Moving Day 2014

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Linda

The tulip, one of the first spring flowers, is the symbol for Parkinson’s disease.  A colorful reminder about the National Paarkinson Foundations’ Moving Day this Saturday.  Moving Day Walk is a fun, inspiring fundraising event that unites families, friends and communities in the fight against Parkinson’s disease.

Moving Day is more than just a walk. It highlights “movement” and exercise as a symbol of hope and progress because of its essential role in treating Parkinson’s disease. Movement and exercise are more than just healthy.

Movement is vital to maintaining the strength, balance, mobility necessary for independence in every day living. Did you know that exercise can actually help slow the progression of Parkinson’s?

I have been walking with Parkinson’s groups since Liz Ogren, creator and energy of Pedal and Roll for Parkinson’s,  invited me three years ago.  Join me on Saturday morning for another dose of inspiration.  You’ll have the chance to move with thousands (there were 3000 participants last year) who share a common goal- to help beat Parkinson’s.

Moving is Medicine!

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New Beginnings with Retirement

Posted on April 8, 2014 by Linda

New Beginnings, easier said than done.  To leave what you know and love and begin a new chapter in this thing called life.  Last week I was excited to be home after 5 weeks of skiing and today I’m packing to leave home for the last time.  Friday is my last regular day at Hoigaards.  I will cover some events and programs over the next couple of weeks and will find time to do some orientation with the new me (not hired as of yet).  So the countdown to retirement has begun.

Yes, it’s hard.  Yes, it makes me sad.  Yes, I’ll miss the “family compound” as we fondly call it. Yes, I’ll miss Hoigaards and HOW.  But it’s time to go.

Everyone wants to know where we’re going.  There is a plan in place to do some traveling this summer.  We’ll head to Bozeman to set up the condo there, visit Laura and Mike in Seattle (heard they have some painting to be done), back to Minnesota for our week in Ely the end of July and probably hang out for a while enjoying the gifts of being grandparents.  We do envision spending the winter of 2014 in Montana so be sure and let us know when you’re coming!

What does the future hold beyond that?  Just not real sure. For now that’s ok as we’re giving ourselves a year to figure out what this new beginning is all about. I’m looking forward to being surprised by where we are a year from now.  I’m confident there is an “aha” moment when it will all become clear.

For now I’ll put a few events on the calendar, I know it’s looking a little bare, and begin anew to commit to this blog to keep everyone up to date and inspired to get outdoors!

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Challenging yourself Outdoors!

Posted on February 18, 2014 by Linda

Greetings from Big Sky where the snow is deep and the views are breathtaking.  Being back in the mountains feels like coming home.  It’s where I breathe deep, find my rhythm and become centered.  Not only on my skis but in my life.

Many of you will be finding your center this weekend at the Birkie. May all of you enjoy the trail, the companionship, the competition and the fulfillment that comes with completing a challenge like the Birkie.

Skiing the Birkie is more than just a day on skis.  It’s a commitment to your love of skiing.  You can’t just drive up and get on the trail, you have to do the training and it’s not easy. You do less of other things and more of skiing leading up to it. You battle the weather and your calendar.  You train your body, your mind and your spirit to be ready for all that the day brings your way. When the trail in front of you seems daunting you’ve learned to tell yourself – I can do this!  and you will.

May we all commit ourselves to challenging ourselves outdoors.  Our successes in our outdoor pursuits make us not only healthier (in all ways) but more confident in our ability to succeed in daily life.  If you can complete the Birkie, you can do anything!  Bring on the daily challenges at work and home – you are ready!

I won’t be at the Birkie, but I will be at the top of the mountain.  Where will I find my challenges today?  I’ll be skiing with Dan and Sammy, the sun is out and the mountain is our playground.  I’m ready.

