MetaFilter runs (again) on nikeplus

March 6, 2007 12:45 PM

NikePlus is a site which allows people who own the nike running gizmo for iPods to compete on the net. After being narrowly beaten by the swift and nimble web-goddess in the first edition of MetaFilter Runs, we want to settle the score... If you want to compete in the next edition, put your nike+ login in the comments below, and I'll invite you to the challenge. (I've already sent an invitation to all the challengers who took part in the first edition.) Oh yes, the winning distance in the previous 'most miles in 30 days' was 54.9 miles. Pretty decent for a bunch of out of shape geeks... The challenge start next monday (3/12) at 12am CET.
posted by pj_rivera to MetaFilter gatherings at 12:45 PM (32 comments total)

oops. Did I say Nike+ login? I meant Nike+ screenname.
posted by pj_rivera at 1:01 PM on March 6, 2007

mmmm... yummy advertising goodness.
posted by Dave Faris at 1:07 PM on March 6, 2007

how much does this gizmo cost? i want in.
posted by phaedon at 1:39 PM on March 6, 2007

Is there an explanation (outside of that annoying-as-hell Nike website) of just what the running gizmo for iPods is?
posted by rocket88 at 1:39 PM on March 6, 2007

gizmo is called 'nike + ipod sports kit' and costs 29$. Basically it measures the distance and speed of your run. Pretty accurately too. On connecting ipod to itunes after your run, your run info is uploaded to the nike+ site.

from apple's site : "Transform your iPod nano into a personal workout coach with the Nike + iPod Sport Kit. This wireless sensor and receiver combination works exclusively with your Nike+ shoes and iPod nano to give you real-time feedback during workouts and let you track your performance on your Mac or PC."

The above is not 100% exact, kit works perfectly with my non-nike shoes. Enough advertising goodness for you all?
posted by pj_rivera at 1:51 PM on March 6, 2007

sorrow. follow-ups. doesnt work with shuffle right?
and more importantly, does this work for walking? i need to start with a nice morning walk before i work my way up to a jog (known as the camel lights clause)
posted by phaedon at 2:01 PM on March 6, 2007

Indeed, only with the nano (1st & 2nd generation). It does work for walking however.
posted by pj_rivera at 2:11 PM on March 6, 2007

It requires a nano, and will work with any running shoes, but works best with Nike's special line of + shoes. The full kit is about $350 with shoes and new ipod and all.

It will work when walking, though your pace, distance, and other data will be measured just like it was a slow run (it doesn't discriminate between running and walking in the stats if you do both).

It's pretty cool and fun. I just wish I didn't get a month-long flu/cold/cough thing soon after I got mine set up.
posted by mathowie at 2:12 PM on March 6, 2007

I'd love to do this. I haven't yet bought a Nike + iPod kit and I probably won't do it this month. But I'd love to be invited if there ever is a round three.
posted by sveskemus at 2:21 PM on March 6, 2007

Swift and nimble? HA! More like lame and shambling. I did drag my butt all over Sydney for that victory though. (*minor feeling of accomplishment, tempered by the guilt of imagining you guys running in snow*)

This one will be a super challenge for me, given that I'm leaving for a much-needed vacation home to the States at the end of the month. I was planning on more of a "stuff my face with Mom's home cookin'" vibe rather than a "run through mucky corn fields" one, so this is definitely your chance to take the title.

And the haters can suck it. This isn't PepsiBlue; it's an invitation to a social running challenge. If you don't have a Nike thingo, just think of it as a meetup somewhere where you don't live.
posted by web-goddess at 2:28 PM on March 6, 2007

Yep. I bought one, ran once with it, then decided I couldn't face running in the Vancouver rain. I'd love to be shamed into competing...

Nike+ name: 4thworlder
posted by Jon Mitchell at 2:41 PM on March 6, 2007

just think of it as a meetup somewhere where you don't live.

With a $350 cover charge.
posted by Dave Faris at 2:53 PM on March 6, 2007

Too bad Nike makes only narrow shoes.
posted by caddis at 3:01 PM on March 6, 2007

No, think of it as the plane ticket. It would cost a lot more than $350 for me to fly to the next big Stateside meetup with y'all, but do you see me complaining?

