Thanks for showing up and making our first Nordic Walking Iowa Club Group Walk a big success.

Happy Nordic Walking Trails …

Rhett

Community Nordic Walks
There is a strong desire on the part of many participants to organize group Nordic Walks and I have a couple scheduled for November and December thinking Brown’s Woods (The largest urban forest preserve in Iowa, covering 484 acres of woodland – including rolling hills and small streams – and offers more than two miles of moderate hiking and cross country ski trails) and Raccoon River Park as possibilities.

Des Moines, Iowa, Nordic Walking Clinics
The next Free Nordic Walking Clinics in Des Moines, Iowa are Saturday Nov 21st or Dec 5th from 8:30AM to 10:30AM. All equipment will be provided. See the Nordic Walking Iowa Website for more information.

Happy Nordic Walking Trails …
Rhett

Prevention Magazine’s WalkIt! program named the IMT Des Moines Marathon one of the most walker-friendly marathons in 2007 and 2008 and now at the request of Nordic Walking Iowa the Des Moines Marathon has agreed to allow Nordic Walking poles to be used in their Marathon and Half Marathon events this year. This also applies to the 5K race as well.

Iowa’s largest and fastest marathon offers a premier event that will validate YOUR commitment to training, challenge YOUR endurance and reward YOU with a life changing experience.

Chris Burch, Director of Racing and Events for the Des Moines Marathon and Rhett Hatfield from Nordic Walking Iowa will be putting their heads together to create a separate Nordic Walking division for the Marathon and Half Marathon for 2010 with the intention of attracting as many Nordic Walkers as possible from the local and surrounding areas.  Nordic Walking Iowa will be the official sponsor for the event in 2010.  We hope to see you in 2010 and possibly yet this year for the October 18th 2009 Marathon and Half Marathon.

For more information go to the 2009 Des Moines Marathon home page.

Happy Nordic Walking Trails …
Rhett

Nordic Walking Iowa
Classes, Equipment, Nordic Walking Club
Rhett Hatfield, Owner, Director
515-554-5177
http://www.nordicwalkingiowa.com

Nordic Walking, the new trend sport from Finland. In the holiday region Lake Klopein – South Carinthia the First Nordic Walking World Championships takes place from September 11th – 13th 2009. There will be 2 competitions: “Cross Country” and “Nordic Hill Walking”.

The “Cross Country Competition” takes place on mainly flat ground profile the “Nordic Hill Walking
Competition” is a rather challenging competition on mountain trails.

Link to the article and site

Nordic Walking Iowa
Classes, Equipment, Nordic Walking Club
Rhett Hatfield, Owner, Director
515-554-5177
http://www.nordicwalkingiowa.com

We covered all the benefits and other discussion topics about Nordic Walking in their cozy interior which was great because it was a wee bit nippy outside since their coffee shop is located practically on the banks of the Mississippi river and a bit north from Des Moines.

Later we went outside for the step-by-step hands on instruction on asphalt, grassy areas and small hills right next to the coffee shop.  There were a few quizzical looks from passers-by and comments passed between locals when seeing our gang of Nordic Walkers apparently searching for snow before the season has quite arrived … :)  After about 1 ½ hours of instruction and fine tuning, we walked down to a beautiful strip of park over looking the river where each person was able to test drive their newly acquired Nordic Walking techniques.

Afterward, almost everyone purchased poles and there was talk of forming a Nordic Walking group in McGregor to keep each other motivated and have fun on the miles and miles of trails that are available within few miles like the amazing Pikes Peak and the Effigy Mounds trails. Everyone was so enthusiastic about Nordic Walking that they are having Nordic Walking Iowa back up for a second round on Sept 12th so they can get all their friends and family turned on to the benefits and fun of Nordic Walking as well. The next clinic is bound to be a lot bigger as the word spreads in the McGregor area. In fact I just received an email this morning from Deb Moon saying “Thank you for taking time to introduce us to Nordic Pole Walking this morning (Sat. Aug 22).” “I felt brave this afternoon and went up to Effigy Mounds and trekked for 1 1/2 hours” “Even though it was a good workout, I didn’t feel exhausted and worn out.” “As I passed a lot of people on the trails, they were commenting about my poles and wished they had a pair!!”

Thanks Deb, sounds like more Nordic Walking converts coming right up!!  I have to say that I can’t wait to get back up to McGregor to reconnect with the new Nordic Walkers up there and their friends and family on the 12th.

