A time to walk, a time for family…..

I love my family and love it when we can do something together as simple as walking.  Not that we are always in the mood, but once we get started, the fresh air and the engagement of the rhythm levels us out and we are always comment that we are happy that we got out and walked. Here is a recent photo of my daughter, Tea, and husband, Ken, just about to cross the finish line at the St Patty’s Day 5k in White Bear Lake.  Sure I was happy they finished but what I thought was so wonderful is that they walked together the entire time.

Bring your family to the GLNW open house @ Centennial Lakes in Edina  on May 2nd and enjoy a stroll together.

Spring Nordic Walking classes posted

Get in on the excitement of adding poles to your daily walk.  Learn how to use Nordic Walking poles properly all the while enjoying the outdoors and the company of others. Spring classes are posted with registration links and phone numbers.  Register early because classes can fill quickly.

Romp to Stomp MN was a sea of Pink Snowshoers

Yep!!  We actually snowshoed.  The snow was minimal but it was just enough to snowshoe in.  Tubbs snowshoes sponsored the first annual Romp to Stomp here in MN on 1/28. 250 registered and raised nearly 10K.  It ended up being a perfect temperature……not to warm were you’d sweat in your winter gear and not too cold were you wish you had more gear on. 

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I hear that they plan on coming back next year, so sign up early because we can’t go two years in a row with such little snow.  Thank you to Hoigaard’s and the MN Landscape Arborteum for all their added support.

Join my team for Romp to Stomp Snowshoe 5k Chaska Arboretum

Come out to support the Romp to Stomp Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Snowshoe 5k on Jan 28 at the Chaska Arboretum.  Snowshoes will be available if you don’t own your own.  All are welcome.  Link to my Nordic Walk This Way team page.

Indoor Nordic Walking: Mall of America, Burnsville Center, Eden Prairie, Eagan Community Center, Dakotah!

Where to Nordic Walk or Walk Indoors in the South Metro of the Twin Cities:

Schools:  Prior Lake Community Education is offering FREE Indoor Nordic Walking at Hidden Oaks Middle School starting Tues Jan 10, 2012. Come Nordic Walk anytime between 6:30 – 8pm    Thursdays too.  These free walks are held indoors on their carpeted hallways thru March.  If your rubber tips are in rough shape, I’ll have new ones on hand.  If you are new to Nordic Walking, I’ll be offering a class on three different dates Jan 10, 12 or 17 from 6:30 – 7:45pm.  Please register here.  Fee.

District 196: Dakota Hills Middle School Eagan, Rosemount Middle School, Apple Valley Middle School.  Mon – Thurs 6:30 – 9:30pm, Sat 9 – 12.  $12 per session.  29 left this session as of 12/12 and then Feb – May session will begin.

Malls: Eden Prairie and Burnsville(2nd floor) Enter any main door.   And don’t forget about the Mall of America (3rd and 4th floors are best).  Park on West Ramp if coming before stores open.  If you are going to use your NWing poles, then walk before the mall opens,  but you can walk without poles anytime at any mall.

• MOA, Burnsville and Eden Prairie MALL Walking  HOURS:  Nordic Walking poles welcome with rubber tips.  Note that you can always walk the malls w/o poles during regular store hours.  Please only walk with poles in these set walking hours.
• MON – FRI  7am – 10am (MOA, Eden Prairie, Burnsville)
• SAT  7am – 10am  MOA, Eden Prairie,  8am – 10am Burnsville,
• SUN 8am – 10am (MOA, Bvlle) 7am: Eden Prairie

If you like to be part of a walking group, try the Mall Stars at the Mall of America.

Fitness Centers:     Eagan Community Center has an indoor rubberized track that you can NW on. They happen to also have a 62+ Nordic Walking Club on Weds @ 10:30 for a nominal fee and they have poles available for your use of you are 62+.  If you have your own poles, all ages are welcome for a small fee of $2.00 / $5.00wk / $20mos.   No public walking M-F 4pm-7pm, otherwise hours are: M-F 5:45am – 9:45pm  Sat 8-8  Sun 10-8

Dakotah Sport and Fitness Rubberized Track  M-F 5am-11pm Sat/Sun 6am – 11pm.  Members only. 5:45am Thurs. Run/Walk For Life.  SilverSneakers Programming offered.

See the new Snowshoe page here

Click on the tab above to take a look at the new Snowshoe page.  Snowshoeing is becoming popular here in Minnesota.  Just take a look at the inventory that some of the local sporting goods merchants are carrying and you’ll too think “what is this all about?”.  For starters, it is easy to do, much like Nordic Walking is easy, yet it is so beneficial for your overall fitness.  My advice to you is to rent some snowshoes first and give it a try and then hustle over to your local merchant to purchase them. If we have an abundance of snow this year, stores will sell out once again. They make great holiday gifts too.

Tell me what you like most about Nordic Walking…….

I’ll go first:  I like it for many reasons, so I’ll highlight my favorites…….overall toning, upright posture, outdoor activity & it’s something I can do with others which has spouted some nice friendships along the way! 

Please add your comments.  Thank you!