Strava users please weigh in

it won't benefit you any more than any other run-tracking devices, but it can get you to push pretty hard on random segments of road/trail

i only use strava because it's fun to pursue being the KOM or getting those FKTs. it kinda sucks as a run logger

but it is definitely not social media

I've never used strava but I weigh 132 lbs.

Strava is a social network for athletes and also a valuable training tool. I have met and run/biked with about 100 others (in real life) I met through Strava. Seeing others' training data is a great way to see what works when others set PRs or make a breakthrough. It has changed the way I train and my PRs keep improving as I have been able to see what really works. I consider non-Strava athletes at a disadvantage. It blows me away when I don't see it discussed on Letsrun more. If anything, it shows the truth about how fast people really are, and how they really train instead of all the BS posted here. That is the main reason for the negativity you hear about Strava. The haters are slow and don't want to be exposed. Most great cyclists including pros are already on Strava. Not so much runners yet but it will take off as the misinformation goes away.

love it. lots of the top mountain running guys are on it. fun to try to put up similar numbers. whoever mentioned FKTs though doesn't get that concept. strava segments and FKTs are two totally different things. i've got at least a couple CRs on local peaks that aren't quite FKTs.

I disagree. We've been using Strava to validate all FKTs for some time now. If you want the real FKT, upload it to Strava. FKT forum is a dinosaur now that Strava exists... am heading out the door right now to take one down, as a matter of fact! Big mountain run inspired by Hardrock.

Strava is great for cyclists.

Regular sprints during training.

Easy to recover from hard efforts.

Cover greater distances and much more variety of segments.

Many cyclists use Strava. Very competitive

Many cyclists don't race so it's a good way to compare yourself to other cyclists & track your progress.

Not so great for runners.

Not many runners use it compared to cyclists.

Much fewer segments. Not competitive.

Why would you do a full out sprint in the middle of a 10 mile run?

Going for segments does not fit in to regular training like it does with cycling.

For running, I just use it as a trainnig log.

Hey - I recently wrote a blog post on how to use Strava, including a break down of the new Strava Premium/Summit features, and how to set-up Strava. I personally really like Strava to track my running training, however, it does have different uses given the individuals needs.

Strava is a great way to track your running training, share it with your network, and club (yep, you can join real and virtual clubs), participate in virtual races and challenges and stay connected with your running community. Strava is in app form and also accessible via the website

www.strava.com

. Many users utilize it to keep track of their training for their coaches to see, and not surprisingly, compare their efforts with other athletes doing the same activity.

Athletes have a variety of reasons for being active users of Strava. For some, it is about staying accountable for their training. For others, it might be about competing with friends, for coaches to track and monitor their athlete’s training program or plan, to discover new routes and trails, or to compete in virtual races. Virtual races are taking off right now, ignited by the recent world events. More and more clubs are posting individual segment challenges with prize incentives.

To read more about setting up Strava, and Strava premium + other features, click the link to read my post:

https://larahamilton.com/how-to-use-strava-guide/