So long, Strava

I exercise to escape, not connect. Which generally means the fewer people involved, the better. An empty lane in the swimming pool. An empty byway. Just me and the bike.

Because I do most of my activity – cycling, swimming, running, walking – alone, I don’t have large clubs of people to interact with on Strava. I’m just connected to a few friends I know in real life. And, for the most part, I’ve enjoyed seeing what they’re up to.

Sure, when someone runs a marathon or completes an Ironman, and all I’ve done that day is cycle to the shops, maybe I feel a little stab of inadequacy. But for me, the bigger problem comes from posting my own activities. Not because I crave kudos – I can live without that – but simply because sharing becomes an obligation.

I don’t need the app developers’ gamification tactics to make me do it; my head takes care of all that for them.

I’m an upholder, according to author Gretchen Rubin’s Four Tendencies framework (I thoroughly recommend Rubin’s writing, by the way). Upholders like me respond readily to outer and inner expectations, and I’m particularly driven to fulfil tasks I’ve set myself. If I write it on my to-do list, I have to do it. End of story.