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The Sun came out for the Nordic Walking Open House. More dates to try Nordic Walking!

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It turned out to be a nice day on May 9th after all.   I fretted all morning about the dismal skyline, but the clouds parted and the sun came out and my jacket came off and a smile returned to my face.  Thanks to all that came to the open house and tried out poles, listened to speakers, volunteered and stayed for the group walk.  Wood Lake Nature Center, in Richfield, was an excellent venue for this because they a beautiful indoor center and a great natural surface on which to Nordic Walk on.  If you have not tried out this park, head on over and give it a stroll.  The largest outer loop is 1.8 miles and you’ll see all sorts of wildlife in a natural setting.  Parking and use of park is free.

Now if you missed the open house and you still want to try Nordic Walking you can go about it two ways.  One, sign up for a class, see here.  Or you can attend a local event where you can demo the poles, for instance, at Eagan’s 5k your Way this Saturday, 5/21, (9-12) at the Community Center they’ll have a Nordic Walking “Try-It” Station.   Or please join us for World Nordic Walking Day 5/22 and you can borrow some poles there (with ID) and try it out during the one hour free walk.  Current Nordic Walkers welcome!!  Times and locations here:

8am Lake Calhoun, Thomas Beach, 11am Valley Natural Foods, Burnsville. 1:30 Lebanon Hills Visitor Ctr, Eagan.

Get Ready, Get Set for May 9 Nordic Walking Open House. May 18 certification, May 22 World Nordic Walking Day

Posted on by rheamn
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With Spring finally here we are all ready to get active once again.  Would you like to learn how to Nordic Walk or maybe just listen in on what it’s all about or meet others that are already Nordic Walking?  Come to our Free open house on Monday, May 9th at Wood Lake Nature Center in Richfield anytime from 2 – 7:30.  Qualified Nordic Walking instructors on hand.

You’ll find continuous Nordic Walking mini lessons to get you started, poles to use with ID.  Multiple clinics, see schedule here.  Group walk at 6:30.  Hope to see you there.

In other news, if you are interested in becoming a Nordic Walking Instructor or Group Leader, a certification class is to be held on Weds May 18, at Hyland Park Reserve in Bloomington, MN.  More details here.

And finally, on May 22, it is World Nordic Walking Day.   Get out in your area and show off those poles.  You’re welcome to join other Nordic Walkers at 8am @ Lake Calhoun, Thomas Beach, with the Nordic Walking Queen, or  11am at Valley Natural Foods, Burnsville with Nordic Walk This Way or 1:30 Lebanon Hills Visitor Center, Eagan with Nordic Walk This Way. Poles available for use if you don’t own your own.

A Workout in the Park ….. French and Cleary…. Nordic Walking offered

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Three Rivers Parks has been and continues to offer their Green Fit outdoor program at French Regional Park in Plymouth and they are introducing it at Cleary Lake Regional Park in Prior Lake this Spring.  The program has officially begun, but you can still join in.  $60 for a 3 month program (March-May) that meets 3 times a week (Mon, Wed, Thurs) from 5:30-6:30pm   You’ll be doing a lot of different outdoor activities, such as Nordic Walking, yoga, paddling, climbing wall and more.   A pdf schedule for each of the parks  is provided on their site.  The Star Tribune published a nice article on 3/16/11, “A Workout in the Park“.  You’ll see photos of snowshoers,  however with this Spring melt that equipment is probably headed for storage.  The whole point of this Green Fit club is to introduce you to all the great outdoor exercise activities you can do to at your local parks and to participate with other like minded individuals.

Boost Endurance and Build Upper Body Strength with Nordic Walking Poles

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By Rhea Kontos, Certified Nordic Walking Instructor

I have running to thank for introducing me to Nordic Walking (NW). Several years ago I decided to revisit running after a sore knee had convinced me to give it up. I fell in serious like

Heart of Summer

with it again, even though my knee continued to talk to me.  I joined a local training group called “Women on the Move“, and started an 8-week training course that helped me run “The Heart of Summer” race successfully.

Not long after, I read about the benefits of Nordic Walking. I learned that NW was originally an off season training technique for elite cross-country skiers. The article said I could burn up to 40% more calories than just walking, take up to 30% of the impact off ankles, knees and low back, improve my posture, build upper body strength and cardio endurance. I went right out and got some NW poles (not to be confused with Trekking poles!).

