Malin Svensson and Gary Johnson are coming back to Minneapolis in August.  They were our partners for the 2nd Annual North American Nordic Walking Expo in June and had so much fun they just had to come back to do an INWA (International Nordic Walking Association)  Instructor Certification.  

Actually, they were so impressed with Nordic Walkers here in Minnesota, (they even came out in the rain) they felt it would be an excellent location for a training.  Eagan Community Center is our host for the program, a beautiful facility on the east side of town.   

This is the first time that Nordic Walking North America have offered this training here in the Twin Cities.  Malin is considered to be one of the leading Nordic Walking experts in the world.  Gary, her partner with Nordic Walking North America is a fitness expert coming from a background as a professional soccor player.  It is a 2 day workshop for fitness professionals and instructors. The training is mainly an outdoor course and includes theory and history as well as technique, video and personal feedback. Cost of the training is $299.

Why get certified?  If you are a fitness trainer Nordic Walking is your opportunity to encourage more individuals to make a change to a healthier, active lifestyle.  Many people shy away from “gym memberships” because they don’t see themselves as athletic or fit. Nordic Walking requires no spandex, no helmet and everyone can do it without being put in front of a mirror or on a machine.  Help us get people outdoors and moving.  It’s the perfect addition to any trainer’s repertoire.

There is so much potential for Nordic Walking to change peoples lives, to move them towards a healthier lifestyle, to turn around the obesity epidemic. Don’t you want to be part of that?

Once again the north woods did their magic.  Staying with our dear friends Ann and Dean at their cabin on Burntside Lake was a blessing, the perfect hideaway from real life.  We enjoyed sleeping in, coffee by the lake, long conversations catching up on our kyds and busy lives, fun walks, good food and just doing nothing.  

I unplugged, disconnected and recreated and life was here waiting for me when I got back.  Nothing blew up or fell apart.  amazing, I really should do it more often.

Happy Solstice!  

We walked with poles, we walked with old friends, we walked with new friends, we walked new ways with different poles, we walked in Shape Up shoes, we walked with dogs, and we walked in the rain.  It was a great day!

The partnership between Great Lakes Nordic Walkers and Nordic Walking North America was a match made in Nordic Walking heaven. We provided the local enthusiasm and connections, Three Rivers Park District opened up Hyland Lake Park for us and Malin and Gary brought in the national expertise. We are all connected in the web of Nordic Walking!

We can’t control the weather, but we can choose to play outdoors in spite of it and that is exactly what happened on Saturday.  Hundreds of people came to walk with poles and they had their choice of Boomyah, Exel, Exerstrider, Gabel, LEKI, and Swix, all represented with product and demo’s to try.  For the first time Skechers came with their new Shape Up shoe in sizes and models to try out on the trail.  That booth was one of the busiest all day!  

The Introductory lessons were active all day, I think the last walkers came at 3:15pm to try the poles.  There was standing room only in the lectures in Jan’s place and the classes outdoors were full of enthusiastic walkers and even dogs for the K9 Nordic Walking.  The walk around Hyland Lake at 10am was full of energy and the passion we all share for Nordic Walking.  It was so much fun to see everyone grouped up by counties and walking together!  

A HUGE THANK YOU to all the volunteers that came to help with registration, lessons, pole handout and all the little things that made it such a successful day.  We couldn’t have done it without you!  

and another Thank You to the local hiking groups and event organizers that brought displays and information to the “top of the hill”, there are so many different opportunities to walk!  I’ll have to do a separate page on my website of the groups and events coming up in the Twin Cities. 

Til then, walk gently and carry two long poles!

By this time next week the North American Nordic Walking Expo will be a memory.

In the meantime I’m hoping that you’re all coming out to see us at Hyland Lake Park Reserve on Saturday.  Remember - it’s free, it’s outdoors, it’s fun!

The Nordic Walk around Hyland Lake is at 10am, an excellent opportunity to meet other Nordic Walkers from your neighborhood.  The rest of the day is full of classes, clinics, and free introductory lessons.  Check out the schedule for the day on Hoigaard’s or visit Great Lake Nordic Walkers for the latest on our guests and special programs.

Consider this your official invitation from the Nordic Walking Queen!!!!

 See you on Saturday!

For the experienced and the curious Nordic Walker, this free all day event will feature classes and lectures by both national and local Nordic Walking experts, hands on exhibits from leading Nordic Walking companies, information from local walking and hiking groups and events, free introductory classes, and the chance to network with lots of other walkers at 10am in a fun, untimed, group walk around Hyland Lake.  

This group walk will be the Nordic Walking version of Speed Dating.  It’s your opportunity to link up with other NW’s in your neighborhood to form walking groups and clubs.  It’s just the icing on the cake of a spectacular line up of classes and lectures.

When we formed Great Lakes Nordic Walkers, www.greatlakesnordicwalkers.com we had no idea that our dream of hosting a local Nordic Walking event would become a National Expo.  Our partnership with Nordic Walking North America, www.nordicwalkingna.com, has made it possible to create an event that is drawing support and interest from all around North America.  Even Skechers is coming with their new Fitness Walking shoe for you to try in a walk around the lake.

Check out the full schedule for the day at www.greatlakesnordicwalkers.com and plan to be at Hyland on Saturday, June 12.  Remember, the Nordic Walking Queen has formally invited you to attend, how can you say no? 

and one tired Nordic Walking Queen.

The day included all the best that Nordic Walking offers:

First walk at 5:45 with Gail.  It was a beautiful morning, 52 degrees, with the sun just coming up. 

We shared our morning with blue herons, Canadian geese and their goslings, and the first itty bitty

wood duck hatchlings scrambling across the water trying to keep up with momma.

Alliant Tech hosted the second walk in celebration of National Employee Health and Fitness Day. 

Professional women getting outdoors for some exercise and de stressing with a Nordic Walk around the local lake.

Mid Afternoon I met up with a group of ladies from Hammer Residence. One of the staff is an avid

Nordic Walker and wanted to introduce the women to all the benefits of pole walking. They did great! 

and I can’t wait to have them as part of the Minnetonka Nordic Walking Club in June.

The last walk was our Nordic Walking Wednesday at Minnehaha Falls Park. We had several new

walkers among the group enjoying the trails above the Mississippi River. 

I’m always interested in how folks were motivated to come walk with us. One first time couple

heard about Nordic Walking at a family celebration last week when her aunt talked on and on

about her awesome new poles.  They just had to come.

I was exhausted as we sat at Sea Salt enjoying a cold beer and fish tacos after the walk.

I’m glad these days don’t happen very often but what a joy to have spent my day outdoors

Nordic Walking with so many wonderful people!