OBSESSION OF THE WEEK: ZOMBIESRUN

In the past month or so I have become obsessed with the Zombies Run app. So what exactly is it? It is an app for your phone that you can walk, run, bike, etc to.

“Run for your Life from the Zombie Hordes! Zombies, Run! works anywhere and at any speed. We immerse you in an action-packed game and story mixed with your own music, whether you're jogging in a park, running along a trail, walking to work, or even running on treadmills. And if you want a serious workout, turn on thrilling zombie chases that force you to speed up to escape the hordes!

You are Runner 5. Hundreds of lives are counting on you. You've got to help your base rebuild from the ruins of civilization by collecting critical supplies while avoiding roving zombie hordes. Can you save them and learn the truth about the zombie apocalypse? Even better, you can create your own custom playlists before you start running: the story unfolds in between your tracks through a series of dynamic radio messages and voice recordings. 40 missions included for free, with 120+ extra missions available with Season Passes.”

With the new year I knew I wanted to make fitness more fun. So if you can turn things into a game, I am there. Add zombies. Even better. Its part story, part build your base, part…awesome. I started off with season one (there are three seasons thus far) and hit play for the first episode. I started in a helicopter and I ended up with the zombie hordes chasing me with only Sam Yao’s voice telling me to run. I made it to Abel Township collecting a few pieces of highly valuable like bandages, a power cord, and some bottled water. These items can be used to upgrade Abel Township with a hospital, better defenses, and housing for the non-zombie masses.

Of course everyone in Abel needs to pull their own weight and since you seem to be so awesome about escaping the undead hordes you become Runner 5 (there were 4 before you by the way). Every episode sends you out on a new mission. Sometimes it is to collect supplies (seriously did a truck carrying a boatload of sportsbras just randomly explode sending the gear scattered across the countryside because I really collect a lot of them). Sometimes it is uncovering more of the plot on who shot your helicopter down and where the zombie apocalypse started in the first place. Insert other township intrigue and it is something I would recommend to even non zombie fans.

When you don’t want to do another story mission you can choose to do a supply drop (where you have to run to a real location), Supply runs which can last as long as you want them to, and races. After the first episode, I went back to the gym the next day to hear episode two. Three weeks later I am still hooked. In fact, I may have become a bit of a fangirl. I even follow the blog and really want this t-shirt to come back into stock.

The missions can last 30 minutes or you can choose an hour workout. The best part…zombie chases. Randomly through each episode (should you turn this feature on) you will be chased by zombies. It’s pretty simple in that you run faster for a minute or you will need to drop supplies in order to distract the zombies from nomming on your flesh. I am not an interval training fan, but this is a great way for me to like it. Now of course I don’t always want to run. Sometimes I want to walk around the neighborhood and having my new neighbors look at me with a slightly panicked face break out into a run down the street might give them the wrong impression, so luckily I can choose to turn the chase feature off. I have also changed the way I wanted the app to track especially if I am doing a strength training workout or maybe riding my bike. Or in the case of yesterday’s episode…doing some hard core unpacking and cleaning.

While I listen to the story, I can also listen to my own music which is wonderful. Of course some music apps play better than other (I more often than not use soundcloud), but the music stops when Sam’s voice gets back on the radio and I discover what I need to do next.

It is an amazing app my friends and one that I cannot recommend enough. Completely worth the money. And if you are looking for some music to listen to while running might I suggest this lovely playlist I use. See, I told you I was a fangirl.

Come in Runner 5 from Bibliosnark on 8tracks Radio.

STATS:
NAME: Zombies, Run!
COST: $3.99
OPERATING SYSTEM: iOS and Android
CREATOR: Six to Start