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Indoor Walks at Ridgedale, new times for Feb and March

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Linda

I’m not a fan of walking indoors but with the winter we’ve had the carpeted floors at Ridgedale have provided a safe, dry and warm alternative to the frigid icy conditions outdoors. I’ll be gone thru March and so Cynthia and Liz will be leading the walks coming up.
Note that the new times: Feb 15 and March 22 meet Liz at 8am inside the west entrance and on March 8 Cynthia will be there at 8:30. Enjoy the extra few moments of sleep and then enjoy the walks.

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Baby it’s Cold Outside!

Posted on January 8, 2014 by Linda

It’s been very cold here in Minnesota, lows at -20  and highs just at zero for several days.  We’ve been told to stay inside and be warm. Schools are closed and some businesses including ski hills were also.  While we sit by the fire it’s important to know that when it’s this cold there are some things that happen outdoors that makes it worth some quick trips into the freezing temperatures.

1.  Snow squeaks when it’s this cold. Every step in the snow is squeak squeak squeak, kids giggle at the sound, the silence of deep soft snow becomes loud.

2.   Catching snowflakes on black construction paper is a great reminder that we are all unique and beautiful individuals.

3.  Blowing bubbles below zero is amazing!  Use the recipe with corn syrup and Joy dishwashing soap, fashion your wand out of an old wire coat hanger with a 3 inch diameter circle.  Watch for sugar ghosts to float down when the slow rising bubbles pop.

4.  It’s possible to overdress when it’s this cold.  Yes you can put on too many layers if going cross country skiing or snowshoeing.  Be sure to cover all that exposed skin but be aware of how much you wear under your jacket and pants. You don’t want to be sweaty and wet when it’s cold.

5.  There is magic in the silence of a cold, cold morning. Sound travels differently and your senses are on high alert with the cold air.  Wrap up and just step outside for a few deep breaths and listen closely to the quiet. Feel the deep peace and serenity.

We must respect this kind of cold.  It is not pleasant to be out in and it can be dangerous if you are not dressed for it or if your health is compromised by being out in it.  I would not suggest anyone go outside to play today.  It is really cold.

But it’s also a reminder of how fragile we are and how we are at the mercy of mother nature.  It’s life at the extreme yet we can still touch it and be touched by it.  Receive it’s blessings and know that it will pass and become another winter memory.

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Sharing the passion and joy of Nordic Walking

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Linda

I am doubly blessed this week as I get to do my favorite thing twice in 4 days.  Maria Walde Douglas and I are repeating our Nordic Walking for Parkinson’s Group Leaders at Struthers Parkinson’s Clinic and I’m leading an ANWA Nordic Walking Instructor Training.  Two wonderful opportunities to share my passion and expertise for Nordic Walking.  It’s also a chance to pass it on.

Liz Ogren got me started Nordic Walking with Parkinson’s 3 years ago.  I’ve learned so much from her and from Maria about Parkinson’s and the special benefits of Nordic walking poles for this group.  Our class on Wednesday night was an amazing mix of PT’s, OT’s, students, Group Exercise Leader, persons with Parkinson’s, and a special guest PT from Singapore interested in learning more about it and taking it home with her to the clinic there.  It was energizing, inspiring and fun!  I’m looking forward to our second evening next week.

Tomorrow morning I have a small group of new instructors meeting me for the ANWA training. It’s suppose to rain so I’m hoping it holds off until we’re done.

Love the energy and interest about Nordic Walking this year!

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Fall into Walking this Autumn

Posted on October 10, 2013 by Linda

Autumn is the perfect time to recommit to a walking program and to add poles to that plain vanilla walk you’re doing.   The cooler weather motivates us to go outdoors, the beginning of a new school year invites us to try something new, and our friends are no longer leaving town for their cabin every weekend.

We had 18 walkers last Tuesday at Centennial Lakes.  The biggest group that we’ve had for weeks and we had several new walkers.  Some of them were from an intro class I did last week, some came with a friend and some came simply because they had promised themselves that this was something they were going to try and as time slipped away they came to do it before the snow falls.

