ANWA Clinics Coming Up in Los Angeles

Certification clinics and workshops scheduled for early December

The American Nordic Walking Association has scheduled what it calls "the premiere Nordic Walking certification event of 2008," scheduled for December 5-7 in Los Angeles. A 20 percent discount is offered to ANWA members who sign up by November 6. Register online for any of these programs.

Qualified ANWA instructors will be able to achieve a Professional Instructor Level with an intensive three-day training program conducted by two ANWA Master Coaches, Gottfried Kürmer and Bendt Zimmerman -- and "additional specialized trainers," according to ANWA. The Professional Certification program is open only to previously certified ANWA Instructors who are also current ANWA members. During this three-day period, ANWA's 2008 Basic and Advanced Certification Seminars will also be offered, and Nordic Walking Guides training for those who would like to lead groups but not reach is on the docket as well.

Schedule and Cost (click on each session for details on what is included and what you need to bring):

• Professional Instructor Certification Seminar - Friday, Decemver 5, 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. + Saturday, December 6, 9:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. +Sunday, Deccemmber 7, 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.


• Nordic Walking Guides Workshop - Saturday, December 6, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.; $149.


• Basic Certification Seminar - also Saturday, December 6, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.; $335 for non-ANWA members; $284 for ANWA members registering after November 6; $236 ANWA members registering before November 6


• Advanced Certification Seminar - Saturday, December 6, 2:00-6:00 p.m. + Sunday, December 7, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.; $450 for non-members; $360 for ANWA memvers registering after November 6; $288 ANWA members registring before November 6

Location:

Pharmaca, 15150 West Sunset Bouevard, Pacific Palisades, California 90272. Meet at the rear entrance of the store.

ANWA Clinics Coming Up in Los Angeles

Book Launch Contest Offers Poles as Prize

Prizes are being offered as part of the promotion for Dr. Christiane Northrup's new book, The Secret Pleasures of Menopause include quality Nordic Walking poles. Ten pairs of Exel carbon-fiber Urban Skier Nordic Walking Poles ($129.95 per pair retail value) provided by the American Ski Walking System are part of the prize package. To be eligible for the prizes and gifts, which also include books from Hay House, the publisher, and a lifetime membership in Dr. Northtrup's Women's Widsom Circle, in this book launch contest, it appears that is necessary to order a copy of the $17.95 book -- so in this case, "no purchase necessary" does not seem to apply.

Book Launch Contest Offers Poles as Prize

Locals Use Poles for Pre-Ski Workout

Poles used in Boulder cross-country ski training group

The centerfold "Fit!" section of today's Daily Camera contains a feature called "Winter Workout: Training Beforehand Makes the Ski Season Better." There are suggestions for staying injury-free, training tips and explanations on why skiers should train for cardio endurance, strength, power, flexibility and balance. Nordic Walking can help in all of these areas for both Alpine and Nordic skiing. In fact, the accompanying photos of a cross-country ski training group led by Nathan Schultz of Boulder Nordic Sport, show a number of participants using poles while running up a wide section of the Mesa Trail.

Most participants seem to be using cross-country ski poles, but the camera caught some in action using what might be Nordic Walking/hill bounding technique. It's hard to tell. Oddly, writer Holly Richrath didn't even mention use of poles, which leads me to believe that she didn't go to watch (or participate in) the class and/or that no editor made an effort to match up her words and photographer Marty Calvano's images. Or perhaps the Camera just thinks that since a picture is supposedly worth a thousand words, the three photos on the spread showing ski conditioning using poles equaled three thousand words, so no one had to bother writing about them.

The Boulder Nordic Sport website includes a training group calendar with dryland sessions continuing through mid-November. The shop is located at 1717 15th Street, Boulder, CO 80302; 720-227-9400 or 877-BNS-SKIS (267-7547).

Locals Use Poles for Pre-Ski Workout

Nordic Walking Groups in Upstate New York

Instructor/leader runs classes and also launches regional Nordic Walking blog

Adirondack Nordic Walking has taken root in upstate New York, with classes, group walks and a website and blog of regional interest. Jeanne Boutelle is behind all these efforts. She is teaching the classes, leading the walks and maintaining the blog about Nordic Walking in upstate New York and neighboring New England. In addition to useful info, she has posted wonderful evocative images of walking routes in the Northeast with its riot of fall foliage. For a video showing her Nordic Walking at Hovey Pond, click here.

