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RunKeeper Review

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runkeeper1I’ve started running a lot more often to try to keep my girlish figure from exploding thanks to the massive amount of delicious food I eat.  My goal is not to be stick-thin, but just to fit comfortably into my jeans. ALL my jeans. I never was much of a runner before.  I hated running in highschool, never was that fast, and never really got the fabled ‘runners high’ that everyone talked about. After running about 1-3 miles each time I jog these past few months, I think I finally got it!

I’m sure my enjoyment of running now is attributed to a lot of different things, but one of them is definitely an iPhone app called RunKeeper.  I used the free version for a long time before feeling guilty and finally buying the Pro version of the application. The only difference between the two that matters to me is that RunKeeper Pro has audio cues that tell you when you’ve run a certain distance and what your pace is.  Not really a big deal. The Pro version is $10, which may seem like a lot for an iPhone App, but it’s worth it if it keeps me running.

At the beginning of my run, I just start the app and it loads my location. Then, I strap the phone onto my arm or hold it and just run.  The app keeps track of time and does GPS voo-doo to calculate my pace, elevation, as well as map out where I ran.  Later, I can log onto the RunKeeper site which keeps a history of all my runs. It’s pretty neat to see a google map of my run each time.  It helps me plan out what paths to take to extend my distance.  RunKeeper also has the option to share particular runs, so when a co-worker asked me what path I took on my jog, I could just link them to the map.

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The only other feature I’d like is some sort of ‘achievement’ setting. Maybe I’m playing way too many video games, but it’d be neat to have a goal to work towards and then getting a pop-up in the app that says, “Achievement Unlocked! Ran 5k under 25 minutes!” or something.

There’s another program on the market called Nike+ that does the same thing, but I’d rather not have to buy another gadget or attach some dongle to my shoe.  Since I already have a phone, it’s pretty convenient to just fire the app up for my jog. Don’t let the name deter you either. The app could also be used for biking, which I haven’t tried yet.

Problem Transferring Purchases to iTunes

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I’m having a bit of a problem.  I buy a lot of apps from one computer (a PC) and wanted to sync them to my main computer (a macbook). Easy schmeezy right? Just open up iTunes, go to File >> Transfer Purchaes From “Pegasus” (what my phone is named). Unfortunately, that doesn’t work for me.  It pretends to copy and transfers my apps from my phone, only it never shows up in my iTunes library.

I tried syncing. I tried unplugging. I tried de-authorizing/authorizing my MacBook with the same iTunes account. No luck at all.

Finally I had to just re-download all the apps from iTunes onto my MacBook. Luckily, Apple did a better job in that department than bug-testing the purchase transferring tool because since I already purchased the apps once, it just let me re-download them for free.

But even that has bad UI.  For an app that I already purchased elsewhere, I still have to click the “buy” button and hope that it doesn’t repurchase it because I don’t want to pay for something twice! Luckily, on all the apps I’ve already purchased, a dialog pops up that says, “Just kidding! You already bought this, so you get to d/l it for free!” It would be nice if they told me that before the vague “buy” button.

Some of my favorite things

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Sourdough & Cheese

Fresh baked sourdough bread and some good, stinky cheese.  Is there anything better than that to start off a morning?  My sourdough starter is about a month old and it’s already got a nice tangy taste.  It has pretty good leavening power too.  I just wish I was better at making good looking bread as well as good tasting bread.  The cheese is some blue goat cheese and some soft cheese from the Cheese Store in Silver Lake. I don’t know too much about cheeses other than what I like and don’t like, so I told the lady behind the counter to pick me a soft, un-mild, stinky cheese, and another cheese that’s kinda like Humboldt Fog. I’m happy with her choices even though I don’t remember what she picked out.

Jamaica tea & new iPhone coverSince the weather has been getting warmer (finally!) I started making a pitcher of a refreshing summer drink just to have around in the fridge.  The first pitcher I made was hibiscus (aka jamaica), ginger, and a little bit of sugar.  This second pitcher I made was hibiscus, lemon balm, lemon verbena, and some pineapple mint.  It still tastes strongly of hibiscus, but with a refreshing aftertaste thanks to the pineapple mint.

The corner of my last iPhone case was cracked because of the 100 or so times I’ve dropped it. I’m glad it was the case that’s cracked and not the iPhone.  I wasn’t planning on getting a new case, but I saw this one today and I couldn’t say no.  It looks exactly like the back of my iPhone, except it’s pink! How can I say no to that?  It doesn’t have as much coverage in the front as I’d like, but maybe that’ll teach me to be more careful with my phone.