Luxury Hotels | Guided Runs | Coaching | Wellness Workshops | Spa | Gourmet Spanish Tapas
Book May 2 - 8, 2020Join us for an amazing week of wellness, wisdom (and wine!) as we run along the Mediterranean Sea in Costa Brava
We’ll explore one of the most beautiful areas of Spain on foot in a way that leaves you plenty of time to tune in to what drives you—in running and in life. Indulge in a week of things that are sure to feed your soul: travel, adventure, fun, education and great food.
Through our practical running form clinics, informative discussions, mindful movement and free time for quiet contemplation, you’ll stop the energy drains and divert your energy back into your running. Become a durable, strong, motivated runner using these tools and techniques that will keep you healthy and injury free. Immerse yourself in the powerful healing energy of this vibrant, historic coastal landscape as you run scenic trails at a pace that is playful, relaxed and social.
Day 1 | Girona
Our program begins at 4:00 p.m., when we gather at Girona’s famous Hotel Historic in the heart of the city’s oldest district for our official Retreat Opening Meeting. After introductions and a retreat orientation, we’ll meet our local guide, Pablo, for a 90-minute running tour of the city. Then we return to the hotel, where you have plenty of time to check in and freshen up before we visit one of Girona’s gourmet restaurants for dinner.
Run: 4 miles with some stairs, cobblestone streets and secret trails
Day 2 | Calella de Palafrugell
After breakfast at the hotel, we take a short drive outside the city to Les Gavarres forest, where we will begin today’s run. Before long, we arrive at the coast and continue our run north to the fishing village of Palafrugell. You’ll have the afternoon free to relax before a Mindful Running Workshop at the hotel, and then dinner. Tonight we stay at Hotel San Roc, a family run boutique hotel overlooking the Mediterranean.
Run: 7 miles on forest trails, sandy beach and rocky coastal pathway.
Day 3 | Medieval Village of Pals
After enjoying a delicious breakfast overlooking the sea, we’ll take a short drive to an historic lighthouse where we’ll have our second Natural Running Form Clinic overlooking the sea. Then we’ll begin today’s 5-mile run along the enjoy stunningly beautiful along the coast line, along coastal pathways and past the village of Tamaru. Then we head inland along forested trails, ending at the historic site, Begur Castle. From there, it’s a short drive to the restored medieval village of Pals, where we’ll enjoy locally made paella, Catalonia’s signature seasoned rice dish. Then we check into our rooms at El Convent, a converted medieval monastery, where we’re spending the night. After some free time to settle in, we’ll have another Mindful Running Workshop, followed by dinner in the hotel’s renowned restaurant.
Run: 7 miles, 1327 feet of elevation gain/loss.
Day 4 | Cadequés
After breakfast at El Convent, we drive one hour to the nearby town of Roses, situated on the edge of the Parc Natural de Cap de Creus. This wild region of Costa Brava features numerous hidden coves and cliffs, forming a rugged yet beautiful landscape shaped by the elements. Today we run 5.7 miles, while practicing mindful pacing techniques and running efficiency, ending our run in beautiful Cadequés. Here you’ll have the entire afternoon free to explore the village before dinner. We’ll spend the next two nights at the same hotel here in Cadequés.
Run: 6 miles with several uphills in the first half, then a long downhill run over the last 2 miles.
Day 5 | Cap de Creus Natural Park
This morning, we take a short drive out to the Cap de Creus lighthouse, where we will begin today’s incredibly rewarding and scenic 4.5-mile run. We begin on a fairly rocky trail that leads to the Cap de Creus Lighthouse. After enjoying a refreshment on the cafe patio at the lighthouse, continue on the rocky trail for about 1.5 miles to Paratge de Tudela, a paved pathway through unique landscape that inspired some of Salvador Dali’s famous artwork. This afternoon allows free time to lounge by the hotel pool, browse the artisan shops or visit a winery. Later afternoon, we’ll have our third Mindful Running Workshop, follow by another outstanding dinner at a family run restaurant.
