Great White Workout

Welcome to the WOTW blog, thanks for stopping by!

This week Sonya and I try something brand new - or at least, brand new to us. It's an outdoor workout that will really get your heart pumping. "I want people to enjoy it the same way i came into it, which is just put some shoes on and go have fun!" That's what Steve Cannon says about snow shoeing. He's the man behind what's fast becoming a snow shoe movement in the metro. Because of it, people are embracing the snow and cold instead of complaining about it, and they're getting fit at the same time!

Every Tuesday this group of fun-loving, hearty folks trades in street shoes for snow shoes outside Mullets, across the river from Principal Park. Some walk, some run, some sprint ... we just try to stay upright. "OK, if you start to fall - just lie down!" Steve shouts as we take off on our first lap. "Oh geesh," I say, "that's your advice?!?" Thankfully - neither one of us needs to hit the ground and Steve explains the draw of snow shoeing. "In the winter running on street is not a lot of fun because of ice and stuff. I enjoy trail running and so snow shoeing became natural thing to give a try."

We soon discover that this is an incredible workout. Within minutes we've stopped whining about the cold - amazed at the way we're sweating. We are using all of the big muscle groups in our bodies and our hearts are pounding. Steve guesses that thirty minutes of snow shoeing at a brisk pace probably equals a one hour run. We are in awe of some of the regulars flying past us, but everyone involved insists that this really is for everyone - young, old, athletes, couch potatoes - you name it. You just need an adventurous spirit and a willingness to embrace Mother Nature.

If you want to watch snow shoeing - or try it out for yourself, make a trip to Waveland Golf Course in Des Moines this Saturday. The fun begins at 10am. For more information you can check out the "Winter Race Series" on facebook. To rent snow shoes visit Rasmussen's Bike Shop or Active Endeavors.

This is one of our favorite workouts yet - you need to give it a try!
Have a healthy week,
EEK
Erin.Kiernan@whotv.com