Recovery with Nordic Walking Poles

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Linda

poles

Yesterday I got to trade my Mobilegs for my Nordic Walking poles and my first walk, about 1.5 miles, reminded me of all the reasons why poles will be my best friend as I regain my strength and flexibility.

What happened on that first walk?  First I got to stand up nice and tall after leaning on crutches for so long.  The poles supported me allowing me to accept the weight unto my hips and knees.  I was able to move into a natural stride, even weight bearing on both feet, no hitch in my step. Balanced and stable, I was able to roll each foot from heel to toe.  As I settled into a familiar altho slower rhythm, I relaxed into the Nordic walking moving meditation.  I could feel the stress of the past 6 weeks just melting away.  I’ve missed that!  At the end of my walk I used the poles to stretch, gently moving through my body to get the kinks out.

Thank goodness for Nordic walking poles!

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A new pair of poles

Posted on December 17, 2014 by Linda

I’ve been skiing for 52 years and had only minor injuries during all those years. In fact my entire family has skied for decades and only one has had a life threatening accident. Not that anyone should have life threatening experiences when skiing or boarding on snow.

Life averages caught up with me last week when I fell in a Telemark Ski Clinic at the PSIA Northern Mountain Division Fall Fest. Big Sky is a little starved for snow and the conditions are definitely a bit sparse but I was actually making some decent turns when I hit a rock or crossed my tips or both and went down hill hard on my right hip.

Kudos to the ski patrol that took me down and off the mountain, Dan in the ambulance and the entire ER staff for all of their expertise and gentle handling of this older lady.

Final word was a fractured pelvis, no weight bearing for 4-6 weeks, and hopefully a full recovery and back on the slopes by the end of January. I’m learning patience once again, re prioritizing what I will get done before Christmas and shifting events and calendars to make it all work within my new parameters.

Hubby Dan is taking good care of me and I see lots of knitting in my future. Thanks to everyone for the healing energy and hopes for a speedy recovery. I’ll keep you updated on my progress,

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Winter Nordic Walking

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Linda

The snow in Minnesota has quickly changed our walks from fall to winter experiences. It is possible to walk outdoors year round with your poles. Time to remind ourselves what we need to do to enjoy those cold weather walks.

1. Dress in layers.  You don’t need big bulky clothing to enjoy Nordic walking when it’s cold out.  Start with a base layer for wicking, add a warm layer for insulation and finally a wind protection on the outside.  You’ll warm up quickly as you walk.  Cross country ski gloves or lobster mitts work well for your hands.

2. Consider a pair of water proof insulated walking shoes or light hiking shoes for winter walking.

3. Take the rubber tips off.  When on snow and ice simply remove your rubber tips, lengthen your poles about 2 cm and step out in confidence.

4. Put on a smile and brave the elements!  Don’t let the weather keep you inside if you’re able to be outside.

5. If you cannot safely walk outside, find a place to walk inside. Check with your local community programs for indoor tracks, go the mall before they open (you’ll need to find non slip floors), search indoor walking for your area.  Sometimes there may be a small fee but most of these will be free.

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A Nordic Walk a day…

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Linda

Just when you don’t think anyone cares someone writes an article about Nordic Walking and boom!  you find out there are lots of interested people out there.  Thank you to Shannon Prather and the Star Tribune for the fun article on November 12.

Everyone knows that the prescription for a healthy life is to take a walk everyday.  What many don’t know is that a Nordic walk is the best walk to keep your whole body strong and in good shape.  It’s really so simple to add poles and get all the extra benefits, so why isn’t everyone walking with poles?

It can’t be the cost, poles range in price from $1oo for a good aluminum pole up to $200 for a composite or carbon shaft.  A very small investment with long term return and there are no tune ups required.  As long as you buy a quality pole you will have replacement parts to keep your poles part of your daily workout for years to come.  The only other thing you need is a good pair of walking shoes and you’ll be off and walking!

