We all remember our first race or favorite adventure, but what about the first time you added poles into the mix? Below, LEKI athlete Sabrina Stanley shares her story of when she started running and training with poles and why it has been a game changer for her.
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I started running with poles consistently when I began training for a mountainous 100-miler in the summer of 2018. I knew I would be using poles for the entirety of the race, so I ran with poles during all my training miles. This helped get my upper body familiar with the additional load it would be taking on while climbing and descending. It also taught me how to use the poles efficiently.
My “Ah-Ha” moment came when I was studying the most competitive runners in the world at races that piqued my interest. These runners were all using poles. To be competitive I knew I had to learn how to use poles to assist in my running if I wanted to run at the same level as the top athletes.
Poles take some of the load off a runner’s legs while going up and downhill. This transfer of power to the upper body allows a runner to conserve their legs for a longer period.
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I’ve only just started using the poles this year, particularly as I’ve started completing more mountainous challenges. I’m not very good at the moment but am very keen to improve my ability here and fully work out what I need to change to be more efficient!
For a longtime I did not use poles as I was running up big climb faster without until I realized that I was paying these efforts later on ultra races. Now I use them on each serious climb on race day not only to keep strength for the end of the race but also to spare my legs and hips muscles so they do not shut down on me before the finish line.
The first time I used poles was while hiking the West Coast Trail. They helped stabilize the load on all the gnarly climbs and descents, but they were also crucial for crossing bottomless mud pits. We could poke our poles into the mud to find the next tree cookie to step on, 6 inches below the surface. When the pole went in up to the handle, you knew that wasn’t somewhere you’d want to step…
Since then, I’ve used them hiking all over BC and have just started incorporating them into trail running. Looking forward to more practice!
First time running with piles was for my first Grand Canyon R2R2R. I was very happy to have them on the final climb out on Bright Angel trail.
After running the Enchantments Loop with a friend who had a pair of LEKI’s last November, when we faced rain and snow on top of the elevation and rock climbs I immediately threw poles on my Christmas list and was lucky enough to have really supportive family to make the buy. They’re pricey but make a huge difference on the huge mileage with big climbs! Since I’ve take through a Joshua Tree traverse, a couple difference 100milers in southern UT, the cascades, Glacier… and more. Now one of my biggest fear is busting a pole during a big race or adventure!
Ive used them a couple times but never really got comfortable with them. I need a good pair I can train with more often. When it gets steep I feel like I need to be able to use them in races.
After running the Enchantments Loop with a friend who had a pair of LEKI’s last November, when we faced rain and snow on top of the elevation and rock climbs I immediately threw poles on my Christmas list and was lucky enough to have really supportive family to make the buy. They’re pricey but make a huge difference on the huge mileage with big climbs! Since I’ve take through a Joshua Tree traverse, a couple difference 100milers in southern UT, the cascades, Glacier… and more. Now one of my biggest fear is busting a pole during a big race or adventure!
I only have basic poles right now, heavy aluminum, so I don’t use them very often. They definitely help on steep ascents and descents… with some crazy vert races on my bucket list, I would love some carbon Leki!
After many years without poles, I tried them for the Virtual Hardrock (Covid). I became convinced that poles made a positive difference. Putting in 38,000′ of up (and down) in a short time would have been more difficult without them. Fortunately, learning curve was short and they were not a burden. It has become standard gear on higher angle mountain runs.
After moving to Colorado, I was on a hike with my kids. On a particularly steep hike I wanted my kids to try having a walking stick for support so I picked up a sturdy branch and got them to do the same. I was amazed at how much it helped! The next day I bought a pair and have used them on strenuous mountain treks ever since.