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.
I’m an older runner (68) with two artificial knees. They give me stability. I started using them on my winter runs here in PA. As an old cross country skier I found their use to be quite natural and picked it up quickly.
My first time running with poles was with my heavy, too long, rollerskiing poles on flat trails! I figured since I rollerskiied with them to the trailhead that they would be ok to get a trial run with poles – wrong! Light trekking poles at the appropriate length make a world of difference!
I started using poles as an ultra runner after I started using them on the AT as a section hiker. They have become a very integral part of my training. They really do save your legs for the latter stages of a race. After using the same poles for the last 7 years, the one actually broke on me on a very technical race. Would love to try the Leki brand.
I stole my boyfriend’s poles to run a 14-mile loop with 5k elevation gain in the mountains of New Mexico. I used the poles for rocky descents. My knees thank me and would thank LEKI if I could get a pair of my own!
I first used poles to complete the Grand Canyon R2R2R 7-years ago. Not only did they help take some pressure off of my tired legs up the 2nd climb, but I was surprised that they aided my quads on the descent from the north rim. I was hooked with using poles on long mountain climbs from then on.
I started using poles for the Superior Spring race in MN and it made a world of difference on the slippery rocks, roots and uneven terrain. Love them!
This year! Training for first 50 miler. Gotta tackle that 7000′ of gain somehow.
At mile 80 if my first 100. My legs needed some help!
Most of my running is in the Eastern Sierra where there big ups and big downs. Poles are a lifesaver (i.e. legsaver) at the end of a long day out when you got 4000-6000’ to descend in a hurry!
Poles also are great when hiking with a child in a backpack carrier on Ricky terrain.