It’s not hard to learn how to Nordic walk.  A good introductory class and a few walks with an instructor or group and you’ll be in the swing and the rhythm.

You’ll feel the benefits after the first walk so there’s no delay in gratification.  By the end of the first mile you’ll be standing taller, adding a little pressure to the pole tip, and smiling.

My take on it – it’s the poles themselves.  We are apparently very self conscious of what people will think if they see us walking with poles.  They will wonder if you’re training for Nordic skiing.  They may think you’re using them for balance only.  They might surmise that you just love snow and forgot your skis.  But they obviously have never tried it so we can either leave them wondering or we can share the goodness of the poles with them.

So step out proudly with your poles!  Be the one everyone envies as you shape up and stand tall.

 

 

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Thanks for coming by!

Posted on November 12, 2014 by Linda

Nothing like an article in the Star Tribune to bring interest to Nordic Walking. I must apologize for the lack of update on my website for upcoming events. I’ve been super busy with moving this fall and have some classes and groups all set up for spring in the St Cloud area, my new expansion of the Nordic Walking kingdom 🙂

I’ll post some of the ongoing walking groups and information on indoor walking for Minnesota Winters tonite. If you have specific questions please email me and I’m happy to start the conversation.

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Actively Aging with Nordic Walking

Posted on September 26, 2014 by Linda

It’s National Active Aging Week and everyone is focused on getting seniors moving.  An active lifestyle will keep all of us living a happy healthy life for years to come.  The message is that if we stop moving it’s very difficult to get started again so don’t stop even when you have to slow down a bit.  It’s not easy to keep going, to move through the pain, to stay motivated for daily activity. But as my friend Liz from Pedal and Roll will tell you, when you end up on the couch it takes a very big push to get you going again.

It’s always a joy to introduce seniors to the poles.  They immediately stand up straighter and taller – walking like a queen!  Even with a few steps they find better balance and begin to walk in a more natural rhythm and stride.  They notice the muscles in their back and arms working as the poles connect with the ground.  And they smile because it’s fun and feels so very good to be moving.

I count on my poles to help me maintain the strength and confidence for daily independent walking for the rest of my life.  When I get up in the morning and would rather sit and have a cup of coffee I see my poles in the corner and know it’s time for that walk first. They really are my best friend when it comes to staying active.

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Five Best Reasons for Nordic Walking at 5:30am

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Linda
People often ask me how in the world I get up at 5:30 to go for a walk.  After all these years it’s habit but beyond that here are my five top reasons

5    I get to check “daily fitness” off the list before I have coffee
4    Jumpstart my metabolism so I have a chance to win the war against extra pounds
3    The rhythm of the poles sets my rhythm for the day
2    Time with my best friend to share our daily joys, sorrows and challenges
1    Unexpected wonders presented each morning by mother nature

Gail and I have walked together at 5:30am for 28 years. Itʼs not always easy but itʼs the perfect time of day for us. We learned long ago that itʼs a time of day that is free of scheduling conflicts, no one wants a meeting that early!

We love our early morning walks. Mornings that we donʼt walk are tougher to get going and require more coffee. Thereʼs just something special about heading off in the direction of the sunrise, sharing the beginning of the day surrounded by nature.

It’s been raining here in Minnesota.  Yesterday morning there was a stream of storm water running across the trail next to the lake.  There were at least 30 tiny bright baby blue gill fish flipping and stuck in the flow of the water.  We used our poles to move them along the way towards deeper water.  Not a dramatic save but so very special.

Other mornings it’s great blue herons, a newly dug turtle nest, gardens bursting into bloom or just the many many colors of green surrounding us.

Unexpected wonders await us every morning. Itʼs free, waiting just outside your door. Itʼs not always anything extraordinary, find delight in simple wonders around you.
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Unplug and Open Your Senses

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Linda

I was at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum yesterday to celebrate my retirement with the gang that has supported the Arboretum Outdoors with Hoigaards program throughout the years.  I took the opportunity to have a solo Nordic walk.  Abandoning the 3 mile drive I walked the trails and meandered my way through the gardens.

