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]
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I had a challenging time to find a right size poles due to my 5’ height. I use my poles more for aiding uphill battles. I’m not comfortable using poles on the down especially if on rocky surfaces. Using poles efficiently and correctly sure is a science!!
I have never raced with poles but have begrudgingly started to try and figure out how to use them for the High Lonesome 100 next week. Just hoping not to trip over them. From the looks of the course, I am sure that I will be happy to have brought them along.
My first ultra was coastal challenge in Costa Rica. I was unprepared and have run marathons so I knew it would be tough- but who needs poles?! Oh my word- I quickly found out stage 4 I wouldn’t finish if I didn’t have poles!! My quads were annihilated and I COULD NOT take the pressure going downhill- but my arms were fresh!! All thanks to God, my dad and Eduardo that he lent us his extra set of poles that were different lengths and kept coming apart (user error) but they allowed me to finish!! And not only that, just using them 2 days and my legs felt fresh! Weird but true story- so from now on I tell everyone- bring poles!!! Huge advocate for them! And hopefully one day I can own a pair of big pimpin Leki’s!!
As I’ve aged I’ve found that poles help me hike with less pain, especially downhill. Seeing this I brought poles to my trail running and it’s been a game changer! Poles make my long efforts easier, faster, and safer.
I started using poles when training for my first mountain 100 (Bear 100) several years ago, and they made a huge difference. Highly recommended for any races with a good amount of climbing.
I’ve owned poles for years, but didn’t use them with any seriousness until pacing a friens at Cocodona 250 this year. (I viewed poles as a crutch for anything but the toughest races.) I thought I was a skilled user beforehand but then over the 90 miles we shared I leveled up like crazy.
It turned out to be a blessing because a month later I rolled my ankle badly twice in the first 7 miles of San Diego 100. I ended up using poles from mile 28 to the end, pushing my way from 18th place to 4th. I didn’t realize just how much I needed those poles until about mile 75 when my left arm (bicep/tricep/shoulder) started cramping unbelievably bad. Could not have finished without them and now I’m a huge believer in the benefits that can come from being a skilled pole user.
Running with the “geezers” as they trained for their 200-mile races meant that I saw lots of new gear, like poles. I hadn’t considered using poles as I trained for my first 50k. If course, I borrowed them and loved them. Turns out I needed them more than the geezers!
Using poles seemed like a “cheat”, why weren’t they allowed for racing? Well, adding them to my uphill/downhill running changed everything, my a-ha moment feeling fresh, not being soaked in every stream crossing, enjoying the run instead of just laboring. Ultra folks are like Tri-people, gadgets for everything and all weight sensitive. Poles were an additive to the overall workout, the enjoyment and were never viewed as a weight to a detriment. Thank you!
I started using hiking poles when I started my vertical hike/run training plan for an Ultra race. However, there is a interesting relation of pole that helps to dig in while you are on flat region post 60 miles 🙁 and trying to flying through the rocks. But it would be great to really understand the strategic requirement of poles.
Thank you Steve Pierce, for bringing attention to the need to protect native plants. I’ve started using trekking poles when I starting hiking more often. A sisters’ camp/hike weekend in Utah certainly made a huge difference in their hiking experience as it was the first time for them. My knees are thankful for the extra help especially on rocky terrain. I have yet to use them for trail running but definitely will try them since my knees are beginning to protest on the technical mountain runs.