Besides, it's not really $350. If you already have a nano - and many people do - it's $30. You don't need the fancy shoes. There are literally a DOZEN different hacks (including my own) to attach the sensor to your existing shoes. But hey, if you want to crap all over our attempt to do something healthy, be my guest.
posted by web-goddess at 3:04 PM on March 6, 2007 [3 favorites]

Why thank you web-goddess. I am going to try hacking My Sauconeys. I doubt I can hang with you for the miles, but I am glad to be able to use this with my shoes.
posted by caddis at 3:08 PM on March 6, 2007

The key to getting an accurate measurement seems to be getting it as flat and secure as possible, caddis. That's why I put mine near the toe. Good luck!
posted by web-goddess at 3:12 PM on March 6, 2007

ok, so you're saying that i can compete if all im doing is walking? this isnt who can run the fastest? this sounds way too fun to pass up.
posted by phaedon at 3:13 PM on March 6, 2007

The way pj_rivera's set this one up, it's all about distance, not speed. (Though we can do a speed challenge later if people are up for it.) I ended up walking the last week or two of the first challenge because of an injury. Rack up the miles any way you can, I say!

And now I'm going to get to work and quit pontificating... :)
posted by web-goddess at 3:22 PM on March 6, 2007

Is there a way to upload the data without using iTunes?
posted by box at 3:29 PM on March 6, 2007

this is great, guys. im going to go pick up some gear after work.
posted by phaedon at 3:34 PM on March 6, 2007

Something about the title "MetaFilter Runs" doesn't shit well with me.
posted by SeizeTheDay at 4:04 PM on March 6, 2007

[wow, web-goddess, you run roalddahlfans.com. I love Dahl. I remember when I bought "My Uncle Waldo" in an airport bookstore and read it on a long flight. After a short while I started covering up the title page it felt so naughty reading it with other people around. That and his other works are so much fun and so imaginative. Good show. I found that biography of Dahl fascinating. I hope you can finish it sometime. It you remember I would appreciate an email when you do. He's quite the interesting person. The internets are fun. I never would have found that stuff if you had not posted about hacking the ipod/nike+.]
posted by caddis at 6:05 PM on March 6, 2007

[Heh. I think you mean "My Uncle Oswald." :) But yeah, that's me. Unfortunately it's probably very obvious that I barely work on the site anymore. I just have other interests these days. I leave it up because people still seem to find it useful and - to be brutally honest - it makes me a non-trivial sum from the Google Ads. If I ever get around to finishing the bio, I'll let you know.]
posted by web-goddess at 7:06 PM on March 6, 2007

yes, oswald, sorry
posted by caddis at 7:14 PM on March 6, 2007

Nike+ screename: AJR
posted by ajr at 5:42 AM on March 7, 2007

Okay, you know, had it not been for Mardi Gras, I might have given you a run (har) for your money. No excuses this time! Raaar!
posted by pyjammy at 7:49 AM on March 7, 2007

Nike+screenname: phaedon
posted by phaedon at 10:34 AM on March 7, 2007

Nike+screenname: dzho

And I'm just here to lower the curve.
posted by box at 7:58 PM on March 7, 2007

Nike+screenname: Run_DD_Run
I'm with box...don't run fast or more than twice a week (querulous hips) still, would love to more fully exercise my iPod+.
posted by ponystyle at 2:11 AM on March 8, 2007

Nike+screenname : JennyJenny
Don't worry Kris, I'll help keep you on track when you're visiting me ;)
posted by iseeu at 3:55 PM on March 11, 2007

Holy crap, it's my cousin! I didn't know A) you're a MeFite and B) you're a Nike runner. Yeah, we'll have to run Lakeshore or something... :)
posted by web-goddess at 4:35 PM on March 11, 2007

Okay, welcome to all new challengers. We're off and running. Let's see who takes the early lead.

If anyone else wants to join the challenge, you can still post you nike+ screenname here and I'll send an invite, but you'll have to play catch-up...
posted by pj_rivera at 3:57 AM on March 12, 2007