Dungeons, Dragons, and Questing for Cardio—Pathbound: The New Power Word to Kill that Runner’s Rut

Wait, wait, wait. Before we start anything at all… you’re telling me that the same people who huddle around a table rolling dice and shoveling handfuls of [insert preferred snack here] into their mouths can be the same people running laps at 6am or hauling distance on the trails?! Moderation, my friend. Life’s marrow is Balance. 

Okay, but in all seriousness, I was also surprised to realize runners are all kinds of people! Heck, I didn’t even know I had it in me until I was met with an open door- or was it a gate? (Bad joke about developing a running habit. I should stop now.) Anyway, I digress. 

Let your present thought fade into that of ye ol’ 2019. Or, at least I’m pretty sure our first group session was in 2019. A courageous Dungeon Master (and very good friend) sought a mighty team of miscreants to scour the realms of Ravnica. For anyone lost, we were getting together to play the table-top role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons! We first met around a table at the local university library. About 20 minutes in, and we knew we were definitely too loud. YOU COULD FEEL THE EYES. Using a space of learning for FUN?! Blasphemy. “My running shoe store closes early on the weekends. We can use that space,” says our half-elf archer. I’m paraphrasing, because I never thought I’d actually be trying to quote him, but that’s probably pretty close. 

And, so began a weekly dungeoneering excursion at la casa de Gingerbread Man. Time continues, foes are slain, snacks are devoured. In the midst of battle and conversation, our half-orc barbarian mentions wanting a change in career and gets offered a position at the store selling shoes. Covid happens! Our weekly games become virtual for a time. I feel like it was a time we all kind of want to forget. But, hey! The pandemic ends, we meet in person once again, and our archer mentions another opening. Cue yours truly. 

A group photo of the real life guild members before a gaming session.

It wasn’t too long while working at Gingerbread Man Running Co. before I decided “this running thing can’t be that hard”. HA! Okay, well it isn’t that hard. The hard part was getting comfortable with not being good at it, but still making the effort to go out. Garmin and Strava have their challenges and achievements, and that was helpful for a time. I’m sure you get it. Not feeling that 10k, but if I finish it, I get a shiny… notification. Well, the notifications worked until they didn’t. I managed a couple half marathons, but running wasn’t feeling as fun. Yes, I said fun! 

I may have a skewed sense of enjoyment here, but hear me out. You’re out there, putting in the work. That pace picks up a bit, you hit your usual distance and feel like “I could keep going”. That’s fun. You know what else is fun? Packing a vest full of drinks and snacks, and then taking that vest along a trail for a run that’s mostly walking. Once you’re out there, it’s usually a great time! It’s the getting out there that seems to be the toughest, and no one is giving out a “you did it” badge. 

But, you know what’s better than a “you did it” badge? The chance to embark on an epic journey! Imagine getting weekly quests catered to your run style and goals, and getting loot for completing those quests! Imagine getting to build a character that you get to take through a world of magic and wild beasties! Surprise! You don’t have to imagine it! The app exists, and it is called Pathbound! Need the motivation for a run? Pop open that first loot chest. If you’re anything like me, you may soon find yourself trying to fit in all those runs you started putting off. 

Pathbound is by far the coolest app I found to keep me interested in my own movement. While the developer has plans to keep building, it already has a lot to keep you coming back! In order to embark on adventures, you need Stamina. You collect Passive Stamina throughout the day, but your logged runs are where you collect the bulk of that Stamina. There’s that motivator! You then have the chance to set out on these expeditions where you might have any number of encounters. You might meet a wandering merchant, a magical object hidden in the heart of the woods, or a vicious foe in need of defeat! 

The best part? The more you log, the more you get! For those of us in the Slow Runners Club, it can be a struggle to feel like you’re doing as well as, say… your friends running under a 5 min/km pace. (Calling out literally all of my Strava friends. <3 You’re all so fast.) Pathbound doesn’t primarily care if you’re the fastest or running the farthest. Getting to design your character with your run style makes your weekly quests more unique to you. As you log your runs and work on those quests, there are opportunities for additional loot, chances to build your character as you level up, and titles to collect! So, if you are one of our “gotta be #1” friends, we support you and hope you get those Leaderboard titles! The community is an encouraging, friendly bunch as well! There’s a Discord server to join for all the latest updates and camaraderie.

A screen grab of Pathbound's Stamina and Momentum system.

TRULY! If you can imagine the scene from The Hobbit where Bilbo is running out of his house, screaming to one of his neighbors, “Can’t stop, I’m already late! I’m going on an adventure!” THAT is what I feel like this app has given me on my runs. I needed to share the magic, especially being that D&D is how I ended up managing a shoe store and running half marathons! 

Pathbound is currently in a closed play-test for supporters through Patreon as the app continues to grow. It’s definitely worth the support in my book, but you can also join the waitlist for updates as development continues! Check out https://pathbound.app for more information on the app, the class system, and the chance to start building your own hero! 

If you choose to join the fun, find me in Pathbound’s Discord, because ya girl is not making those leadership boards.