Now I've done it—or, do I REALLY need an iPad?

One thing I'll say is this—it's much easier to type on an iPad than on my iPhone but then again I won't be placing iFitness on my iPad. I'm find an interesting contrast between my home screens on both devices in that the iPhone functions as the little extension of my Brain that resides in my pocket. My little brain comes to the gym, helps to remind me when my metered car is running out of time using the built-in timer,is a handy little camera, allegedly keeps heed of my appointments and schedules, and serenades me when I need it too. My iPhone both a blessing and a curse, mostly a blessing.

So then what, aside from being an Apple gadget fangirl, drove my urgent need for the iPad? It will not likely accompany me to the gym, nor will it remind me to return to a metered parking space before the meter expires, but I can read the "Helmet for a Pillow" book and create a wireframe for an iPad app concept on my iPad. The productivity factor. And that's precisely what lead me to the Apple store in Santa Rosa last night. I too am chasing the rainbow of mobile and iPad app design and after a day of playing around with a few apps, in particular Drawing Pad, iBook, the Kindle app, and OmniGraffle, I'm appreciating the productivity aspect of it and want to be part of this new world.

Maybe I won't use JoggyCoach on the iPad but I can't wait to read Haruki Murakami's thoughts on running while lounging in in my Puerto Vallarta hotel room. I'll just need to stay away from OmniGraffle while on vacation...

One unexpected bonus is my niece and nephew all of a sudden find auntie to be "sick" :-)

Joggy Coach is my co-pilot

I did what almost any normal person would do after completing a C25K program using their iPhone, especially a person such as myself with an obsession with purchasing iPhone apps—I bought a new jogging app. And then I decided that it was a good idea to enter a 5K, too.

One of the problems with working as a User Interface Designer for a living is that I'm rather picky with typography and sadly there is an overabundance of jogging-related iPhone apps with bad typography which is why Joggy Coach managed to make the cut. I'm actually able to read the text and find the video game look of this app appealing and fun. Once I was able to figure how to use it (oh, a learning curve) the app couldn't be easier. It maps my route, informs me of pace and progress, lets me listen to my playlist, and keeps track of my outings. I like it!

It's still not my beloved FeltTip C25K but I'm pleased just the same.

But even more pleasing was actually running the 5K without having to slow for a walk or feeling like I would keel over after completing the run. Today's run was almost as rewarding as walking the Anchorage Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon with TNT in 2001, achievement-wise.

I can't wait to take Joggy Coach to Bay to Breakers on May 16. Woohoo!