In reply to flopsicle:
> I recorded my run this am on both Strava and My Tracks, both recorded same distance but Strava gave me more than 10 more calories burned - woo hoo! Weirdly My Tracks gave me 15% more height gain. After this thread I got more interested in the hill grade and found I could get it on the stats display - I'd only ever seen it posting here as it didn't appear till uploaded to drop box. Once I'd added it on my settings I went looking for the steepest run I do and it had 37% as the maximum grade.
> I can't find how to get the hill grade on Strava - is it there somewhere?
Glad you're getting the hang of it. Not quite sure where you're having the problem, or whether you can't see it on the app or the site. The site is usually clearer to navigate and see your stats. Here's a local segment of mine.
https://app.strava.com/segments/2149671
If you look under the map, there's a profile chart. Move your mouse over it and it gives you the grade for that particular point, and in the summary stats above the map is the average grade. The avg grade only seems to appear for segments, but on your run summary you will find along with your pace, a GAP (Grade Adjusted Pace) which takes into account the hill and tries to calculate the equivalent pace on the flat, so you can tell how well you're doing in the hills.
> Oh and apparently I came second in the females on a forgotten abbey - gave me a cup and everything. Well chuffed! I think I can get first too as I was a lazy wallop this am!
It can be a good motivator. I was first on a segment over the Chain Bridge in Budapest once as I was there on a business trip. I held it for months and then was informed I lost it. Next trip there I was hung over and knackered and didn't want to run but forced myself to go out and get it back (and I did, just).
In reply to: mbh
> I have found Strava to be a lot of fun and much more effective than, say Fit Club is for motivating me to get out and run.
I think as with anything, the key is logging and viewing the data. Sometimes its easy to kid yourself you're doing enough, but looking at the cold hard stats can tell you otherwise. Likewise, you can feel OK but be overtraining so its good to visualise this.