In the distance past, I was running 15 miles a week and rocking my favorite size two Gap jeans. Fast forward to today, I haven’t put on my running shoes in years and has truly become a couch potato (resembles one too). I really want to start running again. I remember the tremendous health benefit and the amazing feeling of endorphins (runner’s high?). The problem is running is one of my least favorite activities, as I find it monogamous and boring. Before I have used the couch to 5K plan successfully but now I am finding it less appealing since I have tried to start it a few time in the past and failed after a few weeks. Then I heard about the iPhone app Zombies Run! The popular app gamified running and made it more exciting. The problem is even the shortest missions are between 30 to 40 minutes, there is no way I can run even a fraction of that in my current condition. When I saw the same developer published a 5K version that is adapted for novice runners I purchased it right away.
Zombies, Run! 5K is designed for beginning runners who wants to train for a 5K. The app has 25 workouts spanned over 8 weeks. Each workout lasts between 30 to 50 minutes starts with a warm up followed by a period of interval training. During the intervals, you alternate between running, walking and other activities like knee lifts and skipping. The workout then is warps up with a free form period that allows you to walk or run at your own pace. The allure of Zombies Run! 5K is the story line that keeps you engaged as you train. You start off at an outpost and are one of a handful of runners training to run for the settlement. The area is overrun with zombies (or zoms) that are always lurking around. Each workout has a new scenario or task that you must complete and you receive a reward at the end of each workout that plays into the storyline. The voice that guides you training is the tough but caring town doctor who also fills you in on the others at the settlement. After your run, you can review the details online on ZombieLink. I was quite inpressed with the amount of data available. My favourite part is you can see how you performed during each song! This is a great tool in refining the playlist for running.
Armed with my old running shoes (not really that old, only had 40 miles on it) and my new exciting app I was headed out the door. The first episode is “The Story Begins”, which I had expected to be a quick introduction before the real workout begin turned out to be a long free form run session. My helicopter carrying supplies crashed near the town of Abel and I was the lone survivor. In “The Story Begins” I find my way to the town of Abel and met Sam Yao the radio operator and Maxine Myers the town’s doctor. The story is engaging and it’s easy to believe that I am walking/running near the town Abel with zombies chasing me. Between radio communications, I can listen to my own playlist which is really nice. Although I think I need a new playlist, something more walking deadish.
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