Until then …

Happy Nordic Walking Trails … Rhett

Nordic Walking Iowa
Classes, Equipment, Nordic Walking Club
Rhett Hatfield, Owner, Director
515-554-5177
http://www.nordicwalkingiowa.com

This morning the sun was just coming up as I set out on my daily Nordic Pole Walking adventure.  The sunrise was spectacular and after walking for awhile I started to notice that lately I have grown so technical and focused on specific goals and results in my Nordic Walking that I have gotten a bit away from why I started running, fitness walking or Nordic walking in the first place … the pure joy of moving my body while being in full contact with my environment and the nature surrounding me. I noticed that I have not been smiling as much when I walk and mused that maybe I should be passing the “smile test” in addition to the well known “talk test” (to check for over exertion).

Passing the “Smile Test” for me means I have a big broad smile on my face that reflects the fact that I am totally enjoying myself in the moment rather then drifting off thinking of something else or somewhere else or even what I might be writing in this Blog later on. When I catch myself getting too technical or scientific about my walking or my mind is drifting off into thinking, I’ll sometimes notice that I’m not smiling or truly having fun with my walking.

That’s when I like to do a little exercise I call “Tuning the Senses.”

I’ll start with the sense of sight for example and for a 100 yards or so just notice everything I can “see” … especially seeing without labeling and naming. Then I’ll switch to my hearing sense taking in all the sounds around me like the birds, the sound of my poles contacting the ground, the wind or even my breathing. When tuning into my kinesthetic or feeling sense I’ll notice my body and how the walking feels as well as the feeling of the wind or warmth of the sun on my skin. Before long I’m really smiling and enjoying and feeling connected to everything around me and it will dawn on me all over again …. “yes, that’s” why I do this!!! The amazing thing is that this dialed-into-life connection tends to stay with me throughout my day along with the physical after-glow from the workout itself. Now that’s my kind of Nordic Walking …!!!

Happy Nordic Walking Trails .. Rhett

At this point we have 50% of our Team Members at Body Wisdom (Staff and Teaching staff) and several of our students Nordic Walking. One of my goals as Co-owner and Director of Education at Body Wisdom Massage School is to educate our students in integrating positive, healthy, lifestyle changes that will support them in both their personal and professional lives. It is my belief (call me crazy if you will) that as teachers and practitioners we should be shining examples of what we preach and teach!!! I recently put out a Tweet on Twitter that was very well accepted that went like this “Teaching Tip for the Day: If you don’t live it and breathe it …. Don’t teach it” [Easier on everybody].

Some of the comments from only a 2 hour Nordic Walking experience were quite dramatic. Participants were already noticing the positive effects of improved body posture (neck and shoulder pain disappearing and improved posture while sitting and standing) and of course the ease of walking with the poles since many had knee, foot and hip conditions that they had acquired over the years.

During this training we also officially launched the Nordic Walking Iowa Club with 12 new members signed up and we have started planning our first Nordic Fun Walks together. Things are happening in Iowa with Nordic Walking!! We have 4 Free Nordic Walking Clinics coming up in the next few weeks. Check the calendar section of the Nordic Walking Iowa website.

Happy Nordic Walking Trails,

Rhett

Nordic Walking Iowa
Classes, Equipment, Nordic Walking Club
Rhett Hatfield, Owner, Director
515-554-5177
http://www.nordicwalkingiowa.com

The Lakeside Trail at Lakeview Recreation Area
This morning I set out to experience the Lakeside Trail on the south shore of Saylorville Lake about 7 minutes from my home. The trail head is the Lakeview Boat Ramp where there is a large parking area, some facilities and a little picnic area up above. From the car parking lot by the boat ramp walk West until you get on the beach by the shore. From there you have miles of shoreline with no access so other than the occasional hiker (there were none on this Friday morning) you will have the entire shoreline to yourself. The area along the shore is pretty level (unlike Jester which is on quite a slant) so the walking is relaxing without many obstacles to contend with. I have canoed along the shore previously but never on foot and in the early morning air it was an absolute delight and the lake was glassy as the sun rose over the horizon.

About a mile up the deserted beach I was getting a little hot and sweaty with the August humidity so I stopped by a convenient log at the shore, took off my gear and had a swim while the Blue Herons skimmed along the surface of the water looking for some breakfast.

