I've always been a runner. I ran at school because I could never apply myself to sport. I run for the train, as I'm always late (for everything). I run at the gym because I find it easier than lifting weights. But I wouldn't say that I enjoy it. On the contrary, I find it deadly dull. And I must have tunes. Couldn't possibly consider running without my ipod tunes. Would probably give up after five minutes if I didn't have music. Very much like the focus the adverts gave me whilst doing the plank (last week), I find that if I'm struggling, I can concentrate on a song and it usually gets me through. And by the same token, if a song comes on that I can take or leave, I usually leave it and stop running. Any excuse.
So looking for new ways to keep me interested, I finally invested in a Nike+, from err, Nike. Nike+ is a device that works with an iPod Nano. A neat receiver fits into the base of the Nano which picks up information from a transmitter than slots into you Nike+ adapted Nike trainer. This already sounds quite expensive. However, as I won my ipod Nano in a competition (lucky me), bought an adapter for the transmitter off eBay for £5 (so not having to fork out £80+ for Nike training shoes, instead the transmitter attaches to your laces) and bought a full-price Nike+ kit from the Apple store (£20). So my expense was only £23. Not bad.
All I can say is that it was quite brilliant. Armed with my Nike+ and new instructions from Oliver to try and run slower and for longer (instead of my - as quick as my legs can carry me) - along with the occasional 'well done, your brilliant' type stuff from the Nike+ lady (she talks to you and gives you an update of your current pace, time and how fabulous you are - not really). I managed to run for about 48 minutes. Incredible. I've NEVER run for that long. So chuffed. Admittedly the kms per hour ranged from about 8.5 - 9.0 - but who cares. I ran for 48 minutes. £23 well spent I say.
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