Me and my Lexi

Back in 2008 my wife and I went to the high alps for our wedding anniversary.  Our condo was in the village of Morschach which is a ski resort. Morschach sits about 800 meters (1/2 mile) above Lake Lucerne. There I discovered a trail that goes around Lake Lucerne that has 1 meter for every Swiss person who had  immigrated to another country from Switzerland. There is also the Swiss Trail that was built in honor of Switzerland's 700's anniversary.  We were visiting the village of Stooswald - only accessible by cable car.  Stooswald is at an elevation above 2,000 meters and my granddaughter was experiencing some altitude sickness. While my wife and granddaughter rested at an inn with a great view of Schwyz,  I decided to walk some of the trail.  I had a bit of trouble with vertigo where it was straight down but otherwise thought I was setting a good pace. About that time three local women who were at least my age passed me.  Yes, they were locals so they were accustomed to the high altitude.  Yes, they had probably been walking these trails most of their lives. (The trails were also used for regular pedestrian traffic.)  What I noticed was that, like the vast majority of people whom I saw trekking around the Alps, they were using trail poles. To get back to our condo we had to go by the town of Schwyz (home of the famous Swiss Army Knife). I stopped at an outfitters and shelled out 80 franc (about $100-110) for my Lexi.  I have only run one trail since then without them, and I took a nasty fall on that run.
     Trail poles do not make you go faster. They help you keep your balance on the uneven trails that are so often booby-trapped by rocks, roots and other obstacles. The first trail race that I did with them was a particularly steep and rugged course.  It was only a 5k race but almost everyone tripped or tumbled at some point because of the tangle of roots that cover most of the hills. At some points it was difficult to find a place to put your foot between the roots. I was one of the few who did not fall because I had my Lexi.  The trail was a single trail with a short bit of road at the beginning and the end. I was able to pass on the trails because my Lexi gave me the stability and therefore the confidence to actually step off the trail and pass. I could move faster on the steep downhill runs because my Lexi kept me stable and gave me control of descent.  I took second in my division.  As I reported, if I read the finish board correctly only about 75% of those who started the McKay Hollow Madness 25km finished.  Of the 7 people with whom I started, I was the only one to finish.  I was the only one using poles.  The course was timed and you had to get to each check point within the allotted time.  Most of the people who did not finish were pulled from the course at the mile 10 check point.  I truly believe that my Lexi helped me be able to set the fastest pace possible.  Most of the course was extremely rocky. My Lexi kept me balanced as my feet picked their way. Where we were running along ledges I would use my Lexi to allow me to lean into the mountain and therefore go faster along the narrow ledge. In my description I told about two beautiful long downhill runs that dropped 800 meters each. I was able to do an 8:30 pace only because I knew I had control otherwise I'd have never made the switchbacks.
     I say again, poles do not make you run faster but you can run faster because they keep you balanced and are a tremendous safety device. If you watch me and my Lexi are swinging parallel to my legs touching down  about every two steps, you can bet that I'm not really using them. They're in neutral.  If you watch and my Lexi are striking out at all sort of strange angles sometimes close and sometimes way out in front, you know that I'm using them to maintain balance and control.  If you see me with the heel of my hand in the strap and the bottom of the grip resting between my thumb and forefinger, you know that I'm going down-hill.  Point - there are many ways to hold and use your trail poles. Technique can only be taught to a point  because for the most part the use of your poles is a matter of eye-hand-foot-brain coordination.  Your eyes and feet are sending information to your brain. Your brain must quickly assess the situation, seek a solution through sight (i.e. look for a pole spot), and then relay the decision to your hands. All this in fractions of a second while you're running.  My son-in-law wants me to teach him to use his poles. I was trying to be conscious of what I do.  I almost fell because I slowed the process down so much by trying to be aware of it working. Using my Lexi has become instinctual and automatic.  Probably the best way to learn is to have someone show you some of the ways to hold and use your poles and then spend a lot of time using them.  Obviously, don't pick dangerous courses to practice. At the same time, don't use them on a green way and then think you're ready for the mountain.
     Before I send you out with the encouragement to start using poles for your trail running and racing, I need to say something about buying poles.  There are now poles available in many discount stores.  I've seen sets as cheap as $25!  Don't buy these. They may be fine for hikers (that's even questionable) but they're not for runners.  Running is one of the cheapest sports there is.  Don't skimp on your shoes and poles.  Lexi are probably the best trail poles available.  I was fortunate that the Swiss outfitter carried them because I would have bought anything he had. Don't buy the first ones you see.  Go on-line, check out what's available, and buy the best you can afford.
Good running!
Russ

Runners using trail poles on the famous Mont Blanc 153km extreme ultra-marathon.
Starting elevation >2,500m. Highest elevation 3,500m. Time allotted - 46 hours.
Three countries - six Alpine mountain passes.
My dream.