My Running Partner – The iPod/Nike+

Tammy recently sent me this message on Facebook…

Hi Roni! A couple things I wanted to ask you –

You have an iPod right? how are you able to have the screen that says how many miles you did, your pace, etc.? is it something you have to load? what a great way to track progress.

-Tammy

She’s not alone, my inbox is full of questions about the little running charts I post with the iPod. So I think it’s time to lay it all out there.

WAY back when (holy crap it’s been almost a year) I wrote a review about little device called Nike+ iPod Sport Kit. At that time I was only running for a few weeks and recently finished my first 5K. I immediately LOVED the device.

Why?

1. First of all I’m a music whore. I’m one of those people who stayed up for hours and hours when I got my first iPod to “rip” all of my CDs. I love my iPod and I won’t run without it anyway. So being able to track with it is a bonus!
2. Second, I’m a stat whore. *cough* have you seen my weight progress page? I swear it was on of the reasons I didn’t miss a meeting while losing. I really didn’t want a whole in my chart! (By the way.. I just noticed I haven’t weighed in since JAN! wow time flies–I must go to meeting.)
3. Third, I like to be “in the know” when I’m running I need to know how far I’ve gone, how much I have left, and so on. Sometimes I don’t have to know but I like knowing that I can know if I really want to know. Know what I mean? :) I really don’t understand how people run WITHOUT some device that let’s them know. Maybe it’s because I don’t pre-plan my routes much. I learned to run with the Nike+ so I guess you can say I’m spoiled. I hit a button and a little voice says “You’ve ran 1.7 miles.” or “.6 miles to go.” or my FAVORITE “You’ve just reached your goal of 8 miles.” :)

OK, so that’s the WHY… Here’s the HOW… All my iPod paraphernalia…

Apple iPod nano

This is my iPod. Notice the color. :) I bought it after the iPod fiasco that happened in the fall.

Griffin Arm Band

This is the first arm band I’ve liked. It’s comfy. It doesn’t fall down or loosen. There’s a swivel head so I can turn the face of the iPod to see while I’m running. And it totally beats putting the iPod in my bra strap which is what I used to do. :~P

The Nike+ iPod Sports Kit

This is the what puts the running brains into the iPod. It’s can’t be easier to use. You plug it into the iPod put the tracker in your shoe and start running. I mean seriously. I was shocked at it’s simplicity. You can set the distance or times of your runs. It gives audio feedback. Tracks your history, etc. When you sync your iPod after a run iTunes (free) will ask if you want to send the data to the Nike+ website. You say yes and *tada* magically there’s a chart of your run. Just like this…

Create an account there, join challenges, set goals, create training programs. Really the site has everything you need as a runner. It’s not only it’s easy. It’s FUN! Check out the graph of my runs for the last few months. Talk about visual motivation! Click here to se how I get the images of my running charts for my blog.

Shoe Pouch

Finally, the only other piece of equipment I have is the shoe pouch to hold the Nike+. Many people believe you have to buy Nike shoes to use the device. It’s simply not true. I have never bought or owned a pair of Nike running shoes and I’ve been using the Nike+ for almost a year. For 6 bucks you can turn any pair of running shoes into a Nike+ compatible shoe.

That’s it! Those 4 things make up the best running partner for me. Honestly, I’m not sure I’d find it as much fun without the Nike+.

And for all the walkers out there.. YES you can use it too. It will track walking. :)

Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any questions.