Nonplussed about new trekking poles

Teià and Barcelona in the distance

The poles themselves are great (Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z): lightweight and easy to fit to my running vest.

But they don't seem to help much.

My heart rate was higher --- as you'd expect since I'm using more of my body --- but even on the steep patches they didn't seem much use. And I felt far less nimble.

I'm sure part of it is a matter of practice. And there might be a benefit in long ultras to just being able to use them to change your gait, even if there is no meaningful efficiency gain.

My gait definitely changed today with them. I know for sure because my heels started hurting in a way I may have only ever felt when getting over an Achilles injury. And maybe not even then.

Anyway, more experimenting to be done here.