The Challenge Dividend: Nike+ Challenging Me to Run

A few days ago, over on my marketing-focused blog, Marketing with Meaning, I wrote about my early experiences with the Nike+ system. For those who haven't seen it, there's a sensor for your shoe that links to an iPod, which in turn tracks your time and distance while running then syncs with a Nike website. It's a great example of a value-added tool from Nike that helps improve people's lives while selling more shoes. But as I continue to use the system myself, I'm finding some very interesting Challenge Dividends.

The overall goal of the Nike+ system is to coach you to run more miles and run faster. There are multiple ways that the system challenges you to improve. For example:

All of your runs are recorded, giving you a chance to watch your progress over time. It's motivation to increase your total miles and lower your total average time. Personal bests for total distance and best time on 1 mile, 5k and 10k are recorded.
You can set goals for yourself that are tracked with your runs. I've got a goal right now to run 24 times over 4 weeks. When you achieve a challenge, you get a marker for your "trophy case."
There are events like the recent Human Race 10k, in which you upload a 10k time and see how you placed among people around the world.
There are hundreds of challenges created by friends and people in the community. Right now I'm participating in two challenges: (1) the NFL challenge in which the team whose fans run the most miles wins; and (2) the "4 For Fall" challenge set by a couple of friends in which we're trying to run the fastest 4-miles by October.
Nike+ periodically recognizes you for adding on miles. At 10 miles, it encouraged me to hit 100. And when you hit 100 you enter a special hall-of-fame with about 250,000 other people
Although I tend to use my iPod just to track my distance, if you listen there is a voice that encourages you to keep going or tells you that you hit a personal best.
The system offers goal-based training programs to help you plan out weeks of preparation for, say, a 10k or marathon.
You can create a screen saver and Facebook widget called a Nike Mini - it's a character that says and does things based on your recent runs. Mine is above.

I'm sure results vary for Nike+ users, but so far I'm enjoying the heck out of it. Every time after I run I rush up to my laptop to sync my information. I love the feedback of seeing my new info and updated totals. Yesterday I ran my fastest 5k in over a decade as a way of working toward the 4-mile challenge with my friends. And my 24 runs in 4 weeks challenge is motivating me to make it happen.

These challenges from the Nike+ system are paying other dividends as well. I feel both physically and mentally healthier than I have in years because of my return to running. I have lost about 10 pounds in a month without having to curb my eating choices at all. And I'm really having a lot of fun both running and discovering more about how the Nike+ system can work for me. I have to compare it to my Guitar Hero experience, which also felt like a fun activity that actually is designed to build skills.

I'm still only a few weeks into my return to running through Nike+, and although I love it now, I am somewhat wary that I may grow tired of it. But I trust Nike will keep investing in and improving the system, knowing that only a continuous flow of new challenges will pay the dividends to both the brand and its customers.

UPDATE: I reached 100 total miles!