Day 4,332—50K Today and Buying new Poles—

 

        I figured out on my last run that the poles I have need to be replaced. They were the right price at the time, so I have no complaints. However, the last run I did with them, I wasted a lot of time tightening them. All the new poles have a better locking system, which was my main concern. I went to REI last night with my daughter and looked at their selection. I was hoping they would have some I could hold and feel, which is why I wanted to go there, but they were in a box of sorts, so I could see them but not extend them as I had hoped. When I told the salesperson what I would be using it for, they pointed me to one of the lightest pairs, but it was also over $200. I was ready to spend around $100, but $200 seemed extreme. I found a Black Diamond brand one that I like for around $100, but before I bought it, I decided to look online and do some more research. I didn’t buy poles, but I got a new visor, so I was happy with that.

        This morning, I was looking at poles before I went running, and I discovered the kind made for runners folds. At first, I thought it looked too fragile to spend that much money on. I am still at that point where I think the poles between 100-140 dollars look so much better than the one I have, but I keep thinking if I will eventually want to upgrade anyone, so wouldn’t I save money buying the more expensive pair now? The main benefit would be that I could put this in my pack when I am running. I wouldn’t have to just carry them if I decided not to use poles after all. This might make it easier for me to carry poles when I don’t end up using them, but it is also such a nice perk to not have to feel like I am stuck with them if I don’t use them. However, it is not that hard to carry poles if I am not carrying something else, so part of me wonders how big a deal that would be. There is also the factor that the folding ones are less durable, so they might break more easily, but for how much I use them, I don’t know if that will matter.

        I still haven’t decided which way I am going to go, but I was thinking about it when I was running today. I originally thought about doing more, but I had such a stressful week, I knew I was going to sleep in, and then after that, I knew running for 50 miles would not help me recover from the week. I decided to do the 50K loop I did last weekend. This time, I didn’t add as much, so it was two fewer miles, but I consider that a win. It is a great 50K loop. It also puts me next to some key places where I can get something to drink. It will be nice when the water fountains open. Then it won’t be a big deal at all to do this loop. I have been thinking of ways I can make it a longer loop. I could finish closer to where I start instead of taking the shortcut through the cemetery. I could add some in the cemetery. I could also run to Jefferson Barracks and turn around afterwards, but I would prefer as much of it as a loop as possible; still, doing it that way keeps it on paved trails. My favorite part of this run was seeing the train in Maplewood and taking pictures of the horses by Grant’s farm. 

Let me know if anyone has advice on what poles to get.