The Queen is headed North!

Duluth and Grand Marais are the next Nordic Walking Destinations for the Nordic Walking Queen, Linda Lemke.  Come for a Taste of Nordic Walking at the Duluth YMCA on Friday April 19, 10am – noon.  If you can’t make that then join us for a community walk at Boulder Lake Environmental Center on Sunday April 20 at 1pm.  For those of you further north in Grand Marais, come out to Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply on Saturday morning 9-11am for a Taste and a Walk on the trail.

I’m excited to head north with my poles.  There will be demo poles available for all programs.  Share the news!  It’s gonna be fun!!!

Nordic Walking Instructor Training

Linda Lemke, the Nordic Walking Queen, will be leading a Nordic Walk Now Instructor Training in Golden Valley on Saturday October 13 from 12:30-5pm. This training is geared toward fitness trainers, outdoor recreation leaders, community education programmers and of course anyone who loves to Nordic Walk and would like to pass on the joy of poles.
Registration through www.nordicwalknow.com, (class is not posted, but you can register there) and you can email Linda with any questions. lindamlemke@gmail.com

Don’t miss out on fall classes!

School has started and we’re all into our new routine.  Make Nordic Walking part of yours.  There are lots of introductory classes coming up, one this Monday, 9/24, with the Minneapolis Community and Technical College.  It’s a free intro from 5:30-7pm, registration is requested but the class is free.  For all of you downtown Minneapolis folk, this is your chance to do some walking in your own back yard!  Hope to see you there.

Burnsville YMCA to Host Nordic Walking Taster 8-23

Come anytime between 9-11 on Thurs Aug 23 to the Burnsville YMCA on 13850 Portland Avenue South to experience all the benefits of Nordic Walking. Linda Lemke and friends will be there to show you how to super charge your walk by adding Nordic Walking poles.  We’ll work with whatever time constraints you have…..be it 5 minutes or 30 minutes, let us show you how to Nordic Walk.  Equipment provided.  Members and non-members welcome.  See you then!

Upcoming Tastes of Nordic Walking

We don’t often travel to the east side of town to do any Nordic Walking so it’s with great pleasure that I get to remind you of the free Tastes coming up in the next two weeks.

On Wednesday Aug 1 9:30-11am I’ll be at the East Side YMCA 875 Arcade Street St Paul to present a free introductory lesson to Y members and non members alike.  Stop on by and try Nordic Walking, it’s ever so much better than plain old vanilla walking without poles.

If you live closer to Wisconsin we’re not leaving you out.  Tuesday August 7 look for us at the St Croix Valley YMCA 2211 Vine Street in Hudson WI.

And just to complete the circle we’ll be Nordic walking at the Minneapolis Women’s Club for National Night Out in Loring Park from 5-8pm.

There’s no excuses now.  We’ll bring the poles and the expertise to get you started on the right foot with the left hand ( opposite hand and feet coordination is part of the stellar technique of Nordic Walking)

See you out there!

Linda

Edina Taste of Nordic Walking

Thanks for everyone who came out this morning to the Southdale YMCA for their “taste” of Nordic Walking. We will be having a free intro class there on August 9 at 9am.
Remember: a walk without poles is like plain old vanilla ice-cream but when you add Nordic Walking poles your walk is a hot fudge sundae with sprinkles and a cherry on top!
Check Y Tasters for the next free taste!

2nd Taste of Nordic Walking this Friday

Join us Friday morning 9-11am for our second Summer Taster of Nordic Walking at the Southdale YMCA in Edina. We had 25 tasters in White Bear Lake yesterday, had to walk indoors since it was HOT outside. We can do the same on Friday if the day is hot. We’ll serve you your taste on ice :)
Free event, free use of poles, members and non members of Y invited to partake.  Star Tribune article can be found here.

Taste of Nordic Walking!

Sometimes you just need a little taste of something to get you hooked.  Whether it’s a new recipe or a new activity you’ll know when you get that sampling if it’s for you.

Great Lakes Nordic Walkers is offering a Taste of Nordic Walking on Friday July 20 from 9-11am.  The Edina and Eagan YMCA’s have joined us in our efforts to get you hooked on Nordic walking. White Bear Lake is holding their taster on July 16, St Paul East Branch on Aug 1 and the Hudson location is on August 7.  Poles and instructors will be available for quick introductory lessons, getting you started with safe and effective technique, and then you can go for your first walk with the poles.  Not a member of the Y?  not a problem, this free program is open to the community.

We’re sure that just a taste is enough to make you want to do more, ensuring healthy activity for everyday of the rest of your life!

2nd annual Great Lakes Nordic Walking Open house * May 2 *

Come join us on Weds, May 2, @ Centennial Lakes in Edina for a great afternoon of learning about the benefits of Nordic Walking.   Certified Instructors will be on hand to show you the basics and walk along side you as you try a pair of demo poles for free.  Just bring along an ID.  We’ll be there from 3:30 – 7:30.   The beginner and experienced  Nordic Walker are welcome to  join us for a group walk around Centennial at 6:30pm.  Fun for all.   You’ll also find representatives from Hoigaard’s,  Nordic Walking Queen, Nordic Walk This Way, YMCA-Edina,  SilverSneakers,  Do-Town, Normandale Community Education, 3 Rivers Green Fit, Edina Fit and more to answer any questions you may have.  More info here.

Luminary Loppet is now a Hike @ Theodore Wirth due to lack of snow

A good alternative plan has been set in place by the Trail Loppet organizers for the entire Loppet weekend.  All events have been moved to Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis.  The well attended Luminary  (2/4) is now a hiking event.  Poles welcome.  Still time to register.  Luminaries will be in place.  See more details here on the Loppet site.