A Circuit Trail on a Cool Spring Day

Satisfying 7-mile loop just south of Boulder

My husband and I intitially thought about going for a steep nearby hike (perhaps Boulder's Shadow Canyon or Golden's Mt. Galbraith), but in the end, we opted for a gentler seven-mile loop linking three trails south of Boulder for a leg-stretching walk.

From theFlatirons Vista Trailhead at the intersection of Highways 93 and 128, we did the Greenbelt Plateau-Community Ditch-Doudy Draw loop counterclockwise. The route is designated as multi-use, but most of it so wide that conflicts between bikers and runners/walkers are mninimal, and due to seasonal regulations to protect ground-nesting birds in the adjacent grasslands, dogs must be leashed.

The straightaway Greenbelt Plateau Trail (top right), an old unpaved road rising gently up the south side of Marshall Mesa, parallels Highway 93, running just to the east of the busy route. For much of its 1.6-mile length, supplementary single-track dirt track is popular with mountain bikers (just to the left of the main route on the photo). The trail drops toward down toward northern Marshall Mesa Trailhead, but to make a loop, you don't go all the way. We crossed Highway 93, and I understand that an underpass for recreationists is in the city's trail improvement plans.

On the west side of the highway, we followed the 4-mile Community Ditch Trail, enjoying the abundant wildflowers and hearing bird sounds. After the route joins the 3-mil Doudy Draw Trail, it bears, first climbing through through the valley and then switchbacking up to the elevation of Highway 93. Connectors shortened the combined total of the three trails to just under 7 miles.

We saw lots of early wildflowers, including such Front Range spring species as wild irises and sand lilies that are a welcome seasonal treat. Shrubs and trees were in bloom, and through the opening of Eldorado Canyon visible from a stretch of the Doudy Draw Trail ater we ascended toward the trailhead at the end of our route, we were able to see the distant snow-bedecked summit of one of the Arapaho Peaks (below right). I am not sure whether it was North or South Arapaho). We also saw colonies of tent catepillars (below left) along the northern section of the Greenbelt Tail, which means that the leaves might be munch and that moth season is coming.

Nordic Walking Cartoon

Watch the hand of a clever German cartoonist skewer Nordic Walking -- or rather, frogs.

Click on http://www.livevideo.com/video/cartoonage.de/A8CCE660C42A4AD393F0F3A37042AD8D/nordic-walking.aspx or copy that and paste it into your brower.

If that doesn't work, go to http://maureenchlorine.blogspot.com and search for Nordic Walking in the little box on the upper lefthand corner of the page. When you are redirected, you can click on the link. That's what I had to do.

MaureenChlorine is slow to load (or was for me), and the cartoon itself takes more than 4 minutes, but I thought it was worth my time. Hope you do too.

Exel Brand Sold to Nordic Ski Firm

Pioneering pole brand remains in Finnish hands

In a major Finnish business development, the Exel Group has sold what some reports call "its troubled outdoor sports division" to Karhu Sports, a major presence in cross-country skiing equipment. Exel makes poles for trekking, Nordic walking and blading, and for Alpine and Nordic skiing, so the fit is a good one. In fact, it made and marketed the original Nordic Walking pole and was key to growing the sport. The company hired Marko Kantaneva to develop and codify Nordic Walking technique in Europe -- and in fact, even introduced the name "Nordic Walking."

An Exel press release stated: "Karhu Sports, one of the leading Finnish sports equipment manufacturers, will take over the outdoor business, acquire the inventory and order backlog related to the outdoor business through an asset deal. Karhu Sports has a strategic interest in developing the business. The transaction also includes a long-term licensing agreement related to the use of the Exel brand together with other brands such as Nordic Walker and Nordic Blader for selected product groups."

It is not clear what, if anything, this will mean for Nordic Walking and Nordic Walkers on this side of the pond. Karhu USA once distributed Exel products in this country, but Alpina Sports has been doing so since the first of this year.

Exel's core business is light and corrosion-free carbon and fiberglass reinforced composites that are used not just for Nordic Walking and other sports poles but as masts and tubes in industrial applications. The sales price was not disclosed. A British trade magazine that covers the plastics and rubber industries reported that the sale "will see Exel write down €7m in its 2008 accounts, taking the business into the red for the year. It is a setback for the company, which was a pioneer in these fields." Even though the pole division was reportedly operating at a loss, Exel was hardly on the financial ropes, with 2007 sales of €113 million and a €4.2 million profit.

Nordic Walking Events in Switzerland

Big Swiss walking event slated for late August

A current thread on David Downer's British-based Nordic Walking eCommunity has a current thread started by one member who is trying to assemble a list of marathons and other distance footraces that permit or encourage use of poles. I've contributed those that I know about, which I've posted here since I began this blog. Bob Wright, who lives in Switzerland, posted, "Here in Switzerland we have events which include Walking /Nordic Walking practically every weekend." He recommended Datasport as a resource.

He also wrote that of the "events just for W/NW's the biggest of which is the Swiss Walking Event held in Solothurn this year on August 31 over distances from 6 Km. to Marathon" with more than 6,000 walking and Nordic Walking participants. His estimate was actually a bit short. According to the website, some 6,700 walkers participated in 2007 (down somewhat from the 7,335 in 2006) at distances ranging from 6 to 42 kilometers. Forty-two kilometers is the marathon distance. The website, in German and French, includes an online registration page (click on "Anmeldung" in German or "Inscription" in French).

