• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • New? Start Here!

RunToTheFinish

Online Running Coach for All Paces, All Ages

  • Training
    • Beginner Half Marathon Training
    • Sub Two Half Marathon Training
    • Marathon Training
    • New Runner Tips
    • Low Heart Rate Training
    • Group Run Coaching
    • Nutrition for Runners
  • Running Injuries
  • Gear Reviews
  • Work Together
    • Virtual Run Club
    • 1-1 Coaching
    • Brand Partnerships
  • Courses
    • Book
    • IT Band Solution
    • LHR Training Plans
  • Blog

A Trail Running Retreat for Every Runner

7shares

Is a trail running retreat right for you? What should you expect? Will everyone be pro’s and is it only for experienced trail runners?

All things that were running through my mind as I plunked down the change to attend yet another running camp…because well I LOVE RUNNING. And I’ve learned over the years that running itself is uncomfortable, so I might as well find ways to do it with others.

Run Mindful Retreat Review

As the small group gathered clad in spandex, hand held water bottles ready to go, it looks like any other running group you might find visiting a new city.

Except the run is being lead by an Ultrarunning elite, his ultrarunning wife and father-in-law…and yet with that impressive line up, the feeling of calm and belonging is heavier than the smell of sweat.Adventure Mindful Running Retreat ReviewInstead of standing around trying to remember names, the group heads out on a get to know you run along the waters of the stunning Malibu coastline.

There’s a 15 year-old who says this retreat changed his life last year, a number of runners from Japan who are endurance runners, newbies to trails like myself, people recovering from injuries, super fast runners and others who would spend more of the time hiking.Running in MalibuUnlike a previous retreat, these differences aren’t acknowledged as much as they just are.

Guides are available at every pace, the group pauses at intersections to keep everyone together, different distances are offered and everyone can be proud of whatever they accomplish.

Who cares what your speed is, if this is your first time meditating, trying yoga or eating beets; we’re here to smile.

Per normal, I have so much to say about my experience that this will cover a few posts!

I wanted to share the experience not only because I loved it, but because I think many of you are looking for active getaways but have no idea what to expect and since they are all different I hope this review helps.

Let Nothing Stop You

Adventure Mindful excited me both for the location and because I was toying with the idea of an Ultra.

Spoiler – I finally did it. Solo. You can get all my Beginner 50K Training Tips here >>

I wasn’t anticipating a 2 month knee injury leading up to it, which had me concerned I’d be unable to run at all. And for all my “see running is bad for knees folks,” this wasn’t a running injury, but likely a step in a hole and twist your leg wrong injury.

My nerves were on edge, until I met this group and immediately realized they wouldn’t care if I needed to walk the whole thing or had to cut it short.TO my immense relief, after much YouTubing I found a taping method designed to support a torn meniscus and minus a few cringe worthy searing pain moments of bad steps, it worked like a charm!

I’ll be getting an MRI this week to figure out a long term solution…though I’d consider just living with the tape.Knee taping for torn meniscusAll right, now I’ve set the scene, so what the heck was this retreat?

Why was it so appealing to me? Why was I driving everyone crazy with IG stories and Instagram posts that shouted of joy simply bubbling forth uncontrolled?!

Need a break from your brain? How about #running retreat like this one @runtothefinish attended #runchat Click To Tweet

Run Mindful Retreats

A few years ago, meditation and mindfulness started to become more mainstream.

Dr’s were prescribing it, Dan Harris wrote the incredible book 10% Happier, we heard about Oprah, Steve Jobs and other mega-superstars crediting mediation for their success.

Meanwhile, runners have known for years that our solo time is a great chance to clear the head. But there is a more focused practice which can indeed make us better runners.

Timothy Olson is a two-time winner of the Western States 100, an endurance runner who travels the world racing year round and yes  a man with younger years that would never have foreshadowed such a healthy lifestyle and mindset. Running came first, but he believes has been greatly enhanced by his meditation practice. And more importantly, simply learning what it means to live more mindfully. After watching the impacts on those around him, he enlisted the help of his wife and in-laws to create a space where other runners could learn about this journey.

Enter Adventure Mindful – Run Mindful Retreats.

