Running with Data: How Data Can Motivate
The sun is out, a few clouds dot the sky, and crisp fall air fills my lungs as I loop Portland’s Willamette river between the Hawthorne and Steel bridges. Lactic acid nips at my quads and my calves threaten to revolt with strain, but there are lots of things to distract me from any weak points in my will.
The Shins’ Split Needles in to my ears from my iPod, dodging pedestrians, timing walk signals just right, the freighter Morning Star loading grain in to it’s holds near the Steel Bridge, all this visual data keeps me from giving in to the urge to turn around and walk to Red Coach for a juicy burger.
Another data source is my Nike+ Sportband. This new bit of technology has revolutionized my runs with data. It is amazing how the right data at the right time can be incredibly compelling. The Nike+ Sportband uses a sensor in your shoe to log pace and distance and then plugs in to your computer to upload stats to the Nike+ web site. The impact on my running was instant.
When I am just about to hit the wall I look down at the wristband. It reads, “2.91 miles” and I think to myself, I can do 3 miles easy! My run ends almost a mile later, well over 3 and a half miles. During my run, pace data spurs me onward. Glancing down, I notice my pace has dipped so I accelerate. I also notice my pace increases when I am near other runners giving me insight in to what motivates me.
When I get back to the office I upload my stats to my Mac. A lot of other Nike+ runners talk about this like it is a reward or goody. This is certainly true with me. Seeing my runs over the course of a week and comparing them really makes my day. It makes me want to get out there again and fill up that week with more stats. There is even a little Nike+ Mini avatar that reacts when I run or don’t run. Seeing him bummed out makes me want to get for a run.
The User Experience team at WebTrends is passionate about creating this kind of experience for our customers. We are exploring ways to visualize and deliver data in a way that provides the compelling insight you need to optimize your route, pick up your pace, and keep you going for that extra mile.
CATEGORIES: Industry Perspectives Inside Webtrends Marketing Optimization Webtrends Innovations
Categories
Recent Comments
- Derek Fine: @doug: I switched from OpenBeak to UberTwitter back in January, http://twitter.com/derekfine/status/8327590011 ,
- Douglas Karr: Try out the latest UberTwitter for Blackberry. I've been really enjoying
- Bill Jones: This will certainly improve on our past method of sitting in a
- Jason Berkes Blog » Webinar Strategy – Work Smarter, Not Harder: [...] Insight about your mobile audience from your web site | Official
- Daniel Kaneshiro: I am creating an online marketplace of meeting rooms, and would like
- Heather Matthews: I am looking for a free meeting space for a informational insurance
- Jean: is this exclusive?
- Revolutionary New Facebook Tab Measurement from Webtrends | Official Webtrends Company Blog « JU: [...] via Revolutionary New Facebook Tab Measurement from Webtrends | Official Webtrends
- Web Analytics Tracking on a Facebook Page | Gilligan on Data by Tim Wilson: [...] last week, Webtrends announced some damn slick enhancements to Analytics 9
- Justin Kistner: Tim, I know right! You can measure tab views, which can be
Our Latest Tweets
Interested in Webtrends products?
Click the button below to find out what Webtrends can do for you.
2 Comments
2008-11-25
12:07:47
How wild - another David Stewart, in Portland, who runs the Willamette-Steele loop. And is in technology! Very cool.
If you want to get out for a run some time, send me an email.
2008-12-18
06:22:43
Hi Dave,
Interesting metaphor. I am very curious about what's cooking in terms of data visualization at WT, first because I am obsessed with that subject matter, and second because I have always thought that visualization was actually a very weak point in WT.