The data is in - Strava is wrecking the sport

... and re the Strava angle, yeah I enjoy that too. Every so often I'll chase down a CR which is usually achievable for me for a segment up to half a mile at ~ 4:40 pace for most of the segments in my area. I don't care about the "likes" per se but I do enjoy taking the CRs and I can get a lot more enjoyment out of that than waiting 12/16 weeks for one race...

I'm on Strava and have no need to show off my speed every week. My average runs are REALLY slow. I'm sure that people who don't know me and pop into my profile after seeing me in a race to see my training are a little baffled as to how I can perform so well (relatively speaking of course) yet train with so many slow miles.

Doesn't bother me one bit.

Just don't be so insecure about it.

The hot runner girls aren't touching themselves in the bath because of some guy's 6:10 mile pace run or their impressive segment up Squirrelcock Lane, nor were they about to give you a booty call until they saw your sensible 10 miler.

They don't care. Nobody does.

On the other hand... some people are obsessed with the notion that everyone, everywhere, no matter how serious or recreational they are, should run all non-workout days super easy. Generally, yes, you can’t and shouldn’t run hard or even moderately hard every day. But if some administrative assistant for a packing company runs a little quick when it’s not a scheduled ‘tempo’ or interval session, who cares. If you want to 100% maximize your potential then good for you- but not everyone on Strava does- at least they’re out running. Without Strava, they may not run at all since it can add some fun/excitement/glory.

Now if they’re paying you to coach them or at least asking for your advice, then you can tell them to slow the heck down on certain days.

T Funke wrote:

... and re the Strava angle, yeah I enjoy that too. Every so often I'll chase down a CR which is usually achievable for me for a segment up to half a mile at ~ 4:40 pace for most of the segments in my area. I don't care about the "likes" per se but I do enjoy taking the CRs and I can get a lot more enjoyment out of that than waiting 12/16 weeks for one race...

I actually feel sorry for randomly taking some useless segments while I'm on a tempo run or Fartlek. The people who get the segments are usually quite bad at racing, but they dedicate an entire run (or multiple) just to get a segment in their area. For some it's their sole reason to be on Strava, they wanna show off some CRs to their friends.

They are essentially doing random time trials of random distances, and any decent runner knows when someone just got a KOM by looking at the associated run. Usually starts with 10 min warm-up, 10 min rest, then segment, then rest and CD. Sometimes 2 segments in one run if they are close.

Well whatever gets people active I guess..

stupid question but how does strava even work? is it like a social media thing?

sounds like pokemon-go but for running adults...

LateRunnerPhil wrote:

They are essentially doing random time trials of random distances, and any decent runner knows when someone just got a KOM by looking at the associated run. Usually starts with 10 min warm-up, 10 min rest, then segment, then rest and CD. Sometimes 2 segments in one run if they are close.

Well whatever gets people active I guess..

Yes, this is exactly what they're doing. But there's nothing wrong with that as far as I'm concerned - like you say random time trials but at least it pushes us hobbyjoggers out of just running one pace all the time. I've definitely got strava to thank for that. If you've never ran at college nor done interval (/ any proper!) training then it can pretty much be your introduction to mixing up your paces on runs.

ohia wrote:

stupid question but how does strava even work? is it like a social media thing?

sounds like pokemon-go but for running adults...

More like Facebook for running, you set up the app to sync with your GPS watch or phone. When you do an activity it automatically posts it's to Strava. Anyone who follows you on Strava can see what you did. I find it useful for shaming me into getting my workout in when I see my friends have gotten their work in.

You can set up segments on your routes and if you make them public it will track who has run the fastest over that segment and you can see a leaderboard of everyone that has run that segment.

Don’t feel bad. Segments are there to be run.

ohia wrote:

stupid question but how does strava even work? is it like a social media thing?

sounds like pokemon-go but for running adults...

I feel like there might be a website that tells you how Strava works. Anyone know what that website would be?

Hard/easy is not the only way to train, you're been brainwashed by the LRC mantra. Just relax and enjoy your 9 minute miles.

race on RACE day wrote:

They are ex-collegiate runners, then brag about how they throw down on strava. One guy said "I don't have time for that slow stuff," when replying to a comment about how his daily run was super fast.

He is supposed to lead the 2:50 pace group at a marathon in a month so that will be entertaining. Dude's never ran more than 8-10 miles since he's been on strava (several months now.)

Well maybe he legitimately does not have time for lots of slow running. It's possible that the guy recognizes that higher mileage at an easier pace would be ideal, but settles for lower mileage at a faster pace because that's what fits his schedule.

It's not really unreasonable for a person who doesn't get paid to run to decide that they don't have time to run lots of mileage.

Nope, it is not. Strava is a tool for runners to use as they see fit. Apps are innocuous objects and humans mess it up every time.

ohia wrote:

stupid question but how does strava even work? is it like a social media thing?

sounds like pokemon-go but for running adults...

For best results you should combine them on the same run. Be sure to start off with a full battery though.

One time I took two gyms from the yellow team and snipped a segment on the same run. That very night my wife decided she wanted to have my baby. I declined though. Had another segment I wanted to snipe the next day. Needed my rest.

I’m on Strava too. Things I like:

- no need to write things down anymore, weekly mileage and paces are all posted out there so I don’t have to keep a training log.

- it’s easier to set and work toward goals while not racing, like distance/climbing challenges.

- E-coaching is much easier. My coach knows where I am with training so discussions are much more targeted.

- I make new friends who run the same race then look me up or vice versa.

For me, much more good than bad from this app.

Does Strava have any ballistics athletes?

i love posting relatively super slow easy runs on strava, putting up monster tempo runs, and tearing everyone's legs off at local road races.

And then bragging about it on LR, evidently. You sound like a 19 minute 5k guy.

They tried to organize a Trans Canada last year on Strava. They did everything right except the actual running.

It’s a tool, in some cases a toy. But it can’t materially change the game because the need to move is something you’re born with. Enjoy it but have a healthy skepticism. Like those computer programs that teach you to dance without ever leaving your living room. It hasn’t created a generation of super-fit dancers, unfortunately.