Where you could for a moment step out of the craziness, discover what it means to breathe and maybe just find out that you can do so much more with your life and runs.

Krista Olson, not to simply be written off as the side-note of wife, you need to know her story too!

Next time you have a little ache or pain, consider this…Krista has had Rheumatoid Arthritis since the age of 4, which has meant periods of agonizing pain that made it difficult to get out of bed, years of meds and Dr’s who pretty much told her it was a manage it, not beat it scenario.

In short, as an adult Krista began looking to alternative therapies for help. She found major relief through changing her diet, acupuncture and finally to her surprise (and to Tim’s complete understanding) through meditation. All of that allowed her to continue pushing her own love of active living, until she too was running Ultra’s!

That’s not something you hear of those with any type of Arthritis, let alone Rheumatoid which is in every joint.Pictured above is Krista and her father finishing a 100 mile race together! That’s right, Bob one of our trail leaders, is 60 and happily running injury free for miles and miles! He knows all about running as you age without injury!

The contentment radiates off this family.
It’s not that life is perfect; they simply know how to deal with it.

Because Bob and his wife Debbie help to run the retreats, along with trail leaders who are great friends the entire atmosphere is one of being a close knit family. Not a single person feels left out or as though they’re missing out on some inside joke, they just feel welcomed in to the hug.

On the Mindful side of things, I’ll touch more on those lessons, but the short of it is don’t worry no one will be trying to convince you of any certain spiritual leaning or forcing you to sit in silence for hours.

Need to Know

In the next post, I’ll break down the day by day with lots of photos, but here are a few other things to know before you go!

  • There are 4 back to back days of running, so you need to be prepared to be on your feet.
  • Different distances are offered daily, so you can do what suits you, but the avg will be a total of 25-40 miles.
  • Expect it to be cooler for the morning yoga and evening sessions, that’s just the wind off the ocean which you can see from the Inn. Then plan for it to be nice and toasty 60-70’s during your runs.Malibu Country Inn Sunset
  • For the Ambiverts like me, have no fear you’ll have plenty of time to be alone or with the group.
  • This is not meditation running! You’ll be chatting and laughing away the miles.
  • You won’t feel pressured to do anything you aren’t comfortable with, but you will feel supported to push yourself.
  • A yoga mat will be provided for your sessions.
  • Everything is outside, so plan to enjoy the fresh air.
  • It’s definitely easiest to stay at the recommended Malibu Country Inn, but you could probably find cheaper options.
  • Don’t expect great WiFi at the hotel and ENJOY being disconnected.
  • Real Athlete Diets of Boulder will provide all the meals, which eliminates wasted time traveling to restaurants AND more importantly can be a great way to get you focused on fueling with whole foods. They always provide a 100% plant based option, which could show you some new foods and all meals are dairy/gluten free.Real Athlete Diets of Boulder Meals

Gear Talk

On the gear side of things, for once I over packed!!

I’m usually the one freezing or missing something, but I had it down this time. I’m glad I anticipated a variety of temps and activities.

  • Under Armour Fat Tire Trail Shoe – Everyone asked about these and loved them because the wide base provides more stability, the grip prevents slipping and that big Michelin footing is comfy too. No feeling sharp rocks through my shoes.  (Now I have a few other favorite trail running shoes.)
  • Hydration pack – I have used the heck out of my CamelBak because I can put my phone in a front pocket for easy picture snapping, but can also grab some jerky from the back when my tummy grumbles.
  • Gloves and hat for those morning sessions.
  • Trail socks to keep the dirt and pebbles out of your sock
  • Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, band-aids, body glide or tape for potential blisters
  • Favorite fuel for hours on the trails! I went with Perky Jerky and Blue Diamond almonds since I’m trying so hard to up my protein intake.
  • Everything is very casual, so unless you want to get cute don’t feel the need for any outfits
  • Swim suit because you gotta walk the few feet over to the beach at some point!
Checkout Part 2 for a breakdown of each day and pictures of the trails!

Past retreats:
Ultrarunning at High Altitude for the Ready to Improve
Costa Rica Adventure Retreat for the Ready to Rough It and Well Trained
WellFit Malibu for the Weight Loss seeker

Do you think your running is like meditation?

