The Quest for the Perfect ExerGame

The ISBNPA conference closed this afternoon and after an intense 3 days, it was time to get some air. Despite being rather cold and raining, I put on my running shoes and headed off on a trail into the forest. Immediately I began to relax and became absorbed in my surroundings. Having spent a good deal of my youth running around various forests in Europe whilst competing in orienteering competitions, I very much felt “at home”. There was however one very important exception. There were scratches on the bark on the lower half of the trees alongside the trail, which I presume was the local bear marking out his territory! Then I remembered that if needs must, run downhill…

Suddenly I felt very much more physically alive and was reminded of a Finnish saying that roughly translates as “Forest is Life”. I began to reflect on what it was that was so absorbing in the forest compared to plodding along a road or sidewalk/footpath? 

Was I in the “Flow” state? Could I learn from my experience and apply it to “ExerGames”?

So was it that you can’t ever see too far into the distance and therefore can only focus on the moment? In fact you need to keep one eye on what is immediately in front so that you don’t trip up, step in a deep puddle or fall in a bog!

Was it the way the light and textures continually change as move along to create a very visually stimulating tapestry? Was it the calmness and lack of distraction from vehicles and engine noises?

Was it the fresh, exhilarating “natural” smell? Since you can’t see too far into the distance, was it the air of uncertainty/expectation as to what might be round the next corner? (a bear perhaps?)

Clearly, there were many things contributing to the “Flow” experience, but I think that I can take something from it as I continue my quest for the “Perfect ExerGame”.