Phoenix Park – the biggest gated park in any European city located in Dublin – is a popular spot among runners, joggers and cyclists leveraging its vast open landscape and defined trails past Chesterfield Avenue, the entrance to Áras an Uachtaráin, and across the 700 hectares of communal land.
Yet, there’s an unobserved set of consistent visitors that I met with on a splendid, sunlit September morning. This group, the Dublin Phoenix Nordic Walking Club, is comprised largely of women drawn to outdoor fitness in a friendly setting.
The club was initiated by Dr Kathleen Barry, a retired public health doctor, in 2008 for purposes of “fellowship, enjoyment, and physical wellbeing.” Participants gather for walks lasting one to two hours every Saturday and Monday morning all through the year, and additionally on Tuesday evenings in the summer. Not even heavy rainfall or strong winds inhibit them from attending.
Freda Kerr, a member of the group, shares her reasons for joining, stating, “Dealing with osteoporosis, my physiotherapist advised me to take up Nordic Walking.” She claims that each subsequent scan for bone mineral density has indicated positive progress since she commenced this activity.
Kerr further elucidates the benefits of this walking style. Walkers utilise poles for pushing off, thereby engaging the upper back, arms and shoulders, whilst relieving some strain off the knees, hips and ankles. This method of walking involves a rhythmic side to side cycle and releasing the poles after a push off. The poles are fastened to the wrists using Velcro strips and are outfitted with rubber ends for pavement usage – these are lighter than typical trekking poles.
Kerr also likens the Nordic walk to “walking on all fours”. The vibration from the poles has a similar bone-strengthening effect as activities like dancing or skipping ropes. Moreover, Nordic walking increases calorie burn by up to 40% compared to standard walking. Kerr leads the group in a brief exercise routine at various points during their walks.
Based in Leixlip, physiotherapist Kasia Tarnowska, originally from Poland, serves as a Nordic walking trainer and conducts sessions for club beginners. According to her, Ireland seems to be lagging behind numerous other European countries by about two decades concerning enthusiasm and adoption of Nordic walking.
“Countries like Poland, Italy, Slovakia, Germany, UK, and of course, Finland, where it originated, are quite fond of it,” Tarnaska clarifies. “Nordic walking engages almost 90% of your body’s muscles, providing a neuromuscular workout that is unrivalled,” she further elaborates.
Nordic walking is particularly beneficial for individuals recuperating from breast cancer, cardiovascular ailment, joint replacement, various chronic pain syndromes, or those looking to shed excess weight.
Originated in Finland as an alternative to cross-country skiing during the summer, Nordic walking, formerly known as ski walking, has grown popular over time and is celebrated in several championship events across Europe each year (refer Nordicwalkingworldleague.com for more information).
There are Nordic walking groups in Clare, Louth, Wicklow, and both northern and southern Dublin in Ireland as well.
Husband-wife duo, Nordic walking trainers Joanne and Tony Burke, have tutored over 800 enthusiasts in Ireland in the last six years. Though they have currently retired from teaching to travel, they insist on trainers maintaining high-quality standards.
“There is a lack of regulation in this industry. I was trained by Nordic Walking UK while Tony got trained with British Nordic Walking. Kasia received her training in Poland and she is planning on establishing training in Ireland,” Joanne Burke posits.
She underscores that one needs to master using the poles correctly to maximize their advantage, otherwise there is a potential threat of injury. Joanne raises the issue of activator poles – which are used for balance and stability – confusing many due to their popularity in various community sports partnerships in Ireland. She emphasizes that using activator poles, devoid of any straps, is not viable for Nordic walking.
Within the expanses of Phoenix Park, I observe the relaxed demeanour of the group of women I am accompanying. The notebook in my hand replaces the shiny poles they carry, which cause the local fallow deer to scatter as they briskly navigate the uneven grass. The panoramic view of undulating fields against the backdrop of the Dublin Mountains is a joyful sight to behold.
Judy Somers, a native of Palmerstown, often participates in these group walks. She explains her reasons for joining aren’t necessarily for the exercise alone, but more for the communal spirit. Judy cherishes her strolls up the modest slopes in the Furry Glen and near the Magazine Fort situated within Phoenix Park, stating these are activities she wouldn’t undertake solo.
Meanwhile, retired nurse Mary Troy suggests it’s the affability of the group that acts as a cohesive. “We have a wealth of life wisdom among us; we discuss everything – from advice on the best bunion surgeon to how to bake the perfect Christmas cake,” Troy reveals. She firmly believes that Nordic walking helps improve balance and bone health, adding, “Numerous hospitalizations are caused by falls but the balance-enhancing exercises we incorporate into our walks serve as preventative measures.” The group’s talk isn’t limited to health topics, though. They promote self-care and offer a wonderful networking opportunity, she elaborates.
Ann Maher, the group’s secretary, shares her insights about how walking can provide a shift in perspective, allowing problems to naturally resolve themselves. With a membership exceeding 70 people who each contribute €10 a year, the group’s insurance costs are managed by the state-driven ‘Get Ireland Walking’ programme.
After their walk, they return to the car park adjacent to the papal cross, their lively chatter evidencing their strong bonds as they prepare to enjoy a post-walk coffee. Their camaraderie stretches beyond the park’s trails, with midsummer and Christmas dinners hosted annually, as well as group trips to the beaches of northern Dublin for Nordic walking. According to Kerr, the firm beach sand, once the tide retreats, offers optimum conditions for their walking exercises.