Runner+ crunches the data

If you've been paying attention, you know that I am a fan of the Nike+ Sports Kit (Seriously, get one). I've also mentioned several times before that I am a data geek. The Nike+ website is good, but it leaves one hungry for much more. That's why I have been using Runner+ as my go-to place for doing more than casual analysis.

Features I like:

• Automatic synchronization with your Nike+ account. One of the downsides of my former online running log -- RunningAhead -- is that I would have to manually enter my run data. Runner+ lets you put in your Nike+ account information, and it automatically grabs your data at a time you specify. You can also download a widget if you use Yahoo desktop widgets.


• Shoe mileage tracking. This was a main reason I still haunted the Runningahead website, but now that Runner+ brought its tracker online, I've got one less reason to keep my RA account active. Nothing against RA. It's a great site. It's just not useful for me right now.


• Detailed pace analysis. The Nike+ site smooths its curves quite a lot, so if you do fartleks, short intervals, or strides, they can get lost. Runner+ allows you to increase or decrease the detail level of your graphs so that you can see those smaller peaks and valleys.


• Roll your own graphing. While you can't do anything and everything with graphs [RunningAhead has the advantage with graphing], you can look at your run data in more ways than the Nike+ website. For example, I find it useful to see my pace over time.

Runner+ is still growing and developing, and new features come out regularly. There seems to be a thriving forum of users, but I never have the time to haunt it. Though I have yet to find my One True Website for all things related to my running data, Runner+ has a lot of the stuff I need and little of the stuff I don't.

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