September 2008

I did it!  Nordic Walked 13.1 miles on the Birkie Trail with my poles and 97 other pole walkers. Not being a nordic skier I’ve never done the Birkie or any other “marathon” events.  I was really excited and a little nervous to do a half marathon nordic walking.  It was an exciting event, well organized with over 400 participants in the 4 different offerings: relay marathon, 1/2 marathon of running, 1/2 marathon of nordic walking and a 5K fun run/walk.

 The weather was perfect!  Not a cloud in the sky and 55 degrees at the start.  The trees were just beginning to show some fall color.  The trail is actually almost a grassy road through the woods, 18 feet wide with rolling hills all the way.  It never goes flat, you’re always either going up or down so it’s quite the workout.  The staff and volunteers who take care of trail maintenance do a terrific job, the grass is mowed and large obstacles are removed on a regular basis.  It cleary is a labor of love for them.

 My goal was to try and maintain 15 minute miles throughout the Trek.  I finished in 3 hours and 18 minutes, just over my goal.  The events were staggered so everyone finished at the same time and it was fun to come across the finish line with runners and walkers of all ages. 

 I really enjoyed the challenge of doing the distance.  I wasn’t sure how it would feel to walk that long but I felt strong and once I warmed up and fell into rhythm the time flew by.  There were lots of conversations and new friends to be made on the trail, and there were surprises around every bend of the trail.

 It’s an annual event so you might think about joining us next year!

One of the joys of working retail is helping families start their own tradition of skiing together.  This past weekend was the 41st Annual Tent Sale at Hoigaards.  It was the biggest sale in recent history and was a smashing success.  But not only because we sold lots of product.  The real success was fitting first time skiers with their very own skis and boots

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There is nothing better than the smile of a 3 year old anticipating snow on the hill unless it is the same excitement found in his Dad’s smile.  We had so many families come to us this weekend looking for the best fit and the best deal to get them back on the hill to ski and snowboard, makes all the long hours and hard work of an event like this worthwhile.

 When you hit the wall you need to find the door to go outside. I feel like I’m suffering from a split personality lately and that all of those personalities are working overtime.

I’m a little overwhelmed by working the sales floor, doing the HOW events, leading corporate and community demo’s, selling plants for Shady Sisters, planning the winter calendar (Women’s Expo at Buck Hill, Breckenridge Ski Trip), organizing  for Tent Sale and the upcoming equipment season, training new employees, taking care of the farm and gardens,  and of course managing family and home. It’s the never ending cycle of feeling like there’s just not enough hours in the day to get it all done.  When I found myself wandering in the yard wondering why I went out (I think I was going to fill bird feeders) I knew it was time to just stop, slow down and go play. 

Saturday, with a little help from my husband and friends I did just that.  After an early morning meeting at Hoigaard’s we packed it up and rode the new Dakota Trail from Wayzata to St Boni.  It was a perfect day to be on our bikes, it’s a beautiful trail, and there’s a bistro with ice tea and breakfast in St Boni. I felt like I was playing hookey and it felt great!  We simply enjoyed the ride and our time together, leaving chores and responsibilities at home for the day.  When we finished, 28.5 miles later, we came back to the pool for cold drinks and snacks which led into dinner with my brother in the gazebo watching the rain fall on the gardens.

I successfully didn’t do anything constructive all day, after the meeting of course.

I slept so good!  and woke up Sunday morning ready to pick up where I had left off, refreshed and re-energized by the fresh air, the exercise and the time with friends. It was a reminder that I need to do what I’m always telling you all to do, go outside and play! and do it on a regular basis, not just when I hit the wall.

Reality check, it’s much easier to open the door to go outside than it is to hit the wall anyway!