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

Posted on by rheamn
Reply

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 by rheamn
1

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. 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

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 by rheamn
Reply

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 by alglemke
Reply

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 by alglemke
Reply

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 by alglemke
Reply

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 by alglemke
Reply

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 by rheamn
Reply

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.

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

Posted on by alglemke
Reply

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!

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

Posted on by rheamn
Reply

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.