50 + 19 points
Journey to the End of the Night: Five Years Running in SF by Douglas Chew
July 3rd, 2011 3:37 PM
First time player. Found out about it from Gizmodo.com.
Arrived 6:15pm. Thought I was gonna be too late, but discovered just a small group of people; perhaps 100. The numbers grew very quickly.
Thought going up Washington St. and turning left into the 1st Safe Zone was the best idea. Got within a block and was tagged out. DAMN!
Lesson learned... The Chaser had Uphill Advantage. Like a fighter plane with higher altitude, they were able to use the inertia of the downward charge to quickly pickup speed to attack.
Now being a Zombie, it was my turn to spoil the fun.
One of my "kills" involved shadowing a line of players across the street. Everyone was looking forward. I then ran up and tagged out the last one of the line. Lesson Learned: Groups draw attention. And, if you're gonna be in a group, do NOT be the last one in line. Like a group of gazelle, the lion will sneak up on the last one.
Another "kill" involved staking out an ally. I saw two players coming down the alley. I noticed two other Zombies on the opposite alley corner. I quickly communicated to them to hide around the corner. When the two players rounded the corner, I signaled the others to "pull the trigger". With little effort, it was a "clean kill".
My favorite "kill" was my favorite. His name was Brendon, as he later introduced him. He had come with friends. One was introduced as Heidi. But he was traveling solo, when I met him on the field of honor.
To appreciate this "kill", you should know that Brendon was a VERY worthy adversary. He's in obvious top shape. Me? I'm in good shape, but certainly not in his league. He's also tall, so he has great long legs for running.
Brendon tried to run through my three-way intersection. He turned around and quickly departed. "I'm not chasing THAT guy."
Later, he tried another approach down the other leg of the intersection. Another Zombie, not too far, hearing Brendon's steps, turned and ran up the hill towards him. Instead of retreating back up the hill, Brendon ducked into a playground. The other Zombie followed.
I walked up the hill towards the playground to see if I could assist with the "assassination". As I stood at the playground entrance guarding what was now obviously the ONLY way in/out of the playground, I saw Brendon and the other Zombie darting around the playground. I ALSO noticed the playground entrance had a tall, cyclone fence gate. I promptly LOCKED the gate behind me. When I turned around to join the attack, Brendon, apparently realizing a locked gate had sealed his fate, surrendered his blue armband to the other Zombie.
Other kill methods involved hiding behind cars, while people waiting at the bus stop looked at me, as if I was crazy, which I probably am.
In total, I "bagged" 7 that night. I might have been a crummy runner, but I'm rather proud of my hunting skills.
Doug
Oakland
Arrived 6:15pm. Thought I was gonna be too late, but discovered just a small group of people; perhaps 100. The numbers grew very quickly.
Thought going up Washington St. and turning left into the 1st Safe Zone was the best idea. Got within a block and was tagged out. DAMN!
Lesson learned... The Chaser had Uphill Advantage. Like a fighter plane with higher altitude, they were able to use the inertia of the downward charge to quickly pickup speed to attack.
Now being a Zombie, it was my turn to spoil the fun.
One of my "kills" involved shadowing a line of players across the street. Everyone was looking forward. I then ran up and tagged out the last one of the line. Lesson Learned: Groups draw attention. And, if you're gonna be in a group, do NOT be the last one in line. Like a group of gazelle, the lion will sneak up on the last one.
Another "kill" involved staking out an ally. I saw two players coming down the alley. I noticed two other Zombies on the opposite alley corner. I quickly communicated to them to hide around the corner. When the two players rounded the corner, I signaled the others to "pull the trigger". With little effort, it was a "clean kill".
My favorite "kill" was my favorite. His name was Brendon, as he later introduced him. He had come with friends. One was introduced as Heidi. But he was traveling solo, when I met him on the field of honor.
To appreciate this "kill", you should know that Brendon was a VERY worthy adversary. He's in obvious top shape. Me? I'm in good shape, but certainly not in his league. He's also tall, so he has great long legs for running.
Brendon tried to run through my three-way intersection. He turned around and quickly departed. "I'm not chasing THAT guy."
Later, he tried another approach down the other leg of the intersection. Another Zombie, not too far, hearing Brendon's steps, turned and ran up the hill towards him. Instead of retreating back up the hill, Brendon ducked into a playground. The other Zombie followed.
I walked up the hill towards the playground to see if I could assist with the "assassination". As I stood at the playground entrance guarding what was now obviously the ONLY way in/out of the playground, I saw Brendon and the other Zombie darting around the playground. I ALSO noticed the playground entrance had a tall, cyclone fence gate. I promptly LOCKED the gate behind me. When I turned around to join the attack, Brendon, apparently realizing a locked gate had sealed his fate, surrendered his blue armband to the other Zombie.
Other kill methods involved hiding behind cars, while people waiting at the bus stop looked at me, as if I was crazy, which I probably am.
In total, I "bagged" 7 that night. I might have been a crummy runner, but I'm rather proud of my hunting skills.
Doug
Oakland
Welcome! I'm glad you followed up on that adventure by joining and posting here, and I hope we'll see more of you!