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 avoided them as long as I could but decided I needed them for Fat Dog, a Hardrock Qualifier in BC Canada! I was so thankful I had them on that course.
When I broke my hand, I was told if I fell on it in the first 6 months I would need surgery. I started using poles and they have been incredible to help with preventing my falls (especially in the later miles).
I first used poles when I was doing a 6 hour event in Utah in February. I needed them to help keep me upright when I was going up and down a snowy mountain. I had never used them before and found them so very helpful in keeping me from hunching too much and also making me more stable. Having four points of contact instead of just two is great. I have a 100k in the fall and although there is not a lot of elevation I feel having poles later on will help decrease some fatigue and keep me going so I can reach the finish.
I had a knee tendinitis & they took the pressure off my knee to be able to run trails again!
I started using poles when I was on more technical terrain. It helps for the downhill.
As a Texan flat lander headed to UTMB, I needed all the help I could get! Just have to hope TSA doesn’t have an issue with them! Glad I had them!
I had always dreamed of running and completing a 100 mile run. Excitedly, I signed up for the Rocky Raccoon 100 mile race in Texas. In the race description it said that poles were not allowed. I was bummed as I had just bought my Leki poles. Well, at about mile 72 my body started to break down from injuries sustained from tripping and falling over those pesky roots (I lost five toenails) . At first I thought it was vertigo, but my balance became unstable and I was falling to the left. I tried to find some make shift poles but the sticks were hard to find. I finally found two and they helped to keep my balance, But they were rough and dug into my hands. I remember being really bummed as I noticed quite a few runners with poles. I know they would have helped to prevent some many falls and help earlier on with the balance. With about two agonizing miles to the finish line, I runner offered her poles to me. I declined but she insisted (I didn’t realize until I saw my finish line photo had scary I looked as I was leaning profusely to the left). I still have her poles and will be forever grateful for her generosity. After that race, I knew I would never complete another ultra without poles. Two months later, I started off the start line of the Mendocino 50K with my Leki Poles. I was so glad that I did . They really helped propel me up the hills and helped me keep my balance going down. Well, just a few days ago, I ran the SOB 50 Mile trail race in Ashland, Oregon. I packed my poles in the drop bag at mile 20 as the rest of the race had a lot of vertical gain and some steep, rocky descents. A few runners, who did not have poles, asked if I like them. I let them know that I would not run anymore ultras without them. Well, coming down a rocky mountain trail, at about mile 30, my left pole got stuck between two rocks and the tip cracked and broke. I couldn’t believe it. I stopped, broke off the jagged tip (I saved it in my vest as a fun souvenir and extended the pole to the right height and was able to use it the remainder of the race. So, you see, I actually do really need a new Leki pole!!
had always dreamed of running and completing a 100 mile run. Excitedly, I signed up for the Rocky Raccoon 100 mile race in Texas. In the race description it said that poles were not allowed. I was bummed as I had just bought my Leki poles. Well, at about mile 72 my body started to break down from injuries sustained from tripping and falling over those pesky roots (I lost five toenails) . At first I thought it was vertigo, but my balance became unstable and I was falling to the left. I tried to find some make shift poles but the sticks were hard to find. I finally found two and they helped to keep my balance, But they were rough and dug into my hands. I remember being really bummed as I noticed quite a few runners with poles. I know they would have helped to prevent some many falls and help earlier on with the balance. With about two agonizing miles to the finish line, I runner offered her poles to me. I declined but she insisted (I didn’t realize until I saw my finish line photo had scary I looked as I was leaning profusely to the left). I still have her poles and will be forever grateful for her generosity. After that race, I knew I would never complete another ultra without poles. Two months later, I started off the start line of the Mendocino 50K with my Leki Poles. I was so glad that I did . They really helped propel me up the hills and helped me keep my balance going down. Well, just a few days ago, I ran the SOB 50 Mile trail race in Ashland, Oregon. I packed my poles in the drop bag at mile 20 as the rest of the race had a lot of vertical gain and some steep, rocky descents. A few runners, who did not have poles, asked if I like them. I let them know that I would not run anymore ultras without them. Well, coming down a rocky mountain trail, at about mile 30, my left pole got stuck between two rocks and the tip cracked and broke. I couldn’t believe it. I stopped, broke off the jagged tip (I saved it in my vest as a fun souvenir and extended the pole to the right height and was able to use it the remainder of the race. So, you see, I actually do really need a new Leki pole!!
Started using poles prior to my first 100miler, they saved me from bustin my ass more than once that weekend, especially during those dark hours of mind numbing slow miles mixed with wet rocks and extreme fatigue. Yay poles!
I started with poles a couple years ago to help save wear on the knees for trail runs.