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Original poster

Does anyone NOT use Strava or Garmin or any other tracking device

19 replies

Annoy · 07/01/2021 19:26

On their run/walk/bike rides?

I’ve recently stopped using it for bike rides as I do a lot of mountain biking and want to enjoy my day/the view etc without wondering whether I’ve managed to ‘beat my time’ I want to relax on a ride basically.

But I still use it for running. I do like the idea of no tech and just running for the sake of running and enjoyment. I’n tempted to only Strava one run in every 10, so I can still track a little progress. But then maybe eventually wean off to none at all.

Anyone not use tech?

OP posts:
PennineSpring · 07/01/2021 19:28

Oven stopped using it for the past two years as I felt is was impacting me negatively. I wasn’t fast enough, going far enough, going out often enough. So I stopped using it and now I enjoy my exercise much more.

AmberItsACertainty · 07/01/2021 19:30

Me. I don't see the point of such technology.

Thislittlefinger123 · 07/01/2021 19:33

I never have. I'm fit and healthy and slim. In my experience most of my friends that use devices it doesn't make any difference to their fitness levels/weight so I don't see the point unless you enjoy having a gadget Smile

chocolatecheesecake · 07/01/2021 19:37

I don't. Sometimes I wear a basic digital watch so I can see how long I've run for, but I run for headspace time as much as fitness so I want to focus on that, looking at people's houses and gardens etc...

fellrunner85 · 07/01/2021 19:39

I don't use Strava for my bike commutes, because the aim isn't to go quickly or to do the route in a certain time - it's just to get there safely. I tend just to tootle along and not think of it as exercise.
I do always use Strava for my runs though, as I like to log my mileage, see trends over a long period of time, compare segments and so on.

sproutburger · 07/01/2021 19:39

yup i took my odo off my main bike as I needed to slow down a bit and rest a knee injury, not ride with an eye on what I "should" be doing.

It hasn't really worked as instead I go into boy racer mode to pass men on nicer bikes than me, as I know how annoying it must be to be passed by a woman with grey hair and a handbag while you're out with your mates on your 5 grand S-works Grin

ClassicLego · 07/01/2021 19:54

Yes I have stopped. Was on strava but I ended up not enjoying it or wanting to upload certain times if they were slow. Comparing myself to others etc. I then just used my own garmin which was OK but then one day it ran out of battery and I couldn't be bothered to charge it and the rest is history. So much more freeing to just run. No idea how fast I am but since parkrun has stopped I don't actually care anymore. It's for my health not timing. I sometimes would like to know how far I've gone as I often try new routes and just guess but other than that it's freeing.

Original poster
Annoy · 07/01/2021 19:55

@PennineSpring

Oven stopped using it for the past two years as I felt is was impacting me negatively. I wasn’t fast enough, going far enough, going out often enough. So I stopped using it and now I enjoy my exercise much more.
This is exactly my feeling
OP posts:
Original poster
Annoy · 07/01/2021 19:56

@AmberItsACertainty

Me. I don't see the point of such technology.
My dh never has either
OP posts:
Original poster
Annoy · 07/01/2021 19:58

@chocolatecheesecake

I don't. Sometimes I wear a basic digital watch so I can see how long I've run for, but I run for headspace time as much as fitness so I want to focus on that, looking at people's houses and gardens etc...
Yeah, I’d have to wear a watch just so I’m not late for work or picking the kids up!
OP posts:
Original poster
Annoy · 07/01/2021 20:01

@sproutburger

yup i took my odo off my main bike as I needed to slow down a bit and rest a knee injury, not ride with an eye on what I "should" be doing.

It hasn't really worked as instead I go into boy racer mode to pass men on nicer bikes than me, as I know how annoying it must be to be passed by a woman with grey hair and a handbag while you're out with your mates on your 5 grand S-works Grin

You sound like my friend who is always determined to overtake an Ebike 🤣
OP posts:
Purpleraindeer · 11/01/2021 09:53

I ran for years without a garmin having found it brought out the competitive spirit in me in an unhelpful way. It meant I’m now good at running to feel rather than pace.

I’m actively training to get a bit faster so I’m wearing a garmin again but I do miss the simpler times when I just pottered on at my own pace

Mistigri · 11/01/2021 09:57

I've never used a tracker of any sort, but with the gyms closed I've just downloaded one to try to motivate myself to go out more when the weather is cold and miserable. I'm only using it to track distance, not interested in any other stats.

Original poster
Annoy · 11/01/2021 16:13

@Purpleraindeer

I ran for years without a garmin having found it brought out the competitive spirit in me in an unhelpful way. It meant I’m now good at running to feel rather than pace.

I’m actively training to get a bit faster so I’m wearing a garmin again but I do miss the simpler times when I just pottered on at my own pace

This is what I’ve found too! So hoping by not using it I will also run better
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lljkk · 11/01/2021 20:30

Mostly I don't. I sometimes Strava precisely so that I can measure the distance for future reference. There are a few places I may manage to et QoMs (cycling offroad) so that can be fun, if I can be bothered, and not for a long while again now due to muddy cold weather. Also as excuse to post pictures i take somewhere I may strava a route.

It's way too much faff for me to keep track of every outing. I can't muster interest in it. It's not like I achieve anything worth bragging about.

grafittiartist · 11/01/2021 20:35

I only started using Strava on my phone through lockdown- as my FB group was very active- it was nice to share activity.
I much prefer just running for the fun of it.

Original poster
Annoy · 11/01/2021 20:40

@lljkk

Mostly I don't. I sometimes Strava precisely so that I can measure the distance for future reference. There are a few places I may manage to et QoMs (cycling offroad) so that can be fun, if I can be bothered, and not for a long while again now due to muddy cold weather. Also as excuse to post pictures i take somewhere I may strava a route.

It's way too much faff for me to keep track of every outing. I can't muster interest in it. It's not like I achieve anything worth bragging about.

I do alot of mountain biking and have fallen foul to qom chasing, which has had me over the bars! Another reason I want to stop. I think I’ll become a better rider if I slow down and concentrate
OP posts:
Blobby10 · 12/01/2021 12:51

I use Strava for my lone cycles as I have the Beacon enabled so if I have an accident then my OH can see where I am! I don't slavishly go over the routes checking segment times (like OH!) but it was a useful motivational tool over last year for seeing how my average speed was increasing as I got fitter. I don't share my feeds with anyone except the handful of people I cycle with and never post on FB.

lljkk · 12/01/2021 12:57

tbh, I was put off the MN threads where everyone updated each post with how far they ran. I never knew for myself. Felt like a barrier to join in.

I could state total time (sort of), but I always had about the same time target (45 minutes).

I'm going to run by our local vaccination centre soon. See what they are up to. Grin

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