Great Lakes Nordic Walkers

Nordic Walking for Runners? You betcha!

rheamn — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:33:24 +0000

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. Check out what the American Running Association says about Nordic Walking here.

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 can even Nordic Walk at most 5k and 10K and even longer distances. See the event list.

You don’t have to take my word for it, come and try a class or demo. To view what the different Nordic Walking training techniques look like check out this 2 min video. Experience for yourself the other runner’s high.

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

rheamn — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:59:14 +0000

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.

Get ready for Spring ’12 Nordic Walking * Romp to Stomp this Saturday

rheamn — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:34:02 +0000

We are making plans, so keep checking back. In the works is the annual Nordic Walking Open House. This year it will be held on Saturday, April 21, from 9-12 @ Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina off of Hwy 100 & 70th St. Soon, Introductory Classes will be posted, so stay tuned. This Saturday, Jan 28th, you’ll find us Nordic Walking (due to lack of snow to snowshoe) at the 1st annual Romp to Stomp located at the Arboretum. Find some pink to wear and come join us.

Nordic Walking away the Winter Blues

rheamn — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:08:40 +0000

Rumor has it that Old Man Winter is coming to town soon. Well, that’s no excuse to go hide, so get outdoors and embrace it. So if you can tolerate the colder temps you can bring your Nordic Walking poles along for walk. Who’s walking who? You’ll find that the poles come in handy for that occasional icy patch or other road blocks. If ice is a concern for you please seek out a pair of Yak Traks or similar product to slip over your shoes for added traction. Of course, the number one benefit is that you are getting a great cardio workout by adding your poles. At some point you’ll find enough snow to snowshoe on and you may want to use your Nordic Walking poles too. If you’ve yet to try Snowshoeing, many parks rent them and some retailers do too.

Other Indoor Nordic Walking or regular walking opportunities exist all over. Malls, schools, & fitness centers with tracks usually invite walkers and even Nordic Walkers on their premises. See here for some suggestions. If you’re curious if your local mall allows poles, just ask management. Most time you can find a phone number on their web pages.

The challenges of Nordic walking in the Dark

alglemke — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:22:58 +0000

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

alglemke — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:44:47 +0000

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!

alglemke — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 02:03:29 +0000

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!

alglemke — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 23:58:11 +0000

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!

Trail Loppet Nordic Walking post report and Birkie Trek upcoming

rheamn — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 21:09:12 +0000

Forty plus Nordic Walkers found a perfect day day to enjoy the Trail Loppet on 9/10/11 at Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis. The top finisher Gina Lewis finished the 7.5 miles challenging course in 1:50. Others came in between 2 and 3 hours.

A well deserved break....those poles served us well on this course!

This is not your neighborhood “walk in the park’ type of course. We were on some interesting and narrow terrain. Kudos to all that attempted and finished the course. I say, if you can do the Loppet you can certainly do the 1/2 marathon Birkie Trek which is coincidentally coming up on 9/24 in Cable Wisconsin. Beginners are welcome on the 5k trail. The Fall colors will be spectacular along the old logging trail. Linda Lemke will be in attendance and lead the half marathoners at the starting point. Surely, she’ll report back to us jealous souls upon her return. Best of luck to all.

Take your pick…..Fall events are here. Nordic Walkers welcome!

rheamn — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 03:41:16 +0000

Sep 10, 2011 Trail Loppet Minneapolis Theodore Wirth Park, 7.5 miles

Sep 17, 2011 Crazy Fun 5k, Lakeville Ritter Farm Park, RSVP to TrailCalendar

Sep 17, 2011 Race for Hope McCook Lake (Sioux City, IA), 5k or 15k

Sep 22, 2011 LifeTime Trail Series, Maple Grove, Elm Creek, 5.2 miles

Sep 24, 2011 Birkie Trek Hayward WI 5K or 21K

Oct 15, 2011 Big Woods Faribault, 5K or 10K for Nordic Walkers