The challenges of Nordic walking in the Dark

Posted on November 4, 2011 by alglemke

I got home from work on Wednesday and was desperate for a walk. I usually walk early in the morning but had slept in that day. I grabbed my husband and we started off to walk up to Parkers Lake. It was a beautiful evening for a walk, the last of the fall colors with lots of red oaks and hard maples in full array, and the sunset was spectacular.

After the sun set we were still about a mile from home and finished our walk in ever darkening dusk. Alas I had forgotten to grab a headlamp and didn’t have my reflective vest on either. We were dark figures on a dark road. Great reminder that you really need to dress and accessorize for the dark this time of year. Head lamps and reflective clothing are a must. I also add blinking bike lights to my poles in the early morning. There’s even a blinking red light on the back band of my head lamp. Never assume that people can see you on the trail!

As we came to the end of the trail we stopped to observe a coyote who had stepped out of the woods ahead of us. Another good reminder about walking in the dark, you never know what critters may be around you.

Be safe out there!

Nordic Walking with Eagan Seniors

Posted on October 18, 2011 by alglemke

Rhea and I had the pleasure of attending the South Metro Senior Expo last week as “vendors”. This was the first time we’d tried anything like this and felt that it would be a good venue for promoting Nordic Walking. Eagan Community Center has an active Nordic walking program with groups on both Monday and Wednesday. They have beautiful trails and paths right out their door including some gentle rolling hills as well as some good inclines guaranteed to get your heart rate up.

There was lots of interest in the poles and we enjoyed connecting with both seniors as well as a variety of senior programs in the area. We’re going back on Wednesday, October 19 at 10am to do a free Nordic Walking intro with their group. If you’re in the area come on out and walk with us!

Senior Expo in Eagan!

Posted on October 6, 2011 by alglemke

Tuesday October 11 will find Rhea and myself over at the Eagan Community Center for the South Metro 55+ Senior Expo. This is a free event with lots of information focused “Living and Loving the 55+ Life. The event is from 1-4pm. We’ll be talking about Nordic Walking of course! If you’ve got time, come on by for the afternoon, door prizes and refreshments included!

Joy is 147 walkers with poles on the Birkie Trail!

Posted on September 28, 2011 by alglemke

It’s always more fun in a group! It’s the favorite question when we do classes – “Is there a group I can walk with in my area?” It’s really wonderful when it all comes together.

The 2011 Birkie Trail Run and Trek was last Saturday. It was the 4th year for the Trek and once again they’re more walkers on the trail than last year. The common denominator was a love for walking with poles. There was great variety in the poles ranging from Nordic walking to trekking to good old cross country ski poles for those Nordic aficionados. It’s a beautiful mix of styles and techniques but it all includes poles swinging in rhythm as people enjoy the half marathon on the world famous Birkie Trail.

I missed having Rhea beside me as we walked but there were lots of familiar faces from all of the Great Lakes states and plenty of newbies that I’m sure will be back next year. It’s the community of walkers that we all strive for in our neighborhoods, all come together to share the day.

If you don’t come for the walk, you should come for the food as the Brick House (Cable, WI) made the lunch again. It was delicious! Just the thought of that pulled pork sandwich with all the extras is enough to keep you going one step after another. And remember, you don’t have to do a 21K to be part of this event, there is a 5K walk/run for anyone who thinks that 3.5 hours plus on the trail is more than they can handle.

Thank you to everyone who came to walk. The 2012 Birkie Trail Run and Trek will be on Saturday September 29 next year. Mark that calendar now! You’ll have all summer to train for it and we’ll help!

Heart of Summer!

Posted on July 26, 2011 by alglemke

The Heart of Summer 5K was Saturday. We had 13 Nordic Walkers in the event, women who had participated in the Women on the Move summer training and celebrated with a successful 5K walk around Lake Nokomis. It was inspiring to train and to walk with these women. Over the 8 weeks they learned bunches about how to better take care of their hearts and their lives. They were enthusiastic and energized by their goal to do a 5K event. They worked hard, pushed themselves and stepped it up on Saturday to finish before the rain hit. The wind and impending storm only added to their excitement about their accomplishment!

Congratulations to all who walked or ran the Heart of Summer!

Heart of Summer 5K is July 23

Posted on July 14, 2011 by alglemke

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, claiming more lives than AIDS, breast cancer and lung cancer combined. The Women on the Move program is coming to an end, 8 weeks of training and education to help women reduce their risk of heart disease. It’s an impressive program with over 100 women in the Wednesday evening program this year. Nordic Walking was one of the training choices and we’ve had so much fun introducing these women to the fun and fitness advantages of using poles. Healthy bodies, healthy hearts and new friends are the result of their 8 weeks of hard work.

It all gets celebrated on Saturday July 23 at Lake Nokomis at the Heart of Summer 5K Race. It is one of the most inspirational and unique events you’ll ever experience. It is a day of hope and accomplishment as we celebrate survivors, honor lives lost, and continue the mission to educate women about the role of health and fitness in the prevention of heart disease. We’d love to have you join us on the walk. Bring your poles or borrow a pair (free with ID) right at the start line. It promises to be a beautiful morning walk around the lake.

Just so you know, 100% of the proceeds from the event stay in the community.

Nordic Walking coming to your neighborhood!

Posted on June 13, 2011 by alglemke

This week there is Nordic Walking in every section of the Twin Cities. So no more excuses, come on out and try it!

Central: Tuesday June 14 6:30pm

Centennial Lakes in Edina, Nordic Walking Tuesdays with Hoigaard’s. Meet us at the pavilion below Chuckie Cheese. Free use of poles, free quick intro.

