I haven't really had a problem going out for a run the entire past year (viz. my previous post). I still wanted to try something a bit different this year and dug around in all the different games available on Fetcheveryone - that wonderful site that keeps a nice log if you link it to your GPS watch, and where for many a year before I had such a thing, I added my runs manually without any trouble. Data: beloved by runners.
It seems runners also like games! You can opt into a couple of games that use GPS coordinates (you can manually plot your route and take part if you're not there with the tech), encouraging you to explore the wider world. Conquercise is all about grabbing and keeping squares from your opponents but as the only Fetchie around these parts, I'm quite happily owning my "lawn" and retain the right to rename my little squares I visited as I see fit. So I am not yet entirely sure how it works but that's ok.
The game I am enjoying most is Fetchpoint. I think it's a bit similar to Pokémon, but without the need to stop and battle things. You just run past and as you import your run later, behind the scenes things get figured out and you get your points awarded or deducted. The set-up is simple: you set a home circle with a 1 mile radius, and stuff to collect or get rid off appears. You can compete over ownership of some items with other Fetchies. Again... Unless my cousin in the next village starts to take part, not much of that will happen.
In my two runs since I joined I have already made a detour to squish a bug (run past, and then carry it out of your circle), and tried a completely different route from my regular two or three to get rid of some bugs, because they cost you daily points until you get them squished. I planted a few flowers by running outside my home circle. And this afternoon on a walk with mom I also collected some additional gems and a nuclear point. Fortunately this one was worth eight points – it may do something devastating but you just don't know until you have collected it and it's too late.
Above all, I want to keep my circle squeaky clean, without bugs. It's ok if it sparkles with gems for me to pick up as I move around but I enjoy not having anything dragging my score down!
So if you're looking for a fun game that gets you moving - and all movement counts: cycling, swimming, walking, hopscotching all are fine - this might be just the ticket. It's definitely doing it for me. What's got you moving in 2023?
