Nike+ Boards.ie Summer Challenge

_sheep

Start Date: 03/05/10
End Date: 31/07/10
Goal: Most distance covered in 90 days.

Join the challenge here: http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/en_EMEA/plus/#//challenges/detail/276229454/

Don't know how much interest there will be for this here but decided to give it a go as I immensely enjoy a similar challenge on another running forum, I'm also going to shamelessly steal a lot of this post from there as well.

The goal is to put in as many miles as possible in the 90 days along side your fellow boardsies, what better way to keep motivated than seeing how your milage stacks up against other users and convincing yourself to do that extra mile at the end of your run so you can climb a few positions on the table - I know its kept me out for some extra miles this year.

Don't worry about joining the challenge late, all your runs from the start date of the challenge will be counted. Participants please post in the thread with your Nike+ username.


What is Nike+?
Nike+ is basically a pedometer with a nifty marketing campaign, for iPod Nano, iPod Touch, or as a separate Nike+ armband. Plenty of stores have it in stock now - feel free to ask questions about it in the thread.

Mini Nike+ FAQ
What Nike+ versions are there? Nike+ Sportband, and Nike + iPod sport kits. For those with iPods, it works with the Nano, iPod Touch (v2 and up), and iPhone 3Gs.

Do I need an iPod? No. Nike sells a SportBand which is all you need. Or you can use an iPhone 3Gs, iPod Nano, or iPod Touch (except the first version).

Are you a Garmin User? If you use a GPS watch instead of a nike+ you can still join, use http://awsmithson.com/tcx2nikeplus/ to upload your runs after you create an account on nike+. I personally haven't used my nike+ sensor in weeks thanks to this.

No! My sensor is dead! Never fear, Nike sells replacement sensors on their web site. Nike promises it to work for ~1000 miles or so, though, check to see if you fall under warranty, though. I hear posting in the Nike+ forums help immensely with any sensor problems before you resort to buying replacements.

Do I need to calibrate my sensor? It's usually pretty good out of the box and shouldn't be off by more than 10-20%, but it depends on your gait. If you have access to a treadmill or track, it's probably a good idea to calibrate it.

I can't stand the outdoors, will it work on a treadmill? Yes, though it may require a little calibration for some.

Why isn't my run showing up in the challenge!? Updates are slow, especially if you don't run often. Wait a day and you'll see it show up.

Can I join late? Will my old runs count? Yes, you join at any time and it will add all your runs retroactively to the start date. Note that it can take the older runs up to a couple days to show up.

Ugh! I hate Nike shoes! Can I use it on some other sneaker? Yes! Slide it under the laces or stuff it in the tongue, anything that allows it to be fixed to your sneaker of choice. Or you can do what most of us did, which was spend a little extra money for a little special sleeve for it. There are a lot of these out there, google or get crafty with duct tape/cloth/velcro, just make sure its as level as possible and its not upside down.

Is there some way around the Nike+ ****ty flash website? www.slowgeek.com is excellent.

I'm on Win2k/Linux/OpenBSD/other old and/or exotic OS, will this work? Unfortunately there is no widget to support the sportband or the iPod attachment (that i know about).

_sheep

In as 'jackomah'

Woddle

Why not join ours instead
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055784440&page=271
Based on trust rather than gadgets

RoyMcC

I'll participate in Nike mass marketing the day they take on board the human rights issues in their low-cost factory units in the third world and commit to doing something about them.

_sheep

Woddle wrote: »

Why not join ours instead
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055784440&page=271
Based on trust rather than gadgets

I thought this might be something a bit different, easier to see how people on the same-ish level as you are doing on their runs, their pace, the weather they ran in etc.

Also thought it might be a bit easier have a discussion about various runs you did, I was going to add my stuff to that thread a while ago but the nearly 300 pages and no discussion just didnt appeal to me i guess, especially looking at the crazy people that have completed 1k miles already.

