RUNNING FOR NERDS

Bored with your workout?  There's an app for that.
By Rachel James (Treasurer/Writer) 

Recently, I’ve been trying to find new ways to extend my workout time. Or at least change things up. I lost 40 pounds a year and a half ago and have been stuck in a plateau ever since. Changing up your workout is one of the things recommended to get off a plateau.

Become a superhero? Trying!

Being the musical theatre nerd I am, I very often will load up one of my favorite cast recordings and run on that. The mixture of music and story telling will help the time fly by. But since I have burned through all my recordings (any recommendations would be welcomed!), I have decided to look for other options.

I’ve always been a big fan of science-fiction/fantasy stories. I was raised on Star Trek (preferably TNG), devoured the Harry Potter series, and even musically directed a reading of the episode “Once More, With Feeling” from Buffy: The Vampire Slayer.

 

In fact, musical theatre and sci-fi stories have a lot in common. The biggest criticism I’ve heard about both genres is “Well, that could never happen in real life”. To which I reply “That’s why it’s entertainment and not reality”. As artists, reflecting back the world we live in is one part of our art. And, yes, reality can be very entertaining. But everything that entertains does need to be set in reality. And that includes working out.

Therefore, I’ve been doing my research and found some excellent resources to bring more excitement and fantasy to working out.

Zombies, RUN!

 

Clearly, zombies are hot right now. And so they must cash in with a fitness app. Zombies, RUN! is an app that guides you through the zombie apocalypse AND gives you a workout. While screaming “Look out!” and “They’re coming! RUN!!!!!”, they guide you on various runs as you "gather supplies for base camp".  To passersby, you may look a tad... discombobulated. But it makes the time fly by as you have an enjoyable jaunt through the park. Absolutely petrifying, but enjoyable.

Run For Your Lives

While keeping on the subject of the zombie apocalypse (seriously, guys, you’ll really need your cardio on point for when this hits), a friend introduced me to Run For Your Lives. There are lots of 5K runs all over the country, and I’ve done a few races in my time (including the midnight run in Central Park on New Year’s Eve). But this brings the 5K to a whole new level. Billed as “a zombie infested 5K obstacle course race”, the event brings you through a series of ropes courses, mud crawls, and other things you might find in a Warrior Dash. But you’re being chased by zombies!  There's even talk of building a permanent zombie theme park in Detroit.

#runningfortheTARDIS

Inspired by the tweets of my friend, Kim (loyal follower of The Doctor and Community advocate), I have begun watching Doctor Who while at the gym. Yes, I am in training for when The Doctor shows up in the TARDIS and needs me to travel through space and time with him.

This is real life, people.

If I had an iPad, this might be better for my eyes. But for now, I open up Netflix on my iPhone, load up an episode, and follow The Doctor (I'm currently following the Tenth) and his companion (I’m up to Martha Jones at the moment) in whatever adventure they’re embarking in that episode. If they’re running, I’m running. If they are paused to offer some witty remark on the human race and its survival despite obstacles and enemies from unknown worlds... that’s the rest point in my intervals. Mainly, it helps the time go faster and makes my workouts that much more enjoyable.

I’m sure I’ll find some more things once I get bored again, but for now, these are certainly giving me a run for my money (complete pun intended). Now, if you’ll excuse me, the Daleks are coming.

 

RACHEL JAMES is a native New Yorker and theatre baby. Her plays have been produced by The 52nd Street Project and Starfish Theatreworks. She currently makes a living working the various box offices of Off-Broadway.
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Comments

[Chelsea Paice]

Hope you're loving watching Doctor Who. He's a perfect inspiration for running! As a companion after Martha Jones says, "He saves worlds, rescues civilizations, defeats terrible creatures and runs a lot. Seriously, there's an outrageous amount of running involved."

As a nerd, I find watching Jeopardy helpful while working out. I'm focused on answering correctly and forget I'm working out.

[Rachel James (Treasurer/Writer)]

Jeopardy's a good one. I hadn't thought of that before. Thanks, Chelsea!

And, yes, Doctor Who is phenomenal. I'm thoroughly enjoying series 3, but I am eager to see Donna Noble again!