Strava’s Matched Activities feature is a powerful tool for runners looking to track their progress and compare their performance on the same route over time. Whether you’re training for a 5k or just trying to improve your fitness, this feature offers valuable insights into your pace, effort, and overall improvement. This article will delve into how to use this feature effectively.
Comparing Runs with Strava’s Matched Activities
Strava’s Matched Activities allows you to compare your current run with past runs on the same route. This feature not only works for running but also for cycling, walking, hiking, and various other activities. It provides a comprehensive overview of your performance trends, enabling you to compete against yourself and identify areas for improvement. Let’s explore how this feature works on both web and mobile platforms.
Accessing Matched Activities on Strava
Accessing Matched Activities is straightforward, regardless of whether you’re using the Strava website or the mobile app.
Web Access: You can find your Matched Activities on the Strava website by navigating to a specific activity and looking for the “Matched Runs” option.
Mobile Access: Similar to the web version, the Matched Activities feature on the Strava mobile app is accessible from the activity details screen. Look for the designated section to compare your runs.
Understanding the Data: Graphs and Lists
Strava presents your Matched Activities data in a clear and user-friendly format, combining graphs and lists to provide a comprehensive overview.
Analyzing the Graph: The graph visually represents your pace over time for the selected route. It highlights your fastest, slowest, and average pace, allowing you to quickly identify trends and progress. The current activity is highlighted with an orange dot, while your fastest effort is indicated by a yellow dot with a circle around it.
Interpreting the List: Below the graph, you’ll find a detailed list of all your matched runs on that route, grouped by year. Each entry includes essential information such as date, activity name, pace, difference from your all-time average, moving time, and relative effort. This allows for a quick comparison of key metrics across different runs.
Effort Count: Strava also displays the total number of times you’ve completed the same route, reinforcing the consistency of your training and providing a sense of accomplishment.
Delving Deeper with Individual Run Comparisons
Strava allows for in-depth analysis of individual runs within the Matched Activities feature.
Data Point Details: Clicking on a data point in the graph reveals a marker with the activity name, pace, and whether you were trending faster or slower compared to your average.
Linking to Activity Details: Clicking on a data point in the graph or selecting an activity from the list takes you directly to the full activity details page. This seamless integration allows for a deeper dive into the specifics of each run.
Leveraging Private Notes for Context
A valuable feature often overlooked is Strava’s Private Notes. This allows you to add context to your runs, noting factors that might have influenced your performance, such as weather conditions, fatigue, or any other relevant details. These notes can be accessed from the activity’s edit page and provide valuable insights when reviewing past performance.
Conclusion: Strava for Self-Improvement
Strava’s Matched Activities is a powerful tool for runners of all levels. By providing a detailed comparison of your runs on the same route, it enables you to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and stay motivated. Combined with features like Private Notes, Strava offers a comprehensive platform for self-improvement and achieving your running goals. Explore Strava’s Matched Activities and discover the power of comparing your runs to unlock your full potential.