Down the shore quite a bit further there is one of many inlets that go in to the left. The biggest one has a pile of rocks to mark the spot near the shore at the entrance. I walked back quite a ways and I really had the feeling of being in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Lots of animal tracks, birds and other wildlife but most of all a sweet silence. I didn’t have the feeling that you are near civilization whatsoever. Very peaceful! After wards I made the return trip back to the trail head at a much faster pace to get my cardio going.

I highly recommend this walk especially in the early morning. If you are there about sunrise you’ll likely see me there as well since I love to mix exercise and staying in top shape with the beauty of nature. Who wouldn’t?

The way to get to the trail is to go up Merle Hay Road just past 78th and you will see the entrance on the right.

Happy Nordic Trails.

Rhett

This morning I drove out to Jester Park about 15 minutes from my house and got there just in time to see the sunrise about 6:30am. I wanted to try Nordic Walking the lakeside trail and mix a little natural beauty in with my exercise and I wasn’t disappointed. There was not a breath of air and the lake was calm and glassy. Seagulls and blue herons were going about their daily routines and fish jumped near shore breaking the waters surface with a loud splash.

The Lakeside Trail starts out from the first boat ramp on the right just as you get into the park. I parked at the top and walked down the rocky path that leads to the waters edge. The path is on a downhill slant the entire and is made up of shale and other rocks mixed in with either hard packed soil or in some places some pretty soft sand or mud. My Nordic Walking poles did fine in all conditions and were particularly helpful in stabilizing while walking on a slant the entire way. I suggest that if you decide to take this path that you not go during or after any heavy rain since the path can be pretty boggy and muddy in places. Although it was slower going for me than normal (18 minute mile instead of my normal 15 minute mile) my heart rate stayed solidly in the fat burning zone of 65-75% of max heart beat so the workout itself was great.

I recommend this trail to anyone who loves the water but be sure to bring along some old hiking shoes to walk in as you may get a bit muddy as I did.

Happy Trails,
Rhett

When determining the right length you should use for Nordic Pole Walking there are a few varying schools of thought in the world of Nordic Walking. There are those who recommend a 100º arm bend in your arms when holding the poles by the grips and there are others who maintain that 90º is best. Still others say that beginners should use adjustable poles set at 95-100º and then move them up to 90 when you become more experienced. I will leave the fixed length or adjustable pole controversy to another discussion but let it be said I am a staunch fixed length pole advocate.

This morning I set out to test out both theories on the road where it counts. As a pole distributor I am fortunate to have a variety of fixed length poles of different types lying about and I choose two different lengths of excel poles for my road test. Since I usually use 125cm poles which put me at 90º I decided to use some 120’s instead which put my arms at about a 95-100º angle.

Road Test #1 120cm Nordic Poles
Since I have been using the longer 125’s for a long time the 120’s felt like “where’s the rest of the pole” however this went away after a few 100 yards. Right away it became obvious that the pendulum swing of my arm was a little lower than before which resulted in a little shorter stride length. With a lower arm swing the power phase of the pole as I traveled forward became a little shorter and the follow though became a little longer past the hip which is a typical Nordic style especially practiced by ANWA. Over a 3 mile stretch I figure I took a few more steps than normal but my speed turned out be about the same at a 15.33 minute mile which is considered to be in the performance category which is how I walk. Later walking at a slower pace I found the shorter poles to be a bit easier to maneuver on turns and for an easy going walking style.

Road Test #2 125cm Nordic Poles
On reintroducing the 125’s I noticed right away that I certainly had more power since my arm swing started from a higher point and therefore would be that much longer before reaching the side of the hip beyond which the power is significantly less due to the bio mechanics of the body. I had a bit of a stitch in my left hip flexor which immediately went away when using the longer poles and I credit this to the added power available when using poles at a 90º arm bend instead of 5-10º lower. I certainly much prefer the longer poles for performance walking but noticed that at slower speeds the shorter poles where more comfortable to use.

Working conclusion is that if I only had one set of poles and didn’t want adjustable poles (which I don’t for lots of reasons) then I would most likely choose poles that would place my arm bend at 95º, the best of both worlds.

Next will be testing out the 120’s and the 125’s up and down hills, skipping, jogging and also running, results to be published here!

Happy Nordic Trails

Rhett

Nordic Walking Iowa
Classes, Equipment, Nordic Walking Club
Rhett Hatfield, Owner, Director
515-554-5177
http://www.nordicwalkingiowa.com