1. Picking the right app
Before I decided to take up running I browsed the various tracking apps that were available. You will find lots of running magazines review running apps and give feedback on who they might suit and the type of data they provide. Here's a typical example Runners World reviews.
Strava was widely used and could easily transfer between running and cycling. I decided to give it a go and haven't looked back since.
2. What Strava provides for me
A recent 10k race I took part in
When I first started using Strava, the trophies/achievements really gripped me. They captured those key milestones in the first year. E.g. 5km best time, 10km, fastest mile etc. Importantly, I could also use the map feature to build up a mental picture of the various routes I could use in my locality and the distances they covered. If I built up to 3km I could then look at parts of my route I could extend. By doing this I quickly built up a bank of routes that gave me a variety of distances and terrains.
Strava also shows other runners you follow and how they are getting on. This really helped me get of the sofa if I could see others had been out and about. It has a feature where you can acknowledge other runners' achievements and leave a message.
Segment achievement
Segments also help to push me during training runs. On one of my hill session routes there is a hill segment that really motivates me to give 100%. In my first year, I found it to be a really challenging hill section and I often needed to walk the last part but as I built up my fitness I started to get closer to the top spot. On this one I've held top spot for while but I often check back to see if anyone is getting close!
Capture the moment. Strava also lets you add a photo. It will display instead of the map and I find that I often add photos of memorable runs. Everyone loves a good selfie!
This year in numbers
As well as tracking short term goals, Strava keeps track of stats for the year. I've always aimed to get to 1000km in a year and 2016 has been the first time I've achieved it. Again, data and a longer term goal really helps you get out and put the miles in. This year it's been the main driver in increasing my midweek milage.
3. Gadgets
Until recently, I have always had my phone strapped to my arm to run Strava. Occasionally, at the Park run and for various races I would just wear a Nike GPS watch to track my pace. After the run, I would always add the details to Strava manually. However, for the last two months I've used a new watch: The Garmin Forerunner 35. This has become the only piece of technology I use on a run.
This watch is fabulous! It isn't that big; my wrists are small!
I bought the watch for two reasons. 1. It has a built in heart rate monitor. 2. It syncs to the Garmin Connect app/website wirelessly and then automatically updates to Strava (This will need setting up but was easy to do.)
I've used the Garmin Connect app before but struggled to get to grips with what it offered, however, some of the stats really do add to what Strava provides. If you look below you can see how it tracks your heart rate alongside pace. Impressively, it also tracks your average heart rate, speed, cadence and much more. I find the heart rate feature allows you to consider if you have worked hard enough and in the right heart rate zones. (Cadence is the amount of times your feet hit the ground in a minute. Click here to learn more about increasing your cadence to reduce the risk of injury: Cadence info)
Heart rate versus pace
Stats and more stats
I've just been added to the Soar runner profiles. Click here to see my profile Link
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