What Strava + Runna does

Strava is a fitness app where you record runs, bike rides, and other workouts using your phone's GPS. Runna is a running coaching platform that creates personalized training plans based on your fitness level and race goals. When you connect them, Runna reads your Strava workout history to understand your current fitness, then builds a plan tailored to you. Your completed workouts automatically sync back to Strava so you have one place to track everything.

The connection works one direction for most data: Runna pulls information from Strava to inform your training plan, but Runna's coaching guidance and structured workouts appear in the Runna app itself. You'll still use Strava to record and share your runs the way you normally would.

Key Takeaways

  • Runna reads your Strava history to build a training plan matched to your current fitness level and race goal.
  • You pay for Runna's subscription separately; Strava has a free version and a paid Strava+ tier, but neither is required to use Runna.
  • Workouts you complete through Runna's plan can be logged to Strava automatically, keeping your full training history in one place.
  • The connection requires you to authorize Runna to access your Strava account — you do this once during Runna setup.

How to connect your Strava account to Runna

Start by creating a Runna account on their website or app. During the setup process, Runna will ask you to connect your fitness data. When you choose Strava as your source, you'll be sent to Strava's login page. Log in with your Strava username and password, then approve Runna's request to read your workout history. You'll return to Runna, and the connection is complete.

This authorization happens only once. After that, Runna can see your Strava workouts without asking again. If you later want to disconnect, you can revoke Runna's access through your Strava account settings under "Apps" or "Connected Apps," depending on your device.

What Runna learns from your Strava data

Runna uses your Strava history to estimate your current fitness level. It looks at your recent run distances, paces, and frequency to understand what kind of training you're ready for. If you've been running 20 miles a week at a 9-minute pace, Runna won't assign you a plan built for someone running 40 miles a week at a 7-minute pace.

Runna also checks for patterns in your data — whether you run consistently or sporadically, whether you've done speed work before, and how your fitness has changed over time. This information helps Runna suggest a realistic race goal and a training schedule that fits your actual habits, not an imaginary version of yourself.

How your workouts sync between the apps

When you complete a Runna workout, you have the option to log it to Strava. If you choose to sync, the workout appears in your Strava feed with the distance, time, pace, and route. Runna doesn't automatically post to Strava — you control whether each workout is shared.

The sync works in one direction only: from Runna to Strava. Workouts you log directly in Strava don't automatically appear in Runna, but Runna can see them because it has access to your Strava account. This means if you do a run outside your Runna plan and log it to Strava, Runna knows about it and can adjust your plan if needed.

Runna subscription costs and what's included

Runna charges a monthly or annual subscription fee to access personalized training plans. The exact price varies by region and whether you choose month-to-month or annual billing. Runna typically offers a free trial period so you can test the app and see if the coaching style works for you before you commit to paying.

Your Runna subscription includes a personalized training plan, the ability to adjust workouts if you need to, and access to Runna's coaching content. It does not include a Strava subscription — those are separate services. You can use Runna with a free Strava account; Strava+ is optional and offers features like segment leaderboards and route-building tools, but it's not necessary for Runna to work.

When to use Strava + Runna together versus separately

Use them together if you want a structured training plan built on your actual fitness history. Runna's value is in the personalization — it's not a generic 12-week marathon plan, it's a plan for you specifically. Strava provides the data that makes that personalization possible.

Use Strava alone if you prefer to design your own workouts or follow a plan from another source. Strava works fine as a straightforward workout log and social network for runners. Use Runna alone if you don't care about sharing your runs or tracking them in a public feed — Runna's app is self-contained and doesn't require Strava at all, though connecting them gives Runna better information to work with.

Troubleshooting a broken Strava connection

If Runna stops seeing your Strava workouts, the most common cause is that your Strava password changed or your authorization expired. Log into Runna, find the settings or account section, and look for an option to reconnect or re-authorize Strava. You'll be sent to Strava's login page again; log in and approve the connection a second time.

If you've recently changed your Strava privacy settings to "Private," Runna may not be able to see your workouts. Check your Strava privacy settings and make sure your activity visibility is set to at least "Followers" or "Everyone." If the connection still doesn't work after re-authorizing, contact Runna's support team — they can help you troubleshoot on their end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Strava+ subscription to use Runna?

No. Runna works with a free Strava account. Strava+ adds features like segment leaderboards and advanced analytics, but those are separate from Runna's coaching. You only need to pay for Runna's subscription.

Can I use Runna without connecting Strava?

Yes. Runna can create a training plan based on information you enter manually — your recent mileage, pace, and race goal. Connecting Strava just saves you from typing that information in and gives Runna a more detailed picture of your fitness history.

Will my Runna workouts show up on my Strava profile automatically?

No. You choose whether to log each Runna workout to Strava. This gives you control over what appears in your Strava feed and what stays private in Runna.

What happens if I disconnect Strava from Runna?

Runna will no longer be able to see new workouts you log to Strava, but your existing training plan won't disappear. You can still use Runna normally — it just won't have access to your updated fitness data. You can reconnect anytime.

Can Runna see workouts I marked as private on Strava?

No. Runna can only see workouts that match your Strava privacy settings. If a workout is marked private, Runna cannot access it. Check your activity privacy settings if you want Runna to see all your runs.