More Coaching on the Nike+ Site
My Top Four Features for the Nike+ Site
Last post, I explained some of the features of Nike+ and walked through how I use it to push my runs and extract info-graphics. Perhaps the only running coach that would be more effective might look something like Joe Pesci on a segue with a bull horn. I’m not going to kill you with such a lengthy post, plus the Nike+ people have some great tutorials built in to their site. Instead, here are my top four Nike+ online features:
1. Community Heat Map
Nike + Community Map
2. Seeing Your Routes
My Nike+ Running Routes
I’m a sucker for some info-graphics. Maybe that’s a nerd thing. Maybe that’s a millennial thing. I don’t know, and I don’t care. I do know that I love to look at the graphs of my runs to see the relative distances and times in accordance to the months. I think it’s fascinating to see the data, draw conclusions and then to try and tweak the variables next month. For instance, I need to run more in the spring.
Here in this photo, you will see a set of orange bars that represent the relative distance of a run and its corresponding date. On the map, you will see the Nike + diamonds that illustrate how many routes you have in those respective regions.
3. Runalytics
Nike+ Runalytics
This feature is, perhaps, the most fun to look at. Nike takes your run, pulls out the pace and elevation, and they plot it in a graph with your distance splits. If you weren’t running for a team with a country for a title, I don’t know why you would need this data. That being said, I’ll take it! Who else is going to tell me that it took me two and half more minutes to run up a 420ft incline? No one. Most of this data speaks for itself. I probably should have used a more flattering run, but LOOK AT THE ELEVATION! C’mon.
4. Pace Data
Nike+ Pace Data
The last sick feature on the Nike+ site is the pace data they provide. The blue pace line from the last graphic are placed on this google map image and set by color to indicate changes in pace during the run. On the bottom of the page, you can see the color key indicating speed (where red is the slowest). On the map, you can also see the long swatch of red that is the visualization of me getting my butt kicked by a 420ft incline. On flatter runs and if you have enough data sets, you can see where you tire out on some runs.
I’m sure there is no lack of information you could derive from the Nike+ graphs. I don’t even know if it’s particularly useful for people that don’t run distances that require a K. I do know that I get a kick out of it and it doesn’t cost you anything to use.
Digital Running Coach with Nike+
Get Fast: Nike+ App
What most runner don’t know they need.
Nike+
I consider myself to be an avid runner. I try to run at least three multiple-mile runs a week. I run to stay in shape, to keep my ticker running smoothly, to maintain my ability to eat things I should’t and to de-stress some first-world-issues.
I’m 27-years-old. I’m not going to the Olympics. Yet, that doesn’t mean that I don’t want a coach running behind me with a cattle prod pushing me to run faster. Besides the possible legal ramifications for the aforementioned crime, I don’t know anyone that wants to run in the Yuma sun at 6 or 7 in the morning. Instead, I turned to Nike+ for running support.
I use the Nike+ GPS (downloadable here) running application on my iPhone 4; although, you can use it Nano or Touch with the purchase of a Nike+ sensor for $20. I suppose you could probably use an iPad as well, but there are obvious reasons why you might refrain.
The sensor has to link up via bluetooth if your device has it, or to an attachment you can buy in a pack for $30, which includes the sensor. Now, you can buy some Nike+ shoes with spaces in the heel for sensors, or you can buy an external pouch that attaches to your laces. I use the Nike+ GPS, so my phone has the sensor already. Also notable: Polar Wearlink offers a heart-rate monitor that links with the system and retails for $70. I’m not this obsessed. I do recommend a good arm band. Make sure you pull on it to make sure it’s durable though.
How it works, with you.
Nike+ history function
I run in the mornings for at least two miles, which means I run for at least 10 minutes. Usually more like 14 or 16 depending on the heat and motivational variables. I like to lace up, throw in some ear buds and hit the track, so to speak. The best thing about running with my iPhone is that I can select my running playlist, “C Bry Run” (a play on C Dos Run, if your old enough to get that). There are the “basic,” “time,” and “distance” running options. I like to free run on basic, but the other two functions are pretty helpful. These are the coach from Rocky options.
You can select a “time” interval from 5 to 60 minutes and the App will give you minute splits to push you. The “distance” intervals range from 1k to 5k, with a “half-marathon,” “marathon,” and “custom.” This is a feature I really like. I’ve used the distance “5k” interval to push training before timed running events. I especially like the mid run split updates and time updates that you can toggle.
If you need the motivation, you can also turn on cheers. Cheers is a feature in the App that gives you positive feedback after a run in the form of a celebrity/sports star congratulatory praise. You will get them for personal bests in time, speed, rate and for out running previous weeks. I mostly just like to hear my splits after a hard run.
The Tunes and Power Song Options
Nike+ mapping data
Another awesome feature on the App, is that you can skip songs with a really simple GUI interface they display while you run. BTW, the interface has a left arm and right arm function that pretty useful if you like to keep your heart rate up and spend less time staring at your arm. You can use the interface, or the standard iPhone headphones to toggle forward and backwards through your playlist for just the right soundtrack.
If that soundtrack happens to be you getting your butt kicked by 2% incline, well there is also a “power song” option. When you need that little extra motivation to finish a hill, you can play songs you previously selected as power songs to start playing in sequence. I usually use this option when my running coach tells me that I have a couple hundred meters left in a run. It’s like a NOS button to my brain to get my legs in gear.
The Feedback Factor
One of my favorite features on the Nike+ App is that I can mess around with the data. I run a lot, but I work a lot too. I like that my phone stores my running data so that I can access it later. I keep a running journal to log all my miles, some for bragging rights, so that I can graph the data and see how much I run in certain months and over the course of the year. Plus, it’s nice to have a hard copy of my runs, plus the ones that I do when my phone is dead and charging or out of GPS range.
Disclosure: I set out to run 365 miles this year, one for every day. I didn’t know how far I’d get, especially with work, but I’ve logged in over a 150 miles so far this year and were over half way. Maybe next year.
It’s also nice that the App keeps and maps your running routes on them. I like this data because I LOVE to change up my routes. I get really bored watching the same block after block. I use the map data on the online site to plan new routes in previously unexplored housing tracks and trails to tailor new runs. You can also pull up runs individually to check splits and mile times. Nerd disclosure: I have a graph for this data too.
In all, I absolutely love this app and stand firmly behind it. I’ve been running with it for at least two years now and have tried several other very disappointing applications. I do understand that some of you may not want to spend the money on a new Apple product, or you may already have a different cell manufacturer, but let’s face it: If you read this far, you probably already have an iPhone. 
