Running game

I started running a few weeks ago. The reason that I am running is that I want to stay in shape a little outside the competition season (I play field hockey). Otherwise those first trainings or matches will be killing!
But I have to be honest here: I do not find running a lot of fun. It hurts. You need to go somewhere to do it. And going to that location, knowing that you are about to hurt yourself is NOT motivating :)

I have to admit that I am not the best runner and I really need to motivate myself to get starting. So a few few days ago I purchased a Nike+ Sportband in the hope to get some more insight in my runs and find some motivation in that. And guess what? To my surprise this little gadget turns running into a game!

What I really like about this widget is the community Nike has created. My run data is uploaded to the site (which is the core of the product) where I can analyse my run. But others can see my run data too, and I can challenge people (or be challenged), set challenges for myself, or I can join/start a group and set a goal for that group. These features actually make running feel like I'm participating in a game!

So I got enthousiastic and started running. And knowing that my run data is uploaded to the website where I (and others) can see how I've done, made me run a little further and faster...
So now yours truly has really sore muscles, lol :)