January 24th, 2012
When I don’t exercise I really start to feel my age. I’m stiff and achy, just don’t feel quite right. I guess it’s not all in my head.
A recent study from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology shows that “physically active individuals experience less chronic pain than those who are inactive.” A special note of interest: “The occurrence of chronic pain among individuals who exercise moderately for at least 30 minutes one to three times a week was close to 10% lower than for those who do not exercise at all. The difference was even greater among older women…20-40% less in active individuals.”
This study used water aerobics and Nordic walking as part of their protocol. How exciting!
The article goes on to show a connection between moderate exercise and mental health and pain associated with cancer. Similar to the studies of walking and brain health it’s all about moderate exercise, 30 minutes 3-5 times per week.
Once again, studies show what we already know, when we move we feel better in body mind and spirit!
January 20th, 2012
I didn’t get to do much walking in Hawaii, just didn’t feel up to it with my cold. However, Sunday afternoon we went down to Annini Beach to do some snorkeling and I finally took my poles for a walk. It’s fun to walk in the sand, different from all the other walks we do here in Minnesota. The best part: there were Nordic walking tracks in the sand that didn’t belong to me. Another Nordic walker had been there before me that day. Just wish I had met them and been able to share the walk.
January 14th, 2012
Today is the last day of a beautiful week in Kauai with my entire family; Dan, Laura, Mike, Sam, Danny and his girlfriend Sara. For my birthday Dan was able to trade in time share weeks and airline points to get us all to the islands for a wonderful week of adventure.
We tried hard to balance beach time and special activities, not an easy balancing act with 7 adults. We went to a Hawaiian Luau, did a catamaran trip to the Napali coast complete with whales, dolphins and incredible scenery, kayaked up the Wailua River and hiked to a waterfall and today the guys are all going up in a helicopter.
My only regret, I caught a cold just as I was leaving for the trip and have been sick the whole week. Didn’t keep me from doing things but I certainly haven’t felt up to doing much extra Nordic walking or swimming in the ocean. Perhaps it was nature’s way of telling me to just slow down!
Tomorrow evening we head back to winter. I’m looking forward to getting home but it’s certainly been a nice break from reality!
January 6th, 2012
On a balmy Wednesday I had the pleasure of walking with a group from the Pedal and Roll for Parkinsons. Liz, their fearless leader, has recently been introduced to Nordic Walking and wanted to share it with all of her friends.
The paths were slippery so we walked in the snow. The poles added stability and balance even on the uneven ground and wintery conditions.
We walked around the park for almost an hour. I’m excited to say that they are changing their name to include Nordic Walking. Watch for the Pedal and St-Roll or perhaps Pedal and Pole on September 22, 2012 at Cleary Lake Regional Park.
Thank you Liz and everyone for a very inspiring afternoon! I look forward to walking many miles with you along the way.
January 3rd, 2012
When the weather turns frightful during the Minnesota winter we all begin looking for a safe indoor place to walk. Although I prefer to walk outdoors, in reality it’s Minnesota and it’s winter so we often need alternatives to the icy, cold trails.
The good news is that there are a multitude of indoor walking opportunities throughout the city. One of the biggest venues is the Mall of America. Not just for shopping and dining it hosts the Mall Star Walkers program and the Mayo mile. Centrally located it’s a great place to meet other friends to enjoy a walkie talkie as Lindy would call it.
Most likely your local mall offers indoor walking. Ridgedale in Minnetonka opens at 7am for walking. We always recommend that you nordic walk before the mall opens at 10am to avoid becoming tangled with moms and strollers. Check with your local mall for their walking hours.
Plymouth Creek Center’s field house is open for indoor walking. If you live in Delano check out the Delano Tiger Activity Center and their indoor elevated walking track. For those of you in the northern part of the cities White Bear Lake’s Hippodrome is open for free walking Monday through Thursday 6-9pm. Stillwater has indoor walking at the High School. Your Community Education offices will have full information on walking hours and programs.
The important thing is to not let winter defeat your commitment to be active and healthy. Grab those poles and go for an indoor walk.