Ever done a running retreat?

Other ways to connect with Amanda
Instagram: RunToTheFinish

Facebook: RunToTheFinishRunning_motivation_thumb

Get new posts via BlogLovin

Get every new post delivered to your inbox

7shares

Posted by amanda Categories: Active Travel, san diego, trail running, travel, ultrarunning

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katie says

    April 4, 2017 at 5:04 am

    What a cool experience! I can’t wait to hear more! Running is definitely a form of meditation for me, though truthfully, I really love the more widely known version of sitting my butt on the ground, legs crossed and sitting in silence, but after not being able to run for the last 3 weeks, my 2 mile run last night was a glorious meditation.

  2. Nicole says

    April 4, 2017 at 9:23 am

    this looks so freaking awesome.

    http://cuckoolemon.com

  3. JODI A TIVEY says

    April 4, 2017 at 11:03 am

    Oh so cool. I am so glad you got to go, that your knee cooperated and that you ENJOYED IT!!!! You so deserve it.

    yes, running is definitely a meditation!!!!! And No I have never done a retreat but would so love to some day!

  4. Lindsay Cotter says

    April 6, 2017 at 1:47 pm

    I totally like this style of running. 4 days.. like whoa though. For me. I could hike some, right? But the mindfulness and running in nature is soooo therapeutic. Love that food focus as fuel too. Um, ya, I’d go for that. ;-)

  5. Jessica @Nutritioulicious says

    April 6, 2017 at 5:42 pm

    This sounds like such an unbelievable experience! Love your tips at the end too! Those would definitely come in handy.

  6. Maria says

    April 6, 2017 at 7:14 pm

    This looks beautiful! And I love all the yummy food at the end!

  7. Jason George says

    April 7, 2017 at 9:25 am

    This is absolutely mesmerising.. Would love to experience this, a runners delight.. This is definitely going to me the runner’s high. Thanks for the awesome tips and guides :)

  8. Kristina @ Love & Zest says

    April 7, 2017 at 10:05 am

    This retreat sounds like an amazing experience. Such a great idea and the bond that you share with others on these trips is unbeatable! Thanks for sharing your experience!

Primary Sidebar

Filter by Category
  • Select a Category
  • 10 miler
  • 10K
  • 13.1 marathon series
  • 15K
  • 30 Day Challenge
  • 5k
  • About ME
  • Abs
  • Active Travel
  • alaska
  • Amanda Brooks
  • Arizona
  • Asics
  • Austin
  • Baltimore
  • barefoot running
  • beauty
  • Biking
  • birthday
  • bloggers
  • blogging tips
  • body fat
  • body image
  • body weight exercises
  • book reviews
  • Boston Marathon
  • breakfast
  • California
  • Camping
  • Canada
  • Caribbean
  • chicago
  • ChiRunning
  • Clean Eating
  • cold weather training
  • colorado
  • compression
  • Costa Rica
  • Crockpot
  • cross training
  • CrossFit
  • dairy free
  • dessert
  • egg free
  • electrolytes
  • emotional health
  • Europe
  • family
  • Fit Together
  • fitness gear
  • Fitness Tracker
  • fitness vacation
  • florida
  • foam roller
  • food sensitivity
  • Fort Lauderdale
  • France
  • Funny Running
  • Gift Guide
  • Gluten Free
  • GPS Watch
  • Green Smoothie
  • Guides and Tips
  • habits
  • Half Marathon
  • Hawaii
  • HBBC
  • health coach
  • healthy eating
  • Healthy Home
  • Healthy lifestyle
  • Heart Rate Training
  • HIIT workout
  • hiking
  • hiking
  • Hip Strength
  • Hoka One One
  • Holistic Health
  • Hormones
  • hydration
  • Iceland
  • injury
  • inspiration
  • instagram
  • Ireland
  • IT Band
  • IT Band Recovery
  • Jerusalem
  • key west
  • knee injury
  • Kona
  • Love
  • low heart rate training
  • Maffetone
  • main dish
  • Marathon
  • marathon training
  • marriage
  • meal planning
  • Meditation
  • Memphis
  • mental marathon training
  • Mexico
  • Miami
  • Motivation
  • New York City
  • New York City Marathon
  • New York City Marathon Training
  • NYC marathon
  • Oregon
  • Orlando
  • Palm Beach
  • Philadelphia Marathon
  • physical therapy
  • podcasts
  • Prague
  • Product Review
  • Race
  • race costume
  • race medal
  • race photo
  • race report
  • Ragnar
  • Recipe
  • recovery
  • recovery meal
  • relaxation
  • relay race
  • resolution run
  • review
  • Rock N Roll
  • run club
  • Runner's World
  • running accessories
  • running books
  • running coach
  • running form
  • running fuel
  • running gear
  • Running Group
  • running motivation
  • running music
  • Running Shoes
  • safety
  • salads
  • san diego
  • Saucony
  • Seattle
  • skin care
  • Soup
  • South Beach
  • South Carolina
  • South Florida
  • speed work
  • sports nutrition
  • Stand Up Paddle Boarding
  • Steamboat Springs
  • Strength Training
  • stretching
  • sugar reduction
  • Thanksgiving
  • trail running
  • Training Group
  • training plan
  • travel
  • travel running
  • treadmill
  • treadmill workout
  • triathlon
  • ultrarunning
  • vegan
  • Vegas
  • vegatarian
  • vegetable
  • virtual run
  • wedding
  • weight loss
  • winter
  • women's running
  • workout
  • workout motivation
  • workout schedule
  • Yoga

