I won't have a chip until I get my next paycheck, Christmas left me broke.

If you have a Feb. challenge I'll join in.

If you don't want to "challenge", you can also get a team that works towards a common goal, like 1,000 miles or something. I know some people are more motivated by team effort rather than individual competition. *shrug*

That's a great idea about the group goal. I do like an individual challenge but, like I said, I don't see me being much of a "challenge" this month.

My plan is to get into running shape on the treadmill (while participating in the January challenge) and plan to hit the pavement when spring comes.

I say let's see how January goes and maybe we can decide for February if we would prefer a challenge or a group goal.

elisa - I'm sure you could do better than I could! I'm terrible with running.

I'm pretty sure that the chip will count walking as miles, but I'm not sure how that's reflected in the "challenge." Does the chip know when you're walking vs. running?

I think a total miles, whether walked or ran, would be good - not everyone likes to run or is ready to run.

I got an invite but when i click on it, i get to the nike page and it doesnt say anything about the challenge. Anyone else having this problem?

I didn't get an invite

Originally Posted by stallieswife:
I got an invite but when i click on it, i get to the nike page and it doesnt say anything about the challenge. Anyone else having this problem?

The Nike site has been having problems, no doubt due to the additional traffic from all those lucky runners who got the kit in their x-mas stockings. I was able to get in earlier today and accept the challenge, but I can't get back in now. Just keep trying and hopefully, the website will eventually stabilize.

The first time I checked, I also couldn't get into the site to accept. I'll try again later.

And yes, the chip counts walking as well as running. If we're doing a challenge or a goal for distance, then it won't matter whether you run or walk. It tracks your speed but it's still up to you whether you walk, jog, run or any combination.

Right now, I'm basing all of my personal goals on distance to start. For me it's more motivating. I'm aiming to be able to get to 5K and then I'll work on time..

Originally Posted by AmberD:
I didn't get an invite

Sorry Amber! Didn't see your screen name until just now! I will get you added. All of your runs prior to today should count! SORRY!!!

Ok Amber-you should have an invite now!

Geez Rachel-your kicking our butts!

I tried to post a message to you girls on nike plus trash talk thing, but then it stopped working.

Anyway i'll just post it here.

Way to go girls! Keep up the great work!

Maybe it's just me but I can never seem to get into the Nike site to view the challenge and progress etc. but I'm going to keep trying and hopefully get to some running.

I just realized that the challenge is for total mileage for whoever was asking about walking vs. running.

I'm still finding the Nike + website a bit frustrating but I like the product.

Keep up the good work everyone!

Yes, the site is definitely still having issues - it's frustrating, I can only get in sporadically. But keep logging those miles, they'll get things fixed eventually I hope. (and today was a non-running day for me, so it's an opportunity to catch up)

Well I'm still struggling over at the Nike website but I have another question for those using the Nike +

Did anyone calibrate their sensor? I know the manual said that it is fairly accurate for most people. I ran today at the gym (yay!) and I don't know if the treadmill itself is any more reliable but the treadmill said I did just under 3 km (based on converting the miles to kilometres) by my ipod said I did 3.25 km.

I'm okay if it's a bit off but should I trust the treadmill and try to calibrate the unit or wait until I run outside and know the distance for sure? Or just say who cares and know that it is a bit off.

Just wondering if anyone else checked the accuracy.

Mine was like .2 ahead of what my treadmill said. So i calibrated it and now its perfect.

I never run outside (its either to cold or to hot here). I enjoy running inside where i can control how hot or cold it is.

I calibrated mine as well - it wasn't too far off, maybe 5%, but it was easy enough to do the calibration and get it closer.

I looked in the manual about how to calibrate the unit but, if I understand it correctly, you have to know the distance that you're going to walk/run. Is that right?

Did you use the treadmill to calibrate or do it outside? I wasn't sure if the treadmill was accurate either.

Thanks!

Yes, you do need to know the distance you have actually run in order to calibrate. I did mine on a local jogging path that has mile markers on it.

Hi Everyone,

Got the Nike + for the holidays and it is still sitting in the box. Does it have to be calibrated before you start using it? Can you use it on the treadmill???

No, you don't have to calibrate the unit. I think the manual states that it's fairly accurate right out of the box for most people. As I mentioned in an earlier post, mine seems to be a bit off, at least judging by what distance the treadmill says that I have run. I haven't yet calibrated it so it might be a bit off, but now that I know it, it doesn't matter too much.

And I guess that answers your other question. Yes, you can certainly use it on the treadmill. I have yet to use it outside, since I'm not a fan of the cold, but I don't know about others here.

There's really nothing at all to set up so I say hook it up and go!

Hope this helps.

Yep, I use my both on the treadmill and outside! No problems at all!

Feb...
 

If you guys have a February challenge, I'm in... my nike+ name is deeinthekeys.. hope you guys have fun with January, and that I'm able to run more in Feb. right now I'm signed up for a 5k on feb. 17th.

Dee

Dee-

If you would like I can add you to Jan! It will include all your previous runs!

I was just coming to say that all you 3FC people are kicking my beginner runner's butt!! ;)

I'm proud of my little bit of running but am still trying to get up to 5km at a time. I've only been able to squeeze in one or two runs a week and they seem to, for now, average about 3.5 km. I'm getting there though and I'm enjoying watching my numbers go up on the Nike site. It seems a little simple almost but it can be surprisingly motivating.

Kristan - I'm not sure if the site would include previous runs before you "accept" the challenge. I'm no expert on the site and I only did one run before the challenge (and it was in January) and it's included in my personal totals but not the challenge totals. Unless it was before the start date?? I think my run was Jan. 2nd.

For me, no big deal either way given the numbers we're looking at, I just wanted to let you know.

If there's something I'm missing, let me know! And thanks for setting up the challenge. I really hope to keep improving.

Thanks Kristan, but I'm so new to running that this month is sad.... I've only just now gotten to where I can run 1/2 mile without stopping. I have a 5k next month though, so will be working up some more mileage soon.

Dee - good for you for going for the 5km next month. There's a website that shows you how to train for a 5km race, if it's your first. I think it's set up for a "novice" rather than a "beginner" which just has to do with the current shape you're in. I think it's an 8 week program.

Here's the link...there's also links there to a walking program and more advance stuff too. http://www.halhigdon.com/5K%20Training/5-Knovice.htm

As I said above, I'm also new and hoping to get to 5k soon. I'm at about 3.5 km and am hoping to go for 4 next week. I guess where you live, there's a lot more options at this time of year. I don't know that I'll get outside to run until March or April...but that's just because, being new, I'm scared of the cold and the snow/ice etc.

Good luck and let us know how your progress goes.