Zombs On The Costa Rican Beach!

So far, the app Zombies, Run! has transformed my runs from ordinary to Holy sh*t! Zombies… run! in the very best way possible. Whether I’m running under moody skies in my (usually boring) neighborhood or in brilliant sunshine on the hike & bike trail around the lake, Zombies, Run! makes every workout more fun — and mildly terrifying.

Today, I tested it on Playa Grande here in Costa Rica. It was TOTALLY AWESOME FREAKIN’ FUN OHMYGOD SO FUN.

I ran barefoot on the packed sand. I ran in the shallow water, letting it splash up my legs and cool my feet. I leapt over shells. I stopped to pick up special shells to add to my collection. I sprinted from zombs… twice! All the while, keeping my eyes on the goal: the big rock situated to the northwest of our house.

Here are a few snaps from my running adventures:

This is the aforementioned big rock. Just as I was approaching it and was feeling a little overheated and like maybe I just really didn’t want to run anymore — like, maybe I should just let the zombs get me on the next interval — my iPod helpful served up “Ace of Spades” and “Stronger” by Kanye West (Yes, he’s a giant jerk, but that is my most favorite workout song ever. I just pretend I don’t know who sings that song when I listen to it. “Oh! I like this song. I wonder who that is?)


This is a pretty but deadly-looking shell I found in the surf.


And this spot, while it looks unassuming, was the scene of a brutal zombie attack that I was forced to outrun this morning.


Today was the first time I ever ran barefoot, and I loved it! It felt very natural, and I felt super connected to what was happening with my feet and ankles in a good way. Plus, there’s the added fun of being able to splash in the water. I’m not sure I’d love it on other surfaces, but the beach? Brilliant!

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Comments

  • Susan B says:

    Melissa—
    Is the Zombies, run! app good for beginners (couch potatoes). Something tells me that might be the only way to get me running. It sounds like fun!

    • Mel says:

      Absolutely! You control the pace of your running, and you can walk/run as much as you need to. I generally run 3-4 minutes at time, then take 30-60 second walk breaks as I need them. The story is totally engaging and makes me forget I’m running for WORKOUT instead of just for fun.

  • Stephanie says:

    Those shells are amazing!

  • Roberta says:

    I think I need to try this Zombie app (if I can remember how to run). And Ace of Spades!! That’s my deadlift theme AND would be a great running song too! (I got my current 1RM for deadlift looking at an ace of spades playing card. My coach puts them on the ground so we will look down when we deadlift. I’m convinced I only was able to achieve my 1RM of 130 kilograms because of that ace of spaces. I keep trying to get him to play the song too, but that has yet to happen.)

    • Mel says:

      That is a mighty impressive DL PR. Congratulations!

      • Roberta says:

        Thanks! I surprised myself!

        I downloaded the app and did a Zombie dog walk last night (since I sprained my ankle and can’t run). Poor Otto didn’t understand why he wasn’t allowed to stop and pee! I tried to explain that he was about to turn into a zombie dog, but he didn’t seem to care much!

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