I've got Leki poles and I'm learning how to use them

I've got all my UTMB equipment in place except a fresh pair of sports pants (you probably don't want to know about my underwear preferences so I'll stop there). They include a pair of ultra light Leki Makalu carbon trekking / running poles as shown below (ooh gasp at their carbon construction and sleek appearance):

I've tried them out once, and despite feeling like a complete prat running repeatedly up and down a hill in rural Buckinghamshire I was very impressed. They cut 10 secs off a hill rep of 4:30 typical with the same effort. Well I never thought I.

Not sure I am using them correctly so any tips much appreciated - I have them at medium height (arms bent a right angles) and am using relatively short thrusts, about half as frequently as my footfalls.

A year without the West Highland Way Race

Well, the Race has been run and the times are almost all out. There have been some cracking performances (Richie C in 16:24, Neal Gibson in 18:42 and John K getting a further 8 minutes into sub-20 territory), but I can't see any mention of Thomas L or Murdo McE, and can't find times for Jon Steele, David Hall or David Waterman on the finishers list. I wonder if it is incomplete? Hope they all did well.

This is the first year in 4 that I have not competed in the WHWR and I do feel a little sad not to have been part of the camaraderie and fun (masochistic definition of fun) this year. I wouldn't have been in a fit state though what with the various injuries and baby caught illnesses this year so no worries.

Will I be back next year? I deeply suspect my wife might not let me, but you never know. Ha ha!