So how about you?  Is this the right time to finally try Nordic Walking and have something new to do going into the winter?  Nordic walking is the best way to keep walking all through the cold weather.  The poles will help keep you on your feet when the trail gets slippery, you’ll warm up quickly when it’s chilly, and it’s easy to add a light weight glove with the LEKI strap or the Exerstrider grip.      (I recommend a Nordic ski glove vs a heavy insulated one)

So don’t let old man winter keep you indoors this year.  Grab some poles and get out there!  There’s still walks coming up and when it gets real cold we’ll add some early Saturday morning walks at Ridgedale Center.

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Nordic Walking or Hiking

Posted on September 9, 2013 by Linda

one more thought on Nordic Walking poles vs trekking poles, actually it’s a youtube video that I did for Hoigaards.  You don’t realize how wordy you are until you see yourself talking for 4 minutes.  Hopefully this video will help to answer some of your questions about poles and how they are specifically designed to provide the performance and benefits of a specific activity.

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Movement is Medicine

Posted on September 5, 2013 by Linda

If you could receive a prescription that would:

  • reduce your risk of Osteoporosis, Diabetes Type 2, Depression, Obesity, Heart Disease, and many forms of cancer
  • lower your cholesterol
  • reduce chronic pain
  • boost your energy
  • help you sleep better
  • improve your posture
  • enhance your self image
  • tone and strengthen your body
  • enhance your creativity
  • require no special equipment, helmet, spandex or trail pass
  • and it would be over the counter and cost you nothing except your time and commitment?

Would you do it?

If the answer is yes then you agree with Liz Ogren of Pedal and Roll and Stroll for Parkinson’s  – getting off the couch is good for you!  Movement is medicine for all of us.  Getting outdoors and getting our daily dose of activity immersed in green space is, well, it’s like nothing else that we do in our daily life.

As the seasons change, it’s a great time to make a daily walk outdoors part of your lifestyle.  Go out and open up your senses to smell, feel, see and hear how mother nature is moving past summer and into autumn.  Your 30 minute walk will fill up your senses.  Finish with tasting some of fall’s great harvest.

If you’re already walking, with or without poles, then challenge yourself to do some fall hikes out on the trails.  Walk through the fields and the forests, wonder at all that is there just a short distance from the city. Theodore Wirth, Fort Snelling, Afton State Park, the Mississippi River Trails, all of the Three Rivers Parks – just a few of my favorites here in the Twin Cities.  As the days get shorter the lights come on at Hyland, Elm Creek and French Park and you can walk until 10pm. There is no excuse not to go!

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Your New Poles

Posted on July 16, 2013 by Linda

You’ve tried Nordic walking and have fallen in love with the rhythm of the poles and all the fitness benefits.  Now it’s time to buy your own poles so you can do it everyday.

A word of warning here, equipment that provides all of the goodness of Nordic walking poles should not cost $20.  You want to make sure you invest in a safe piece of equipment, one that you will enjoy using for many years.  Adjustable poles need to have secure lock out mechanisms to avoid failure on the trail, rubber tips must have adequate surface area to grip the ground and help create the resistance for that upper body workout.  A quality Nordic walking pole will offer warranty and replaceable parts.  They will cost around $100 for an aluminum pole and go up to $199 for a pair of carbon poles.

Why would you buy carbon poles?  Carbon makes a pole stiffer, lighter and stronger.  It also makes them a little quieter on the trail. Carbon is technically a woven matrix so it locks up when pushed against the ground, no noise like you might hear with an aluminum pole.  Remember the weight of the pole affects the swing weight and how well it follows your arm, a heavier pole is not a better workout.

Purchasing your poles is an investment in your health.  When you consider investing $200 for 10 years of walking it’s only costing you $20 per year for a great fitness activity.  That’s a pretty good return on your investment.

Once you have your new poles be sure to get started on the right foot with the video I did with LEKI.

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