Starting Thursday, Nike is selling nifty running companion called the Nike+ SportBand for $59. It works just like the original Nike+ iPod nano...minus the $150+ nano.
Here's how it works (as the official site explains it):
- Drop the sensor into your Nike+ running shoe. It sends out a signal with every step you take.
- Wear the SportBand on the inside of your wrist for easy visibility. Your run data is stored on the SportBand Link.
- After you run, remove the Nike+ Link and plug it into a USB connection on your computer.
- Upload your runs nikeplus.com, where you can track your runs. Set goals. Get training programs. And join challenges with runners from all over the world.
I hear Nike+ monitors all sorts of data from your runs. And when you plug it into your computer, you can admire a graphical representation of your pace as it changed during your run. ("...aaaand this part is around 200 feet from my house where I passed out.") That's pretty cool by itself.
But the feature I really like is the ability to share your running logs and challenge people. I think that's some pretty cool motivation. Your running buddies could be all the way across the nation and it'd still be fun.
Sooooo...
Would any of you guys be interested in running with me? I could use a running buddy since basketball is no longer convenient for me. I'm thinking of adding a little widget to the site too so I could suffer from ridicule and embarrassment if I slack off. It could be like our little pact -- run at least 50 miles before the Oregon reunion. :shrug:
(Oh, and no fucking cheating. None of this "I'll tape it to someone's dog and it'll run for me" bullshit. I'm for real, if you are.)