By Casey Saussy
On a warm Thursday night last August, I gathered with a group of women who were strangers to me in the homey living room of a lodge at Vagabond Ranch deep in the Colorado wilderness near the Continental Divide. We were to spend the next four days running in the woods, eating, doing yoga and learning other body-wise-trail-chick kinds of things at the Run Wild Trail Running and Wellness Retreat.
Unsure of what to expect, I wondered if I would make friends. Or would I completely embarrass myself and be left behind running on mountainous singletrack where the air is oh-so thin? Would our host, Elinor Fish, a Leadville Trail 100 Mile Race finisher and former editor of Trail Runner magazine, be Type-A intense and run us to exhaustion?
All my fears turned out to be silly. Rather than being intimidating, Elinor was inviting, disarming, welcoming and inclusive. The Run Wild Retreat experience invoked all the best childhood memories of summer sleep-away camp – even making s’mores over a campfire.
On day one, we awoke at 6:30 a.m. to enjoy a delicious breakfast, then I donned my running kit, filled my water bottles and joined our group, huddled outside in the crisp, early morning mountain air while Elinor briefed us on the morning’s adventure. “Don’t worry about keeping up with anyone else,” she instructed. “This is your run, so find a pace that feels good to you.”
Soon our group of 16 was strung along a soft dirt trail that wound its way through a lush, mossy forest. A few miles later we arrived at Lost Lake, a small, picturesque alpine lake where the surrounding mountains reflected off its perfectly still surface. We ran the lake’s half-mile circumference, at times scrambling over boulders and hopping logs before bounding back down the singletrack trail that had led us there.
Trail-running experience wasn’t necessary to appreciate this adventure. Sabrina, for example, came primarily for the yoga classes that were also part of the weekend’s activities, but found the running exhilarating and confidence-building. Some had run marathons while others were non-competitive, but we all found a few in the group who matched our pace. Soon our conversations moved as quickly as our feet.
One morning’s focus was on form, including video feedback and input from Elinor that made us aware of the difference in energy output and comfort as we tweaked positioning of hands, shoulders and chin.
No matter how embarrassed I was at being scrutinized, I wasn’t the only one to come away with an “aha” moment that helped me become a better runner. “Running form isn’t about trying to emulate a top-level athlete,” says Elinor. “It’s about being aware of your own body’s way of running that is most efficient and comfortable to you. We all have things we can improve upon. And if you’ve ever had an injury, it’s worth exploring how changing your form might relieve that chronic pain area.”
Here are the best trail-running tips I came away with:
– When climbing or descending technical trail, be light on your feet (think dancing), shorten your stride and aim for rapid footfalls.
– Overstriding on downhills can strain major muscle groups and leave your quads quivering at the next uphill.
– Nutrition and hydration are critical. While water is essential, also be mindful of your sweat rate, electrolyte balance and caloric intake on longer runs.
After each run, we plunged our weary muscles in a snowmelt-fed creek (aka nature’s therapeutic ice bath), which convinced me that a cold soak decreases post-run soreness. Or perhaps it was the stretching and mindful yoga class later that afternoon or the professional massage that made me feel so good … in any case, the entire package had the effect of a wilderness spa.
In the evenings, we gathered for presentations on topics ranging from nutrition to training to injury prevention. Each “talk” would soon dissolve into informal Q & A sessions in which we shared our personal challenges, insecurities and, in many cases, how we overcame them.
These women turned out to be more like me than I had originally thought. We were all balancing family, friendships, work and running in our busy lives.
And what a diverse group it was! Leading the yoga was professional trail runner Rachel Cieslewicz; guest speakers included “Run Like a Mother” co-authors Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell. (Their new book, “Train Like a Mother,” will be out this spring and they will join us at the Ramblin’ Rose Raleigh Triathlon on May 20.) Cassie and Stacey from Pearl Izumi outfitted us all with new trail-running shoes.
Just like at summer camp, I made great friends at the Run Wild Retreat and shared stories I probably wouldn’t even share with my running buddies back home. And my running has already benefited from all I learned. Out of my element, but not out of my comfort zone, I would definitely Run Wild again in 2012.
Run Wild in 2012
Information and registration about the next Run Wild Trail Running and Wellness Retreat (Aug. 16-19) is available at www.RunWildRetreats.com. It will be held at Avalanche Ranch, near Carbondale, Colo., and will feature scenic alpine trails, expert presenters, gourmet food, on-site natural hot springs, yoga classes for runners, charming cabin accommodations and tons of schwag.
Train Like a Mother
Sarah and Dimity’s new book, Train Like a Mother: How to Get Across Any Finish Line – and Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity will be released March 20th. Order your copy today! http://www.amazon.com/Train-Like-Mother-Across-Finish/dp/1449409865/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt
To follow their blog, check out www.anothermotherrunner.com.
