The Nordic Walking Queen

Opportunity.We all hear it knocking.  I’m not sure that it only knocks once because sometimes it gets really loud.  I’m not always good at answering the door.  How often do I ignore the knocking and later regret being unable or unwilling to say “come on in!”It’s much easier to stay in my personal comfort zone. Life is predictable here; I get up, do my day, get my list of things done and then start all over again tomorrow.  “I can’t possibly take the time out of my “very important schedule” to do that!” (whatever “that” is  that is knocking at my door)Dan and I have the opportunity this winter to spend 5 weeks in the mountains.  It’s been something on our bucket list for years, something “out there” but not for today. We’ve never made the commitment.  Yesterday I asked for a 5 week sabatical to go skiing.  I wasn’t really sure what I was going to do if Todd (president of Hoigaard’s) said no but he smiled and told me it would be ok. wow!   I’m so excited!  The mountains are calling and I get to go!

Two weeks ago we had record winds here in Minnesota.  That Saturday we paddled the Minnehaha Creek, thinking it would probably be our last chance this season.  What we didn’t think about was the amount of debris that would be in the creek following the storm.

Mind you the creek is not a dangerous place but it did turn out to be challenging to work our way around and through trees and limbs that had fallen during the high winds.  TREE!  became a commonly heard shout.  Most of the time we were able to get by, only once did we have to paddle back up the creek to get out, drag the kayaks through the woods, under the trunk of said tree and push them back into the water.

I ended up wet for much of the day, lesson learned about ducking under big branches without a spray skirt,  but it didn’t deter from the magic of this wonderful gem within the Minneapolis City Limits.

It was a beautiful night for a walk.  About sixty five wolf enthusiasts showed up to Nordic Walk for Wolves, our benefit for the International Wolf Center.  The moon was rising and the trail was in great condition.  We set poles for lots of new walkers and then howled to start the walk.

There’s great energy when you get that many people walking and swinging their poles.

We walked on all fours with the tips digging into the soft earth and shared our stories and passions along the way. New walkers and new supporters of the International Wolf Center together with the experienced and long time members. What a delight!

The lights came on as we finished the walk.  It’s magical to be out in the woods at night.

We began as individuals and finished our 5K as a pack. Supported by the energy and spirit of being outside in wild spaces.

Thank you to all who came to walk!  We’ll do it again next year!

The days of early dawn are behind us for another year and my morning walks are now in darkness. I do not like walking in the dark. Even with a headlight it’s difficult to see the trail and in order to avoid uneven ground we loose many of our favorite walks. It seems that the darkness not only closes in around us but also closes off our options.But we have to find the joy! The good news is that the early morning sky is once again full of stars. Orion is back looking over us and the big dipper leads the way for the beginning of all of our walks. And it’s quiet on the trails. All of the summer runners have headed back to the gyms and we’re alone once more in the early morning hours.Maybe I don’t hate it all that much.

There were 10 Nordic Walkers that gathered at Lake Calhoun this morning for the 5K walk around the lake.  It was a beautiful morning, fall is in full color here in the Twin Cities and it’s warmer than normal.  Walking was a treat, a walk with friends and a few new faces.  All connected on the trail with our poles and a wonderful way to walk into health.  I hope you all got out to enjoy the day!

The International Nordic Walking Association is celebrating their 1oth year on 10/10/10 and invites everyone to Nordic Walk somewhere on World Nordic Walking day.  Walks are being held all over the world including here in Minnesota.   At this time, Great Lakes Nordic Walkers have 3 walks scheduled.

9 am I will be walking at Lake Calhoun.  Join me at Thomas Beach and we’ll walk the lake, 5K.   Extra poles will be available if you need a pair or want to bring a friend!  Perhaps we’ll find a cup of coffee when  we’re done!

 I hope you’ll join me!  But if that doesn’t work for you please join Rhea Kontos at 1 pm. Meet in the outer lot of Valley Natural Foods (13750 Co. Rd. 11, Burnsville).  It’s a 1 hour on the nice and wide sidewalk of McAndrews  Rd. First 15 to arrive to walk will receive a coupon for a free smoothie. Discount cards available too.   Extra poles available so bring a friend.

The third option is to hook up with Nanette Denk at 12:30 in Prior Lake at the Shepherd of the Lake paved walking path, 3575 North Berens Road N.W.  Choose your distance and walk 1, 2 or 3 miles. Meet just outside the NE doors of Shepherd/McKenna.  Please bring your poles and a friend.

if none of this works you could always just step outside with your poles, go for a walk and celebrate the joys and heath of nordic Walking.

First it was the City of Lakes Loppet, 11K on trail, followed by my morning walks and CE classes almost every day.

One week later it was the Birkie Trek and Trail Run, 21K on trail, followed by more CE classes and sunrise walks.

Today I flew to Seattle to play with my daughter Laura and her husband Mike in the Pacific Northwest. I didn’t bring poles with me, I’m in recovery and I need some serious downtime before I head home on Tuesday to help kick off the winter season of skis, snow and cold weather.

Five days of being a lump.  We’ll tour a little, cook from her gardens, play with the new puppy and catch up on the past few months.  Priceless!