In this issue:

• National Trails Day, June 1, 2024

• American Heart Association Iowa Heart Walk

• Free Articles

• Free Videos

• Soft Trail Stroll

• Train for Vacation

• About Me

National Trails Day is Saturday, June 1, and we have big plans!

Sponsored by the American Hiking Society, this national observance provides the perfect opportunity to set off on a local trail with others in your community. Join the movement to give back to trails and build a world where everyone feels welcome and has access to enjoy the great outdoors.

We will meet at 9:00 a.m. in the gravel parking lot on the south side of 66th Avenue, just west of the Des Moines River. We can chat a few moments to get to know each other and decide how far each of us wants to hike or run.

• 5K (3-Mile) Hike, led by Katherine

• 1-Mile Walk, led by Peggy

• 5-8 Mile Trail Run, led by Amber and the Capital Striders Turkeys

To give back to the trails, bags will be available that you can stick in your pocket in case you see any trash. The recent storms downed many trees. Volunteers have been out clearing them, and there are plenty of sticks we can toss off the trail.

Take the National Trails Day Pledge and promise to leave the trails and the outdoor community better than you found them. Take the pledge by June 8 to be entered to win premium gear prize packs.

Please share your photos of the event online!
#NationalTrailsDay #SoftTrailStroll #AmericanHiking
#LeaveNoTrace #LeaveItBetter
#RecreateResponsibly

If you would like to do a charity 5K walk or one of the Soft Trail Strolls, but feel that distance might be too far to walk right now, my Couch to 5K Walk plan can help you. Give it a look and let me know if you have any questions.

I’ve have updated the list of central Iowa Yoga in the Park offerings that I published last month, so be sure to take another look at it.

Are you looking for a simple way to become more active? I have a free series of walks on trails in and around Des Moines, Iowa designed for you!

This month begins with the celebration of National Trails Day.

Then we’ll visit Denman Woods south of Center Trails in Des Moines. We will return to Ewing Park on the southeast side of town and hope for dry trails this time. Finally we will visit Grandview Park on the east side and check out a special Butterfly Hunt that Des Moines Parks and Recreation has planned.

All Soft Trial Strolls (except National Trails Day) begin at 10:00 a.m. Detailed directions are available by clicking the graphics.

Maybe you’ve trained for a 5K or trained for a golf tournament. Have you thought about training for your next vacation?

It’s not a crazy idea. Think about your vacation plans this summer. Are you going on a walking tour? Will there be a lot of stairs? Are you going to have luggage to carry?

Increasing your strength and endurance before you go will help you can get more enjoyment out of your trip.

I can create a custom training plan that helps you achieve it! We can start with your travel date and work backward to today. Schedule a free initial consultation now.

(Photo by Florian Wehde on Unsplash)

Whether you are 55… 75… 30… or any age, you've probably noticed that some things aren't as easy as they used to be. That might be climbing the stairs, putting the heavy platter in the top cupboard, or riding your bike all day.

I can design a program for you that takes into account what you do and improves what you need, so you can succeed at what you want to do.