A new Nike+ Sportband problem

On January 31, 2009 By Emerging Runner6 Comments

I had a particularly good bunch of runs this week and looked forward to downloading my Sportband after this morning’s workout. Today is the last day of January and I was curious to see how I did in total mileage compared to December.

I started with 15 minutes of core exercise as a warm up and then ran 3.1 miles outside. It was 18 degrees and windy and I struggled through the whole run. Running is mostly fun but today it was work. There was no debate when I reached the crossroad where I could run another mile or just head for home. I had hoped the core work would have prepared me better but my legs felt heavy throughout the run. My running felt mechanical the whole way through and I was prepared for an abysmal pace. I was surprised to see that I ran 3.1 miles in about 29 minutes.

My frustration came when I attempted to upload the past week’s runs to the Nike+ site only to see the dialog box read “No new runs to upload.” I tried multiple times but the application just wouldn’t recognize my runs. I ended up manually inputting the runs into MapMyRun where I aggregate all my workouts including training done on the elliptical machine. I looked on the Nike+ forums to see if there was a solution posted. There were no solutions but I saw that I wasn’t the only one who was experiencing this issue.

I finished January having run almost exactly the same total distance as in December averaging about 15 miles a week. Since I was on vacation for two weeks in December and had more time to run I’m considering January’s distance a net gain. With the Sportband failing to upload my runs I’m thinking about bringing it back for a refund and getting a Garmin 50 with foot pod and HRM. I just can’t rationalize spending over $400 for a Forerunner 405, Polar or Suunto GPS watch with the additional foot pod and HRM.

Nike+ Sportband, the definition of insanity

On January 10, 2009 By Emerging Runner3 Comments

Albert Einstein supposedly said “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” If that’s true then I am truly insane because I continue to use my Nike+ Sportband hoping that its display, like its two predecessors, won’t corrode and fade away. I realize that I have been complaining a lot lately in my posts – runners with bad safety judgment, elliptical machine issues and again the Sportband – but I question why so many fitness technologies just don’t work.

I am a technologist and those who know me will agree that I am passionate about the ways technology can benefit society. I say this to demonstrate that I am neither a Luddite nor “purist” when it comes to workout science. However, between my Sportband troubles, continuing problems with our elliptical machine’s HRM and an earlier disappointing experience with Brookstone’s Heart Rate Ring I am zero for 3 in terms of consumer satisfaction. Why bring a product to market that just doesn’t work?

I applaud Nike for having developed a very affordable system that accurately tracks running metrics using an RFID sensor along with a lightweight watch that captures the information in real time. What bothers me is that Nike, an $18 billion company founded on the development of an innovative running shoe, seems to have given up on this idea because their original design was poorly engineered. If the problem is that the water seal of the display is flawed why not fix that and reintroduce the product? While there is an iPod based solution it’s an irrelevant choice for those who don’t have or want an iPod.

Yet, through this, as my current Sportband continues to degrade and fade, I hold out hope that the next one I get when I swap it out at Dick’s will work better. That is if they still have them. Otherwise I will ask for a refund and consider my next technology decision: Should I apply my refund to the purchase of a Garmin Forerunner 50 with Heart Rate Monitor and Foot Pod or go all out and get the Garmin Forerunner 405 Black GPS Enabled Sports Watch/ HRM for three times the price but with everything a running techno-geek would ever want?

It all comes down to my earlier point. What if I bought the 405 and it doesn’t work? Then I’ll have nothing to aspire to. Maybe that will be the time to buy a stopwatch.

A pretty good (but freezing) run

On December 13, 2008 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

This morning was pretty cold but I decided that I would brave the weather and run outside. Instead of my usual weekend neighborhood run I decided to go to the track. I tried to anticipate how cold it would be and wore three long sleeve running jerseys under a lightweight running jacket and lined running pants. I also brought my fleece hat and gloves.

As I drove toward the school I had to move into the center of the road to avoid hitting two runners who decided to run side by side up a very busy street in the same direction as the traffic. I couldn’t believe those guys and I hope they didn’t get hit.

When I got to the track I saw a couple of people running. They were bundled up much more than me, both were wearing hoods and hats that covered most of their faces. The other runners seemed miserable and I figured that they overdressed and were paying for it or they were just pushing too hard. I began my run feeling really good. The sun had come up and it didn’t feel cold at all. As I came around the second curve the wind hit me straight on. It was painfully cold and difficult to maintain speed. I realized then why those other runners dressed that way. Note to self: Buy a running balaclava.

I toughed it out and ran 13 laps, the equivalent of 3.25 miles. My Nike+ Sportband was off by quite a bit (32%) and reported that I ran 4.84 miles (see above) which calculated to a pace of 6:58/mile. Not quite. With the wind I was pleased with my true pace, calculated by MapMyRun at 10:24. I felt I could have pushed it another mile but the wind was picking up and I really didn’t like how my face was feeling. I may return with my son later, hopefully it will warm up by early afternoon. In the meantime I will try to recalibrate the Sportband. It’s been very accurate against the treadmill speed and distance but on an actual track, not so much. Maybe I do need a GPS watch.