joltguy•is•me

On the road again!

Yesterday afternoon I took the first few steps into my 2009 running regime. Nature has graciously removed (most of) the snow and revealed the concrete and pavement that I haven’t seen in months. Its time for me to get back out there.

Nike+iPod=cheer, Nike+iPhone=sneer

After almost a month off due to an issue with my right knee, I was finally able to get back out there and run this morning! Did my 5K and I’m feeling pretty good right now. Yay me! :)

BTW, I did a short (~2K) test run with my iPhone 3GS with Nike+ yesterday and I was so unimpressed with the entire experience that I will absolutely be sticking with my white 4GB iPod nano for running. Reasons?

• I didn’t like the bulk of the iPhone strapped to my arm
• The screen was nearly impossible to read due to sunlight and the shakiness of having it uh, attached to my arm
• Even if I could’ve read the screen, tactile feedback is key in this type of usage
• Having to snap the phone out of its case (Griffin Wave) just to fit it into the armband (Griffin Streamline) was a hassle
• The armband hugged the iPhone so tight that it kept pressing the volume button on the side of the phone (this was a total and complete PITFA)
• I couldn’t figure out how to get the instant voice-based feedback/status info which is readily available on the nano simply by pressing the center button
• I used the iPhone earbuds so that I would be able to use the integrated remote and of course they repeatedly fell out of my ears (I usually use earbuds that hook around my ears when running)
• I didn’t have any suitable playlists on the phone (my fault) and the only option offered by the app was to shuffle all my music. With the advent of the genius playlist, I think this could be improved. Hell it could’ve at least let me choose a genre. I love Pink Floyd, but I sure don’t want to run while listening to “Shine on You Crazy Diamond”.

Nike+ was originally designed to work with iPod nano, and it shows. Although Nike+ looks great on the iPhone, thats where the appeal ends. I have none of the above problems when I use my iPod nano, and therefore I shall continue to use it for running until its battery (or mine) is unable to hold a charge.

The New Look of Nike+

Nike is updating the Nike+ web app and doing a damn fine job of it too! I love it, even if it is still mostly Flash.