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.
Have a story of your own? Share your experience in the comments section and be automatically entered for a chance to win a new pair of LEKI Ultratrail FX One Superlite Poles. One random winner will be selected and notified.
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.
Don’t forget! Comment below about your first experience running or training with poles and you could win a free pair of LEKI Ultratrail FX One Superlite Poles. [the contest period for commenting is now closed]
Comments are closed.
The first time I used poles I was training to climb Mt Whitney. I was a hold out on poles because I liked having my hands free. However I now use poles regularly as I’ve learned they help redistribute my weight and make for a greater overall workout.
At Paris Mtn trail half
Sudden hip pain while running in 2020 revealed arthritis and an end to 52 years of running. Walking was ok but longer distances still hurt. My daughter gave me poles for Christmas and voila I can double my distance without pain.
I first bought poles in Scotland while on the Highland Way. It wasn’t a race, but took so much pressure off my knees and ankles that I continued using them for trail runs here in Northeast CT. People look at me a little funny since they aren’t so popular yet, but I love them. I like the additional balance point while doing rocky/roots technical trails, and I love being able to engage my upper body and core to take some of the load off of my legs. Side note- they were a game changer for me at age 60, but also got my 93 year old Father in Law excited to walk more and he completed his first 5K at age 95!
I first started using poles out of practical reasons while fast packing. My ultralight tent required a pole to stand properly so I figured if I was gonna carry one I might as well carry the second and then actually use them. When I realized that it wasn’t actually that awkward to have my poles out all the time while running or hiking I never stopped. They are really life savers and keep my legs fresh longer so at the end you have something left to kick it in.
The first time I really used poles was during a 2 hour hill repeat session up a local ski hill for a virtual vert challenge I was doing. I had done it the year before without poles (and won) but completely trashed my legs in the process. This time around, it was still crazy hard, but the poles kept me going at a more even pace. I got in an extra full repeat, got the win again, and after a brief break, could still comfortably run (slowly) back to the car. I did get some gnarly hand blisters this time around though – wish I had Leki’s trigger shark straps back then!
I’ve been edging up my running distance over the last 3 years into ultra territory. Attempted the Ozark Trail (OT100) in Missouri in 2021 and had to call it a day around 75 miles. Given the elevation shifts I really wished I had some poles to help edge out the remaining miles. I followed a friend to sign back up again this year and haven’t made the leap into poles yet, but it seems like the right set could be a real difference maker for the race this October.
I borrowed a friends poles to hike the Tuckerman Trail at Mount Washington. I felt like a 4-wheel drive off-road machine. Fantastic!
I’ve gravitated toward using a single short pole for both hiking and trail running. I hold it on top for picking down through technical bits and grab it in the middle (keeping it in the air) for flatter run sections.
Poles were a game changer when I first started using them a couple years ago. Awkward at first but once you get in the rhythm of using them and you build up some endurance in your arms they’re essential for moving fast up and downhill.