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 brought a pair of poles last year, I finally used them this past weekend on July 9th for the Noche Trail Run in Junction, Texas. I was so impress with using them, they helped me so much with the rocky hill climbing and not falling into the cactus bush at night!
2017 – I was doing a 50K and a friend was dropping from the race. She offered me her poles. I don’t recommend using them for the first time during a race!
I started my ultra training life with poles. I trained for the Pikes Peak 50k in Colorado and it had a fair amount of vert. I went up into the Rockies every weekend for a few months and became very accustomed to being with my poles. They are great fro climbing and can be helpful with descending too. I also found them extremely valuable to be used to aid in stretching or to rub out tired muscles! 🙂
I started trail running 12 years ago in Washington state. The use of poles have saved me numerous times from falling and also powering up nasty trails throughout America. I have most recently started using the Leki brand poles. I was hesitant at first locking into the poles with the gloves, but soon it became second nature. Love your product.
My first time running with poles was great. It gave me the balance I needed to help me when I was tired. And navigate tough terrain. Poles were very valuable in my race and I’m glad to have them. But these Leki would really help this dad out!
I first used poles on the AT. I had this pair of what I thought would be awesome poles from a an unknown brand. I hadn’t realized how heavy they would end up being over the miles, they were constantly collapsing on themselves, and when both straps and one handle fell off on a steep downhill I gave up on poles. I’ve recently started using a non adjustable set and it’s a world of difference. I’m training for a big mountain climb and I think the poles are really going to give me an advantage if I get the right ones. If anyone has any tips for pole selection and or technique please share that would be awesome.
I first started using poles when running off trail (shhh…) and then ever since…
I started using poles in 2018 to train and run the Formosa Trail race in the mountains of Taiwan. They were a huge help in sharing the load uphill and really saves the pounding of the downhill. The magic part was just how much stability they gave when going down, helping me feel like I had 4 legs to maneuver over the rocks, knotty roots and turns of the downhill parts.
I started using poles earlier this year, with a short run on familiar trails to try things out. My first run was super awkward trying to get the technique down and figure out how to stash them efficiently using my pack’s bungee cords. After the run I watched some videos on how to properly hold the poles and looked up how to attach them to the side of my pack. I guess I should have watched the videos first, but at least I didn’t wait until a race to use them for the first time!
I first tried and failed with poles. I kept getting them stuck in rocks, brush, trees and then tripping all over them. Now, I would consider any race without them. 50k to 100M, anything with vert, and I take my poles with me. After I was able to measure and prove they made me 1 to 3 minutes faster per mile, I was hooked. now, I can’t wait to use them again.