Avid-runner Andrea Sweny of Kitchener says mapping out her routes to form an image of a creature makes exercising more fun and purposeful.
She’s among a group of people in Waterloo region using the exercise tracking app Strava to create “Strava art,” formed after plotting out a GPS-tracked exercise to create an image.
“I just found it was really enjoyable and it added a layer of purpose on to my runs and I found it really fun to do to create the routes and running the routes,” said Sweny.
Sweny was inspired to creatively change up her routes early in the pandemic after her local running group hosted a Strava art challenge.
She went on to run routes in the shape of creatures including a dinosaur, lion, rabbit, squirrel, fish, goose, turtle and elephant. Her lion run won a challenge by Runners’ Choice Waterloo last month.
Sweny said she doesn’t have an arts background, but it’s all about looking at how the streets intersect.
“K-W is not very grid-like. There’s lots of weird streets that are parallel, they intersect and create different shapes. So, I look at a map and find an area that looks interesting that could be like an eye, or some part of animal,” said Sweny.
Sweny said she’s noticed more people are taking on this form of exercise during the pandemic in place of races or group events.
She’s encouraging anyone who runs, walks, cycles, or engaged in physical exercise to plot it out and get creative.
“Just looking at a map around your house and local area and try and find some interesting places where streets coincide. It’s a great way to take you to places you wouldn’t normally walk,” she said.
Check out some of Sweny’s runs:
