If it's Not on Strava It didn't Happen
We all know how powerful social networks like Strava can be for staying motivated, tracking progress, and connecting with other runners. But have you ever noticed how demotivated you feel when your run isnāt recorded? Or worse, when your run stops tracking mid-training, and suddenly, finishing feels pointless? Thereās been a lot of discussion about how social networks impact mental health, and Strava is no exception. A recent study (link) highlights how Strava users often feel motivated to train and connect with other runners, but it also reveals a darker side. Many users experience anxiety about their performanceāpace, distance, or even how their runs are perceived by others. One of the most interesting findings was how professional or semi-professional runners use the app. Theyāre more likely to hide data they consider āundesirableā or add excuses (like running with a slower partner) to justify what they see as ābadā workouts. This shows how deeply Strava can influence our perception of success and failure. Remember, your Strava profile is just a curated snapshot of your trainingānot a complete picture of your progress or worth as a runner. Itās okay to have off days, slow runs, or even runs that donāt get recorded. What matters is showing up for yourself, whether or not the app is watching. If youāve never tried it, I highly recommend !š ( try it on your easy day run ) āļøLeave the gadgets at home. Just for one run, ditch the watch or phone. āļøFocus on how you feel. Pay attention to your breathing, your stride, and your surroundings. āļøLet go of expectations. This run isnāt about pace or distanceāitās about enjoying the process. š Reflect afterward. How did it feel to run without tracking? Did you notice anything new about your body or mindset? If youāre interested, I can also share some specific training tips on how to do tempo or interval sessions without controlling paceāand still be able to analyze the data afterward.