Run: 7 miles (with option to extend) on rocky trails through sea coves and sections on paved pathways.
Day 6 | Port de la Selva
After breakfast at the hotel, we start our final run of the retreat, a rewarding climb along a ridge overlooking the port town of Port de la Selva, situated on the north cape of Cap de Creus. Now a fishing and tourism destination, Port de la Selva has been inhabited for over a millennium, and is home to numerous archaeological remains. After our run, we’ll visit an 11-century monastery called Sant Pere de Rodes. After the tour, we’ll have lunch in Port de la Selva before embarking on the 1.5-hour drive back to Girona, check into the hotel and enjoy our final dinner together .
Run: 5 miles on dirt roads and forested singletrack trails on a mostly downhill route
Day 7 | Retreat Closing + Spa Day
Enjoy breakfast at your leisure at our hotel, followed by our official Retreat Closing Meeting before we head over to the Aqua Banys Romans Spa to enjoy a soak and sauna followed by a one-hour relaxation massage. After your spa treatment, head to the Girona train station to take the bus or train to Barcelona downtown or the airport.
Run: no group run today
Wellness Workshops
How mindful running helps you stress less and run morePart I: Stress and Runners
Where does your energy go? Do you ever feel too tired to run? Do you ever feel so overwhelmed at the prospect of starting a training plan that you give up before you’ve begun? Do your long runs or hard workouts so wiped out that you’re pretty much useless the rest of the day? Discover what feeds your energy and what depletes your energy and how to stop the energy leaks.
Part II: Mitigating the Effects of Stress
How do you know if you're doing enough to build your fitness and reach your goals, but not so much that you're becoming depleted and at risk of over extending yourself? You’ll design your own mindful running practice that will allow you to fulfill your goals and run with confidence. Discover how mindful breathing improves your running efficiency and dial down the stress response in any situation.
Part III: Values Inform Intentions
Running is an important part of your personal self-care routine, and yet, it can be so hard to prioritize sometimes. Fulfilling your potential is about living in alignment with your values. These mindful intention-setting exercises allows you to align your approach to running with you values around wellness, self care and fitness. Come away with a clear approach to balancing health with life's demands.
Natural Running Form Clinics
Use mindful running to be more efficient and recover fasterPart I: Power Posture
Use proper alignment to make gravity do more of the work. This reduces the muscular force involved with running so it feels easier and less strenuous on muscles and joints.
Part II: Focus on Efficiency
Use natural running techniques to drastically improve efficiency. You'll practice changing stride length, cadence and tempo on various types of terrain.
Part III: Find Flow
Put the pieces together to achieve the ultimate trail running experience. Learn to cultivate the circumstances for flow to occur by being relaxed and mindful.
About Your Retreat Leader, Heather Lee
Heather is a highly engaging and inspirational Women’s Mind/Body Wellness and Longevity Lifestyling Coach. She has spent the last 25 years developing and facilitating dynamic and transformational retreats designed exclusively for women’s lives and life transitions. Her programs have been presented at such acclaimed wellness resorts as the Golden Door, Lake Austin Spa and Hualalai Four Seasons. Heather is a masters-level mental health professional with advanced training in mind/body medicine from the Harvard Mind/Body Medical Institute and is the past Director of the Mind/Body Medicine and Women’s Health Education programs at The University of Virginia Medical Center.