I walk unplugged.  No music, no ear buds, no phone ringing.  It’s a special time to listen to the world around me instead of the noise of everyday life.  I can feel my senses come alive as I move into my rhythm and enjoy being surprised around every curve and dip in the trail.

As I wandered the wild flower trail I was delighted by the lady slippers and deep greens of the forest.  In the rose garden the scents ranged from sweet to tangy lemon.  The bushes and shrubs have so many different textures and shapes.  The first fruits are forming on the apple and pear trees.  The sculpture garden was quiet and thoughtful.  The oaks stood tall on the ridge and there were wild turkeys moving below them.  There was one last Rhodadendrum in full bloom.  The bog was overflowing.  Birds sang and called from all around.

I finished with a calm and renewed spirit. Just what I needed in this crazy time.

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Moving Forward

Posted on May 19, 2014 by Linda

Inspiration comes to you in the most unexpected places.

Last week I taught the Nordic Walking Intro Class.  It was a cold, wet night and Corinna was the only one to show up for the class.  She was not a new walker, she’s had her poles for about a year. She was looking for a bit of a refresher and some personal coaching.

We walked and talked for an hour in the rain. She did well with a few small suggestions but ultimately I was surprised by the end of the walk to be the one receiving the inspiration for moving forward.

The past few weeks have been busy with sorting and packing. I’ve retired and we’re moving.  The process involves a lot of letting go.     I was prepared to let go of stuff but surprised at the necessity to let go of so much that identifies who I am. I’m still the “Nordic Walking Queen”but no longer the coordinator for HOW, member of Hoigaard’s staff, owner of home and property, oldest sibling living on the family land.  I must admit to having some difficulty with all of that.

Corinna listened as we walked.  She observed that I must feel lighter and better able to move forward into this next adventure.  She felt certain that there would be so many new opportunities and joys that it would be wonderful.

As we walked back to our cars, still in the rain, I did indeed feel lighter. Corinna inspired me to look beyond all the hard work of letting go and packing up my life and look forward to what’s coming next

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Still The Queen

Posted on May 18, 2014 by Linda

The family home I’ve known since 1962, 26 acres of gentleman farm just outside Minneapolis, Minnesota has been sold and will be developed as a community for many families to enjoy a very special place to live.  That means that we’re moving and live is changing in some very big ways.

Some people change their lives one step at a time but we’re doing a clean sweep and starting anew.  I’ve retired from my job at Hoigaards, we’re moving out of our home of 32 years on the family property and are not completely certain where we will end up next. We joke about being homeless in June but as I pack up the house and finish moving plants from the gardens it’s actually very unnerving to think of not knowing where and how we will begin this next chapter of our lives.

I may be retired from my regular job but I am still the Queen.  It was difficult to schedule classes and programs when I didn’t know for sure when we would be closing on the property and where we would be going.  It’s a time of transition but I promise the Queen is not dead.

In the meantime Nordic Walking classes and groups continue to pop up all over the place.  I’ve done a good job recruiting and training all those princesses out there and I’m happy to say they’re doing a good job.  Here’s what I know about classes and programs in the metro area.  I’ll do my best to get them on the calendar also.

Hoigaards Nordic Walking Tuesdays 6pm every Tuesday meeting at local parks and trails

Hoigaards Nordic Walking Intro’s – scheduled once per month, check their calendar for time and date

Parkinson’s Walks with Pedal and Roll – Monday mornings in St Louis Park  contact Liz Ogren

Maple Grove Community Center – Free Nordic Walking Group Wednesday mornings 9am – contact Kris Orluck – 763-494-6514

Nordic Walking Intro – June 9 6pm at Wolfe Park, St Louis Park Community Ed – contact Rita Kach – 952-928-6418

Hoigaards Nordic Walking Monday – 10am Mondays meeting on the patio at  Parkshore Senior Campus

Stay tuned for updates on the future of the Queen!

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