Ultra training for beginners

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geordiegirl Feb 2021 4:31pm, 14 Feb 2021 13,358 posts	0 geordiegirl Thanks both. That was my thinking Rosehip if they are beneficial maybe it’s something to invest and start to learn to use them if I need them I’ll have them. I’m thinking less necessary for RTC but the Wall looks hillier and may be an option then too. I’ll have a listen to the podcast thanks.
Gromit Feb 2021 5:11pm, 14 Feb 2021 1,552 posts	0 Gromit I love my poles ... there is a time and place and not every race needs then but can help focus your steps focus on swinging your arms .... you get a good rhythm going and they do help keep you upright and better form etc when you start to get tired ... as others have said you do need to practice with them tho
flyingfinn Feb 2021 5:21pm, 14 Feb 2021 2,505 posts	0 flyingfinn GG the real benefit is to be had when ascending both running and walking. If you're running descents they slow most people down, give them something else to fall over, faff with and generally endanger anyone around them. If you're legs are already shot and you're walking they can be useful descending particularly if it's very steep. But more than anything else you have to practice with them and understand where they actually assist you, otherwise you just end up occupying your hands with something that you wave around ineffectively.
Fragile Do Not Bend Feb 2021 5:33pm, 14 Feb 2021 7,896 posts	0 Fragile Do Not Bend My take on poles. I have a pair of Nordic poles - they are different to ordinary walking poles in that they attach to your hand via a pair of special ‘gloves’ with a quick release mechanism on them, instead of the straps that normal poles have. The technique to use them is a bit different as you aren’t gripping onto the poles, just a light touch to support them, so easier on the hands. I took some classes in the Nordic walking technique which was really useful. I did a very muddy and hilly race in March last year (Larmer Tree 20) and I’m sure I would have fallen over several times without my poles, especially on some of the more hair-raising downhills. As well as stability on the mud, they really helped with getting up the hills. I’ll probably use them when I eventually get to do my ultra as it is hilly, though hopefully not muddy. If I was the sort of person that was capable of running the whole way I wouldn’t use them, but I will be walking a lot of it. The downside of poles is they get in the way when you want to take a photo, get something out of your pack, eat, use the loo etc.
geordiegirl Feb 2021 6:23pm, 14 Feb 2021 13,359 posts	0 geordiegirl Thanks all I will have a think about it. I’ve not used them so far and I don’t know what benefit I’d find, RTC is not hilly (from what I can tell) I know I’d need to practice with them and maybe see if I can find a course when life resumes. Thanks again
flanker Feb 2021 6:23pm, 14 Feb 2021 19,675 posts	0 flanker I think ff pretty much wrote what I was going to say. I don't tend to use them for racing (although I do for trekking) as I can't be bothered with the faff of carrying/folding/unfolding, but do keep wondering if I should! However I would add that there shouldn't be much difference between nordic or standard poles - all the force should go through the straps on normal poles too, not through your hand/fingers/grip.
Mr. K. Feb 2021 6:31pm, 14 Feb 2021 3,638 posts	0 Mr. K. I have Mountain King - Trail Blaze. I have the shorter ones for uphill help.. mountainking.co.uk They are lightweight & fold away into four. Don`t go cheap. So worth practicing running with poles - as you can have someone`s eye out or trip yourself up. Oh as aluminium the sections can get stuck together if you don`t break them down if wet or cold after use.
NDWDave Feb 2021 7:38pm, 14 Feb 2021 14,052 posts	0 NDWDave I find poles helpful for very steep stuff and made a big difference for UTMB. I reckon I need at least 10-15% gradient to be able to get the benefit Not sure the benefit for me on flatter runnable ultras
Mr. K. Feb 2021 7:52pm, 14 Feb 2021 3,639 posts	0 Mr. K. Absolutely NDW, huge differance in Exmoor 50Km. - 7,500ft elev. For the sake of a few hundred grams I pack mine - in one ultra I had only a couple of miles to go & saw a guy in front, who was seriously limping - had somehow turned his knee. I gave him my poles knowing I`ll be still be the finish when he finished.
Gromit Feb 2021 8:23pm, 14 Feb 2021 1,553 posts	0 Gromit I’ve also lent mine to fellow runners towards the end of races ... once I’ve folded mine out I have them in my hands the whole time ... this can lead to blisters so for much longer stuff I’ve started to wear cycling gloves 👍