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I Am Nicholas Goda??

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Apparently in the realm of Nike+, I’m known as Nicholas Goda. But then again, so are a few other runners.

After upgrading the Nike+ Running iOS app to version 4.0, my profile quietly messed up. While my nickname, icon/avatar, and email address remained the same, I took on the running identity of Nicholas Goda. I’m not 5-10 at 175 pounds. Though not shown here, Nicholas does own a fair amount of shoes.

Logging out of the app and logging back in seemed to have restored my proper identity, but now I’m having issues syncing runs with Nike+.

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Could You Have Imagined?

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Back in May of 2005, when Nike joined forces with Apple, could you have imagined this?

In 2005, the Nike+ system debuted strictly to track running. Back then you had to use the Sports Kit with a shoe sensor and a receiver for your iPod Nano. The iPhone did not exist in 2005. In his third year in the NBA, a 21-year old LeBron James averaged a personal best 31.4 ppg with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Forward to 2012 and look at this. Nike+ continued its evolution with more Nike+ products, the FuelBand, and the ability to track workouts and basketball activities. A key component continues to be Apple products such as the iPhone and iPods. Now 27-years old, LeBron James is a NBA champion and Finals MVP for the Miami Heat. Could you have imagined this trio of champions?

Nike+ “Make It Count”

So what is Nike’s surprise connected to #makeitcount on 1/19/2012? Will the Nike+ program get an entire revamp? I do think the Nike+ mobile app needs to go beyond walking and running activities. Keeping track of various kinds of physical activity would extend its reach although I don’t know how it’ll track Kevin Durant’s exertion on the court.

Anyways, we’ll find out today.

Nike and Apple Sharing Playbooks?

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Have you noticed similarities between Nike and Apple products and concepts over the years? Sure there’s the obvious Nike+ collaboration that started back in 2006, but here are a few more commonalities

The lightness of Air

Way back in the day, Nike Air technology was revolutionary. Now the MacBook Air continues the tradition.

I wonder if Apple got its idea for dedicated Apple Stores from Niketowns?

The MacBook Pro and its unibody design? How about the Nike Zoom Hyperfuse with its unibody construction.

And speaking of Hyperfuse, don’t forget the Intel processors inside of Macs support hyper-threading. Oh, and there’s that MacFuse software project.

Nike uses Shox columns for support while Apple like anti-shock hard drives for its laptop line. Nike embraces wires ala Flywire, but Apple wants to forgo wires and go wireless.

The latest rumor is that the construction of the iPad 2 will contain carbon fiber. Do you recall what Nike shoe introduced carbon fiber? None other than the iconic Air Jordan XI.

Bringing carbon fiber to the mainstream

A giveaway that Apple and Nike are definitely sharing playbooks would be Apple following suit with lunar themed products.

And you know Apple’s Steve Jobs says “Boom” only because Nike owns “Zoom.”

I Slowed Down in 2010

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According to Nike+, I slowed down in 2010.  For the year, I ran 179 miles but 286 in 2009. Here’s a comparison between 2009 and 2010.

What’s with the slowdown? A look at my monthly breakdown of runs might help.

Now I remember. In April and May, I had some medical work done so I didn’t run for awhile.  In June, I went on an epic trip.  Not sure what happened in August.  Maybe I got sick?  October was just a tough time.  All that plus I got a stationary bike to ride on so that probably stole away some runs.

But overall, I did achieve the “blue” status in Nike+ surpassing 620 miles run.

Looking for an iPod Touch 2G Armband

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Since I seriously think my customized iPod Nano is really, really zapped, I’m looking at using an iPod Touch, 2nd generation, during my runs. The Touch is much bigger than the Nano, and it does support the Nike+ running sensor and the new Nike+ GPS app (sans the GPS part for a Touch).

Now I need to find an armband for running. This Belkin DualFit armband looks okay and has good reviews.

Hmmm, I got my Nano in September 2007 and before that, a Shuffle in August 2005. Now in September 2010, my Nano is flailing. What’s with the months of August and September and faltering iPods?

I’m Blue!

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My Nike+ system just let me know that I’m blue, the blue running level that is. I’ve surpassed 620 miles of running, going from level green to level blue. Next up is level purple at 1553(!) miles then level black at over 3107 miles.

Here’s the movie clip that greeted me when signing into Nike+ online.

This calls for a reward! Maybe some Civil Beat-inspired kicks?

“Congratulations! You burned a tremendous amount of calories”

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After running with my Nike+ system, I heard a congratulatory message saying I burned a tremendous amount of calories. What I would have preferred is something like this:

“Congratulations! You burned a tremendous amount of calories. Now go celebrate with an ice cream cone.”

Or maybe from a marketing and partnership standpoint:

“Congratulations! You burned a tremendous amount of calories. Now go celebrate with a treat from one of our many partners.” Then from the Nike+ web site, I could browse various vendors and print out a discount coupon or something.

Or maybe even:

“Congratulations! You burned a tremendous amount of calories. Now go check in with one of our partners and celebrate with a treat.” If Nike were partnered with a geolocation service like Foursquare or Gowalla, a check-in at a Nike+ partner location would give you immediate specials at that location.

Just a thought anyways but for now, I’ll take the virtual pat on the back.

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Who Needs the Nike+iPod Sports Kit?

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So who really needs the Nike+iPod Sports Kit when you got one of these bad boys?

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Yeah, that’s right. Why spend $30 on the Sports Kit when you can get this step counter free inside a box of cereal? And check it out, this does colors one better with red, orange, and blue featuring Mickey, Stitch, and some Chicken Little guy. Awesome!

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Talk about ease of use. Here’s the directions.

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Way simple. No wireless connection between a sensor and receiver needed. No syncing, no web site shenanigans.

step-4192So I took my step counter out for a run, and here are my results for three runs following the same course:

  • 4192
  • 4273
  • 4453

Yeah, 4000+ steps per run baby! What stats! How many calories did I burn? I don’t know. How long did I take? I don’t know. How far did I run? To Hamakua and back. What songs did I listen to? Whatever my faltering Shuffle was playing.

So I ask again, who really needs the Nike+iPod Sports Kit?
My Amazon.com Wish List

Nike+iPod Getting Good Reviews

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As testing and tryouts of the Nike+iPod Sports Kit go on, more positive reviews are surfacing. The latest come from venerable Walt Mossberg (and sprinting assistant Katie) and Time magazine.

Walt gives a good review of just how the system works and describes his experiences using the Sports Kit. He also talks about the NikePlus.com website to track your stats, challenge yourself and your friends. And to be fair, he points out some of the shortfalls (not many) of the system.

The Sports Kit is Time magazine’s Gadget of the Week, and the reviewer tries the kit on other activities besides running (elliptical machine).

Interesting tidbits of info in both articles. Get your Nike+iPod Sports Kit and start running!

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