I looked around at the women surrounding me as we lined up to take a photo before facing the daunting hills of our half marathon and was filled with joy and gratitude. When I started blogging two years ago, I never anticipated forming friendships with so many inspiring, authentic, intelligent, and talented women as I have.
How can I even put the Rise.Run.Retreat into words? The weekend, the friendships, and the running were refreshing, inspiring, enlightening, heart-warming, encouraging, and more. I went into this retreat with high expectations, and the entire weekend exceeded those expectations.
The Rise.Run.Retreat is a women’s running retreat hosted by Sarah Canney and Jesica D’Avanza. These two amazing women created the retreat in order to bring female runners and influencers together to learn, connect, and of course run. This year’s retreat took place for four days in Waterbury, Vermont.
The attendees were Sarah (Run Far Girl), Jesica (rUnladylike), Allie (Vita Train 4 Life), Angela (Happy Fit Mama), Sandra (Organic Running Mom), Sue (This Momma Runs for Cupcakes), Natalie (Nat Runs Far), Christine (Love Life Surf), Kara (Maine Girl 2 Runs) and myself. I had gotten to know many of these women through blogging and social media, but this was the first time I would meet any of them in person.
I already had developed profound respect and admiration for these women: many of them have inspired my training throughout their own running. After meeting them, I only respect and admire them more and deeply cherish their friendships. If you don’t already read their blogs or follow them on Instagram: start now.
Sarah and Jesica truly outdid themselves in hosting this retreat. Our meals were incredibly delicious, our swag bags were extraordinarily generous, the running was fun and wonderfully hilly, the scenery was breathtaking, and most of all the friendships and bonds formed were amazing.
The retreat began on Thursday evening with a welcome dinner, which I missed because of flight delays (admittedly, I cried a bit to Ryan on the phone when I realized this). Everyone was so understanding of why I missed the dinner – the flight delays were completely beyond my control – but I was so disappointed to not get to participate in the first day of the retreat.
Friday
Our first scheduled activity of the day was a shake out run. I noted some hills while driving in during the middle of the night, but daylight revealed hills upon hills. We ran to a water reservoir, took photos, and ran back – and all learned the meaning of Sarah’s motto “Embrace the Hill.” East Seattle may be hilly, but it’s rolling hills – not steep, unrelenting climbs that extend for a mile easily.
Even though we all battled out the hills, we enjoyed conversation and the immediate connection that comes from sharing miles with others.
Afterward, we enjoyed a nourishing breakfast of Stonyfield yogurt (their Grass-fed yogurt is so creamy!) and Blissful Eats granola. I am not normally a granola person, but the Blissful Eats granola was tasty – I loved the apple cinnamon harvest flavor! My mind and body felt nourished and refueled for the busy day after enjoying some delicious Stonyfield yogurt with granola and fruit.
Our first guest speaker was Crystal Seaver of Muscles and Miles. Crystal talked about strength training for runners and demonstrated how to use Wreck Bags and resistance bands for strength training.
As many of you know, I set the goal to lift heavier weight this year – and sort of slacked on that over the past month. Crystal inspired me to get excited about strength training again with her realistic approach. She advocated bodyweight strength training and resistance bands as strength training for runners during race training.
Our second speaker was just as amazing. Jamie Sheahan from Edge Nutrition spoke to us about nutrition for female runners and covered topics including the importance of iron, eating enough, and not fearing calories or carbohydrates. She also discussed fueling before, during, and after workouts and races, which you all know I hung onto every word she said.
After Jamie’s talk, Cabot Cheese spoiled us with a beer and cheese tasting. I was this close to stuffing my suitcase full of Cabot Cheese, although I wasn’t sure how it would endure the long journey back to Seattle via Philly.
For dinner, Chef’d treated us to three meals to cook: Mediterranean pasta, chicken stir-fry, and a potato, cheese, and arugula salad that stole the show. We split into teams, although we all ended up cooking together in the same cozy kitchen.
After dinner was one of the best parts of the day: relaxing and talking with everyone. When most of your interactions take place from behind a computer screen or iPhone, you savor every moment of in-person conversation with friends like these.
Saturday
Our day began with recovery yoga led by Ali Ricciardone. I wore my new Dr. Cool Cool Core shirt, courtesy of the retreat’s sponsor. After yoga, we refueled with breakfast from Pete and Gerry’s Eggs, Stonyfield and Blissful Eats.
