Strava

I started using Strava because I'm a cycling, and the KOM and segment stuff works really well for cycling. I keep using it instead of Garmin Connect as a repository for my training logs, just because I am used to the layout.

I follow fast local-ish runners on there and stalk their training. It's REALLY helpful to see what people faster than me are doing. It's also interesting to see the success of different approaches.

Activities uploaded to garmin connect don't sync to strava besides the fact that a successful connection between the accounts is indicated on both platforms. Any advice would be appreciated.

Install Garmin Express. Syncs immediately when you plug your watch in.

I do like strava - the segments are a little silly because cyclists own them all - they mischaracterize their activity as rides and have evey KOM for running. in my area anyway.

But it is fun to see how my times change year to year and to see people on my team have good runs. It's a good way to see if someone had a good run - lots of medals, awards, whatever.

rucciardo wrote:

I do like strava - the segments are a little silly because cyclists own them all - they mischaracterize their activity as rides and have evey KOM for running. in my area anyway.

But it is fun to see how my times change year to year and to see people on my team have good runs. It's a good way to see if someone had a good run - lots of medals, awards, whatever.

I just learned the other day that you can flag an activity on Strava for being the wrong type of activity. I just flagged a bunch this morning where I was #2 on the course record list, with the KOM having 2 minute mile paces. Not sure how quickly (if ever) the activities are corrected.

I started using strava when I started cycling last summer. I have since migrated my history of my running data over as well because I like the platform and want all my training in one place. I do think the concept of segments for running is a bit silly though.

filthy flagger wrote:

rucciardo wrote:

I do like strava - the segments are a little silly because cyclists own them all - they mischaracterize their activity as rides and have evey KOM for running. in my area anyway.

But it is fun to see how my times change year to year and to see people on my team have good runs. It's a good way to see if someone had a good run - lots of medals, awards, whatever.

I just learned the other day that you can flag an activity on Strava for being the wrong type of activity. I just flagged a bunch this morning where I was #2 on the course record list, with the KOM having 2 minute mile paces. Not sure how quickly (if ever) the activities are corrected.

As soon as the activity is flagged, it is removed from the leaderboard. Have experienced this with a few people who "accidentally" leave their Garmin on when they get in the car.

i chose D2 wrote:

I started using strava when I started cycling last summer. I have since migrated my history of my running data over as well because I like the platform and want all my training in one place. I do think the concept of segments for running is a bit silly though.

filthy flagger wrote:

I just learned the other day that you can flag an activity on Strava for being the wrong type of activity. I just flagged a bunch this morning where I was #2 on the course record list, with the KOM having 2 minute mile paces. Not sure how quickly (if ever) the activities are corrected.

As soon as the activity is flagged, it is removed from the leaderboard. Have experienced this with a few people who "accidentally" leave their Garmin on when they get in the car.

I actually like the segments because I like competing, but realistically can't race to win anymore. For instance I live near a major run of thoroughfare along a canal, and there is a 1k segment that gets a lot of traffic. I always try to hammer that segment to see if I can move up the list. I acknowledge that it is not the same as going head to head on race day, but at least it's motivation to run hard on occasion.

I should also add that I personally haven't bought into the age graded thing. I like trying to get up to the KOM against whoever. As a master I get that age plays a role, but I don't like to dwell on age group stuff. I ran a race on Wdnesday and came 15th. My wife asked what I did in the age group and my reply was that any of that is just a fancy way of making 15th look better at a race I probably won 20 years ago running 3+ minutes faster. I only point this out as I find a lot of the triathletes I know really focus on all of these categories and I find it self-aggrandizement. Whoever wins is the winner. I just like Strava for the mileage tracking and making any day competitive if I feel like it.

LegsMcmuffin wrote:

Best username I've seen in a long while.

have to point out wrote:

LegsMcmuffin wrote:

Best username I've seen in a long while.

Agree. Pics?

Use it mainly for cycling but also running now. I find it makes my cycling over competitive but it has less impact on how I run. Partly there are less running segments and partly I'm happy to split my training into steady runs where I don't care about pace and speed work where I do.

Overall I love it and don't forget the 'flyby' check afterwards.

