[ArlenBales]

I've ran all my life and having metrics does not rob any joy out of it for me. I wouldn't take one person's anecdote as fact.

For me, heart rate monitors and Strava have greatly improved my running and cycling enjoyment, as well as made me more likely to run. Strava has lots of metrics, and encourages competition with others, and my heart rate monitor (and accompanying watch that tells me my heart rate) gives me direct feedback to how hard I am running, and if I need to slow down or pick up the pace.