Registration opens for the Trail Running and Wellness Retreat for Women
Trail Runner magazine’s Elinor Fish leads this mind-body health retreat in the Colorado Rockies July 30-August 1, 2010
Trail running’s popularity is booming, but go to any trail race and the men standing on the start line still largely outnumber the women, which is one of the reasons Trail Runner magazine’s Elinor Fish has made it her mission to entice more women to take their running off road. “While men are more comfortable with heading into the woods solo, women prefer learning how to do things safely and building confidence when taking up a new activity,” says Fish. “This retreat involves group trail runs during which we discuss how to stay hydrated, fuelled, safe and practice proper trail-running techniques.”
Such techniques include running up and down technical trails and even-energy expenditure, which is how to pace yourself on trails with variable terrain and difficult footing.
In addition to trail running, the all-inclusive program involves yoga classes designed for runners. “Yoga is great not only for stretching your muscles and working on flexibility, but also for making you aware of muscle imbalances and points of tension that can affect your running,” says Fish. Professionally led seminars will cover sports conditioning, nutrition, gear and injury prevention. And participants will enjoy free time to hike and soak in the solar-heated pool or hot tub.
Fish, who advocates a balanced, healthy lifestyle, stresses the “wellness” aspect of the retreat. “Running on trails is much gentler on the body than running on roads, and can be an even better workout,” says Fish, who will be one of two run leaders. “Trail running is also a very effective way to mange stress. I’ve been a competitive runner for 20 years, and now as a busy working mom, trail running lets me decompress and reward myself for giving so much to my family and job.”
Participants need only basic running fitness, such as being able to run at least five miles comfortably on the road. No other special skills are required. For each run, the group is divided into two pace groups (offering shorter and longer run options, ranging from 4 to 12 miles) so there’s no pressure to match someone else’s pace.
Elinor Fish, 35, is presently training for this August’s Leadville Trail 100-mile race in Colorado and is mom to one-year-old Reed. For 10 years, Fish has helped hundreds of runners complete their first race and adopt a sustainable running routine.
The retreat will be held at Vagabond Ranch, located 10 miles north of Granby at an elevation of 9000 feet in the Colorado Rockies (approximately a three-hour drive from downtown Denver). Singletrack trails depart right from the historic lodge and follow streams through meadows and past alpine lakes. The cost is $675 (shared room), or $725 (private room).
Registration includes:
• Two nights’ accommodation at Vagabond Ranch
• Nourishing, wholesome meals from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch
• Rejuvenating and lengthening yoga classes designed specifically for runners
• Trail runs with experienced and knowledgeable trail runners
• Individual assessment of running form, tips for trail-running technique
• Classes on training, sports nutrition, goal setting, trail-running gear and injury prevention
• Goodie bag
• Complimentary issue of Trail Runner magazine
• Relaxation massages available at an additional cost.
More information visit Elinor’s blog, www.trailrunningforwomen.com. To register or ask questions, contact Elinor Fish at elinorfish@hotmail.com, or 970-987-2050.
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This is great blog post. This is very nice wellness retreat for women. The way you have chooses is amazing. Keep going.