[59] Compatibility Issues

I knew putting all my run tracking eggs into a single technological basket would eventually come to bite me in the back. Since the purchase of my Nike+ SportWatch GPS, it has not only been my primary run tracking device, but time piece as well. Between the time I ran the Queens Half Marathon and the top of September, Nike decided to perform some upgrades to the Nike Running site and their software applications. Normally, upgrading is always a good thing, unless there is a sudden loss of communication between related devices.

Naturally, my technological black thumb returns! After two removals and reinstalls of Nike+ Connect (one for PC and the other for Mac), plus the soft reset of my watch, there is nothing I can do aside from:

1. Take it back to the authorized retailer where I purchased it and request an exchange.
2. Request a replacement which will take 4-6 weeks.
3. Request an advance exchange (new device within 7-10 days, and 30 to mail back current item).

Giving the situation thought, I elected for option three as I don't want to belabor the wonderful people over at Westchester Road Runner with something that has absolutely nothing to do with them. The only hitch is that I am moving to Georgia within 7-10 days, so I have to wait until closer to my departure date to ensure delivery.

The most disappointing part is that they cannot-- or will not (I'm not sure)-- retrieve the data from the watch and manually upload it to my Nike+ profile. As a result, I lose three runs and a heartbeat workout due to their inability to remedy the software conflits. Honestly, I find this admission by Nike Running extremely disappointing, and I feel simply exchanging the device isn't sufficient. I have been a loyal Nike+ runner for nearly two years, and I have invested and supported the brand by not jumping ship to RunKeeper like many other runners I know. My fierce brand loyalty has resulted in friends and family following suit, so I feel that Nike should be doing more, or risk losing their corner on the running market.

[Running in Limbo]

1. 09/09/11: [ 2.0 Mi | 27:39.69 | 13'43" | 220 Cal ]
2. 09/10/11: [ Heartbeat Workout: Elliptical | 22:56 | 209 Cal | 154BPM ]
3. 09/12/11: [ 3.65Mi | 56:53.73 | 15'35" | 420 Cal | 130 BPM ]
4. 09/14/11: [ 2.0 Mi | 26:48.13 | 13'16" | 204 Cal | 131 BPM ]

The e-mail exchange with Customer Service went well, but it does not diminish my disappointment with the entire situation. In order to proceed with the exchange, I am required to contact customer service and provide them with additional information. As I am not the one with the issue here, I should not be the one bending over backwards to set the situation straight. I am certain that they are innandated with dissatisfied runners currently, but that is part of their responsibility as a customer care representative. Hopefully, I can negotiate an exchange quickly. However, for the time being, my critical runs will be logged with either the Nike+GPS app on my iPhone or my tried and true Nike+ SportBand (which I am glad I didn't part with).

 

No, no we are not. :(



[29] Race Comparison 1

Almost a month has passed since I ran my second half-marathon, so I figured it was time to take a closer look at my two races.

Who: Kahren
Age: 31
Division: Females 30-34 Years Old

I signed up for NW1/2M on a whim, to be perfectly honest. A week after my thirty-wonder-first birthday, I got an invite as a regular Nike+ user to sign up. I had been running since December the previous year, but I had never properly trained for a race of any kind, let alone an endurace race like a half-marathon. The energy at the race was intense, but I am certain that is how anyone feels when they take on their first race.

Race: Nike Women's Half-Marathon (Bib #5930)
Date: October 17, 2010
Overall Time: 3:05:44
Average Pace: 14'10"
Splits:

• 5K: 35:05
• 10K: N/A
• 15K: 2:03:26

No sooner did I get home from San Fran, my cousin, Kathryn, "made the call" and invited me to run the Princess Half with her. I was thrilled that she asked me because I am always looking for people to race with, especially if I can share it with the people in my life.



133 Days Later...

Race: Disney Princess Half-Marathon (Bib #13189)
Date: February 27, 2011
Overall Time: 2:52:09
Average Pace: 14'10"
Splits:

• 5K: 38:42
• 10K: 1:20:17
• 15K: 2:05:00

What puzzles me is that I thought I had started off stronger at Disney then I did at SF. I remember charging out of the gate in San Fran, through the dark, vacant streets, but feeling like I tired out and walked much more during that race. Also, the hills from miles 6-9 were torture on my knees and ankles. Aside from the last two miserable miles in the rain, all my times in SF were better than Disney. I wonder why... I took a quicker bathroom break, and walked much less in Florida.

Curious. Perhaps I made better time after clearing the 15K mark as it was Florida sunshine and blue skies all over Disney. I stopped for fewer photo opportunties as well. In 2010, I was 165 pounds, but when I ran in February, I dropped fifteen pounds.