Photo Courtesy of Sarah runfargirl.com
Our first speaker of the day was Sheri Piers, an elite non-professional runner. Sheri engaged us all with her story from the moment she started speaking. She ran her first marathon in 3:47 – not too different than the 3:49 I ran for my first. Over the years, through hard work, discipline, and focus, she whittled her times down to a 2:37 and was the first American woman to finish at the 2012 Boston Marathon. And she did so while working a full-time job and raising kids!
Inside Tracker sponsored a delicious lunch. We enjoyed a meal of turkey sandwiches, sprouted bean salad, cauliflower couscous, and a kale salad while listening to a presentation from Inside Tracker. The food was delicious! I could have eaten the entire bowl of the kale salad.
In the afternoon, we all ventured out to Ben & Jerry’s, which is headquartered in Waterbury. It has been years since I had Ben & Jerry’s (the last time was in grad school!) and their ice cream tasted better than I remembered. I (and several other people) enjoyed the Chocolate Therapy – yum!!
After our ice cream adventure, we settled in for a blogging and social media influence round table. This was one of the most beneficial parts of the retreat for me. We discussed authenticity, freelance writing, working with sponsors, and building community.
Dinner on Saturday evening was out in Waterbury at a local restaurant called Blue Stone. While the pizzas looked delicious, I could not resist the pulled pork tacos with a side of sweet potato fries (carb-loading!).
Photo Courtesy of Rise Run Retreat
Sunday
On Sunday, everyone except Jes (who is 6 months pregnant with her first!) ran the Leaf Peeper Half Marathon. The race started at 11 AM, so we were all able to sleep in a bit and enjoy a leisurely breakfast and conversation before heading over to pick up our bibs.
I will recap the half marathon more in depth tomorrow, but let me just say now: running with talented, kind, authentic women made for one of the best races of my running yet. This race is up there with my half marathon PR in terms of races where I would not change a single thing about the experience.
Photo Courtesy of Angela happyfitmama.com
It may have been the slowest half marathon for many of us, but that does not mean that it was a bad race. On the contrary – the course was beautiful and the company was unbeatable.
I had to leave shortly after I crossed the finish line (flying from coast to coast is a long journey!), but I savored every moment with the women who had finished the race before driving off to the Burlington airport.
As sad as it was to leave, I was also excited to see Ryan and our pups. I arrived late back in Seattle and was so excited to see them that I stayed up late to spend time with them.
I want to express my sincerest and deepest gratitude to Sarah and Jes for organizing this incredible retreat, all the amazing women I met on the retreat, our sponsors including Dr. Cool, and Ryan for being an amazing husband who cleans the house when I’m away!
Linking up with Coaches’ Corner!
Have you ever gone on a running retreat?
What’s your favorite Ben & Jerry’s flavor?
What would you like to hear more about from the Rise.Run.Retreat?
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Each year I read these and thank: I should take up running. I wonder if they would let me tweak the title? Could 9B read rise repeat?? I should take up running… Could I walk? Amble rise repeat??
🙂
I love how this is a group of women who celebrate eachother’s successes as if they were her own.
Thank you! It is incredibly uplifting and humbling to see women who celebrate the success of others so much. I am in awe of the support and so grateful to know each of them!
I am so glad you had such an awesome time! I felt so bad when your flight was delayed but it all worked out. I love ben and jerry’s! I usually get the banana peanut butter yogurt but I do love the other ice cream flavors. I like the tonight show dough (not the right name but hopefully you know which one I mean), I always liked the half baked and I think there’s one called milk and cookies. I always sample a ton of them when I go to the store. lol. ironically enough, ben and jerry are from my home town but we only have like one store left in our area! you would think there would be more here!
Thank you! It did all work out, and the flight delays were worth the weekend. Half Baked was probably the first Ben & Jerry’s flavor I tried!
Great recap!! This post reminded me how much I loved being there last year and that I MUST make this a priority next year! Hanging out with running buddies is the best… even ones you’ve never met. It’s amazing how much we all know about each other!
Thank you! I do hope we are both able to attend next year and meet each other! It’s amazing how the bond of friendship is already there before meeting in person with running buddies like these.
I’ve loved following along the retreat on Instagram. Sounds like a very special and rewarding experience! I have yet to go on a run retreat but would love to do that or a yoga retreat in the future.
