I have nothing but admiration for Elizabeth Foote, a plus-size lady in the Salt Lake City area who took up Nordic Walking some years ago, got trained to teach the sport and began to see improvements in her own health and vitality even as she taught others. Under the name FootePath, she has been helping others use poles to gain positive results. She started her business in August 2006, three months before I wrote the first post on this blog. She and her partner Donna Mirabile have been written up in the likes of the Wall Street Journal and appeared on local television for their efforts.
This Tuesday, March 23, FootePath is offering a free demo class at Utah’s Olympic Oval, a climate-controlled venue that is out of the public eye — a consideration for plus-sized or otherwise challenged students who might otherwise be self-conscious outdoors. While the class is free, including use of poles, there is a $2.50 track use fee for the Oval.
They say that the most popular option is the $50 three-class package. Each one is 45 to 60 minutes long and includes pole rental during and between classes. The cost is $50 — which is a great deal. This package is most convenient for students between Bountiful and Lehi, but anyone who is willing to travel is certainly welcome. They say, “We prefer to teach our local classes at the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns, Utah, but our motto is: ‘Have poles, will travel!’ That means we’re more than willing to meet you just about anywhere.”
I wish I could give you a time for the class, but it is not on their calendar and news of it is hiding somewhere in the depths of the new Facebook. If you are interested, contact FootePath at 801-654-1059 or info@footepath.org.
