The nike+ running application customer experience

Having been a user of map my run for a number of years the prospect of trying something new was not on my to do list but with a number of people recommending it I decided to take the challenge and try out the nike+ application. On first impressions the user interface on my iPhone is superb with beautiful scrolling graphics giving access to the various options replicating a rolling road concept that is hugely more interactive than a list of option buttons. The functionality of the application is straight forward enough using the GPS signal to track distance and speed logging the route with runner history. Some nice touches are the gamification side of the application where you amass fuel points and can invite friends to compete on speed and distance compelling you to enter into contest on the regular training runs. The application also has a power song feature allowing you to nominate a key tune to kick in when you start to slow down and power you to victory. One particularly nice touch is in addition to the standard ongoing update of progress by the voice over lady overlaying your music is that upon completion I was commended by Paula Radcliffe on my best 10k time which was an unexpected gift not normally receiving praise from former Olympic legends.  Overall it is pretty epic but not enough to pull me away from years of loyal logging into map my run. 

The "Map My Run" customer experience

Exercising has always had an element of geek about it with specialist shops and clothing for every sport from horse riding to ice hockey. People as they become more immersed in a sport can readily find more excuses for buying more kit while trying to avoid the tragic "all the gear and no idea" label. Running is no exception with particularly long distance running open to the masses as anyone with a pair of trainers has the scope to head out onto their local pavements and pound out some serious mileage. This casual entrance often falling into the kit buying trap in the same way as any other sport. Aside from spanky trainers and extensive Lycra the tech options were more limited in the past as GPS watches with heart monitors were expensive and serious contenders only going that far. That is until the advent of the smart phone. A device that included GPS and mp3's so you can rock out while on your run. Additionally the memory in these devices gives a way to record all those great victories. This unlocked "map my run" to the masses which had previously been more of runners web site to record runs and times and effectively upload this data after the event. Smart phones now mean this is all real time and your efforts are fed in through GPS giving far more accurate records of where runners were performing. This is now a competitive area with many alternatives to map my run giving runners real analysis at no cost. The customer experience is epic and addictive as social media plays a part as you share your running with your friends and compete for the fastest and furthest. Technology augmenting your exercise experience. Feel the burn!