Her upcoming classes ($45 without poles, $50 including use of poles; pay in advance) and group walks include:

• Class, Saturday, October 25, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Group Walk, Wednesday, October 29, 5:15 p.m.
• Class, Saturday, November 1, 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Class, Saturday, November 8, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Class, Saturday, November 15, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Class, Saturday, November 22, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Things I don't know (but perhaps Jeanne will explain in a comment): Whether there is a fee for the group walk. Whether rental poles are available to use during the group walk. Why the November 1 class is listed as being one half-hour shorter than the other four (perhaps this was just a typo).

For more information or to register, contact Jeanne at 518-480-5583 or nw@tazzmarketing.com.

Note: If this program is of interest to you, be sure to reach Jeanne's comment below, which answers some of my questions.

Nordic Walking Groups in Upstate New York

Dryland Training for Cross-Country Ski Racers

With winter coming up, Idaho cross-country ski racers can step up their training

Nordic Walking's European roots each back to Finnish cross-country ski racers' off-season training. Skiers can sign up for two free training sessions with Colin Rodgers and Nicole DeYong, elite members of Team Fischer Craft, on November 1 in Boise, Idaho.

The two-hour morning session, which meets at 9:00 a.m. at the Lucky 13 parking lot (Warm Springs and Eckert Road), features rollerskiing training (helmet required). The afternoon session, also two hours beginning at 3:00 p.m., includes the foot training with poles. Rodgers and DeYong will coach techniques of hill bounding, ski-walking and ski walking intervals. The session takes place at Fort Boise Park, meeting at the Mountain Cove Parking lot. The catch is that the sessions are open only to Idaho Nordic members. To join, bring $40and a completed Idaho Nordic membership form, which is downloadable from the Idaho Nordic website.

Dryland Training for Cross-Country Ski Racers

Fitness Cruise for Women

Four fitness instructors at sea for five days to jumpstart women's shape-up

While there doesn't seem to be a specific Nordic Walking component to Femme FITall's next Ladies' Fitness Cruise coming up this winter, there could and probably should be, but that's no reason for any women seeking to get fitter or get fitter to ignore this congenial program. One group is supposed to be cruising the western Caribbean right now, and next fitness cruise aboard Carnival Cruise Line's newly renovated "Fascination" is scheduled to depart Jacksonville, Florida, and head to the Bahamas from February 26 to March 2, 2009, with stops both in Freeport and Nassau.

The cruise is an effort to offer women an affordable opportunity to get together, get away and get fit. Four fitness instructor will be leading various programs during Femme FITall's five-day, four-night winter cruise. Instructors are Toni Gilroy, Julie Groves, Renee Nelson and Carol Teteak. Yoga, Pilates, strength training and kickboxing are part of the programconducted by insructors from Edwards Health and Fitness Centers located in Illinois. Kate Lichter, president of Femme FITall, has organized the cruise.

Packages start at $879 per person for an inside cabin and $929 for an ocean-view cabin, including airfare from Chicago's O'Hare International airport to Jacksonville International Airport, airport transfers, all meals on the ship (drinks additional), instructors' classes, all taxes and fees, and a gift bag with a water bottle and logo t-shirt. Prices without airfare or including airfare from other cities are available upon request. Visit Femme FITall's website
or call 630-420-7607.

Fitness Cruise for Women

Pink Pole 4LIFE Events Promote Breast Cancer Awareness

Walking with poles part of October Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Ontario


I know that we're now closer to the end of October than to the beginning, but in "unhiatus-ing" this blog now that I am wired again, I'd like to make special note of the Pink Pole 4LIFE events that Urban Poling has scheduled in Ontario for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Free one-hour classes presented by Urban Poling Ambassadors continue through the end of the month. Click here for a schedule and photographs -- as well as contact phone numbers for Ambassadors in Toronto, Mississauga, Ajax, Barrie, Kanata, Kingston, Ottawa, Waterloo, Owen Sound and Brockville. For general information about Urban Poling, call 877-499-7999. I apologize for not posting information on these events at the beginning of the month.

