Digital Visarjan
1 mins
- Garmin Forerunner 310 with data being logged religiously on RunningAHEAD, chosen for their non-social DNA
- Plain-old digital watch (borrowed Garmin for occasional races)
- Nike Running Club (NRC) app on my OnePlusX
When I turned to NRC, my motivations were at an all-time low. Run by run, badge by badge, level by level, the app played more than a bit role in regulating my running as it meandered its way from doldrum to doldrum punctuated by periods of improvement.
Ostensibly I was using the app as a crutch but I’d lie if I claimed to be unmoved by its gamification features. The Levels tab would beckon to me often — how close was I to the 3rd milestone in the purple level? The streak badges would bring a smile and the Fastest < > badges would trigger nostalgia about that maniacal tearing down Nandi Hills escapade.
After I finished the season’s only race the end of phase 3 seemed inevitable. I spent some time searching the Net for ways to export the NRC data. Nike’s walled garden approach ensured there was no easy way. It got me thinking why I wanted to keep the data anyway. Digital visarjan was the answer so here I am, laying the NRC phase to rest, with the epitaph as 4 screenshots.
And a new experiment has begun: can I maintain running continuity with no GPS aid?