Some of the TdF riders are on it which is very interesting. I was shocked at how low their average HR on a tour stage is though like 120s.

jocular wrote:

have to point out wrote:

Best username I've seen in a long while.

Agree. Pics?

Just so we're clear, I'm a dude. No that there is anything wrong with that in any state except Texas. But no. No pics.

Except....

You all realize the routes aren't actually associated with anything, right?

That means a 5K golf course loop will be shown at Strava as anything from a 4.8K to 5.2K and your time fit to their erroneous distance.

It's fun to click on the pictures and graphs and stuff, but that's all that is there.

pop_pop! wrote:

Except....

You all realize the routes aren't actually associated with anything, right?

That means a 5K golf course loop will be shown at Strava as anything from a 4.8K to 5.2K and your time fit to their erroneous distance.

It's fun to click on the pictures and graphs and stuff, but that's all that is there.

Yeah, but it's still your best time vs everyone elses. Even if you miscalibrate your watch to say your 7 minute miles are 5 minute miles it's still doing the Strava segment rankings based on net time and not reported pace. Plus no one is bragging about their sub-14 minute Strava 5K.

Runs and Cycles wrote:

Use it mainly for cycling but also running now. I find it makes my cycling over competitive but it has less impact on how I run. Partly there are less running segments and partly I'm happy to split my training into steady runs where I don't care about pace and speed work where I do.

Overall I love it and don't forget the 'flyby' check afterwards.

Some of the TdF riders are on it which is very interesting. I was shocked at how low their average HR on a tour stage is though like 120s.

The HRs are so low for large periods because it's not hard to sit in the peleton when they are moving along on the flats. Usually just 150W-200W is enough, something most ordinary Joes can do. If anything "happens" or the road goes up, that's where the HR increases and the average Joe gets brutally spat out the back.

pop_pop! wrote:

Except....

You all realize the routes aren't actually associated with anything, right?

That means a 5K golf course loop will be shown at Strava as anything from a 4.8K to 5.2K and your time fit to their erroneous distance.

It's fun to click on the pictures and graphs and stuff, but that's all that is there.

I'm not quite sure what you mean. Strava pace is pretty damn close to GPS pace from the running watch.

If you're talking about segment's, those are pretty accurate too except on ones that are very short and the GPS being off by a second or three making a huge difference.

If I run 6:00 pace for a measured 2M segment, strava is going to give me between 11:55-12:05 for that segment.

LM wrote:

pop_pop! wrote:

Except....

You all realize the routes aren't actually associated with anything, right?

That means a 5K golf course loop will be shown at Strava as anything from a 4.8K to 5.2K and your time fit to their erroneous distance.

It's fun to click on the pictures and graphs and stuff, but that's all that is there.

I'm not quite sure what you mean. Strava pace is pretty damn close to GPS pace from the running watch.

If you're talking about segment's, those are pretty accurate too except on ones that are very short and the GPS being off by a second or three making a huge difference.

If I run 6:00 pace for a measured 2M segment, strava is going to give me between 11:55-12:05 for that segment.

I am not convinced of the accuracy of anything that leverages the iPhone app which I used for a few months. I have subsequently acquired a Garmin Forerunner and an Edge and I find those to be way more accurate.

I do notice sometimes Garmin will tell me that I have split a km in a different time than Strava displays, but I don't really care so much as long as it is in the ballpark.

Having said that, the one thing I really noticed is that I started running races this year after a decade and forgot about the tangents. Halfway through a marathon this year I realized I was 150m out of sync with the km markers. I started running the tangents and didn't lose any significant amount of distance in the second half. Still 150m at 4 min pace is going to be a good chunk of a minute.

I have to think the Strava segments work the same way. Unless you run identical tangents to the guy who created the segment, there will be a margin for error, which on a typical segment probably equates to a second or two.

I use it as a training log but realize some people naturally get tons of likes more than others, regardless of speed/times/training, but it really doesn't matter in the whole scheme of things. I think posting pictures with your runs helps.

Absolutely, I'm not really able to get out and train with a group any more due to life constraints, but in a way, when I see my friends out there putting in good miles, it motivates me to get out there and do the same.