Pink Pole 4LIFE Events Promote Breast Cancer Awareness

Short Hiatus for this Blog -- Probably

I am in Texas in Big Bend Country, locking up my laptop and heading for a Rio Grande afte trip. I'm taking poles for side canyon hikes, but won't be Nordic Walking. It will be a few days before I ge to post again, so I will quote from blogger reb13 in Great Britain, who posted about how Nordic Walking t0 help his injured and aching back. He simply called his post"My Bad Back":

"After moving a heavy machine from the back of the company car I damaged my
back. It doesn’t seem to be too serious, but it’s taking a while to fix. This
has been driving me crazy, as sitting is painful, twisting is painful, carrying
even light loads is painful…. brilliant. I’ve got pain killers which help - and
the Doc’s advice is a mix of rest and gentle exercise (yay for painkillers!).
Sleeping is a nightmare, as I can’t get comfortable, and if I roll in the night
I end up waking up.
Gah!!!!

Even worse is I can’t carry on my running programme or even shoot - I’ve
already missed a shooting competition. Luckily I stumbled on some information
about Nordic Walking. This is like cross country skiing, but without the skis or
snow….

"It keeps the body in a more stable position whilst walking, and burns
around 30% more calories than normal walking. With the new trainers that correct
my foot fall and the Nordic Poles, I have found I can take a reasonable walk
without causing any more back pain - which actually helps keep me active and
helps with my back recovery!"

Once again, someone discovers Nordic Walking as beneficial for health, fitness,weight loss or, as in this case, pain relief.

Short Hiatus for this Blog -- Probably

Distance Walkers Can Take Tips for Marathon Running

Runner's advice to other runners useful for Nordic Walkers too

Steve Regenold, an authoritative writer about outdoor gear and a veteran of eight marathons, posted an article called "Marathon Running: 12 Unorthodox Tips" on "The Gear Junkie." Many translate directly for long-distance walking competitions too. Since running and walking are both footraces, many of his experiences and tips apply to distance events for Nordic Walkers.

Examples? "I wear shoes about one size too large when I run. You can lace them tight enough to always feel like they fit fine. But the larger size allows your toes ample room to spread out and breathe. Your feet will swell after many miles on the run, so the extra room is needed." Or "Beyond lube for my feet [which was also one of his tips] , I always slather some kind of lubricant under my arms and in my shorts. These natural hot spots, where arms swish repeatedly for hours and legs rub together, are potential places of pain. Avoid a bad rub by coating your skin with a thick layer of lube."

Distance Walkers Can Take Tips for Marathon Running

The Name Game

Nordic Walking. Exerstriding. SkiWalking. Pole walking. Ski walking. Nordic Pole Walking. Urban poling. Balance Walking. Have I forgotten anything -- or have I capitalized something that should be lower-case or vice versa? According to an article called "How Very European of You!" in Canada's National Post, "Stride" is what "the insiders are now starting to call it." I don't get it. We can stride with or without poles, so why muddy the waters still more? The article was illustrated with a photo of two women walking with poles along Vancouver's scenic Spanish Bank.

The Name Game

The Wayfarers Announce 2009 Walking Tours

Long-time operator offers escorted walks in 17 countries

No question about it: Walking tours are catching up with vacationers who prefer to see the world one step at a time. They provide Nordic Walkers an opportunity to travel with like-minded individuals but with the support of a tour operator to make travel, lodging and dining arrangements, as well as a tour leader to smooth the way. In its 26th season, The Wayfarers' offer 83 Walks in 17 countries, including eight new itineraries in locations as diverse as Alaska and India. The programs, which are all-inclusive and guaranteed in U.S. dollars, aren't cheap (starting at US$2,595 per person, and ranging from five to 13 nights with varying levels of difficulty) but they are a fine way for active singles, twosomes or groups of Nordic Walking friends to travel. There are several women-only itineraries this year.

The Wayfarers prides itself on providing eco-aware “walking” holidays that offer of culture, fitness and adventure. Women-only Walks include time for shopping, visiting museums, luxuriating in spa treatments, and more. The Wayfarers also says it offers "exclusive entrées into homes and gardens otherwise closed to the public, graceful accommodations, outstanding cuisine, and meetings with local residents." Walking programs range from five to 12 days and are rated easy to challenging, with respective daily distances of four to five miles, six to 10 miles or 12 to 15 miles per day. Experienced Nordic Walkers can handle the more challenging programs, but the milder ones are perfect as well as motivational for new Nordic Walkers.

