My Feebly Feb Run Results

Here's how my February turned out in terms of "running" (and I'm using this term very loosely here):

Well, at least I got my mileage around & even above my average

I know, nothing really "spectacular" about it, but I did accomplish what I had set out to do this "love" month, which incidentally is the shortest month of the year: 

1. Like i said, to average less than my "norm" which is 22+ minutes per mile (Yeah, yeah,...certainly no great shakes there, but my entire month includes a lot of just "walking about" --using my Android Phone's GPS (thru the Nike+ App). 
2. Get an average of 3+ miles for the entire month (or around 5km) and last but not least...
3.  Earn a "new" Nike+ Badge, shown below: (wuhooo \(^_^)/ )

Considering how "screwy" Nike+ has been so...uhmmm..."surprsingly" screwed up in their giving of badges this year (see my previous rant about it here)...I feel pleasantly "lucky" to even get one. Yeah, I know...I'm both silly and "shallow"that way ;-)

Hmmm...i wonder what kind of "bird" that is...

Nike+ "Surprise Spiel" on "Missing" Badges

This is....I guess, the "official running" statement of Nike Running on why Badges & Trophies have not been "showing up" on Nike+ users profiles lately:

"We want Nike+ achievements to be a source of motivation, surprise, and delight to our users."

It's the "standard" reply they've been giving to customers and askers on Facebook who've been asking/wondering about those badges and trophies that have not been credited to them last February when the "Dragon badge" (sposedly given when a Nike+ run/activity is done by a Nike+ user last February 10th - The Chinese New Year --well, probably not everyone knew this in the Nike+ Community) and another, almost immediately after that on February 14th, in which a "Chocolate Heart" badge is supposedly given when again, a "run or activity" is made on that date (this one almost everyone probably knew coz its Valentine's Day). Nike Running has gone on to further say that aside from or along with this "standard surprise spiel", certain badges (they're not saying all, at least --- as they are conveniently also not posting or acknowledging any "official list" of Nike+ badges/trophies earned) are "2012-specific" and hence are not showing and most likely, will not be showing up anymore on as "Achievement" badges. Well, that's just fine and dandy an "excuseplanation" (a combination of excuses & explanation). Too bad for us "newer Nike+ customers" we'll just have to grin and bear it this 2013. This just sucks btw. They should just have been straight-forward with us about that from the very start, at least beginning this year, 2013 when the "Resolution" badges (awarded for those who "ran" last Jan.01, New Year's Day) suddenly didn't get credited too (which probably started Nike+ being "surprised" at themselves more). I dunno about you fellow badgers, but I'm pretty much very disappointed with this "surprising development" in Nike's "stand" on this issue...I mean, c'mon they basically kinda "killed off" hope on getting this "Achievement Badges" bug fixed....Although, I must admit, its kinda "brilliant",  bullshity as it may sound... on their part to answer a "technical issue" (in my opinion) with a "marketing spiel": ...of "we just want to surprise you" or the even worse, "we don't want to ruin the surprise". Heller?!? You already ruined it! Instead of "fixing the problem"....they just decided to stop looking into it altogether (or it seems that they stop even assuring as that they are or will be looking into it).  How can we be "delighted and motivated" to go out and be "active" on certain "special/memorable" days this 2013 if  what was a "norm" last 2012 (and even in years before that) is suddenly "inconsistent"...or worse, and more to the point, non-existent anymore? I'm just not buying into that "surprise spiel" of theirs. In fact, my buying of Nike+ products (was intitally looking into the Fuelband & GPS watch) will also be most likely 2012-specific also.

Not Budging on the Non-Recurring Badges

Holla fellow "Badgers"!

Well, it's kinda "official", based on what was replied by Nike+ Running & posted on Facebook w/c I spotted yesterday:

(I intentionally erased the FB askers/posters' names to protect their privacy...the poor peeps got "robbed" --like the rest of us badgers..if you ask me) I dunno about you guys/gals, but this seems an "easy way out" or a "cop out"  for Nike Running & Nike+ Support to put a stop to all the questions of badges not getting credited to us. It "...was a 2012-specific achievement and is NOT Recurring this year". Whaaaaaat!?!? O_o No "Valentine's Day" achievement for 2013?!? That just "breaks my heart"...aside from elevating my blood pressure :-( How can Valentine's Day NOT be a recurring event?  It always falls on February 14 worldwide Heller!?!?....Dammit!!!! (>_<) I "ran" away from a Valentine's date expecting to get a badge after all....Then you tell us it was "2012-specific"...the same way with the Resolution & Dragon badge? It took you what? Like weeks, even months to "figure" that out, after telling most of us that "you'll look into it"...tsk, tsk, tsk....Do you really believe we're that dumb to just "accept" that reasoning? I mean I can probably accept the "Dragon badge" not getting awarded for the Chinese New Year since it doesn't fall on the same day each year (besides, the animal sign for this year is a "Snake" not a "Dragon"). But its quite different for a New Year's Resolution (Jan.01) or a Valentine's Day (Feb.14) badges...since they always fall on the same date! Also, these "particular" badges are "somewhat extra special" and anyone who gets them must be given "recognition" for their efforts at the very least. Why? Well, we all know how people kinda "abuse" themselves with "drunken revelry and uhmmm...debauchery" when these special dates occur...and yet, some of us find time to put in a run or two and stayed active on the "program"....right? So...enough with your "source of motivation, surprise and delight" spiel Nike Running!!!! (>_<) Most of us need to "visualize" the  goals to get motivated ok? Second, "Life is more manageable when it is treated as a scavenger hunt rather than a Surprise party" --which btw, like everything else in life...most of us "just don't do it"....we gotta "plan for it" first then do it. Lastly what will delight us (well, mostly me) is when you actually fix and improve the way the Nike+ apps and website work instead of giving us these run-arounds and "revolting" reasonings. Comprende? <Sigh>

There, I got my "rant" out. Anyways, for those who are curious enough what The Chocolate Heart (Valentine's Day) badge looked like last year, its this one:

Well, that's supposedly what it looked like (thanks to howtonike.blogspot.com for the picture). For those who actually got a Resolution and/or "Dragon" badge last year (2012 or perhaps the year before?)....may I invite you to send us or post a pic of it? (so us "badgers" can take a look at it also)...

Consider this the first "official" Badgering post! ;-P Thanks for reading, gotta "run" & see you next time!

Badgering for Badges

This "blog" is still being built....so...while waiting you might want to watch this video:

Of course, it doesn't really have anything to do with this blog...except there's a badger it it...and its running around....uhmmm...badgering the sh*t out of anything and everything....which probably what I'll do with this blog.

Come back next time and see you soon Honey Badger! ;-)