We walked with poles, we walked with old friends, we walked with new friends, we walked new ways with different poles, we walked in Shape Up shoes, we walked with dogs, and we walked in the rain. It was a great day!
The partnership between Great Lakes Nordic Walkers and Nordic Walking North America was a match made in Nordic Walking heaven. We provided the local enthusiasm and connections, Three Rivers Park District opened up Hyland Lake Park for us and Malin and Gary brought in the national expertise. We are all connected in the web of Nordic Walking!
We can’t control the weather, but we can choose to play outdoors in spite of it and that is exactly what happened on Saturday. Hundreds of people came to walk with poles and they had their choice of Boomyah, Exel, Exerstrider, Gabel, LEKI, and Swix, all represented with product and demo’s to try. For the first time Skechers came with their new Shape Up shoe in sizes and models to try out on the trail. That booth was one of the busiest all day!
The Introductory lessons were active all day, I think the last walkers came at 3:15pm to try the poles. There was standing room only in the lectures in Jan’s place and the classes outdoors were full of enthusiastic walkers and even dogs for the K9 Nordic Walking. The walk around Hyland Lake at 10am was full of energy and the passion we all share for Nordic Walking. It was so much fun to see everyone grouped up by counties and walking together!
A HUGE THANK YOU to all the volunteers that came to help with registration, lessons, pole handout and all the little things that made it such a successful day. We couldn’t have done it without you!
and another Thank You to the local hiking groups and event organizers that brought displays and information to the “top of the hill”, there are so many different opportunities to walk! I’ll have to do a separate page on my website of the groups and events coming up in the Twin Cities.
Til then, walk gently and carry two long poles!