Major Nordic Walking Events in central Germany

Two upcoming Nordic Walking events -- one soon, one in October

Nordic Walkers are major participants in the 36th annual Rennsteiglauf, one of the largest (if not the largest) cross-country running and walking events in central Europe -- cross-country meaning not in an urban setting. It attracts some 15,000 participants on course along the Rennsteig, an ancient path through the Thüringer Wald (Thuringian Forest) of east-central Germany.

Various distances from half-marathon down are included. The Thüringer Waldquell Nordic Walking Tour starts at 8:20 a.m in the Kurpark (spa park) at the „Haus des Gastes“ in the town of Oberhof with the finish 17 kilometers later in Schmiedefeld, with finishing-line festivities. There are many small ups and downs, with the course profile revealing a start at about 800 meteters and a high point of less than 1,000 meters. As a green bonus, a tree will be planted in toe Thuringen Forest for every Nordic Walker who starts the Rennsteiglauf.

I'm sorry that I didn't know about this earlier because it might already be too late to register online for this May 17 event, and for anyone in North America, it is probably too short notice anyway. However, if you are going to be in Europe, specifically in Germany, in fall, also consider the sixth annual Thüringer Nordic Walking Day on October 4, 2008. More recreational and without the mix of runners and and pole-less walkers, this dedicated day includes a 5K novice distance (entry fee, 5 €), a 10.8K circuit (8 €) and an advanced 18K course (8 €). Additionally, there is some kind of access fee (3 €) and optional fitness test (5 €) and pole rental (3 €).

If you like to plan ahead, Rennsteiglauf events with a Nordic Walking division are already set for 2009 and beyond. In fact, while most of the extremely comprehensive website, including transportation information and online registration, is in German, there is an English page that includes the dates through 2015. Additionally, you can request specific answers to specific questions that you might not be able to puzzle out on a contact page or send an E-mail directly to info@rennsteiglauf.de. Ask in English, and the reply will come in English.

Nordic Walking Added to Midwestern Foot Races

Walking with poles now permitted at three Midwestern events, including the Birkie Trail Run-Walk

The 36-year-old American Birkebeiner is the gold standard of citizens' cross-country ski races. Some 9,000 Nordies from 19 counhtries descend on Cable, WI, each February. The newer snow-free version called the Birkie Trail Run-Walk is held in September, and this year, Nordic Walking at the half-marathon distance is being added -- and I thank Ed Urbanski for alerting me to it.

It is called the Birkie Trek, and its debut on September 20 is both big news and good news for Nordic Walkers in the Midwest -- both seasoned competitors like Urbanski, who skied his first winter Birkebeiner in 1975, and new Nordic Walkers who want a goal to shoot for. There are also shorter walking distances wrapped into the Birkie Trail Run-Walk.

The Birkie site explains:

"The new 21K Birkie Trek is a non-competitive, untimed Nordic Walk with
poles modeled after European Volksmarches. Participants, age 16 and
over walk the trail over this half marathon distance. Food and beverages
will be available at the finish area. Also expect music and lots of door prizes.
Plan to be part of this fun event at a great time of the year at a fantastic
site.

"Several partners including Hoigaards, REI and the Berkeley Running Company will
be holding Nordic walking clinics and group walks this summer."

Hoigaard's Linda Lemke is leading Nordic Walking Tuesdays in the Twin Cities area. Ed is planning to offer Nordic Walking Clinics at REI in Brookfield, WI, where he works part-time. The Berkeley Running Co. in nearby Madison does not yet have a Nordic Walking event on their calendar, but they organize a number of running groups, so check if that is a convenient store for you.

Ed also alerted me to "Nordic Walkers Come Out Swinging," an on-line article in Silent Sports that bills itself as the "Upper Midwest's Aerobic Recreation Magazine."

And Rhea Kontos of the Twin Cities' Nordic Walk This Way alerted me to two shorter, earlier events in the Midwest that are now permitting Nordic Walking. She wrote, "I contacted the directors and they have given their blessing. NWers have to start in the rear of the pack is all. I've been telling all the NWers I've been training about them as well as other trainers, such as Linda Lemke and the trainers at the SweatShop in St Paul, MN." Those are the 5K Get In Gear on June 7 in Bloomington, MN, and the Heart of Summer 5K and 10K in Richfield/Minneapolis on July 26. event.

It's good to have scouts in the Midwest giving me the heads-up. So thanks, Ed and Rhea.

Department of Misformation, IX

Retired running coach's useful walking tips unfortunately blurthe line between kinds of poles, misstate NW pole length

The South Bend Tribune ran walking tips from Ron Gunn, retired running coach at Southwestern Michigan College. About Nordic Walking, reporter Joseph Dits said that the coach counsels, "You can try walking with walking poles, or trekking poles as they’re sometimes called. They look like cross-country ski poles, except they hit the ground with flat, rubbery tips that are supported by a small spring action. These are good for supporting weak knees or ankles by stabilizing the body, Gunn says."

The report continued, "They’re also good for burning extra calories because the arms work more. The poles should come up to your armpits. Alternate planting each one as the opposite foot steps forward. They sell for $40 to $200 per pair at local sporting goods stores.

"By the way, a new sport has evolved out of this called “Nordic walking” or “ski walking,” and you can find out much about it on the Internet. Some health clubs even loan out the walking poles to folks walking a track. Colorado writer Claire Walter has the blog http://nordic-walking-usa.blogspot.com/, with many links, or you can try http://skiwalking.com/."

Other than erroneously erasing the line between walking and trekking poles and the part about the poles coming up "to your armpits," it's nice that Nordic Walking is getting recognition, even from a running coach. And of course, I love the citation of this blog.