January 1st, 2012
The plan was to snowshoe at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum on Friday. But mother nature had other plans and we had no snow. What to do? Take out the Nordic walking poles of course!
Over the course of the afternoon we had about 45 walkers come out to try the poles. Everyone from young children to grandmas and grandpas looking for something fun and different to try outdoors. It was a great way to walk out the old year!
December 29th, 2011
We haven’t had much snow and ice yet this year in Minnesota but my winter survival gear is ready to go! Once it turns cold and slippery I have some specific changes I make for safety.
The first is to change out my shoes for a gore tex model. My well ventilated shoes work well when it’s warm but my toes get cold with all that extra frigid air flow. Once the trails are snow packed or icy we add “Get a Grips” to the bottom of my shoes. It’s a simple stretch to put them on and the ice picks on the bottom are perfect for the extra grip that I need. It also lays enough rubber on the ground when the path is clear.
The final recommendation is to pull those rubber tips off of your poles! You have to put up with the annoying clicking noise but it will assure that you don’t fall if you hit some unexpected ice.
Don’t forget to dress in layers and put on less than you think you need. Regardless of the temperature you will warm up as you walk.
December 27th, 2011
There’s worry in the world that the constant streaming of information and communication does not allow our brains any downtime which ultimately could lead to our being less creative and imaginative.
We stare at computer screens of all sizes processing and responding throughout the day. Our brains are synapsing from dawn to long into the night. Do you turn on your computer or check your smart phone before you make the coffee in the morning? How often do you check emails and facebook during the day? Do you go online one last time before you go to bed?
Our brains need quiet time to refresh and reboot. Creativity, the source of all things new and imaginative, requires an open space in which to begin. If we are always plugged in we have no time to simply let our minds wander into new directions and possibilities.
Let your poles take you away from technology for part of each day. Go outside, breathe deep the fresh air and open yourself to the world around you instead of the world inside your computer. The rhythm of your walk will free your thoughts and let them soar into spaces unknown.
Who knows, you might just come up with the newest, best idea while you’re out Nordic walking!
Blessings of the New Year and hopes for lots of new creativity in your year !
December 21st, 2011
It’s really hard to get up in the morning to go outside for a walk when it’s dark! Not only is it dark when my alarm goes off but it’s still dark when Gail and I finish our walk. I want so badly to just curl up deeper under my wool quilt and pretend it’s not morning. Just let me be a bear in hibernation for a little longer each day.
But the morning calls to us and we go. This morning there was a smile in the heavens made of the crescent moon and 2 bright planets. Worth getting up for.
Don’t let the dark days of winter defeat your goals of getting outdoors. Accept the Outdoor Dark Days Challenge to do one fantastically fun thing outdoors each week. It can be as simple as a winter walk or go all the way to a day on the slopes, snowshoe in the woods or get those skinny skis out on the trails. Better yet take a child sledding and let your inner child come along.
Let me know what you’re doing! Would love to hear all about it!
December 15th, 2011
If you’re reading this blog you’re probably wondering what all the food talk is all about. Once again this year I am participating in the Dark Days Challenge, started by my daughter a few years ago. It’s a challenge to cook using local and sustainable ingredients during the dark days of winter. Most of the other participants are food bloggers and so I’m one of those tag alongs.
In keeping with the spirit of my blog and life, I would like to invite you to join me in an Outdoor Dark Days Challenge. As we head into winter and it’s harder for many of us to get outdoors, accept the challenge of doing one fun outdoor activity each week from now until the first days of spring. You can choose anything! Go for hard core winter activities: snow shoeing, skiing, cross country skiing, skijoring, sledding. Or just go out and play in the snow, take a walk or build a snowman.
Be creative, have fun but most important, get outdoors! Don’t let old man winter keep you huddled up inside!
And let me know what you do! I’d love to hear about your winter adventures.
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Ready to Give it a Try? I am available to teach Nordic Walking Classes to individuals and groups.
Email me or call me at 952.475.0891 for more information.
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