Wanna' be motivated to run?

So, it's no secret that I like to run.  If you've been following me for awhile, you know that I've been motivated by numbers and stats to run longer, faster, quicker, and smarter.  I've maintained and built that motivation through Nike+ - which requires a little sensor either in or on top of your shoe (I have mine in a pink waterproof pouch, as you can see on my shoes here).  After your run, you sync your iPhone/iPod with the Nike+ site and TADA!  Instant stats!

But lately, I've had some glitches with the Nike+ running system and with it not syncing correctly or with having it stop and start at strange times throughout the run.  It's annoying.  Sure, I could pay extra money for the New And Improved Nike+ App, but I don't feel like I should have to pay for an application when I already had to buy the sensor.

On many sites, I've seen a RunKeeper App that has been touted as being fantastic.

But that app?  It's $9.99.  Have I mentioned that I'm cheap?  I am.

The great news?  RunKeeper is allowing anyone to download their RunKeeper app for free during the month of January.  No code to use or promo to enter.  Just go to the App Store on your iPhone or via iTunes and download it.

True, in order to utilize it the best (or maybe at all?), you need at least an iPhone 3G or better (because it tracks via GPS), but since I have that, I had no problem downloading it.

I'm super excited to use it.  It looks like it has training programs built in so that if you want to run in intervals, it'll tell you when to run or walk over your music that's already playing. 

As someone who has taken a break from running recently due to surgery, I'm excited to get back in the swing of things (errr...the stride of things?) and to build up my distance, speed, etc. safely.

So if you're interested at all, I'd highly recommend downloading it - even if you're not sure you'll use it.  Saving $10 is big in my book.

And to be clear, it's not just for runners.  If you walk, speed walk, bike, skip, pogo stick, or skate, it should work for you too - which is pretty great seeing as how it's not run off a sensor in your shoe.  The GPS allows it to accurately track how far you've gone within the time that you've allotted. 

And also?  The folks at RunKeeper have no idea that I'm writing this.  They didn't pay me or communicate with me to promote this...it's just something neat that I found and thought that you all might be interested in. :)