Within a short time I was hooked. The knee pain subsided, my upper-body posture and strength dramatically improved and I noticed a big cardio endurance boost. Today I still run an occasional event, sometimes with my NW poles, sometimes not. But I always train with them, often doing run/walk intervals. After all NW not only engages 90% of your muscles, it’s also fun…what’s not to like?!

Check out this 2 minute video showing basic NW technique and variations for training. Then check out all the classes offered here on this website. And finally, note that Women on the Move is incorporating NW into their Summer Training program at Lake Nokomis.  It’s really catching on!

Spring Nordic Walking Classes are now posted

Posted on by rheamn
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Ok, everyone is looking forward to Spring especially with this recent blast of snow, so how about learning how to Nordic Walk?  It is easy to learn and so very good for your entire physical being.  Everyone can do it and one of the best things is that you can Nordic Walk anywhere.  You don’t need a club membership, all you need is some Nordic Walking poles and some decent tennis shoes to get started.  A great way to get started is by taking a class where you can borrow poles, learn from a seasoned instructor and give it a test walk.  Soon, you’ll be burning more calories, toning your whole body and gaining back that proper posture you once had.  Check it out, many choices for classes:  Register soon, they fill up fast!

Happy Anniversary to us! That’s you too!!

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Today, we are celebrating our one year mark of this web site, Great Lakes Nordic Walkers.  This collaborative  idea we had in late ’09 to join efforts as Nordic Walking instructors has been a beautiful journey to date.  What we have seen is a sense of  harmony within the Nordic Walking community of instructors and practitioners.  We continue to invite everyone to try Nordic Walking and you will find that this site is a great tool to find instruction, events and much more. The Nordic Walking Expo was the hallmark for GLNW in 2010 and we thank all of you for being instrumental in that.  One of our key goals is to keep Nordic Walking in the public eye.  A way that you could help us with that, is just to get out and use your poles within your own community.

What do we have planned for 2011?  We are working on a few things right now and will be announcing them soon.  In the meantime, dust off those poles and get ready for some outdoor walks.  If you are looking for an event or two to participate in this year, please visit the event page.

Howling with the Nordic Walk for Wolves Event

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It was a perfect night for a walk when over 60 people arrived at French Park in Plymouth for the first annual Nordic Walk for Wolves.  The event was a benefit for the International Wolf Center in Ely.  We had plenty of LEKI Nordic Walking poles for anyone there for their first Nordic Walk and did lots of fitting and introducing people to poles.

The 5K walk started at 6pm and was all on trail through the wetlands, prairie and into the woods. All in all we raised over $12,000, not bad for a first time event.  The best thing was that it was a Nordic Walking event, not just a walk or run that decided to allow people to walk with poles.  As we finished the walk under the lights on the trail it was clear that many had discovered a new favorite way to walk.

Sunday, 10/10/10 is World Nordic Walking Day – Come out and walk

Posted on by rheamn
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The International Nordic Walking Association is celebrating their 1oth year on 10/10/10 and invites everyone to Nordic Walk somewhere on World Nordic Walking day.  Walks are being held all over the world including here in Minnesota.   At this time, Great Lakes Nordic Walkers have 3 walks for you to chose from, with the possibility of more offerings that will be posted by mid-week.  So far, walks are:

9 am. Linda Lemke/Nordic Walking Queen/Hoigaard’s  will be walking at Lake Calhoun.  Start at Thomas Beach ( Thomas Ave. S and West Calhoun Parkway) and go the distance around the lake which is 3 miles.  Extra poles will be available if you need a pair or want to bring a friend!  Perhaps we’ll find a cup of coffee when  we’re done! I hope you’ll join me!
Or:

1 pm Nordic Walk This Way.  Rhea Kontos.  Burnsville/Apple Valley. Meet in the outer lot of Valley Natural Foods (13750 Co. Rd. 11).   1 hour on the  a nice and wide sidewalk of McAndrews  Rd. First 15 to arrive to walk will receive a coupon for a free smoothie. Discount cards available too.   Extra poles available so bring a friend.

Or:

12:30 Prior Lake, Shepherd of the Lake paved walking path. 3575 North Berens Road N.W.  Certified instructor,  Nanette Denk will lead this walk on your choice of 1, 2 or 3 miles. Meet just outside the NE doors of Shepherd/McKenna.  Please bring your poles and a friend.  Poles not required to join us.

Or:  If  you can’t join either of these walks please feel compelled to Nordic Walk in your own community. Show those poles off and walk proud!

Note to certified Nordic Walking instructors:  If you’d like to be added to this list of locations, please send an email with details to greatlakesnordicwalkers@gmail.com