Trail Loppet Nordic Walking post report and Birkie Trek upcoming

Posted on September 18, 2011 by rheamn

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!

Posted on September 8, 2011 by rheamn

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

Nordic Walker shares her story of weight loss / Aug 27 trainer instruction

Posted on August 22, 2011 by rheamn

On January 1, 2008, Anne Pryor of Minnesota weighed 182 pounds. At that moment she declared to the universe that she wanted to be healthy, sexy, powerful and alive. She set her goal to lose 30 pounds and with only Nordic Walking she took off 20 pounds in the first 6 months and a total of 40 in 9 months, exceeding her original goal. In her 2 minute video here, she explains how she Nordic Walked 2 – 4 miles everyday, enjoying local trails and nearby parks. Today, Anne is a very fit Nordic Walking Instructor and shares her love of Nordic Walking and its great benefits with everyone she meets. She truly is healthy, sexy, powerful and alive! Thank for sharing your story Anne.

Linda Lemke introduced Anne to Nordic Walking back in ’08 and Linda continues instructing to this day. In fact, she is now offering a Nordic Walking certification class on Aug 27 for those that would like to become instructors or community walking leaders. See more information here.

Some of my favorite parks to Nordic Walk at…..Woodlake, Ritter and Cleary.

Posted on August 6, 2011 by rheamn

I’m fortunate to live in such a green area that features many parks that are great in of themselves but I’ve found that certain ones have become my favorites when Nordic Walking. Just today, I hit Ritter Farm Park in Lakeville and was once again reminded about what a gem of a park this is. It is all natural and well maintained but not over done with man-made aesthetics. This nature trail has many route options and even one through a wooded area. I’ve seen many and heard more birds within this park. Eagles can often be seen as well. Another favorite park of mine is Woodlake Nature Center in Richfield.

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What? In the city? Yes, another gem. It is located near 35W and 66th Street. Star Tribune article, (neat pics) A great place for a quick but enjoyable nature walk. Wonderful for all abilities. The Nature Center is an educational venue where everyone can learn something new. One last park I need to mention is Cleary Lake Park in Prior Lake. First off, I like this park because it is so close to my residence and secondly they have both paved and unpaved trails. Spring and Fall are the best times for the nature trails. They have plenty of amenities too. Whatever your favorite park is, use it graciously and thank our city founders for having the intuition to create them for us and our future generations.

Nordic Walkers welcome at Lifetime Trail Series

Posted on July 26, 2011 by rheamn

You are welcome to use your Nordic Walking poles this Thursday 7/28 @ 6:30pm @ Hyland Park in Bloomington. 4.5 miles. This is the first of five races that Lifetime is offering this late Summer / early Fall. All races are off trail and fully supported. If you are a Lifetime member the cost is only $15. and if not a member it is $20. You’ll receive a tshirt and beer after the race if you so desire. Come join me and others there. You’ll see me there with my poles in hand ready to go! See their website for more info and to register. http://www.ltftrailseries.com

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.

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

Posted on May 16, 2011 by rheamn

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.

Great Lakes Nordic Walkers

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