5 Secrets to Improve Your RUn

Start Making Quick Progress on Your Goals (I swear it's easy) no matter your current fitness level. The tips I share with the runners I coach.

Recent Posts

  • UCAN | How Can SuperStarch Fuel Your Run
  • Running at Night | Tips and Safety
  • Brooks vs Saucony Running Shoes
  • How to Truly Resolve Runners Knee by Fixing Knee Drift
  • Black Toenails and Lost Toenails from Running

Must Have Gear

Comparing GPS Watches

Best HR Monitor for Running

Best Foam Rollers

Best Running Books

Running Jackets for Every Condition

fitness partners

Please note that affiliate links {such as Amazon} may pop up on RTTF from time to time. They do not cost you anything to use, but are a huge help to support the ongoing content creation process. Click here to do your shopping!

Welcome!!

Hello runners! I’m Amanda Brooks, a certified personal trainer and running coach. I’ve been coaching over a decade and distance running since 2002. My philosophy is that running isn’t about your pace or the distance or your body. It’s about showing up for yourself, loving the process and doing it injury free!

 

online running coach

Footer

Get the Free 5 Day Better Runner Challenge

Start Making Quick Progress on Your Goals (I swear it's easy)

About Amanda Brooks

Amanda Brooks is a Certified Running Coach, Certified Personal Trainer and long time distance runner with a passion for every facet of running, which leads her to do more reading, research and running than necessary. Find all the tips, tricks and tools you need from this running coach for your best injury free running. Read More…

Popular Posts on RunToTheFinish

  • 17 Funniest Running Memes – Which One’s Do You Relate To?
  • Hoka Vs Brooks Running Shoes
  • Polar Vs Garmin | Comparing GPS Watches
  • Piriformis Syndrome Exercises: Alleviating a Pain in the Butt
  • Best Virtual Races and 11 Reasons You Need to Do One

runtothefinish

Amanda Brooks : Run Coach
EMBRACING A PAUSE🤢🤢 - It’s been a decade s EMBRACING A PAUSE🤢🤢 - It’s been a decade since I’ve been can’t move from the couch sick. I don’t recommend this stomach bug.
|||
In truth, I’ve been thinking I needed to hit pause for a few weeks.

💼 I’m so excited about what’s happening in my business, I’ve been hard charging for the last year.

🏃‍♀️I’m finally enjoying adding in hills and speed and strength, but could tell I needed a big down week... I just didn’t want to.

🥾On vacation or with fam, I’m always sneaking in work and again that’s not entirely bad because I love it.
|||
BUT LIKE AND INJURY, sickness is a reminder to appreciate our health.

🟧I’m not trying to make up the missed workouts.
🟩I’m not guilt tripping over eating Cinnamon Toast Crunch because it was all that would stay down after 30 hours.
🟦I’m not feeling bad for moving a lot of meetings and not responding to nearly any messages.