The Wayfarers say they provide "passion, in-depth knowledge and a commitment to supporting and embracing the destinations in which it plans Walks are at work in each itinerary. Expertly designed by a team of professionals deeply committed to walkers’ enjoyment every step of the way, a Wayfarers Walk is in harmony with the environment. Foot power is supplemented by a variety of local transportation, ranging from steam trains to cable cars, from coastal launches to gondolas; and a support vehicle provides shuttle service and rest when needed, also taking the burden of bags and supplies. The Wayfarers guests stay in charming locally owned inns and hotels with first-class facilities and service and dine in restaurants serving locally grown food." And who can argue with more than a quarter of a century of success?

Contact The Wayfarers at 800-249-4620.

The Wayfarers Announce 2009 Walking Tours

A Quick Look at the 2008 Portland Marathon

The 2008 Portland Marathon, named as the country's most walker-friendly and Nordic Walking-friendly marathon, took place on Sunday, October 5 in rainy weather. Nordic Walking distances were full marathon, 10K and 5K. Nordic Walking rules were revised for '08, and Fittrek, the original Nordic Walking sponsor, which also devised the earlier rules for pole walkers, was not involved this year.

The results are available online, and it is possible to search them by competitors' name and other criteria, but not for Nordic Walking alone. I don't know how many Nordic Walkers there were, and how they fare. Nordic Walking fans cyber-cheered Crystal Peterson and reported that she finished in 6:26:01, which over 26.2 miles equals a pace of 14:44 minutes per mile. She posted an interesting extensive report of her experience on the Nordic Walking eCommunity. Click here to read it.

The 2009 Portland Marathon will be held on October 4, and it is possible to register online now.

A Quick Look at the 2008 Portland Marathon

Special Introductory Offer from New Pole Line

Grand opening discount for new-on-the-market Boomyah poles

Just a few days ago, I posted an item about Boomyah poles that are now in stock and ready for shipment. The basic model of their user-friendly Tone ‘n Trek Poles normally retails for $89.95, but through October 31, the poles and Boomyah accessories are available for 15 percent off during the "Friends of Boomyah" grand opening promotion. This Nordic Walking USA is a "friend of Boomyah," and therefore, so is anyone who reads this blog.

Whether ordering from the website or by calling 800-640-6966, use coupon code FOBTHXGO to get the discount. Boomyah also offer discounts for volume orders.

And in case you are wondering (as some people surely are): No, I don't get a commission from Boomyah for referrals from this blog. I am not being paid by Boomyah. I do not have any other financial arrangment with Boomyah.

Special Introductory Offer from New Pole Line

Nordic Walking USA Logged 25,000th Visitor

At 10:02.47 p.m. this evening, someone from Pomona, CA, became the 25,000th visitor to this blog since I launched it on November 10, 2006. Thank you all. Keep on visiting. Keeping commenting. And keep on Nordic Walking.

Nordic Walking USA Logged 25,000th Visitor

Simple Idea to Get People Walking

Ever-alert Rhea Kontos of Nordic Walk This Way recently sent me links to several Nordic Walking resources. One of the most intriguing is a six-week walking program called Simple Steps in Dakota County, part of the health and wellness initiative in that Minnesota County, that began last summer.

The concept is simple and straightforward:

• The goal of the program is to increase the number of people who walk regularly.


• The program is free and is easy to participate in - all you need to register and find a comfortable pair of shoes and at least one friend to support you. (If Nordic Walking had been part of the program, poles would have been needed too.)


• Simple Steps participants can win some great prizes by walking regularly with their group.


• Everyone earns a reward by simply logging minutes walked for the first six weeks after registering.

Each participant earned a Simple Steps armband carrier by simply logging minutes walked for the first six weeks after registering. By logging walking minutes, participants were also eligible
for prize drawings. Individuals tracked their walks on a weekly basis, while group walks tracked theirs by the month.

The main page of Simple Steps linked to another page with tips for walking, resources, maps, information on relevant local events and more. It takes some organization and prize solicitation, but it is a simple way to get people moving -- and plugging poles into the equation wouldn't be difficult at all.

Simple Idea to Get People Walking