Growing up, I was more of a “hanging out in the art studio” versus “picked first in gym class” type of kid. I found intramural sports intimidating and brewery 5k's not to be worth it. Four years ago, when I received my offer letter from Strava and began working at a fitness-based app, my friends and family were flabbergasted, to say the least.
Sure, I downloaded Strava prior to applying to try to look more "legit" in my interview but I considered my walks to work each morning and six-hour concerts on the weekend to be my greatest exercise at the time. I definitely did not think of myself as an "athlete."
I thought Strava was for people like my roommate who already had the NY and Boston Marathons under her belt at 22. I thought I am not a cyclist/runner, I am not competitive, and I am embarrassed by what I post.
However, upon starting work at Strava, I saw all types of "athletes" at the office. Of course, we have the classic daily runners and hill-seeking cyclists, but I also found a new group who used the app in their own special ways. We are the neighborhood strollers. The weekend peak baggers. The avid nordic skiers.
In order to bust a few myths about Strava, I turned to some fellow employees across our offices for their reactions as well as helpful insider tips.
I am not a cyclist/runner.
"Strava is a record of your active life. Anything that keeps you active can be represented and celebrated on Strava."
"I actually mostly just use Strava to track my hikes so I can memorialize them and see the photos and the journeys I’ve done."
I am not competitive
"Hit that sweet "Only you" setting and use it as a training log."
"This is your journey to enjoy and you can move as slow or as fast as you want. There is no need to compete unless you want to."
I do this walk a couple of times a week and have started keeping it on “Only You”! I love looking back on the collection of sunrises. 🙂
I'm too slow to be on Strava / I’m embarrassed.
"Default to private and make your own choices."
"You have to start somewhere!"
Late summer turning into fall is one of my favorite times of the year and is usually when my Training Log fills up!
Feeling inspired? Good! It is up to you to decide how you want to use Strava. While I realize this is a lowly blog article, I hope that it will inspire you to take pride in any activity posted. I will be rooting for you from my neighborhood stroll, weekend hike, or who knows, maybe this is the year I might try my hand at kite surfing.
Happy Trails, friends. I am always working to support the everyday athlete and would love to hear how you use Strava in your own unique way!
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