What reminds you to step back and press pause??

📸from our great trip a few years ago. Those long vacations are my best way of letting go.

#iamwellandgood #loveyourbody #solopreneurlife
GIVEAWAY- 3 WINNERS🥳🥳 Can we talk about runn GIVEAWAY- 3 WINNERS🥳🥳
Can we talk about runners and gut health for a second? And then you'll understand why I love @previnex so much.
//
DID YOU KNOW: There are 500 species and three pounds of bacteria in our gut! 😱😱It’s a living and breathing factory that:

🔵impacts your energy levels and can be reason for joint pain
🟣impacts your mood and focus
🟡can cause runners trots and nausea when micro biome is off
🔴can cause more food sensitivities and intolerances when not balanced with good bacteria
//
So yesssss your gut can make you a better runner when it’s working right and probiotics are a big helper.
//
PRIZES:
Each winner gets a 2 month supply of probiotics and fish oil, the two things I use DAILY and that you’ve emailed me saying “OMG this helped!!”
+
A copy of Run To The Finish on audiobook.
.
Your chance to try a SUPER HIGH QUALITY option and see the impacts. It’s beyond superior to what’s in most stores.
//
HOW TO ENTER:
1️⃣Like and save this photo
2️⃣Follow me and @previnex
3️⃣Tell me what you’re training for

Open to US only. Winners selected Apr 17.

#runningtips #runhappy #trailrunning #guthealthmatters #probiotic #runmehappy #runforlife
☀️MORNING OR ⭐️EVENING RUNNER? Which are y ☀️MORNING OR ⭐️EVENING RUNNER? Which are you?

🐦 early birds let’s hear, what time do you get up??? These times are often 🤯🤯
//
Most of the year I’m up by 5, which often leads to “when do you go to bed?!?!” 
Early 😂.
I’ve been prepping for AARP time since we moved to Miami and it was so dang hot. 

The habit stuck, so now I’m up early and lifting it not heading out immediately in the snow.
//
In my early 20s, I ran after work and then a lot over lunch...even in to marathon training.
👇
Now I have to psych myself up for evenings which is when most groups are!
WHAT ARE YOU AN EXPERT IN? Clearly I talk, read, w WHAT ARE YOU AN EXPERT IN? Clearly I talk, read, write and learn running non-stop. But I still have so many areas I’m working to improve, like trail running!
//
But today I wanna know about you??

🤓What could you easily give a 30 minute presentation on??

😱I’m prepared to be fascinated and learn once again I might need more hobbies.
//
An expert doesn’t mean you know it. ALL, but does mean you have significant experience and knowledge in a topic.
//
I could also talk about blogging 😂dealing with brands and pizza with confidence, but maybe not feel like an expert even with running this business for over a decade.
👇👇
All right, let’s hear it!! Don’t be shy, don’t play down your strengths, own it.
.
.
.
#strongwomenlifteachotherup #runtothefinish #communitylove #urbanrunner #runforgood #denver #streetart #runnerstyle #runnerlove #runnerlife
UPHILL RUNNING TIPS: One of the best ways to get s UPHILL RUNNING TIPS: One of the best ways to get stronger and faster with less injury risk is hill repeats.
.
BUT even picking routes with hills pays off. So a few tips to SAVE AND USE to get the most from them.
//
👁 Eyes: look ahead not down this will keep your chest up and you standing tall

💪Arm swing: swipe to see the upper cut motion that will propel you ⬆️

🦶Feet: take shorter faster steps and don’t run on the balls of your feet overtaxing the calves

🥵Effort: focus on maintaining the same effort not pace.

Mentally remind yourself of the great downhill coming for recovery! For every up there must be a down (lies I tell myself 😂while running).

👉👉How often do you incorporate hill repeats??
Follow on Instagram
Website written, managed and maintained by Amanda Brooks, a certified running coach and personal trainer. Any advice should be taken as general information and not a personalized plan. All opinions, tips and reviews are based upon her personal life experience and the experiences of those she has coached. View our full privacy and review policy.

Copyright © 2021 RunToTheFinish

Copyright © 2021 · RunToTheFinish V2 on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in