Recently, Apple and Nike released the Nike + iPod Sport Kit. Of course, upon its announcement, I shrugged it off as another corporation hybrid designed to sell, sell, sell; that was before the anticipation of the release date brought on more information. And before I needed inspiration to get into shape.

So I got the Nike+ shoes, an iPod nano and the Sport Kit. The whole thing is absolutely amazing.

Never before have I been so motivated to run. What’s really motivating me the most is tracking my progress online. Sure I could write down my distances/times, but something about seeing it on the Nike+ website is so much more motivational. Plus there are some cool features on the site like national rankings and challenges with your friends. Check out the site for a demo.

I’m usually the first to dismiss stupid accessories, especially stupid running accessories for the iPod, but this one has got to be the best, hands down. I totally get it now (oh, and the Town Lake trail is amazingly freakin’ beautiful and why hadn’t I run on it before?).