To Strava or Not to Strava?

How much data do you collect, record, or analyze when it comes to your athletic performance?

I’ve thought about that over the years as the different forms of technology I use during runs have evolved. I started with a Timex wristwatch where I had to map out routes then calculate pace later, eventually got a GPS watch because I was deployed and Google maps was too inaccurate for my previous method, and then got a newer Garmin which included the Connect App and allowed me to upload workouts.

That progression alone has had an impact on the way I run and the way I record and reflect on information. During the Timex days, of course, I had to rely much more on feel and wasn’t hyper aware of the paces I was running during easy and long runs. As I started to use my first GPS watch, I gained a better understanding of pacing and the importance of those paces in different types of runs and workouts. And I learned that I often ran easy runs wayyy too fast.

At first I was only looking at the watch after the run to make sure I ran my planned distance and to find out my overall pace. Then it progressed to using the watch during to control my pace. Once I started using the Connect app, I started reflecting back on individual mile paces and splits, and paid more attention to things like cadence and elevation. But this was still in the context of individual workouts and sometimes calculating weekly mileage. And of course races and looking back on performance.

Fighting the Data

One area where I’d remained resistant was really analyzing or reflecting on my training and using it to propel future decisions or gain a better understanding of my performance given certain conditions. I didn’t keep a training journal. I could never tell you how many miles I ran in a month, let alone a year.

As it became more and more common to share on social media, I enjoyed that connection with other runners and started to do the same. I would share workouts and photos, but I never really shared the data or connected with other people through Garmin. I never downloaded or joined Strava. Oddly enough, I loved seeing other people’s workouts, especially to get ideas for routes in new places.

As I reflect, I think I was trying to maintain some balance between running for the feeling and making it this dry sterile number-crunching game. As though the two were mutually exclusive. I think I was trying to keep running personal and for me, almost to protect my relationship with it by protecting my privacy. As I sought to achieve more running goals, I knew I needed to pay more attention to some of those numbers, especially when it came to realizing I had some weaknesses with pacing and race strategy.

Coming Around

When I started working with my coach and using VDOT O2, I began paying attention to that weekly mileage, looking at more of the data it provides, how well I achieved certain goal splits. At times, I felt like a slave to my watch, at others I was so thankful for it and how it helped me identify deficiencies and how I could improve. And nowhere in there did my joy diminish. So I was expanding my view to understand that there could be a balance between emotion and reason, feeling and logic.

Part of the catalyst for even thinking about this again was is our current state of isolation and missing social interaction. Since we have social media and these platforms are keeping us connected and sane right now, I contemplated finally joining Strava. Could I address that apparent concern that now that I had the data, sharing it with others would affect my personal relationship with running?

I looked into it realized a) it seems to be just as much about supporting each other and social interaction as it is about sharing workout data and b) I’m giving myself too much credit to think anyone wants to dig into my workouts and analyze any numbers. And if they do, it doesn’t affect me or my relationship with running.

Breakthrough

So, yesterday, after 18 years running and however many Strava has existed, I joined! And I already find it pretty fun. The different names people give to their runs and the workout comments, and potential for getting ideas for running routes. And I love the quick snapshot of mileage for the week and year-to-date. I’m not quite sure how I’ll use it yet, but I’m there. I’m embracing another form of technology, data collection, and social interaction.

If the balance ever feels too upset, I’ll reset. I’ll still go for watch free runs every now and then, ignore paces when I’m plodding up the foothills, and have my own personal relationship with running. BUT I will also analyze track lap splits down to the seconds, let my runs be uploaded to Strava, and share my love for the sport with others.