Western: Thursday June 16 1pm and 6:30pm

Arboretum Outdoors with Hoigaard’s Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Free admission (just say nordic walking at the gate) free use of poles with ID, free quick intro

Eastern: Saturday June 18 10am-12noon
Outdoors! Extra with Minnesota State Parks Gateway Trail, Hadley parking lot. Free Nordic Walk, free parking, free use of poles with ID and free quick intro

Southern: Saturday June 18, 9:10am

Nordic Walk This Way Free Nordic Walk at Ritter Farm Park in Lakeville Free use of poles with ID, free parking, option of yoga before walking.

Northern: Tuesday June 21 6pm registration, 7pm Nordic Walk.

Nordic Walk for Wolves Benefit fun 5K walk for the International Wolf Center. Register online or register that nite. $25 donation for adults

See you out there! We’ll be the ones with the poles!

Summer opportunities for Nordic Walking

Posted on May 29, 2011 by alglemke

One of the best things about Nordic Walking is the chance to use my poles as an excuse to explore all of the beautiful parks and trails in the metro area. We are blessed with miles and miles of opportunity, the hard part is deciding where to go. With Hoigaard’s Nordic Walking Tuesdays we try to choose parks in all parts of the cities, from Minnehaha Falls to French Regional Park to Elm Creek to Hyland Lake Park Reserve, we have our favorites and still many we haven’t even tried.

You’re cordially invited to come and Nordic Walk at these fun events in June!

Saturday, June 4 – National Trails Day 9-11am Whether you’re south or north we’ve got you covered. Choose Hyland Lake Park Reserve or Elm Creek Park Reserve for a morning walk in the park. Bring your poles, bring your friends, we’ll bring extra poles, free to use with ID, and provide quick intro’s for anyone new to Nordic Walking. You can enjoy your own walk at any time or join us for the group walk at 10am. Meet us at the visitor center inside either park.

Saturday, June 18 - Outdoors Extra! 10am-12noon Nordic Walking with MN State Parks on the Gateway Trail. Come to enjoy this beautiful trail that starts in the city of St. Paul at Cayuga/L’Orient Streets, travels northeast through the cities of Maplewood, North St. Paul, and Oakdale, through Washington County, and ends at Pine Point Regional Park, just four miles northwest of the city of Stillwater. We’ll meet at the Hadley Trailhead and walk the local part of the trail. Poles will be available for use with ID.

Wednesdays June 1-July 20 Women on the Move! This 8 week program, offered by the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, is including Nordic Walking as a training option for the first time this year. Nordic Walk and train with other women as you enjoy the trails around Lake Nokomis. Your registration fee includes entry into the Heart of Summer 5K on July 23.

Check out our events page for more information on upcoming pole friendly events in June and July.

Wood Lake Nature Center, the “Place to Be” May 9… Nordic Walking Open House

Posted on May 3, 2011 by alglemke

The sun came out today and I have hopes of putting away my wool sweaters, I’m not doing it yet tho. But it does give me hope that we might have a beautiful day for our first annual Nordic Walking Open House on Monday, May 9 from 2-7:30pm. In case of rain, event held indoors with enough space to show you how to Nordic Walk.

One of the goals of Great Lakes Nordic Walkers is to bring together the curious and the experienced walkers to share the fun and fitness of Nordic Walking. When Rhea suggested we do an Open House at Wood Lake Nature Center I had never even heard of this beautiful gem of a park. Now it’s one of my favorite places to suggest to anyone looking for a new walk or just the opportunity to sit quiet and enjoy the natural surroundings.

We have a great line up of clinics, Tom Rutlin of Exerstrider is joining us to present Nordic Walking for Stability and Balance as well as a special introduction to the unique technique of his Exerstrider poles. Other clinics will be “What’s the Buzz” conversations about Nordic Walking and what it’s all about, Nordic Walking for Girl Scouts Fitness Walking Badge, Nordic Walking for Runners and Active Body Active Brain. The complete schedule is available here.

All afternoon there will be Nordic Walking Instructors available with poles to introduce you to the joys of walking with poles. Whenever you come I can guarantee you a lesson! Doesn’t get much better than that.

The afternoon will finish with a group walk at 6:30pm. As always poles will be available (with ID) for the walk and all levels of energy and expertise are invited. Bring your poles, bring a friend, come meet new friends on the trail.

This event will kick off a great summer of Nordic Walking. See you there!

Nordic Walking, the other runner’s high

Posted on March 27, 2011 by alglemke

What do runners do when running is not an option? It may be an injury, age, or simply use and abuse of those knee and hip joints that take running off your training schedule. When that happens many runners turn to walking to fill in the gap. It’s a great low impact workout but walking just doesn’t offer the same “runner’s high” that comes from the heart rate and energy level of running.

As a Nordic walking instructor I’ve had many “recovering runners” come to classes. They are always surprised by the workout level they are able to achieve with the poles. Engaging the upper body not only increases heart rate and calorie burn it also supports those lower joints allowing one to take the workout to a higher level in comfort. Nordic Walkers often report that the high energy levels along with the rhythm of the poles will move them into a kind of moving meditation zone, similar to a runner’s high.

You don’t have to be in recovery to enjoy walking with poles. Nordic Walking is a great choice for your “rest” or non running day of your training schedule!

You don’t have to take my word for it, come and try a class or demo. Experience for yourself the other runner’s high.

Great Lakes Nordic Walkers

Nordic Walking instruction & events in MN & surrounding states brought to you by certified Nordic Walking Instructors.

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