Participant Photos + Testimonials
About Your 7-Day, 6-Night Retreat Package
Mediterranean Mindful Running Retreat
Package Per Person (Shared Room): $4,300 | Package Per Person (Private Room): $4,800 | Deposit Amount: $900 | Duration:
| Running Level:
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• Six nights’ accommodation in luxury boutique hotels
• Daily breakfasts
• Three-course Gourmet dinners (including wine)
• Two-hour wellness experience at Aqua Banys Romans Spa
• Gourmet Paella lunch in Pals
• Lunch at Sant Pere de Rhodes Monestary
• Professional running guides
• Ground transportation/ luggage handling between hotels
• Mindful Running Workshops with Heather Lee
• Natural Running Form Clinics
• Run Wild Retreats gift bag
• Retreat Planning Guide
- Flights
- Alcoholic drinks
- Other incidentals
- Guide gratuity
- Some ground transportation
- Travel/cancellation insurance
- Anything else not listed under “What’s Included”
Accommodations
We are staying in high-quality hotel rooms each night. These rooms all have two twin beds and ensuite bathrooms that you will share with one other person if you book a shared room, or on your own if you book a private bedroom.
Planning Your Travel
Fly to Barcelona El Prat Airport at least one day before the retreat begins. From the Barcelona airport, it’s an easy train ride (or bus ride) to Girona. The retreat begins at 4:00 pm in the afternoon, so please arrive well before this time in order to check into your room and change into your running clothes.
On day 7 of the retreat, our spa day will take place in the morning, so we recommend booking a return flight no earlier than the evening of Day 7, or the following day. There is direct bus service from the Girona Train Station (a short walk or taxi ride from our hotel) to the Barcelona El Prat Airport that costs around 19 Euros. Learn more here.
GETTING FROM BARCELONA TO GIRONA:
To get to Girona, you may take the Barcelona Airport Train C2 to Estacio Sants, where you change trains. There are numerous trains travelling from Estacio Sants to Girona – approximately three every hour. On average the journey lasts about 1 hour 20 minutes and costs 10 Euros. Check the RENFE Website for the train times.
(If you are arriving into Terminal 1 (T1) you will not be able to walk straight to the train station, as it is 4 km away. You will need to take a shuttle bus from outside the terminal.)
- This retreat is rated Level II. This means it’s suitable for you if:
- You’re comfortable running/hiking six days in a row. Our shortest run is 30 minutes, but most are around 2 to 3 hours (including hiking sections, water breaks and photo ops).
- You’re OK with running/hiking on trails with loose dirt, rocks and some muddy sections.
- You’re game for running in the rain (don’t worry about what to wear; we provide you with a comprehensive packing list).
May 2 - 8, 2020
Save when you book early.
THE DESTINATION
Costa Brava, in Catalonia, Spain is located in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, covering the coastal towns and villages of the beautiful province of Catalonia. It is home to some of the most delightful towns, villages and beaches along this 300 km stretch of the Mediterranean Sea. Backing into the Pyrenees along the French border, Costa Brava is a diverse region of extraordinary natural beauty and has a very deep artistic and historical heritage. Its natural beauty giving inspiration to famous artists such as Salvador Dali, Joan Miro and Pablo Picasso.
THE TRAILS
Our daily mileage may be short (runs are typically 4.5 – 8 miles), but these trails present some challenges! Previous trail-running experience isn’t necessary, as your retreat leader will provide you with important tips and tools for navigating technical terrain and pacing yourself on these hilly trails. We’ll run on all kinds of surfaces, from rocky trails to smooth dirt forest paths, along cobblestone streets and short sections of dirt road. We’ll stop frequently along the way to take photos, have a snack and sip our water.
THE WEATHER
The weather this time of year is ideal for running: not yet too hot, though highly likely to be sunny and in the 60’s or 70’s with a refreshing Mediterranean Sea breeze to keep us cool. Spring rain showers are possible (usually intermittent), so we recommend bringing a lightweight water-resistant running jacket.
THE FOOD
Bring your appetite! This region’s cuisine in renowned throughout Europe, as Catalonia boasts the greatest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants in all of Europe. And you’ll see why, even at the casual, family run restaurants at which we dine. Local dishes feature locally grown and harvested ingredients such as fish and seafood with fresh vegetables, olives, olive oil and rice. Most special dietary needs can be easily accommodated.