Knowledge base

A label for how you paced the run — not how fast you ran.

RunPattern assigns one of eleven archetypes (such as Negative Splitter or Diesel) based on pace shape, heart-rate trend, and variability across the workout.

Second-half pace vs first-half pace, as a percentage.

Calculated from smoothed Strava pace streams. +2% means the second half was about 2% slower than the first; negative values indicate a negative split.

Opening quarter compared to the middle block of the run.

Highlights fast starts or cautious openings before fatigue sets in. Used to detect sprinter-starter and understarter patterns.

Final third compared to the middle block.

Shows whether you held pace into the finish or faded. A key signal for breakpoint and positive-split patterns.

Pace consistency across the full run.

Derived from minute-to-minute pace movement. Even splitters score low; surge runners score higher.

Variability in the first two-thirds of the run.

Isolates uneven effort before a late fade — helpful when distinguishing a controlled start from mid-run surging.

Count of meaningful pace direction changes.

Each surge is a sustained shift faster or slower. Many changes suggest a surge-runner pattern rather than steady pacing.

Second-half heart rate vs first half.

When pace stays similar but HR rises, you may be working harder for the same speed — a cardio-drift signal.

Strava pace points used in analysis.

Runs need enough stream data to classify. Very short runs or activities without GPS pace streams may show as unclassified.

Your most common pacing pattern over recent runs.

Shown on the dashboard when you have enough classified activities. It reflects frequency, not your fastest run.

How reliable the profile assignment is for that run.

Based on sample count and metric clarity. Low confidence often means a short run or noisy GPS pace data.

Thresholds personalized to your recent Strava history.

After four or more synced runs, RunPattern derives four threshold bands from your recent efficiency and pace trends. They replace population defaults on the next sync so Sprinter Starter, Drifter, Plateau, and similar labels match how you actually pace — not a generic runner.

Positive pace-drift percentage before overpacing patterns kick in.

Also called overpacing drift threshold. If your second half is slower than your first by at least this percentage, RunPattern is more likely to assign Sprinter Starter, Positive Splitter, or related fade patterns. A lower number (for example 5.3 vs 8.5) means you are held to a tighter line — small slowdowns count as meaningful drift for you.

HR rise across halves that signals accumulating fatigue.

Computed as (second-half average HR − first-half average HR) ÷ first-half HR. The calibration value is the minimum rise that counts toward a Drifter classification when pace is also slowing. Runners with improving efficiency often get a slightly lower threshold; declining efficiency raises it.

Pace slowdown across halves that signals fatigue drift.

Computed as the fractional pace change from the first half to the second (positive means slowing). Together with Fatigue (heart rate), this gates the Drifter profile — both metrics must cross their calibrated lines. Derived from whether your recent runs trend faster or slower in the back half.

How flat your half-to-half pacing must be to read as very steady.

A tight band for judging plateau-like consistency. Smaller values mean RunPattern expects you to hold a flatter effort profile before labeling a run as highly stable. Adjusts with your recent efficiency trend — steadier histories can narrow the band.