In recognition of National Police Appreciation Week and to show dedication to fallen officers, walkers and athletes are invited to participate in the: Officer Jeff Yaslowitz 10K Race / Walk, Sergeant Tom Baitinger 5K Race / Walk and the Officer Dave Crawford 1 Mile Walk to Remember on Sunday, May 15, 2011 @ 7:00 AM at N. Straub Park on the Downtown Waterfront, Bayshore Drive in St. Pete's.
For details and registrations, please click HERE

Want to make new friends, see new venues in St. Petersburg, FL and also stay in shape? Then contact the St. Petersburg Urban Walkers Meetup Group and get started.

For more information how to find the group, what they offer and how to join, then click HERE.

Pole Walking Polk Co., is recruiting healthy and social walkers to morph into Nordic pole walkers and join them in local non-competetive community walking events. The Instructor states 4 of her reasons:

 1. Desiring the company of other like-minded health/recreation individuals in non-competitive charitable walks like 3K, 5K   and 10K’s as well as supporting the community through these endeavors.
2. To promote Nordic Pole Walking in Polk County for the health, fitness and rehabilitative benefits as it enhances the          walking experience and maximizes the workout of the participants.
3. To nourish the development of an active Nordic walking team of individuals enthusiastic for the sport.
4. To network neighboring Nordic walkers so everyone has someone to pole with (if desired) and to meet new people.

She lists 7 great offerings & perks to anyone who wishes to volunteer their time towards her endeavor but here are the top 2:
1. Free Nordic Walking Instruction – learn this fun, easy total-body, muscle-toning, calorie-burning outdoor physical activity from an Instructor of 6 yrs who has taught hundreds of individuals of varying ages, conditioning and health conditions. 
2. Free use of training poles during Instruction, 

In addition to the above mentioned benefits, there is also the possibility and likely benefit of improving your own fitness conditioning and health while enjoying the poling activities as well as making new friends and walking buddies.

The Instructor does have some requirements of the participants which she will provide to serious inquirers, however 2 of the requirements are:
1. A commitment of 3 hours of your time to learn the Beginner Basic Techniques
2. A commitment to participate in a minimum of 3 community walks (within 20 miles of Lakeland) in the year 2011, the first one being within 6 weeks of the instructional sessions 

Instructor Lori clinch states she is willing to offer team training and the perks in other localities such as St. Pete's but would need a group of 8-10 individuals at one time for a 3 hour instructional workshop rather than 3 x 1 hr lessons, due to the distance to be traveled. 

To express interest or ask for more information contact Lori Clinch at Phone: (863) 268-4404   
 Email: polewalkingpolkco@gmail.com

SOURCE

It is time once again for the Polk Senior Games,February 26 - March 13. The games provide an excellent opportunity for the community to applaud and honor those senior athletes for their skills and dedication to their training and modeling a healthy, active lifestyle in the golden years and possibly, the inspiration to also put into action their own healthy-living, active-lifestyle 2011 plan. 

The games provide fun and friendly competition for men and women ages 50 and older and there are over 35 categories providing activities for all skill and fitness abilities and levels.

Costs: All spectator events are FREE to the public as well as is the Health Fair and closing celebrations on Sunday, March 13 at 1pm [be sure to remember daylight savings time change]. There will be door prizes, goody bags, pictures, entertainment and special awards. Bring your family and friends and remember to congratulate the participants and winners.

For event categories and schedule and locations of events, continue reading here



Continue reading on Examiner.com: Polk Senior Games 2011: Celebrating 19 years [Feb 26-March 13] - St. Petersburg Walking Fitness | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/walking-fitness-in-st-petersburg/polk-county-senior-games-2011-02-26-03-13-celebrating-19-years#ixzz1EtJRCBsl

For many Americans, it is the pronouncement by their Physician stating: ‘You need to start exercising everyday’, that their walking regimen is initiated. While initially that daily ‘putting on the walking shoes and going out the door’ is an obligatory mandate because they have little to no choice if they wish to live independently or avoid major illness and debilitation or even more seriously: premature death, there is good news for them!

What is this good news?

Continue reading on Examiner.com: Three great incentives to begin walking those first steps - St. Petersburg Walking Fitness | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/walking-fitness-in-st-petersburg/three-great-incentives-to-begin-walking-those-first-steps#ixzz1EtH1Enz7

“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.”

Trail  Walking

Beach Walking

Urban Walking

Exciting News: I am officially a free-lance examiner.com writer. Here is the official webpage of my soon-to-be articles on Examiner.com. Please visit and read, follow, like, add your comments. Having followers & subscribers validate my expertise in my topic & that people are benefiting from the information. You too can be an Examiner writer! Ask me more! 

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Share with me your favorite walking locations in Polk County, FL and St. Petersburg.
Invite me to join your group and tell others about you. 
Invite me for a Nordic Pole Walking Taster Session and bump up your walking exercising to a total-body walking workout!


Let's get walking!
Article is also posted here

I was privileged to be permitted by the Polk Co. Parks & Rec Dept to showcase Nordic Walking at their Community Day & Health Expo. It was the first time I've showcased in Florida!!

If there is any site to visit to know what is going on in the USA Nordic Walking World, it is Nordic Walking USA by Claire Walter. Claire is a very accomplished author and award-winning sports writer. She has honored me several times by sharing with her readers about my Nordic Walking endeavors both in Idaho & Oregon and now here in Polk County, FL. 

The title of this blog post is actually the Title of Claire's January 8 blog post mentioning this site. To read that post and others, please begin by clicking HERE.

You may purchase Claire's book by clicking on its title:
Nordic Walking: The Complete Guide to Health, Fitness, and Fun