Thank you – it was! You should definitely consider a retreat sometime. It’s well worth it!
I love so much that you got to do this! What an incredible experience. I so wish I was able to go to things like this but at this stage of my life it’s all about rise, run, try not to die. 🙂
Rise, run, and try not to die was my motto for running those hills! 🙂 And thank you! I hope you get to do one someday too!
What a wonderful recap! This sounds like an inspirational and really fun event, I wasn’t even aware it existed! All of the food looks amazing and I’m sure you all created some wonderful memories together 🙂
Thank you! It was both inspirational and fun – and the memories are ones I’ll always cherish! I just wish I could have that food more! 🙂
You know what’s funny? I now can hear your voice and see your face as I read this post. It’s almost like you were telling me all about the retreat in person. I had a wonderful time getting to know you! So when’s our next meet up?!?!
I was thinking the same thing when I read yours and Allie’s post yesterday morning! I’m excited for the next time we can all meet up – I had such a great time getting to know you!
yeahhh I just loved seeing everyone’s photos. It’s so amazing how running and social can bring us together!
Thank you – that’s one of the best parts about running!
I was SO excited to meet you last weekend. You have been one of my favorite writers to follow about running and I have loved your smart and common sense approach to coaching and putting out running information that is accurate and thorough. Meeting you in real life far exceeded my expectations and I’m so grateful that running and the Internet have brought us together. I know it was a lot to ask with crazy flights to get there and back, but I’m so incredibly happy you joined us. It was such a special weekend and I loved reliving it through your photos and stories. Awesome job at the half too. You are ready for CIM!!! xoxo
Thank you so much, Jes – it means so much to me! I was so excited to meet you – I’ve been following and admiring your blogging and running since 2014. I am so happy to have joined you and would gladly do it again – even with the flight delays, because spending time with all of you was well worth any travel delays. I hope you are staying safe in the hurricane!
It was so great to meet you Laura! The weekend will never be forgotten. I feel like we were all just settling into a groove and really starting to relax and get to know each other and boom it’s over! We definitely need to do this again!! Great recap!!
It was so wonderful to meet you too, Sue! I will definitely cherish the memories of this weekend forever. I agree – I wish we had more time together! I am very much looking forward to reuniting with everyone.
This is my heaven. The people, the activities, the everything. HEAVEN. Thank you for sharing it with us!
I don’t really do much Ben and Jerry’s anymore, but Half Baked, New York Super Fudge Chunk, and Cherry Garcia will always win for me.
It was! You would love a retreat like this! I don’t do much ice cream anymore but I will make exceptions for super good flavors – especially chocolate.
I loved reading this and reliving every moment of the weekend! I agree with Sue – it felt like we were just getting into our groove and then we had to leave! We’ll have to do this again and soon! It’s such a treasure to be able to hang out with all of you in person.
Thank you! I agree – I feel like everything was really clicking by the end and I wish I didn’t have to leave so early. It is such a joy to spend time with everyone in person!
Oh my goodness! The food was amazing! And I have to admit I loved cooking the Chef’d meals. Such fun to cook with everyone and enjoy our hard work. The cabot, chocolate and beer and wine was amazing, I could have eaten more. Loved finally meeting you!!! So many great memories!
The food was incredible! I loved cooking the Chef’d meals also – I am very excited to try them at home. I loved meeting you!!!
This looks like such an incredible experience! The food, the company, the running…it all sounds amazing! Its awesome that you were able to make the long trip out there. So glad you had a great time!
Thank you – it was! I am very grateful for Ryan taking care of everything back home while I made the trip out there.
This sounds so incredibly awesome. I hope I can attend one of these retreats someday!
You definitely should attend one if you can!
It was such a joy to meet you Laura!! I’m so happy that we all had such a long and wonderful weekend to get to know each other, bond and learn from one another.
I loved reading your recap – it was like being back there all over again.
I am so looking forward to following along with your CIM training – you are going to kill it!!! Can’t wait to meet up with you again, my fellow West Coast friend!! xoxo
It was such a joy to meet you, Natalie – you are such a kind, sweet, joyful woman! I am so grateful for all of the friendships that this weekend produced. And thank you! I can’t wait until we can meet up again! 🙂
This retreat sounds so awesome! I love running races with friends – those races are seriously so memorable! And by the way, Chocolate Therapy is my fave Ben and Jerry’s flavor! 🙂