Over the weekend I participated in a fantastic event called Survive DC, a giant city-wide game emulating how one would have to behave in case the city was infiltrated by zombies.
The event involved running (or taking public transit) to six checkpoints throughout the city, performing various tasks at the checkpoints such as singing campfire songs, drawing a picture with crayons of “What I want to be when I grow up”) (I drew a social butterfly, which is kind of like a media relations activist), and touching the Spaghetti Monster‘s noodly appendage.
In between the checkpoints, you had to run really, really fast from the “chasers,” people who could tag you, thereby eliminating you from being a “runner.” If you were a running player who got tagged, you became a chaser.
My most memorable experience of being chased was when there were three chasers behind me. In order to avoid my fun being killed, I had to vault a fence (after which I skidded to a halt on the pavement, creating an unsightly gash on my elbow), and then dashing across the street just in front of an ambulance with its sirens on. I ducked into a corner liquor store at the end of the next block, with blood gushing from my arm, which seemed a bit frightening to the owner and customers. When the ambulance cleared, the chasers were gone and I made my get-away.
Organizers say that there were about 600 participants. I came in fourth place, behind a team of three Marines who were doing the race together. What can I say? When you have a herd of zombies behind you, you run really fast.
Filed under: lacy's life, running
I'm an activist, dreamer, media relations professional, life dancer, and student of the unknown living in Washington DC. If you stand for something, then stand up! Listen, envision, and act.
