Yesterday, I ran the 10th Annual Tokyo English Life Line Runathon – 10km around the imperial palace. I completed it in 45 minutes – my target time!

This event is sponsored by Japan Podshow – launching shortly!

LIVE STREAMING VIDEO PLAYER

If I’m not streaming, the previous live-streamed video will play.

(Go to http://www.qik.com/tamegoeswild to see a live-updated map of exactly where I am. There is also a comments tab – click on that and enter your comment – I will read them all out at the end – when I’m running my Phone will vibrate to tell me you have commented.

Final prep is done. I completely redesigned the iStreaming hat. It’s now rock solid, and doesn’t interfere with my vision at all. It is secured with a length of trouser elastic, multiple safety pins, a Japanese bandana, with a hat over the top). My thanks to Nami for coming up with the basic concept for this new device).

It’s angle will be maintained by an adapted stand that I got with an iPod voice recorder, and no less than three Sponges of Speed, all of which are actually made of paper for added forward momentum. The iPhone itself sits in an elasticated Belkin armband case that has been cannibalised.

I shall be using the iPhone’s built in mic, which what with the iPhone being in the Belkin case will be fairly well sheltered from the wind. I tested it tonight – it works pretty well.
The iPhone will remain connected to a powerful eneloop battery throughout by a cable running under my shirt to my pocket (thanks to Steve for the recommendation).

I will also have a Mophie Juice pack Just In Case.

I will start broadcasting on and off from 7am JST, 11pm BST, 10pm UTC. We should be moving onto the start of the course at around 8am JST – the starting gun will be fired at 09:10am JST. We aim to complete the race in 50 mins max.

What could go wrong?

What I am going to attempt to do is highly dangerous and should not be attempted at home. Any number of things could result in catastrophic disaster:

• The organisers may confiscate my iPhone due to broadcasting rules
• The signal may fail. This is actually bound to happen at some point. If the stream is broken, the iPhone will buffer the video, and then continue to stream it from where it left off when it picks up the connection again. This can result in a delay of a few seconds, or even a minute or two.
• It may rain. I never did get the umbrella hat sorted.

But these are necessary risks if we are to prevail. I face them with a brave heart and legs that are destined to run.

I’d like to thank everyone that has helped me in my effort. Special thanks to my friend and trainer Tom, my teacher Nami, and the army of Twitters / Tokyo friends who have supported me whilst seeing this for what it really is – a big bit of sillyness.

Thanks also to Kamasami Kong of the Tokyo Metpod for following the story, Bhasker at Qik.com for publicising it, and Steve at www.tuaw.com for ensuring that the story reached readers all over the world.

GANBARIMASU!

Tame Talk TV Episode 001: Response to the Streaming Marathon Critics

The folks over at The Unofficial Apple Weblog, a very popular site focusing on all things Mac, have just posted my story.

There’s going to be a lot of eyes to carry on my head.

Yikes.

iPhoningJapan.com is delighted to bring you the most epic iPhone challenge yet seen in the world (probably).

Joseph Tame, known for his addiction to his iPhone (a.k.a. ‘my baby’) is going to attempt to complete the Tokyo quarter Marathon in record time whilst carrying 30,603 pairs of eyes on his forehead. This epic feat has been made possible by months of training, an Apple iPhone, Qik.com and a new invention of Joseph’s, which he calls ‘A Modified Hat’.

He will be joined by his trainer, Tom Kobayashi.

35,603 people applied to run this epic race across Tokyo – only 5000 got in: Joseph and Tom were two of the lucky few.

Knowing how disappointed the unlucky unfortunates must be feeling, Joseph vowed to make things right. He decided, he’d let them run with him.

The full story of this epic adventure will be featured on the new podcast that Joseph co-produces – Japan Podshow.

To get live alerts via twitter of Joseph’s progress & broadcasts, be sure to follow him @tamegoeswild.

Exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of this epic challenge is also available on YouTube.

Be there and submit your comments as he runs to make his iPhone vibrate – he’ll know he’s carrying your eyes and your hopes too.

(This post is a crosspost from http://wwwiphoningjapan.com)