Maybe its a pointless thread so, just thought slower runners/new couch to 5k graduates like myself might enjoy it. This thread on another site is what really motivated me off the couch in January and actually enjoy my running, especially seeing there was loads of people my basic level doing it.

mloc123

RoyMcC wrote: »

I'll participate in Nike mass marketing the day they take on board the human rights issues in their low-cost factory units in the third world and commit to doing something about them.

Um replace Nike with any large sportswear brand...

Do you run naked?

RoyMcC

mloc123 wrote: »

Um replace Nike with any large sportswear brand...

Do you run naked?

Nike are the market leaders and should be leading by example. I'll wear their stuff but it doesn't mean I like the way they conduct their business.

robinph

_sheep wrote: »

Also thought it might be a bit easier have a discussion about various runs you did, I was going to add my stuff to that thread a while ago but the nearly 300 pages and no discussion just didnt appeal to me i guess, especially looking at the crazy people that have completed 1k miles already.

The other thread is totally the wrong place to try and chat about anything, really needs a companion thread for chatting about the stats. Don't let the silly numbers at the top of the table put you off adding your numbers in though.

Woddle

Yep a seperate 1000 mile discussion thread is a good idea and it was one of the suggestions I got back in December, I think it was gohardorgohome, Never too late to start one?

Cabaal

RoyMcC wrote: »

Nike are the market leaders and should be leading by example. I'll wear their stuff but it doesn't mean I like the way they conduct their business.

There's an irony there, how can you complain about their human rights records and then continue to support them?

If I hated say BOI would it make sense that I keep my current account with them?

RoyMcC

Cabaal wrote: »

There's an irony there, how can you complain about their human rights records and then continue to support them?

If I hated say BOI would it make sense that I keep my current account with them?

It would be very easy if the Nike manual workers were to call for a boycott of their goods. However they rely on the Nike minimum starvation wage to scrape a bare living. Therefore there's no conflict in (a) wearing the products, which are excellent and (b) not helping out the company in their self-promoting efforts.

You might take a quick look here http://www.teamsweat.org/

paulocon

Good idea - I've signed up (paulocon)..

Using a Garmin Forerunner so no idea how easy it'll be to get the data in there but I'll give it a go..

Not going to get into the ethical debate given that this is the A/R/T forum - maybe such debates are best left for elsewhere?

RoyMcC

paulocon wrote: »

Not going to get into the ethical debate given that this is the A/R/T forum - maybe such debates are best left for elsewhere?

Agree. There's a campaign to be fought but this isn't really the place for it. I was simply adding a bit of balance.

tempo

RoyMcC wrote: »

Nike are the market leaders and should be leading by example. I'll wear their stuff but it doesn't mean I like the way they conduct their business.

You are being a hypocrite by what you say in the above.If you feel that strongly about the way they conduct their buisensss you wouldnt wear the product end of!!!

RoyMcC

tempo wrote: »

You are being a hypocrite by what you say in the above.If you feel that strongly about the way they conduct their buisensss you wouldnt wear the product end of!!!

Strong words my friend. I'm going to PM you rather than wage a war here.

Blazer

Guys..this is a Nike+ challenge not a fúckin debate on sweatshops..take it to another thread.

To the Op...damn you..why didn't you start it today? :mad:
I'd have been 10k up already due to the Limerick run

_sheep

Sunday is my long run day, I thought it would be cheeky if I started the challenge the day of my "long" run of 10k!!

Blazer

just did a 5k a while ago..legs not feeling the best now..will take a break now till Thurs or so..

Bugsy2000

Just signed up on the Nike+ account now. Still trying to figure out how I register my sensor with my profile though. It's a good system though, looking forward to clocking up a few runs & seeing myself move up that table (slowly moving up the table I would imagine) Cheers Sheep

_sheep

Bugsy2000 its done through iTunes i seem to recall, hook your ipod up to your itunes after you've had the sensor connected and youll get a new 'nike+' tab under your ipod - should be easy enough from there.

Must try and get 6k done tonight to get into second, dont think i could manage 12 to take top.