And Now It’s Time for the Running Coaches’ Corner!
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Weekly Linkups
My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!
Meatless Monday with Sarah and Deborah
Meatless Monday with Annmarie and Dixya
Tuesdays on the Run with Marcia, Erika, and Patty
Inspire Me Monday with Janice
Wild Workout Wednesday with Annmarie, Jen, and Nicole
The Plant-Based Potluck Party with Deborah
The Running Coaches’ Corner with Rachel, Suz, Lora Marie, and Me!
Friday 5 2.0 with Rachel and Lacey and Meranda
You have such great running selfies, and I love that Alan is so game! Where I run, I don’t know how game people would be to a) not steal my phone b) let me run back and forth lol
I actually did it when I was in Las Vegas, though I did try to be a little discreet. And everyone is weird in Vegas anyway. 😂
You always have nice running pics! The background scenery is so pretty too. I don’t take running selfies, but these are good tips to keep in mind. I never realize how tight my calves are until I foam roll them. Feels so good!
My calves are always so tight! When I get a massage, that’s the one place I have a hard time relaxing (bad sentence but you get the idea 😂)
You’ve really upped your selfie game! There’s definitely a trick to it. Sometimes the shot that I love isn’t always the one that I post on IG.
Thanks for the shout out! I love how we all learn from each other!
I learned a lot about filters and angles from your post. And Snapseed! I’d never used it before. So thank you!
Thanks for the great photo and video tips I am going to check out some of those apps. Getting great group photos is always hard for sure. Loving your videos! It’s fun to hear your voice
I think hearing someone’s voice is the best part of watching a video of someone you don’t know (yet) in real life. Sometimes is surprising, like you’ve created what it will sound like in your own head then it doesn’t match. 😝
Great selfie tutorial! You always have the best runfies. 🙂
Thanks! And now I know they’re called runfies. 😂🏃♀️
Such a good post! Sometimes I try to get a good running selfie and it turn into a huge fail so I’ll take a photo of my sneakers or a plant or something, LOL
Love your tutorial and it gave me some tips I can use on my next run!
It really works well. Even in the toughest run I can dig out at least one great photo.
WOOHOO for running selfies! I’ll have to get that app and try it!
Thanks to you for the beginning of my running selfie education. The app does make it a lot easier for me.
Awesome tips!! You always have such great pics.
Thank you. I have a good time making them.
This is great! I have been wondering how people get those great running selfies and you really laid out all the steps. I’m a little self-conscious about posing, but I’d love to try it out!
And I need to keep up with your video series!
It feels a little silly at first if people are around, but I do try to find a kind of quiet space. Of course, that’s not hard where I live!
I just finished my next video. Hip flexors! You’ll want this one. 🙂
I need to check out that Iphone app….my action shots are more funny than “usable.” I go through phases with my photos…right now I’m doing a lot of candid (full body) shots and I’m doing most of them on location, while running, instead of in front of my house after I return home (everyone is probably getting bored with my front porch, right?). These are great tips!!
Thank you. It’s fun to play around with different things. I tend to like my running photos better than my standing photos (though I take plenty of those too!
I think I’ve tried a running selfie once or twice, maybe…generally I prefer taking pictures of the scenery!
I’m running in the same place most of the time, so my scenery could get boring.
I am always wondering how you do pics like that! Yours are amazing. I’m saving this for when I CAN run again.
I hope that is real soon! You may go crazy if you have to sit still too long.
Oh my goodness! This is exactly what I was looking for today! Thanks I’m going to give it a try.
Tag me when you post one! I’d love to see it!
You’re such an inspiration, I always find comfy shoes and good music are my key motivation! If you have any recommendations for comfy shoes please share! I love love love my BTS Pro wireless Headphones to keep the motivation going! 🙂
https://www.66audio.com/bts-pro
I actually love the BTS Pro too! I reviewed it a while back here.
I love a good running selfie! Doing a video saves so much time especially when you have more than one person. And then you also have multiple options for pics. The funniest running selfie story I have is when I propped my phone up against a mailbox at the end of driveway. As I was running by it over and over again, the owner came out to get their morning newspaper. It was kind of awkward explaining what I was doing. 🙂
You always have great running photos! I’ve come close to being caught in almost the exact situation, using someone’s mailbox to prop my phone. I was just finishing up when they came outside. I probably looked like a stalker or a loiterer. 🙂
I usually use my waterbottle to prop my phone up. But I’ve definitely been known to use rocks and whatever is around me! 😉 It truly is a “harder than it looks” art!
I usually want my water bottle in my pics because I’m a Nuun ambassador and want my beverage to show. 😝 But needs must and I’ll use whatever is handy!
Everyone always asks whether I have someone following me around with a camera…nope, just good selfie / video skillz! 🙂 Great post, Debbie!
You take amazing pictures! Even I wonder sometimes if you bring a photographer along on your runs/adventures.
Who would have thought we’d both post running photo tips on the same day? Great Debbie minds think alike, apparently. 😀 I’m breaking my tips down into five categories and posting on different days – two down, three to go…
Thanks for the shout out!